Linux Desktop Hacks

Description:

The KDE and Gnome desktops have developed into mature operating environments. These technologies not only act as interfaces between the user, the powerful Linux kernel and GNU operating system, but they do so in a fun and intuitive way. Many users are content with the tools and facilities included with these desktops, but--for those who are ready to probe a little deeper--much more functionality can be found by going under the hood.

With hacks that any user can follow, Linux Desktop Hacks demonstrates how easy it is to modify Linux to suit your desires. The book is packed with tips on customizing and improving the interface, boosting performance, administering your desktop, and generally making the most out of what X, KDE, Gnome, and the console have to offer.

From the practical to the whimsical, and some things you never thought of trying, the hacks in the book include the following, and more:

• Kill and Resurrect the Master Boot Record
  
• Jazz Up Your Debian System Boot
  
• Energize Your Console with Macro Music Magic
  
• Konquer Remote Systems Without Passwords
  
• Run KDE on the Bleeding Edge
  
• View Microsoft Word Documents in a Terminal
  
• Read Yahoo! Mail from Any Email Client
  
• Motion Capture and Video Conferencing Fun
  
• Automate Your Life with cron
  
• Protect Yourself from Windows Applications
  
• Make an Internet Connection Using Bluetooth and a Mobile Phone
  
• Print to Unsupported Printers
  
• Accelerate Your Gaming

If you're yearning for information to make the Linux desktop easier, more powerful, and more fun, Linux Desktop Hacks is just the ticket.

Credits  

Preface  

Chapter 1. Booting Linux 

      1. Give Your Computer the Boot  

      2. Kill and Resurrect the Master Boot Record  

      3. Bypass the Boot Manager  

      4. Set a Bitmap Boot Screen for LILO  

      5. Create Your Own LILO Boot Splash  

      6. Display a GRUB Boot Splash Background  

      7. Create a GRUB Boot Splash Background  

      8. Jazz Up Your Debian System Boot  

      9. Graphics on the Console  

Chapter 2. Console 

      10. Redefine Keyboard Actions  

      11. Energize Your Console with Macro Music Magic  

      12. Take a Screenshot from the Command Line  

      13. Put Your Command Prompt on a Diet  

      14. Simplify Changing Directories  

      15. Colorize Files in Your Pager  

Chapter 3. Login Managers 

      16. Switch Users Fast  

      17. Double Your KDM (KDE) Login Screens  

      18. Double Your GDM (GNOME) Login Screens  

      19. Get Multiple Desktops the Macho Way  

      20. Scrap X11 for Fancy Login Consoles  

      21. Personalize Your Qingy Theme  

Chapter 4. Related to X 

      22. Take Your Screens Black  

      23. Spice Up Your Desktop with Creative Mouse Cursors  

      24. Convert CursorXP Themes for Use with Linux  

      25. Use Windows and Mac Fonts  

      26. Never Miss Another Reminder  

      27. Make Applications Trigger On-Screen Alerts  

      28. Heat Up Your Keyboard with Hotkeys  

      29. Get Hotter Hotkeys with LinEAK  

      30. Access Windows and Mac OS X from Linux  

      31. Run Your Desktop over the Internet  

      32. Access Your Programs Remotely  

      33. Add Depth to Your Desktop  

      34. Give Your Desktop X-Ray Vision  

Chapter 5. KDE Desktop 

      35. Make Konqueror a Window into Remote Spaces  

      36. Konquer Remote Systems Without Passwords  

      37. Ai Karamba! Flashy KDE Gadgets!  

      38. Start Applications in Weird and Wonderful Ways  

      39. Script Hacks with DCOP  

      40. Create Your Own KDE Right-Click Menu Actions  

      41. Make KDE Even Easier to Use  

      42. Give Depth to Your KDE Windows  

      43. Lock Down KDE with Kiosk Mode  

      44. Run KDE on the Bleeding Edge  

Chapter 6. GNOME Desktop Hacks 

      45. Randomize Your GNOME Wallpaper  

      46. Grow Your GNOME with gDesklets Steroids  

      47. Create Your Own GNOME Right-Click Actions  

      48. Compile a Bleeding-Edge GNOME Desktop  

Chapter 7. Terminal Empowerment 

      49. Share Applications and Monitors with screen  

      50. Stop Using Terminal Command-Line Switches  

      51. Ultimate Terminal Transparency  

      52. View Microsoft Word Documents in a Terminal  

      53. Display PDF Documents in a Terminal  

      54. View Word and PDF Files from Within Mutt  

Chapter 8. Desktop Programs 

      55. Reduce OpenOffice.org Startup Time  

      56. Read Yahoo! Mail from Any Email Client  

      57. Encrypt Your Email  

      58. Reclaim Your Email with procmail  

      59. Convert Your Mailbox  

      60. Configure Firefox Under the Covers  

      61. Eliminate Annoying Browser Stalls  

      62. Get Browser Plug-ins Working  

      63. Create an Internet Phone  

      64. Motion Capture and Video Conferencing Fun  

      65. Put Screenshots Automatically on the Web  

      66. Scan for Wireless Networks  

      67. Map Your Meatspace  

      68. Connect to a Microsoft PPTP VPN  

      69. Play Restricted Media Formats  

Chapter 9. Administration and Automation 

      70. Automate Your Life with cron  

      71. Update Your Clock via the Internet  

      72. Start Desktop Applications Automatically  

      73. Don't Let Elvis Leave the Building  

      74. Clone Your Linux Install  

      75. Forward Ports over SSH  

      76. Take Control of New User Setups  

      77. Send Email Alerts for System Events  

      78. Create a Passwordless Login  

      79. Magically Empower Your Network Cable  

      80. Protect Yourself from Windows Applications  

      81. Build a Custom Firewall Computer  

      82. Link Monitoring in Linux with Wavemon  

      83. Make Network Backups  

      84. Recover from Debian Disaster  

      85. Prelink for Performance  

      86. Grab the Latest Source Code  

      87. Speed Up Compiles  

Chapter 10. Kernel 

      88. Compile a Kernel  

      89. Upgrade Your Kernel to 2.6  

      90. Use CKO to Make Your Desktop Go to 11  

      91. Tweak Your Kernel Without Recompiling  

Chapter 11. Hardware 

      92. Make an Internet Connection Using Bluetooth and a Mobile Phone  

      93. Perfect USB Devices with Project Utopia  

      94. Optimize Your Refresh Rates  

      95. Print to Unsupported Printers  

      96. Control Your Power with ACPI  

      97. Use an iPod with Linux  

      98. Sync Your iRiver with Linux  

      99. Boost Hard-Drive Performance  

      100. Accelerate Your Gaming  

Index