bluej

I'm taking a new class at Capella for java programming. The class uses an IDE called bluej. Of course, the text explains how to install it on OS X and Windows, but no mention was made of Linux. A little digging found out how to install it on Linux:

First, there are installation instructions for all non-OS X/Windows machine, which involves a straight forward java app instalation:

java -jar ./bluej-252.jar

The app asks for the jdk directory for your system. As a complete java novice, this is where I had to dig a little. For fedora it was /usr/java/jdk[xxx] (where xxx is your version).

Also - one should create a directory for bluej, and the obvious place is /usr/java/bluej

It's trivial, but it would be nice if the install app could figure out the jdk directory for you.

Unsung Hero

Over the past several weeks I have introduced several people to Dia, and all of them were astounded and wondered why they had never heard of this program before - so here it is.

Dia is a diagramming program for Linux (has a windos port as well) that performs all of the basic functions of Visio(tm); Depending on one's skill, very complicated diagrams of any process can be created in this program and saved and/or exported to a variety of formats, including .png, .gif, and and a visio compatable format.

Dia has an extensive library of templates and the ability to import images. If you are a python wizard, you can create new extentions. Etc.

My main reason for using Dia is to communicate with non-technical co-workers. Many times a diagram can communicate technical problems in a manner that the non-technical can understand. It provides a common reference that does not have to rely on technical jargon.

There are other diagram tools for Linux, some of which have nice features, but I find that I always return to Dia because it is just easier to use. This may be due to the fact that I know it best, but I think not.

If you have another (Linux) diagram tool that you like better, let me know why!

Its the little things

I have been a fedora/RedHat user for a long time, and still am, where servers are concerned. However, I've started using Ubuntu on the desktop, and I'm impressed so far.

I started using Ubuntu because it was the only Distro that would work on my new laptop, a Dell Inspiron 1525. I tried Suse, Debian, Fedora, and several distros that came free in some Linux mags; they would install but not boot, or boot but not recognize major elements (USB, network, hard drives, etc.). I went on line and found that Dell was selling this machine in Europe with Ubuntu, whereupon I downloaded the latest Ubuntu and the rest is history. It works very well.

With one small glitch.

When I use vim, there was no context highlighting. I googled around and found this vim command:

:syntax on

So my question is: Why, why would this function not be turned on by default as it has been in every other distro I've used. What is the reasoning?

There are other weird little things. For instance, Dia on Fedora: When one is exporting a graph as a .png or .jpg, on Fedora Dia will ask you to define the size the graphic file (pixel width x height). But not on Ubuntu, with the exact same Dia version. Why? There is a way around this, of course, which is to run the export from the command line.

These are very, very minor issues. But why do different distros have different defaults for these very common applications? This, at least, should be standardized across all platforms.

Regards,

David

Cheese

Several years ago one of the things that was really missing from desktop Linux was the use of USB cameras, which were quickly becoming ubiquitous in both the Mac and Windows world. I spent a fair amount of time downloading, compiling, and tweaking, but it became very clear that USB cameras were not (yet) for Linux.

Fast forward to the present and Ubuntu 8 and Fedora 8. USB cameras have become plug and play thanks to the hard work of OSS developers (thanks!). And now that USB cameras have been incorporated into the Linux experience, we have Cheese, a USB camera utility to take pictures and videos from your USB camera (a la Mac). Developed by Daniel G. Diegel and Jaap A. Haitsma , this program is a great tool for engaging your kids (and having some fun yourself).

While it doesn't seem to have made it into the standard builds for Ubuntu or Fedora, it can be installed on each (apt-get install cheese, or yum install cheese). Its a great little tool and a must have for anyone using desktop Linux at home.

Regards,

David