All articles by Sam Hewitt

[How To] Update An Ubuntu Daily ISO Using zsync

zsync is a nifty command-line utility that can keep files up-to-date with remote ones. One of the most popular uses of zync on Ubuntu is for updating Ubuntu's daily build image with the latest changes - saving the need to download the entire 800MB .iso again. And in this guide we'll show you how to use it.

10 January 2013

Machinarium for Linux [Review]

Follow the story of an atypical robot hero set out to rescue his robot-girlfriend, and in turn save the city and defeat the bad guys. Machinarium, is another artfully designed puzzler from Amanita Design. Like most role-playing games, you control the titular character, in this case a robot, as you guide him through the eponymous city, collecting items and solving environmental puzzles.

28 November 2012

Linux Mint 14 with Cinnamon Desktop [Review]

Perhaps the most well-known and/or notorious derivative of Ubuntu: Linux Mint, has released its fourteenth version, codenamed: "Nadia". Priding itself on being for "newbies" and being a power user, Linux Mint is not among my favourite Linux distributions, nevertheless I've downloaded the latest version, with their Cinnamon desktop, to give it an in-depth review.

25 November 2012

[How-to] Install the 13.04 Unity Launcher Design Updates

Along with the recently covered design changes heading (tentatively) to Ubuntu 13.04, came some changes to the Unity launcher. Now, if you're one of these folks who can't wait to get the latest thing I've created a simple little hack for you.

21 November 2012

Splice: Sudoku in a Petri Dish

If you're not too germophobic or if you like playing God, at the microcosmic level, then you’ll enjoy this microbial puzzle-game. Indie game developer Cipher Prime Studios, bring players into the world of the microscopic. Splice requires players to pull-apart and reconstruct increasingly complex strands of microbes.

15 November 2012

Ubuntu Software Development Kit Announced

An important item discussed in Copenhagen this Monday, regarding app development, was the emergence of an Ubuntu SDK at some point in the not too distant future. An Ubuntu-specific software development kit, bringing together all the necessary software and tools for app development, ought to excite people looking to make or bring their applications to Ubuntu.

30 October 2012

LIMBO Raises the Bar for Indie Games

LIMBO is one of those titles which reminds us that video games can still be works of art. A side-scrolling game with its dark, dreamstate tableau and deliberate lack of storytelling, LIMBO creates a deep and darkly horrific addition to the puzzle genre.

28 October 2012

Lenovo ThinkPad E530: The Ideal Ubuntu Laptop? [Review]

“ThinkPad” the revered laptop brand of techies, whether under IBM or Lenovo, has been a long-time friend to Linux users. But how does the Lenovo ThinkPad E530, which went on sale earlier this year, fare under Ubuntu?

25 October 2012