Section: How To

Discover an eclectic mix of tutorials covering everything from ways to install neat apps, or enable new features, to workarounds for known issues, and configuring your Ubuntu system.

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[How to] Enable tabbed conversations in Skype for Linux

There's no question that tabbed interfaces - be they in a web browser or chat application - help to streamline multitasking and window management. VoIP application Skype, seemingly seeing the benefits of such interfaces, recently introduced 'all-in-one' windows into their Windows and OS X clients. Skype for Linux on the other hand still sports the traditional multi-window interface. Enter SkypeTab, which enables tabbed conversations in Skype on Linux

10 June 2011
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Chrome 12 brings Unity Global Menu support – and here’s how to enable it

Google released the latest stable update to their Google Chrome browser earlier today, bringing with it a handful of features exclusive to Ubuntu users...

8 June 2011
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This ‘Stairway to Heaven’ Ubuntu desktop is gorgeous and simple to achieve

Is your desktop in need of a makeover? The following desktop by DeviantArtist ~votritis, called 'Stairway to heaven', might be just what you're after...

7 June 2011
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Help Compiz rockstar Sam Spilsbury squash the annoying invisible window bug…

In spite of best efforts, a weird bug in compiz causing windows to 'become invisible' is still haunting the users. Here is how you can help fix it.

5 June 2011
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Ubuntu running natively on the HTC Desire HD

HTC Desire HD owners bored of Android and in need of some breakage may be pleased to hear that Ubuntu can now run natively on the device. Details/waffle inside.

30 May 2011
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[How to] Enable Unity integration for remote desktop app ‘Remmina’

Remote desktop client 'Remmina' doesn't have Ubuntu Unity launcher integration by default, but it's easy enough to add with this script by Daniel S.

28 May 2011
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Skype crashed today? Here’s a fix

Many Ubuntu users have been experiencing a bizarre crash issues with VoIP service Skype today whereby the application crashes then fails to start again. Reader Dipish hunted down a fix and mailed it in to share with you folks.

26 May 2011

[How to] Fix ‘Low Sound’ on a Macbook Running Ubuntu 11.04

Macbook users experiencing sound problems with heir speakers in Ubuntu 11.04 may benefit from the following 'fix'.

26 May 2011
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5 ways to make using multiple computers and devices more efficient with Ubuntu

I hate cables. There, I have finally managed to start the article. But getting back to the cables, I have a mouse, which connects to my computer. Fair enough: that's a worthy cause for a cable. But then I got a second computer. Now what do I do? Just use the touchpad on one? Or do I get a second mouse and make my desk even more cluttered? A better option would be to have the mouse shared between the two computers.

23 May 2011
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[How to] Convert Ubuntu into ChromeOS (kinda)

Whether the hype surrounding Google's soon-to-launch ChromeBooks has left you wanting a piece of the action, or whether you'd just rather have a "quickboot" interface for Ubuntu that gets you on the web in seconds, the following 'conversion' guide may prove useful.

20 May 2011
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Unity 2D PPA for Ubuntu 10.10 users

So you're still on Ubuntu 10.10 but you don't want to miss out entirely on the "new" Unity experience. What's the best way to experience Unity in Maverick? During the early development of Unity 2D - the less hardware-hungry version of Unity that uses Qt - Ubuntu 10.10 users were able to install Unity 2D for development purposes via a PPA. Understandably, the back-porting stopped as Natty got nearer.

19 May 2011
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[How to] Make e-book app ‘Calibre’ look nicer in Ubuntu

It's always frustrating to come across an applications whose features are let down by a less-than great interface. Calibre, an e-book management tool, has, for me at least, been a prime example of this. Thankfully the developer has begun working to tweak and refine the interface, with he fruits of this labour appearing in the most recent release. Reader and all round ace guy Wyatt K., having read that post, thought it could be made better still - and all rather easily, too...

15 May 2011