What are some cool things to do in Linux?

[presbp]

What are some cool things to do in/with Linux [Ubuntu specifically]

[snowboard975]

Though not specific to Ubuntu, do you know xgl?
http://flvs.daum.net/flvPlayer.swf?vid=dTq5Kq5T1r0$

[raffytaffy]

Well for starters there is a rather large assortment of games which can be played. I myself fancy bzflag , i know its old school but hey ..its fun. Also as above mentioned XGL, beryl and all the new 3d / graphics stuff out there. Ubuntu has a lenghty list of available music editing software if youre into such.

[presbp]

I mean stuff to do like customizing, learning about the system, etc.

Some popular programs for various categories would help also.
I have Beryl installed and running.. but I don't use the 3D cube very often..:confused:
I do like how the windows can shade as an alternate to minimizing.. very efficient.

[23meg]

Bouncing data around with shell I/O redireciton.

http://www.linuxcommand.org/lts0060.php

[mykalreborn]

you could buy a wirelles internet card and try to make it work. :p i heard those things are hell to install.
also you could buy an ATI Radeon 9200 Pro and try to make beryl work with it. but you probably want something that doesn't involve buying. you can go to the help sections and answer posts or stick around the cafe and just give your opinion on stuff. it gets pretty interesting around these places. :D

[shining]

Bouncing data around with shell I/O redireciton.

http://www.linuxcommand.org/lts0060.php

I second that ;)

[spockrock]

not ubuntu specific, but install emacs (sudo apt-get install emacs)

then hold shift press esc, and enter xdoctor hit enter and chat chat away....with eliza.

lol if swear eliza tells you to watch your language. :P

[bionnaki]

use the commandline only.

[reacocard]

learn how to write shell scripts to automate tasks
learn how to program (I recommend Python to start with)
try another DE (xfce, kde, fluxbox, etc.)
install beryl (and avant window navigator) and make all your Vista- and OS X-using friends sick with envy.
browse the web from the terminal (sudo apt-get install elinks)

[bionnaki]

commandline apps are great.

irssi and bitchx for IRC
links2 for webbrowsing
dvdbackup for dvd ripping
crip for audio ripping
rtorrent for bittorrent
sysv-rc-conf for modifying services
aptitude instead of using synaptic

and more...

[AndyCooll]

Use xdmcp. Be on one computer while working on the desktop onyour computer thats in another room (a bit like vnc, but better).

Or ssh into your computer from school/college/work.

:cool:

[billdotson]

elinks and Avant Window Navigator are awesome

[billdotson]

1) ok.. so how would I setup a way to get into my desktop remotely using ssh? Could I install Putty on Windows and xdmcp for Ubuntu.? I might be getting a spare HP PC that is a 2002 machine soon and if I do I might try to set it up as a home media server (getting a new TV tuner soon)

2) what program is good for python programming and where would I start and continue learning python

3) where do I start learning shell scripts to auto tasks

I have done redirecting I/O from the command line w/ DOS in Windows so I am somewhat familar but by no means anymore than a novice

[leeyee]

I don't think there is much for ubuntu specific users can do, but for linuxers, it does.

1, Learning new or more effective programming, like python, C, shell scripts etc.
2, Beautify your desktop environment, it's really a nice recreation under Linux.
3, Look into UNIX, and learn to handle problems you encountered.
4, Try to do some research related to embedded system (What I am doing), Linux is a branch of the subject.
5, Make more friends ^_^

[NobodySpecial]

One fun thing is to go to the terminal and type:

sudo-apt get update
and watch all the servers scroll by.

Then, do it again, and notice that it goes faster. You can repeat as often as you wish.

[Motoxrdude]

Well, you can do what i have been working on today. Basicly just create a shell script to turn a fresh ubuntu install into your personal ubuntu so to speak. So far my program is 4gb, but mainly it is just games packed in.
That will keep you busy for at least a week, lol.

[reacocard]

1) ok.. so how would I setup a way to get into my desktop remotely using ssh? Could I install Putty on Windows and xdmcp for Ubuntu.? I might be getting a spare HP PC that is a 2002 machine soon and if I do I might try to set it up as a home media server (getting a new TV tuner soon)

2) what program is good for python programming and where would I start and continue learning python

3) where do I start learning shell scripts to auto tasks

I have done redirecting I/O from the command line w/ DOS in Windows so I am somewhat familar but by no means anymore than a novice

1) just install openssh-server on your Ubuntu box, then ssh into it using your Ubuntu username and password (ie. user@ipaddress). You can even get X forwarding (-X) so you can run GUI apps over ssh!

2) for an editor, I use either gedit or geany. idk about a tutorial, I just kinda fiddled around and looked how other code worked to figure it out.

3) shell scripts are really easy. basically, they're just a list of terminal commands that are executed in sequence, with a few things like 'if' and 'for' added for control. Just search for 'bash scripting guide' and you'll find a ton of useful stuff.

Feel free to E-mail/PM/IM me if you ever need help. I haven't been doing this for very long, but I know my way around pretty well.

[23meg]

3) where do I start learning shell scripts to auto tasks

I have done redirecting I/O from the command line w/ DOS in Windows so I am somewhat familar but by no means anymore than a novice

http://www.linuxcommand.org
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=233564

[Floppyjoe]

1)Install Google Earth for Linux
2)Make a bootable live version of Ubuntu on your USB memory Stick

[PrinceArithon]

use the commandline only.

That I agree with totally lol

[RAV TUX]

Use Damn Vulnerable Linux(DVL):popcorn: (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=357828)

[slimdog360]

play wolfenstein.

[muguwmp67]

Install DosBox and fall in love with Fallout (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallout_%28computer_game%29) and X-Com (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-COM:_UFO_Defense) all over again.

[mcduck]

Install Music Player Daemon. It runs as it's own user, playing music, and can be controlled with many different interfaces, and even through networks. And if you leave it to play when you log out it will continue playing :)

Or if you have many computers and you want to be able to stream your music to any of them try Edna for a nice streaming server with a web interface: http://edna.sourceforge.net/. Edna can also handle mp3 metadata, playlists, picture galleries, and other files, password protection and downloading files or directories in zip archives. (I wouldn't recommend sharing your mp3 collection openly to Internet though, RIAA lawyers would probably knock on your door in less than 2 days ;))
http://www.elisanet.fi/pontus.schonberg/random/musicserver-small.jpg (http://www.elisanet.fi/pontus.schonberg/random/musicserver.jpg)

[454redhawk]

What are some cool things to do in/with Linux [Ubuntu specifically]


Crack Winxp Admin passwords in 2 min

[rolando2424]

Install DosBox and fall in love with Fallout (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallout_%28computer_game%29) and X-Com (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-COM:_UFO_Defense) all over again.

Battle Chess (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Chess) FTW!

[argie]

Get mplayer and use the aa output plugin. That's funny.

[rolando2424]

Get mplayer and use the aa output plugin. That's funny.

Yeah, but use prefer use VLC for that :D

[kiddo]

Contribute to Specto! Discuss usability for user interfaces of various programs out there! Test Jokosher! Make artwork! Help newbies! Or learn to do all of that! :P Well, it all depends on what you consider "fun". Once you tell us that, we could give better suggestions...

[nomowindows]

how about this?... http://openmosix.sourceforge.net/