Installing Eclipse CLassic on Linux Mint / Ubuntu

Last night I had this idea of creating my own OS but after a couple of research, I ended up deciding to start small and go into Android app development. Here are some articles that I came across regarding this idea.

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/102065/Android-A-beginner-s-guide

http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html

As I have learned from the articles, the easiest way to get into Android app development is through the use of Eclipse. I personally prefer this method because I don't have much programming knowledge, especially on Java.

To cut the story short, I have to install Eclipse through a tarball file. Here's how it worked for me.

1. Download the Eclipse tarball file here. http://www.eclipse.org/downloads

2. Open Terminal (from main menu or Ctrl+Alt+T)

3. Extract the file.

tar xaf /home/cosmic/Downloads/eclipse-SDK-3.7.1-linux-gtk.tar.gz

*location of file and file name might differ from yours

4. Move to /opt/ folder.

sudo mv eclipse /opt/

cd /opt/

sudo chown -R root:root eclipse

sudo chmod -R +r eclipse

5. Create an Eclipse executable file in your path.

sudo touch /usr/bin/eclipse

sudo chmod 755 /usr/bin/eclipse

sudo nano /usr/bin/eclipse

Copy this into nano:

#!/bin/sh #export MOZILLA_FIVE_HOME="/usr/lib/mozilla/" export ECLIPSE_HOME="/opt/eclipse"  $ECLIPSE_HOME/eclipse $*

Save (Ctrl+o) and Exit (Ctrl+x)

6. Create a Gnome menu item.

sudo nano /usr/share/applications/eclipse.desktop

Copy this into nano.

[Desktop Entry] Encoding=UTF-8 Name=Eclipse Comment=Eclipse IDE Exec=eclipse Icon=/opt/eclipse/icon.xpm Terminal=false Type=Application Categories=GNOME;Application;Development; StartupNotify=true

Save and exit.

7. Launch Eclipse for the first time.

/opt/eclipse/eclipse -clean &

You're Eclipse should be ready to go. ^_^

Tips and Tweaks for Linux Mint

Continuing the Linux Series of my posts, I've decided to create this topic since Linux Mint the distro that I am personally using and it is also what I recommend to those who are planning to switch from Windows OS to Linux.

Linux Mint installation usually comes with all the applications you would need to attend to your daily computing needs and settings are set in a manner that would somehow be pleasant for everyone. But why not customize it so that it would be a perfect fit to your needs and your personality.

Add / Remove Applications

As a starting point, it is best to install / uninstall applications from the Software Manager since this would categorically list thousands of applications you could install on your system. Here's how it goes:

1. Go to Menu >> Software Manager.
2. Browse the categories until you reach your desired application. (You could also simply type the name of the application in the search bar located in the upper-right corner of Software Manager)
3. Click on the application.
4. Click Install or Remove as the case may be.

If you cannot find the application in the Software Manager, you could use the terminal to perform the same task.

1. Go to Menu >> Terminal.
2. Type "sudo apt-get install name_of_application" (e.g. sudo apt-get install firefox)
3. Enter your password. (The password for your system. This is the one that you've set upon installation)

Note:

• Typing the command above would update an application if it is already installed.
• To uninstall application using the Terminal, just replace install with uninstall (e.g. sudo apt-get uninstall firefox)
• Whenever you are asked to type your password, you may notice that it do not seem to be typing but believe me it does. It is just hidden for security purposes.

Tweaks

Customizing the look and feel of your system what is included in the "Freedom" that I am referring to in my earlier post: Shifting to Linux.

You can do this by changing settings in Menu >> Preferences >> Appearance

Here are other tweaks:
Tips and Tricks for Linux Mint after Installation

Computer Hardware Quiz

This is in response to a comment made by QualityPoint in my previous topic: "Shifting to Linux".

I've checked the link but I didn't find it to be useful for me (at the moment). Though, there is no doubt that this would be helpful for those who are thinking of going deeper into the field of Computer Hardware. That's why I decided to post it as well.

Here is the link: Computer Hardware Quiz

The quiz tackles details regarding hardwares which includes appearance of certain parts and commonly used stuff. These may be susceptible to obsolescence of presented information specially technology is fast pacing. It would be helpful if a hardware expert try to check the quiz and comment back here and share your thoughts.

Disclaimer:

The quiz discussed above does not belong to me and comments that I've made are simply opinions based on my knowledge and experience.

Tuning Musical Instruments Using Computer

I had a hard time tuning my violin because the battery of my digital tuner was lost. Good thing I found a Linux based instrument tuner -- Lingot. It is accurate and easy to use as claimed by the software.

I have also found a Windows version of it but I haven't personally tried that one. Here's the link:
http://lingot.gitara.org.pl/index.php.en

Please comment here for your opinion regarding the software (specially the Windows version).

Shifting to Linux

Since I was introduced to computer, I have been using Windows OS. As I go deeper into computing, I've heard about Linux and the wonderful things that it can do. Here are some of the things that I like best about Linux:

• Freedom
• Secured (against virus and similar threats)
• Mostly free softwares
• Flexible (you can customize it from appearance to functions)

There are also different distributions (versions) of Linux that would fit to your needs and technical knowledge. Here is a quiz that might help you decide on which distro (distribution) is right suitable for you:

http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

For those who are used to the Windows environment Linux Mint would probably be an option for you. It is somehow close to Windows environment so shifting wouldn't be that hard. Using Mint, you could also access Live Chat with other Mint users and from there, you could seek technical advice.

A disadvantage for Linux would be the fact that most softwares are created for Windows since it has the largest share of house computers. On the other hand, Linux developers continue to create counterpart softwares for those created for Windows.

Based on my experience, I could say that Linux provided me with the computing experience that I've been looking for.

Here's a point-by-point comparison from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Windows_and_Linux#Security

Shifting to another Operating System is definitely a thing to consider if you feel that there is still something missing in your computing experience and your current OS could not deliver your expectations.

Disabling Autorun in Windows XP Home Edition

I've created a topic about Avoid Being Infected Through USB Flash Drive. Part of the tips is disabling AutoRun function of Windows. Unfortunately that tip is not applicable for Windows XP Home Edition.

But let's party all users of Windows XP Home Edition!

I recently found a way to do the trick. Here's an alternative:

Use Tweak UI.

Steps:

1. Download Tweak UI by clicking on the link above.
2. Install Tweak UI.
3. Open Tweak UI (Start > Powertoys for Windows XP > Tweak UI)
4. Click the "+" sign before My Computer on the Tree List on the left side of the window.
5. Click the "+" sign before AutoPlay.
6. Under AutoPlay, click Drives.
   
7. Uncheck all drives that you want AutoRun to be disabled.
8. CLick the OK button on the lower portion of the window.

And there you have it! You have just put your computer's security to a higher level.

*Note: You need Administrative Rights to perform this.

Running the application as Admin using the Run as. . . won't work. In able to do the tweak on a Limited Account, temporary change the account type into Computer Administrator before running the application. After that, you may change the account type back into a Limited Account.

Firefox crashes when using Yahoo Mail

I had this problem about crashing of my browser whenever I use Yahoo Mail. At first I thought it was a virus so I scanned my PC but unfortunately, my AV did not find any infection.

After weeks of searching for a solution, an Advisor in Bleeping Computer directed me to an article posted by Firefox. After following the instructions in the said post, I finally solved the problem that's been bugging me for sol long.

Here's the link to that post of Firefox:
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+crashes+when+using+Yahoo+Mail