Changing the password of a Linux box... without a password.

Deleted everything with out a password.... Not good

The first part of this series is about the most dangerous command a user can execute. The RM command...

Ever wanted a portable OS.  Ubuntu can be install on a USB flash drive relatively easy. The easiest way is to use UNetBootin. 
                                                                                                  Here we go...
Step 1 Run UNetBootin

Step 1a Download UNetBootin  And Ubuntu

Step 1b Right Click the EXE and select "Run As Administrator" 

Step 1c Select the Distro and Version ( In this case Ubuntu and 10.04_Live )

Step 1d Browse for the Ubuntu Server ISO

Step 1e Select the Drive you want Ubuntu Server Installed on... 
Then Click OK

Step 2b Done, now you can boot up in Ubuntu off your USB.

Fin!!

  The Youtube video editor is a Testube app ( means it is beta), that lets you edit uploaded videos. I will run through some of the features of this editor.

Editing and Cropping Clips
  Youtube / Google has really simplified this process. 

First Just drag the Clip to the bottom video bar.

Next just select the Scissors on the Clip in the bottom video bar if you want to crop it

After that, You drag the sliders to the part of the video you want. Then you click save.

Enough Video Editing ... Now Music

Adding Audio 
Here you can not add music from your collection, but from youtubes. Youtube a huge collection of titles that has the right to use (legally).  

Just click the plus button to add the song or drag it to the music bar.

Ever worried about viruses in Ubuntu / Debian, I have. This will show you how to install real AV in Ubuntu / Debian. This install is for Ubuntu / Debian, but avast! has installation file for other distros too. The other options are RPM (Red Hat), and a generic TarBall for most other Unix Distros (Tar.Gz)

                                                                    Some Command Line required... :-)

Step 1: Download and Install avast Home

Step 1a: Run this command to download the .deb file (installer)
wget http://files.avast.com/files/linux/avast4workstation_1.0.6-2_i386.deb

Step 1b: Start the installation using this command
sudo dpkg -i avast4workstation_1.0.6-2_i386.deb

Step 2: Register with avast!

Step 2a: Fill out this form to get a key
http://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php

Step 2b: Wait for the eMail


Step 3: Setup and Register Software

Step3a: Run this command to get to the script:
cd /usr/lib/avast4workstation/share/avast/desktop

Step3b: Now run this to setup a shortcut to the program:
sudo ./install-desktop-entries.sh install

Step 3c: Start the program, got to: Applications > Accessories > avast! Antivirus

Step 4: Enter The Key

Step 4a: When the program starts you should get this prompt:

Here enter the key that is in your e Mail Inbox

Done! Now you you have real Antivirus on your Ubuntu Box. This will help, but is not bullet proof. You still need to harden the machine more... More To Follow

Does your computers boot time suck? Do you have a Dual core processor or more? If you do than this is for you! This tweak will speeds up your boot time by editing a config file.

Step 1: Open Terminal


Step 2: Enter this Command and Press Enter
                           sudo gedit /etc/init.d/rc 

Step 3: Enter your Password and Press Enter


Step 4: Press Ctrl + F and you will get this prompt

Step 5: Input CONCURRENCY in the Search For: Prompt and Press Enter

Step 6: Change CONCURRENCY=none to read CONCURRENCY=shell

Step 7: Reboot

You will see a Speed increase in your Boot time after you reboot. More tweaks to come!!!

 Ubuntu Server is a easy Server OS to install. This guide will show you how to install Ubuntu Server with a GUI. This will show you how do a basic installation, You will have to install the modules that you want based on its role.


Step 1: Boot the ISO

1a You will have to download the ISO from http://www.ubuntu.com/server. and burn it to a CD.

1b After it is Burnt, Insert the disc and reboot your computer. ( Adjustment of your BIOS Boot Order may be in order)


1c Select your language and press enter

2d Next select Install Ubuntu Server 

Step 3: Start installing the OS


3a Select your Language

3b Choose your Territory

3c Keyboard Setup
     Select No

      Next Select keyboard 

     Next select USA

3d  Wait a Minute, after a second you will get a asked to enter a Host Name.

Step 4: Partitions

4a After the Clock setup, You will get this screen. Press Enter.

4b Select your Partion and press enter.

4c Select Yes and continue

4d Next hit Enter

4e Select Yes to write changes to the Disk


Step 5: Wait for the OS to install

5a Wait

5b Enter your Username 

5c Press Enter

5d Enter your Password or Passphrase

5e Verify password

5f Press Yes to the Encrypt Home prompt

5g Leave the Proxy Info prompt blank and press Enter 

Step 6:

6a Let APT configure

6b Select Install Security Updates Automatically

6c Select Software for server (More can be installed)

6e Wait for Software to Install and thank the Ubuntu Gods that you do not have to do it manually

6f Select Yes to install GRUB

6g More Waiting

6h Remove the CD and Press Enter Here

Step 7: Install GUI


7a After Reboot and enter username and password


7b Install GUI with these following command:
                     sudo apt-get update
                     sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

This will take some time to download and install. All and all very easy, especially for a Linux Distro.

This is a complete installation of Ubuntu Server 10.04 with a GUI. Have Fun... More Ubuntu to come!

  Even been to a website that loads sluggish or not at all, one solutions is your MTU settings. Default it is set to 1500, but slightly adjusting this number will help significantly. This is pretty simple, but a little time consuming. This is how it is done.

Step 1: Finding your Setting


1a Use thsudois command to set a MTU setting. 
           Copy and Paste into Terminal: sudo ifconfig eth0 mtu 1492
    I started with the setting 1492.

1b Next you ping, preferably a ISP ( They do not block ICMP). My time on 1492       was slow so I steped down. My number was 1472
    Numbers you should use: 1492, 1484, 1472, 1468, 1460
    

Step 2: Set MTU Setting Permanent


2a Edit the following directory: /etc/network/interface
       Use this Command: sudo gedit /etc/network/interfaces 
       and enter your password

2b What you need now is the following:
                    IP Address
                    Network 
                    Gateway
                    Netmask
                    mtu (your preferred setting) --My Config: mtu 1472--


Next Click Save

2b Run the following command to restart your Network:
                  sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart

Step 3: Were did I get this?

3a Check Out this Blog: TTC Shelbyville Blog

Step 4: There is no Step 4
Kudos to anyone who got that...


MTU Temporary Settings in Ubuntu 9.10

Ever wanted Compiz or your favorite FPS in VirtualBox... Now you can. This tutorial will show you how to configure 3d Acceleration for Ubuntu 10.04 (Ultimate Edition 2.7). The only catch is your hardware will have to support VirtualBox AND 3D effects.

Step1: Setup 3D Acceleration

1a Select your Virtual Machine and Click Setting

1b Click on Display, then set your Video Memory to 12b MB, and then enable 2d and 3d acceleration

1c Click OK

Step 2: Installing Guest Additions

2a Start and let the Virtual Box boot up

2b Click on Devices and select Install guest Additions

2d Click on Open AutoRun Promt and Click Run

2e Enter your Password

2f  Let Guest Additions Install and Restart

Step 3: Start Compiz

3a Goto System > Preferences > Appearence > Visual Effects

3c Click on Extras and install and configure Compiz the way you want it.

Done. Now you can run 3d acceleration running Ubuntu in VirtualBox. My favorite effect... Water. This will allow you to do the Cube and most 3D effect. The last clip is my to-the-point video on the subject.