Mythbusters - Is Linux hard to use?

Linux suffers a little bit of a perception problem. When most Windows or Mac users picture a Linux desktop they imagine something looking a little like this:

 
Big boring command lines and indecipherable text that only the nerdiest nerd could possibly interpret.

Firefox "Blocked: May Contain a Virus or Spyware" Quick Solution

Firefox download manager keeps blocking downloads that you know are safe, claiming that they might contain a virus or spyware.

There are two quick solutions.

The easiest is simply to...

1. Download the file in a different browser like Chromium or Chrome.
This is the best option if it's just the one file that's causing you problems but if it keeps happening over and over then this really isn't practical.

Also consider the future implications. It only tells you it's blocked the file after its been downloaded. Imagine you're five hours and 99% into downloading a vital 2GB file over a sluggish connection then suddenly that error pops up - you're gunna be mad.


2. Disable safebrowsing.
While this will get rid of the annoying warnings, it will also disable warnings when you're visiting dodgy sites, such as forgeries or phishing sites so it's not a decision to be taken too lightly.

On balance, for a Linux user with a bit of sense, I think it's not at all risky. However, if you're still worried consider downloading a good range of protective add ons such as Bitdefender.

Here's how to disable safebrowsing: 

1. Type "about:config" in the address bar.
2. Click ok to all the Here Be Dragons warnings.
3. Search for and set the following two values to false:

   browser.safebrowsing.enabled

   browser.safebrowsing.malware.enabled

   4. Restart Firefox and download the file.

List of Games That'll Run on Linux

Okay, so I'm not the biggest gamer (after all, I do run Linux) and I'll be the first to admit that gaming hasn't been a strong point of Linux operating systems with most games designed to run primarily on Windows then maybe on Macs with Linux a long forgotten afterthought.

However, I've noticing things are getting steadily better in particular with the gaming platform Steam beginning to accommodate Linux users. Here's a short list of the games you can run without a hitch on a Linux OS:

Besiege
Physics-based building game where you build medieval machines to achieve tasks, level villages etc.

Counter-Strike: Source
A classic and still very popular first person shooter.

Half Life 2 & Gary's Mod 
Great first person shooter campaign (HL2) and its sandbox spin-off.

CIV:V 
Incredibly expansive and complex strategy game.

I'll add to the list when and where I find them...

Edit:

Definitely worth checking the Steam Linux store for a comprehensive list.

In addition, a whole host of Windows games are playable with the PlayOnLinux addon.

Disable "Recent Items" Menu in VLC uBuntu

You may not always want the "Recent Items" menu to display in VLC, luckily there is a fast, quick and easy way to turn it off.

Simply go to Tools then Preferences.

Click Interface and then uncheck Save Recently Played Items.

Dad Tries Out uBuntu For The First Time - Youtube Video

An entertaining little video of a computer novices first time using uBuntu 13.04. Definitely helps dispel some of the myths that Linux is an unfriendly operating system.

The 5 Essential Programs for uBuntu

1. VLC 

The Daddy of all media players. Plays almost every media type with a wide variety of options and a minimal UI.

2. GIMP 

A popular free alternative to Adobe's popular Photoshop image editing software. Not quite on par with Photoshop and the UI is a little difficult but still a brilliant alternative.

3. Banshee 
 
Personally I've found the range of audio players available on uBuntu to be disappointing with difficult, unfamiliar interfaces to someone so familiar with iTunes. There seems to be an obsession with stuffing as many different windows into one interface - coupled with the inability to remove them (I'm looking at you Rhythmbox)

The exception has been Banshee. Although it arrives with a multitude of different windows, these can be easily turned off (View > Show Browser) and the result is a wonderfully simple, sleek and dependable music player.

4. LibreOffice 

The popular free alternative to the Microsoft Office suite. Writer for Word, Calc for Excel, Impress for PowerPoint. I've found just about everything I can do in Microsoft Office I can do in Libre.

5. Truecrypt

Lock your important files, encrypt your drives (although this can take a while depending on size) or create hidden drives within drives for extra security.

How To Permenantly Delete a File or Folder

I'd been having this problem with external hard-drives and memory sticks recently whereby deleted files just keep reappearing in a .trash folder.

This could be understandably annoying, particularly for someone who's new to uBuntu and doesn't know about hidden folders that thinks they're clearing space on their memory sticks... when all they're doing is putting it into a hidden folder.

Luckily there's a simple solution to this.

To delete an item permanently use the Shift + Delete and the item should stop reappearing in the hidden folder.