Epic Games adds Vulkan support to Unreal Engine 4

Linux gamers are banking a lot on Vulkan and heres hoping the performance gains are realised!

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2016/02/22/vulkan-unreal-engine-4/1

Ubuntu 15.04 Released, This Is What’s New (OMG Ubuntu)

Main features:

• Change to systemd
• Unity 7.3
• Compiz 0.9.12
• Linux kernel 3.19 (4.0 didn't make the cut)

Application updates:

• LibreOffice 4.3.2.2
• Firefox 37
• Thunderbird 31.6
• Shotwell 0.20.2
• Nautilus 3.14.2
• Evince 3.14.2
• Rhythmbox 3.1
• Totem 3.14.1
• GNOME Terminal 3.14

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2015/04/ubuntu-15-04-download-new-features

If you do fancy shoving kernel 4.0 into it: http://news.softpedia.com/news/How-to-Install-Linux-Kernel-4-0-on-Ubuntu-15-04-478288.shtml

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS desktop arrives this week as Windows XP alternative

Good timing. The OS as a whole could do with a fair amount of polish for the mainstream but it's still an awesome alternative.

The alternative versions are better if your constrained but older hardware though. Try Xubuntu for that.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2340343/ubuntu-1404-lts-desktop-arrives-this-week-as-windows-xp-alternative

I've tidied up my awesome freeware page!

I've tagged the suggestions with their OS specific platforms and actually proof read it so it should make a bit more sense thing time around.

http://blog.alpagot.net/p/awesome-freeware.html

April 8 - Don't even think about using Windows XP anymore...

You really do need to kill off that XP machine! It's going to be a prime target for malicious attackers. Either move to Windows 8.1 or get a Linux distro as they're dead easy to use these days. Try Ubuntu, or for older machines: Xubuntu.). You'll be more secure and supported for software updates.

The only downside as stated in the link below is there is no easy upgrade direct from XP to Windows 8.1. You need to backup all date and do a clean install. Then reinstall all your programs and drivers.

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/02/microsoft-belatedly-attempts-to-use-friends-and-family-to-get-rid-of-windows-xp/

Ubuntu 14.04 Looks to Improve Support For Hi-Res Screens

Kinda of expected really. Windows 8.1. still has a way to go when dealing with legacy apps.

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2014/02/ubuntu-14-04-high-resolution-retina-screen

Playing around with Hurricane electrics IPv6 tunnel on a Raspberry Pi..

Apparently I'm Newbie Certified... 0.o

Lynx command line browser

sudo apt-get install lynx (Debian based systems)

Handy if you want to reference something quickly from the CLI. 

Cisco Packet Tracer 6.0.1

I'm a little behind with this. With Cisco's whole move to the new NetSpace portal it looks like there was a new version of Packet Tracer. 6.0.1 offers new features but has the same look and feel to it.

Straight from the FAQ:

Packet Tracer 6.0.1 is a major release that includes the following functionality:

● Supports IOS 15.2 and its licensing methodology
● Enhanced IPv6 support
● Supports new devices such as ISR 1941, ISR 2901, ISR 2911, terminal server interface, and servers with 2 network interface cards
● Supports Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) and ACL sequence numbers
● Provides new capability with PT LAN and WAN Multiuser Servers to create multiuser games and activities
● Provides new capability with PT Bridge to connect real network equipment to Packet Tracer environment

Its disappointing to see they have missed OS X once more, it can't be a world away from the Ubuntu install. I haven't tried it on Ubuntu yet but I wonder if you still need to install the dependencies that come with programs like Wine in order for it to work still or if they have started including them like they should!

Comments or thoughts? Leave them below!

Ubuntu 13.04 beta touts search privacy - before it hooks in eBay, IMDb etc

Fair positive review of the beta from Th Register.

I haven't had much use / time for ubuntu since moving primarily to OS X. Most linux based stuff is experimented with on the Raspberry Pi and for anything windows based there is always Parallels.

Still I tend to give it a chance every once in a while. I seemed to get a lot of historic hits on this bog commenting on getting Cisco paket Tracer to work with Ubuntu. It'll probably be the same as usual, Cisco neglect to mention there are some dependancies required for 5.3.3 so you simply need to install something like WINE and packet traceer will start to work natively because the dependancies will then be installed.

I was quite interested with what Ubuntu were doing with their tablet specific features. Those did look impressive in a video a while back.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/03/04/ubuntu_13_04_review/

Canonical Work to Improve Gaming on Ubuntu

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/10/canonical-work-to-improve-gaming-on-ubuntu

Ubuntu 12.10 Beta 1 Available for Download

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/09/ubuntu-12-10-beta-1-available-for-download

Steam claim Faster Zombies under Ubuntu linux...

Doesn't really sound like a fair comparisona dn there are way too many variables for a fair test but it's interesting to see they are working with hardware manufactures to improve their drivers overall for the platform. It'll be interesting to see how OpenGL keep up with a AAA grade developer on their back for new feature sets to be included in the API (OpenGL's last release was Aug 2011)... Then again Valve might even end up writing some in!

Blog post here: http://blogs.valvesoftware.com/linux/faster-zombies/

Valve brings steam to Ubuntu Linux

Well the rumours have been going around for months so now we have an official confirmation and blog:

http://blogs.valvesoftware.com/linux/steamd-penguins/

There were also rumours about them going into hardware development so a linux derivative in a custom made console maybe coming our way in years to come. They sure as hell have the right platform for it in steam.

Skype drops its BETA, Goes straight to version 4

Highlights from the Skype blog post released yesterday:

• Four major changes in this release:
• We have a new Conversations View where users can easily track all of their chats in a unified window.
• Those users who prefer the old view can disable this in the Chat options;
• We have a brand new Call View.
• Call quality has never been better thanks to several investments we made in improving audio quality.
• We've worked on improving video call quality and have also extended support for more cameras.

• Improved chat synchronization.
• New presence and emoticon icons.
• The ability to store and view phone numbers in a Skype contact's profile.
• Much lower chance Skype for Linux will crash or freeze.
• Chat history loading is now much faster.
• Support for two new languages: Czech (flag:cz) and Norwegian (flag:no).

 

http://blogs.skype.com/linux/2012/06/skype_40_for_linux.html

Ubuntu Alpha1 - Quantal Quetzal is out! 12.10

What a crazy name!

Well it's out for the curious and experimental, I've started waiting for the beta's more recently and I think with this, that'll be no different as I don't really contribute.

The big changes are:
Linux kernel 3.4
GCC 4.7
Python 3.0
Link: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/QuantalQuetzal/TechnicalOverview/Alpha1

Electronic Arts Attending Ubuntu Developer Summit

Looks like EA are starting to take note of the linux market. Looks like the old OpenGL Vs Direct X (3D) battle might be on for another spot light face-off.

Article (OMG UBuntu):  here

Raspberry Pi PC passes CE tests; still no ship date

Neowin with the article: here

Direct link to article : http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/978

Packet Tracer not opening on Ubuntu (LInux)

I figured it out.

So I tried various versions 5.3.2 / 5.3.3 etc and nothing was working for me.

The program would happily install but would not run when I tried to launch it.

It would seem that the program has some dependencies it requires that it doesn't bother to check for from what I can tell. luckily these are easy to obtain although I've not been able to specifically identify them (lack of time).

The simple fix is to just install something like Wine and this will have packet tracer loading up (not in Wine before you think I'm cheating!) in no time.

I've created a bug report but it looked like there were similar reports for other versions of Linux and also they have some newer revisions of Packet Tracer in the pipeline which will hopefully remedy this.

http://ptbugs.ptnetacad.net/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=10628

Ubuntu 11.10 Impressions a week on.

I haven't used Ubuntu since it implemented the Unity UI. Having had some time pass since its launch and, I thought it about time to give it a spin.

To be honest I'm not overly impressed with the UI. It isn't all that great to navigate and seems clunky. They have in fairness made for a less pain free experience in terms of 'install and go' with a lot of features working straight out of the box.

I was also bit surprised that it has not been able to detect my Nvidia GTX 275. This is something previous Ubuntu versions never had issues with.

The Ubuntu Software centre is a nice addition and I think this will help a lot of new users find what they are looking for but could do with some expansion on the search criteria.

In terms of day to day use it's pretty good thought! Libre Office works in it's usual seamless manner as well as most other productive software... I did have issues with WireShark picking up the right interface though.

My personal preference was to change the browser to Chromium and the music player to Amarok (especially if you use Lastfm's Scrobble feature). I'd probably recommend the novice user still steer clear for a little while longer (at least from unity anyway) but overall its a step in the right direction, it's nice to see some major development on a GUI for once.