1. full circle
ISSUE #30 - October 2009
REVIEW
SONY PRS-505
EBOOK READER
APPLICATIONS FOR
BOOKWORMS
TOP FIVE
WRITING TOOLS
full circle magazine #30 1 contents ^
2. Program In Python - Pt4 p.07
full circle Ubuntu Women p.27
Apps For Bookworms p.10 Ubuntu Games p.30
My Story p.13 MOTU Interview p.24
The Doctor Is In; Recording Porgy
& Bess; and Ubuntu Reincarnates
A Pensioners Laptop
Installing OOo Base p.12 Command & Conquer p.05
My Opinion p.14 Review p.21 Letters p.25 Top 5 p.34
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full circle magazine #30 2 contents ^
3. EDITORIAL
This magazine was created using :
Welcome to another issue of Full Circle magazine.
T
his month we have something of a literary theme at FCM. I recently bought
the and have reviewed it in this month's issue.
It's a great device and works flawlessly in Ubuntu with the ebook app
. We also have an article devoted to other ebook applications and
sites where you can download free ebooks. If you're the writing type, fear not,
Andrew has devoted his Top5 this month to writing tools to help all you budding
authors write that best-seller.
The Ubuntu Women have come through with a great interview with Belinda Lopez
Ubuntu is a complete operating
who is the Training Project Manager at Canonical - don't miss it, it's a very
system that is perfect for
informative read! laptops, desktops and servers.
Whether at home, school or
And last, and certainly by no means least, is the release of work, Ubuntu contains all the
applications you'll ever need
. No doubt by the time you read this, that fuzzy little Karmic Koala will
including word processor, email
be spreading himself worldwide and Canonical's poor servers will be feeling the application and web browser.
strain. I don't know about you, but I'll certainly be updating! Ubuntu is and always will be free
of charge. You do not pay any
licensing fees. You can
Enjoy the issue, and keep in touch!
download, use and share Ubuntu
with your friends, family, school
or business, for absolutely
nothing.
Editor, Full Circle magazine
Once installed, your system is
ronnie@fullcirclemagazine.org ready to use with a full set of
productivity, internet, drawing
and graphics applications, and
games.
use the new
'contents' link to jump
to the contents page
full circle magazine #30 from any other page!
3 contents ^
4. NEWS
T
he Ubuntu team is environment. UEC images, and To Get Ubuntu 9.10 Find out what's new in this
pleased to announce information on running Ubuntu release with a graphical
Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop 9.10 on EC2, are available at: To download Ubuntu 9.10, or overview:
and Server editions, http://uec- obtain CDs, visit: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubu
Ubuntu 9.10 Server for Ubuntu images.ubuntu.com/releases/9. http://www.ubuntu.com/getubu ntu/releasenotes/910overview
Enterprise Cloud (UEC) and 10/release ntu
Amazon's EC2, and Ubuntu If you have a question, or if
Netbook Remix, continuing Ubuntu 9.10 is also the Users of Ubuntu 9.04 will be you think you may have found
Ubuntu's tradition of basis for new 9.10 releases of offered an automatic upgrade a bug but aren't sure, try
integrating the latest and Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu, to 9.10 via Update Manager. asking on the #ubuntu IRC
greatest open source UbuntuStudio, and Mythbuntu: For further information about channel, on the Ubuntu Users
technologies into a high- upgrading, see: mailing list, or on the Ubuntu
quality, easy-to-use Linux http://www.ubuntu.com/getubu forums:
distribution. http://kubuntu.org/news/9.10- ntu/upgrading
release #ubuntu on irc.freenode.net
Ubuntu 9.10 will be We recommend that all
supported for 18 months on users read the release notes, http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman
both desktops and servers. http://xubuntu.org/news/9.10- which document caveats and /listinfo/ubuntu-users
Users requiring a longer release workarounds for known issues.
support lifetime on the server They are available at: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/
may choose to continue using http://www.ubuntu.com/getubu
Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, with security http://edubuntu.org/news/9.10- ntu/releasenotes/910 : Ubuntu Weekly News
support until 2013, rather than release
upgrading to 9.10.
Ubuntu 9.10 includes the http://mythbuntu.org/9.10/relea
first official release of Ubuntu se
Server images for UEC and for
Amazon's EC2, giving you
everything you need for rapid https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Ubuntu
deployment of Ubuntu Studio/9.10release_notes
instances in a cloud computing
full circle magazine #30 4 contents ^
5. COMMAND & CONQUER
I
recently got back from my (your home folder can usually and run case you find an issue that
summer vacation, and, safely be at around 95%). The causes you to downgrade.
after roughly 300 root partition requires some sudo aptitude autoclean However, do not do this
packages were updated, I space to be left free for logs, regularly, simply because you
noticed in conky that the root root folder, and so forth, and or may one day need the cached
partition was getting to be will warn you when it gets package again for whatever
sudo apt-get autoclean
pretty full. So, I thought that it “full” (all the space is used up reason. You can clear out all
might be useful to write an except for what is set aside for packages from the cache by
to clear out all packages
article on a few tips I have logs). This generally means issuing:
from the cache that are no
picked up over the years that I you can't install any more
longer downloadable (read: out sudo aptitude clean
use when a hard disk gets full. packages or move any files
of date). Once it's completed, I
around, which we don't want. If
then run “df -h” again in order or
Starting off, we'd most likely you find you can't free up
to check to see how much
need to check to see how sufficient space, you may need
space was freed. If it has freed sudo apt-get clean
much space is left on the disk. to re-size the partition itself in
up enough space, I leave it at
To do this, I use the command- order to get enough space. I
that and move on. If, however, As a side note, the reason
line tool “df”. This check can generally am fine with about
it freed up hardly any space, why I list both aptitude and apt-
also be done in gparted, but I 10GB for my root partition (my
and you run Ubuntu without get commands is simply
will focus on the command-line home partition is generally
the backports repository, beta, because I prefer using aptitude
aspect. So, down to business. 25GB or more).
or lots of cutting-edge for my cleaning purposes, and I
In order to see a list of all
packages, you could likely get haven't used Ubuntu for a
mounted filesystems and their If the root partition is the
away with clearing out all while, and as such don't know
usage, use the command: one getting full, your first step
cached packages. I used to do if apt-get does it similarly now
should be to clear out extra
cached packages (aptitude, apt- this before I switched to Arch,
df -h or not.
since Ubuntu tests the
get, and synaptic all store
This will print out a list of packages thoroughly and So, after clearing out the
downloaded packages in the
cache so that it doesn't need to leaves the stable ones in the
mounted partitions, how much packages you should now have
space is used, how much is normal repositories. If, a bit of extra space. If you still
re-download them if you re-
free, the percent used, and the however, you use getdeb need some space, or the root
install the package). Open a
mount point. I think it's fine to repositories or such, I partition wasn't the one that
new terminal window (leaving
use a disk up until it's 90% full recommend not doing this in needed more free space, you
the output of “df -h” visible),
full circle magazine #30 5 contents ^
6. COMMAND & CONQUER
can list your files and folders remove -- but again, it's best to need (or to backup the ones delete or uninstall, especially if
by size, and manually delete check first). This is simply due you want to keep, but don't you're not sure what it is. It's
large files you no longer need to the fact that you can cause use, to a different storage always better to be safe than
(old .ISO files, archives, icon serious system errors by just medium). After all this, you sorry.
themes, untarred archives, deleting away. Secondly, if you should have freed up a bit of
etc.). I picked up this trick from want to display information in space, and can continue to I am open to requests on
Linux Journal (not sure which your home partition/folder, you install packages! articles, so if you run into a
issue anymore) -- it works well. can run the following command: command-line issue you think
First, if you have both root and I highly recommend going others might be experiencing,
home on a separate partition cd ~ through a list of installed drop me an email with the
du -ck|sort -n
and you want to free up space packages at some point issue, and I may write an
on the root partition, do the though, and deciding if you article on it. The submitter will,
This will show the size of all
following: wish to get rid of some you of course, get credit, unless
folders and files within your don't use. This can be done, specified..
cd / home folder, sorted from quite simply, with aptitude
du -ckx|sort -n smallest to largest. Once you (since it shows an “i” if the
find out which are the largest packages are installed). Run Apt-get cheat sheet:
What this does is first folders, you can find out what the command: http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linu
change the directory (cd) to size the folder is (in KB/MB/GB) x-debian-package-
your root partition, and then by running: sudo aptitude search '~i' management-cheat-sheet.html
display disk usage (“du”) with Aptitude search '~i' info:
size blocks of 1kb (“-k”), and du -h ~/<foldername>/
or http://www.linuxquestions.org/q
display a grand total (“-c”) for uestions/debian-26/aptitude-
the partition (no changing to The “-h” switch stands for sudo apt-cache search '~i'
how-to-get-a-list-of-all-installed-
the home partition, etc.). This human-readable. Also, the tilde
packages-
will all be sorted from smallest (~) stands for A quick note on the apt- 458119/#post2310207
to largest (so the last file listed /home/<username>/ (saving cache command: I am not sure
is the largest) due to the “sort - you some typing), and you if it actually works in the same
n” command we pipe the du need to replace the way aptitude does. Also, before
output to. I don't recommend “<foldername>” with the uninstalling any packages you
deleting anything from the root actual name of the folder you don't recall installing, check
partition without thorough want information on. Once first! It may very well be a has learned all he knows
you've found out which folders from repeatedly breaking his
investigation of what it is package Ubuntu requires. system, then having no other
(unless it's the cache of a and files are hogging all the option but to discover how to fix
program you no longer use, space, you can choose to I cannot stress enough to be it. You can email Lucas at:
when it should be safe to delete the ones you no longer extremely careful in what you lswest34@gmail.com.
full circle magazine #30 6 contents ^
7. HOW-TO Program In Python - Part 4
class Dog():
FCM#27-29 - Python Parts 1-3 def __init__(self,dogname,dogcolor,dogheight,dogbuild,dogmood,dogage):
#here we setup the attributes of our dog
self.name = dogname
self.color = dogcolor
self.height = dogheight
self.build = dogbuild
self.mood = dogmood
self.age = dogage
self.Hungry = False
self.Tired = False
Dev Graphics Internet M/media System
attributes of mood. On the /--Beagle
class is a method we use to
behavior side of things, we can Dog ---|-- Lab
implement this. For example, --Shepherd/Heeler
consider eating, sleeping,
we have three dogs at home. A
playing, and other actions.
CD/DVD HDD USB Drive Laptop Wireless Beagle, a Lab and a German Each sub-class inherits all of
Shepherd/Blue Heeler mix. All the attributes of the Dog class.
All three are of the class
three are dogs, but are all
I
'Dog'. Going back to the Therefore, if we create an
promised last time that we different. There are common attributes that we used to instance of Beagle, it gets all of
would discuss classes. So, attributes among the three of the attributes from its parent
describe each above, we have
that's what we'll them, but each dog has class, Dog.
things such as Dog.Name,
concentrate on. What are separate attributes as well. For
Dog.Height, Dog.Build (skinny,
classes and what good are they? example, the Beagle is short, chubby, etc.), and Dog.Color.
Beagle = Dog()
chubby, brown, and grumpy. Beagle.Name = 'Archie'
We also have behaviors such Beagle.Height = 'Short'
A class is a way of The Lab is medium-sized,
as Dog.Bark, Dog.Eat, Beagle.Build = 'Chubby'
constructing objects. An object black, and very laid back. The Beagle.Color = 'Brown'
Dog.Sleep, and so on.
is simply a way of handling Shepherd/Heeler mix is tall,
attributes and behaviors as a skinny, black, and more than a Starting to make sense? So,
As I said before, each of the
group. I know this sounds bit crazy. Right away, some let's create our gross Dog class
dogs is a different breed. Each
confusing, but I'll break it down attributes are obvious. (shown above). We'll start with
breed would be a sub-class of
for you. Think of it this way. An Short/medium-sized/tall are all the keyword "class" and the
the class Dog. In a diagram, it
object is a way to model attributes of height. Grumpy, name of our class.
would look like this.
something in the real world. A laid back, and crazy are all
full circle magazine #30 7 contents ^
8. PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 4
Before we go any further in name, color, and so on. The
our code, notice the function next four lines simply query def Eat(self):
that we have defined here. The the Beagle object and get back if self.Hungry:
print 'Yum Yum...Num Num'
function __init__ (two information in return. Time for self.Hungry = False
underscores + 'init' + two more code. Add the code else:
underscores) is an initialization shown in the top right box into print 'Sniff Sniff...Not Hungry'
function that works with any the class after the __init__ def Sleep(self):
print 'ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ'
class. As soon as we call our function. self.Tired = False
class in code, this routine is
run. In this case, we have set Now we can call it with
up a number of parameters to Beagle.Eat() or Beagle.Sleep(). def Bark(self):
set some basic information Let's add one more method. if self.mood == 'Grumpy':
about our class: we have a We'll call it Bark. Its code is print 'GRRRRR...Woof Woof'
elif self.mood == 'Laid Back':
name, color, height, build, shown right. print 'Yawn...ok...Woof'
mood, age, and a couple of elif self.mood == 'Crazy':
variables Hungry and Tired. This one I've made more print 'Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark'
We'll revisit these in a little bit. flexible. Depending on the else:
print 'Woof Woof'
Now let's add some more code. mood of the dog, the bark will
change. Shown on the next
Beagle = page is the full class code so carefully, all we have to do is Notice that I created the
Dog('Archie','Brown','Short', create two more instances of
far. instances of both of the dogs
'Chubby','Grumpy',12)
our dog class. before I did the print
print Beagle.name
print Beagle.color So, when we run this we'll statements. That's not a
print Beagle.mood Lab =
get Dog('Nina','Black','Medium',' problem, since I “defined” the
print Beagle.Hungry
Heavy','Laid Back',7) instance before I called any of
My name is Archie Heeler = the methods. Here is the full
This is UNINDENTED code My color is Brown Dog('Bear','Black','Tall','Sk
My mood is Grumpy output of our dog class
that resides outside of our inny','Crazy',9)
I am hungry = False print 'My Name is %s' % program.
class, the code that uses our Sniff Sniff...Not Hungry Lab.name
class. The first line creates an Yum Yum...Num Num print 'My color is %s' % My name is Archie
instance of our dog class called GRRRRR...Woof Woof Lab.color My color is Brown
Beagle. This is called print 'My Mood is %s' % My mood is Grumpy
instantiation. When we did this, Now, that takes care of the Lab.mood I am hungry = False
print 'I am hungry = %s' % Sniff Sniff...Not Hungry
we also passed certain grumpy old Beagle. However, I Lab.Hungry Yum Yum...Num Num
information to the instance of said earlier that I have 3 dogs. Lab.Bark() GRRRRR...Woof Woof
the class, such as the Beagle's Because we coded the class Heeler.Bark() My Name is Nina
full circle magazine #30 8 contents ^
9. PROGRAM IN PYTHON - PART 4
My color is Black
My Mood is Laid Back class Dog():
I am hungry = False def __init__(self,dogname,dogcolor,dogheight,dogbuild,dogmood,dogage):
Yawn...ok...Woof #here we setup the attributes of our dog
Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark self.name = dogname
Bark Bark self.color = dogcolor
self.height = dogheight
Now that you have the self.build = dogbuild
basics, your homework will be self.mood = dogmood
self.age = dogage
to expand our dog class to self.Hungry = False
allow for more methods, such self.Tired = False
as maybe Play or
EncounterStrangeDog or def Eat(self):
if self.Hungry:
something like this. print 'Yum Yum...Num Num'
self.Hungry = False
Next time, we will start else:
discussing GUI or Graphical print 'Sniff Sniff...Not Hungry'
User Interface programming. def Sleep(self):
We will be using print 'ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ'
for this. self.Tired = False
def Bark(self):
if self.mood == 'Grumpy':
print 'GRRRRR...Woof Woof'
elif self.mood == 'Laid Back':
print 'Yawn...ok...Woof'
elif self.mood == 'Crazy':
print 'Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark'
else:
print 'Woof Woof'
Beagle = Dog('Archie','Brown','Short','Chubby','Grumpy',12)
print 'My name is %s' % Beagle.name
is owner of
print 'My color is %s' % Beagle.color
,a
print 'My mood is %s' % Beagle.mood
consulting company in Aurora,
print 'I am hungry = %s' % Beagle.Hungry
Colorado, and has been
Beagle.Eat()
programming since 1972. He
Beagle.Hungry = True
enjoys cooking, hiking, music,
Beagle.Eat()
and spending time with his
Beagle.Bark()
family.
full circle magazine #30 9 contents ^
10. HOW-TO Applications For Bookworms
fact, there are myriads of according to United States law.
websites with both, and a few Most e-books are in English,
N/A
book-reader programs within but you can also find books in
the landscape of open source. I Spanish, French, German and
will mention six major ones. other languages.
(http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/
Main_Page)
(DRM) is a generic term that
Dev Graphics Internet M/media System refers to access control
Calibre is not only a book technologies that can be used
reader but it also has the by hardware manufacturers,
capability of displaying news publishers, copyright holders,
CD/DVD HDD USB Drive Laptop Wireless
feeds and converting e-book and individuals to try to impose
files to several formats. It can limitations on the usage of
is a full-fledged, also be downloaded from digital content and devices.
F
mature program that displays Synaptic. Homepage: ( )
or some people new to
e-books with a variety of http://calibre.kovidgoyal.net/ -
Linux and open source
tweaks and configurations to Although a quick Google , according to its
in general, it may seem
please the requirements of the search will reveal a PPA with a Latin meaning, is a 'book-voice'
at first they will have to
most demanding users. It can more up-to-date version. site with over two-thousand
do without a lot of programs
and capabilities that they can be downloaded from Synaptic audio books, also DRM free and
or, if you prefer the latest is a with their copyright expired
readily have with proprietary
version, you can visit their Web splendid site with thousands of according to United Sates law.
operating systems and
page. downloadable e-books in The books are read by
programs. Once you delve deep
(http://www.fbreader.org/downlo several formats, thus allowing volunteers, and you'll be
into open source, you realize
ads.php) you to read them or convert surprised by how many of
that nothing could be farther
Download for Ubuntu users: them with your book reader to them can read like true
from the truth. For bookworms
http://www.fbreader.org/desktop any convenient format. All professionals. Every audio book
and bibliophiles, one instance is
/debian.php books are DRM* free, and their has a link to the e-book from
the capability of having access
copyright has already expired which it was read, so you can
to e-books and audio books. In
full circle magazine #30 10 contents ^
11. APPLICATIONS FOR BOOKWORMS
enjoy the experience of Canada and the United States,
reading the book from your e- some dating from 1700 to the : When you use When you use open-source
book reader and listening to it first half of the 20th century. proprietary software, you software and visit their Web
simultaneously. The files are in The files are in several formats become a customer of the sites, you may notice a
MP3 and Ogg Vorvis format for including the ubiquitous PDF company that is selling you its conspicuous button that says
you to download. Since the format. What you actually get product. When you use open- 'Donate'. Don't shy away from
audio books are split into are facsimiles in electronic source software you it. An outing for a round of
separate chapters, you can format of great old editions of automatically become part of a beers with friends may cost
conveniently produce your own marvelous books, some of community whether you want you more than the modest
audio CDs for your enjoyment them out of print many years to or not. Allow me to boldly donation you may give.
in your home audio player or in ago. suggest that you donate to the
you car. Most audio books are (http://www.archive.org/index.p open-source community. The
in English, but you can also hp) amount you donate is
find books in Spanish, French, irrelevant; the fact is that as
German and other languages. conscientious members of this
(http://librivox.org/) worldwide community we
ought to encourage open-
source growth.
Some of the instances I
have shown above are
impressive examples of
collaboration of open-source
communities. The time, effort
and know-how required for
them to exist is considerable. For an ebook reader, see our
is the They are outstanding review of the
jewel of the Web, so to speak. is another well- achievements of their (above) on page 21 of this
It is a mammoth site with worth-mentioning site for e- collaborators. Indeed, it is a issue. If you fancy yourself as a
thousands of multilingual books. You can download the great privilege to have free writer, see our Top5 on page 34
books, videos, and audio files books directly from their Web access to open-source software to find the most helpful writing
for you to download, all DRM page or from the FB Reader and to be able to download applications.
free and without copyright. An search-and-download feature. files from those Web sites. It's
important feature of the site is All books are in various formats a good practice to
the thousands of books to suit your preference. acknowledge this.
scanned from major libraries in (http://www.feedbooks.com)
full circle magazine #30 11 contents ^
12. HOW-TO Installing OpenOffice.org Base
presentations, let your creative openoffice.org-base Now when you look at the
drawing juices flow, and make Office submenu under the
N/A
databases. But wait, where is in the Quick Search window. Applications menu, you will see
the database application? OpenOffice.org Database.
In the package list window, Happy databasing!
Base is not installed by select openoffice.org-base, and
default in Ubuntu, but it is in click on Mark for Installation. There are many additional
the repository. Here are the Click OK to accept all the packages available for
steps I used to install the dependency files. OpenOffice.org in the
OpenOffice.org Base repository, just type
Dev Graphics Internet M/media System application on my computer: If you would like to create 'openoffice' into the Quick
database reports, I suggest Search box in Synaptic and
From the System menu, installing the “openoffice.org- start browsing.
select Administration → report-builder” package. Just
CD/DVD
Synaptic Package Manager. repeat the step above using Extensions for OpenOffice
HDD USB Drive Laptop Wireless
“openoffice.org-report-builder” are at
You will be prompted for http://extensions.services.open
S
your password to start In the main menu bar, click office.org/. If you are looking
o, you installed the on Apply.
Synaptic Package Manager. for OpenOffice templates, try
latest version of
the OpenOffice.org Template
Ubuntu. Great! You
website at
now also have the
http://templates.services.openo
latest version of OpenOffice
ffice.org/?intcmp=2483
installed. Great! You've also
read the book review of
For more extras, such as
in
artwork, labels, additional
FCM#25. Great again! So, you
templates, tutorials, non-
are all excited about being
English language templates,
productive with the latest
etc., I recommend OOExtras at
version of the office
http://www.smalldataproblem.or
productivity software suite. You
Once Synaptic Package g/ooextras/.
can write documents, create
Manager starts, type:
spreadsheets, generate
full circle magazine #30 12 contents ^
13. MY STORY The Doctor Is In
T
he phone rang in the called Audacity. You download download, use, distribute, and the ISO image in hand as I
early afternoon of a it for free.” modify. I must admit that in my nervously went through the
beautiful Spring world view, the whole idea process of adding Ubuntu to
Sunday in 2006. “Yeah, how much is it after sounded like a pitch from a my system. And in the end:
the trial period?” telemarketer. As my quest success, sort of. My Nvidia
“Doctor, I've got a job for continued, I read horror stories video driver needed tweaking
you.” “There is no trial period. It's about Linux and love sonnets and I somehow messed up my
open source. You download it dedicated to Linux. I figured xorg.conf. Both problems were
It was my friend Rich. Rich and you own it. They have a that the truth was somewhere insurmountable in my eyes, but
has a nickname for everyone, version for Windows, Mac, and in the middle. Leaping into the good folks at the Ubuntu
and mine, for reasons known something called Linux, what could possibly be an forum took me by the hand
only to Rich, is Doctor. whatever that is.” abyss, however, is not for the and walked me through these
faint of heart. Undaunted, I and many other mistakes,
He was looking for a low- Fast forward several pressed on. There was a way, it miscues, misfires, missteps,
cost audio-editing program for months. It's now Fall. Rich is appeared, to try Linux without and even one miserable failure.
Windows that he could use to very happy with Audacity, and losing Windows: dual booting.
edit narration in some I've done some more research Some upstart called Ubuntu I have to admit that it hasn't
instructional videos that he into FOSS and this Linux thing seemed to be the distro (I always been easy, but it has
was doing. And because he that I encounter whenever I learned a new word!) of choice been an enriching experience
believed that I had some research FOSS. There seems to for those wanting to get their that I wouldn't trade for all of
arcane knowledge of Google's be a connection. I was feet wet. the operating systems in
inner workings, he called on intrigued but cautious. Redmond. In the end, I can
me. Microsoft's business practices I read everything I could honestly say that this is my
left a bad taste in my mouth, about Linux and specifically system, and like the old song
It took just a few seconds to but, like most people, I felt that Ubuntu. I studied the says, “. . .You can't take that
come up with some if I owned a PC, I had no choice intricacies of dual booting, away from me.”
possibilities for him, but one other than Windows. partitions, and something
program in particular stood called GRUB (another new
out. Not only was it low cost, it I began to understand that word!). Finally, I was ready to
was free! Linux was an operating system burn the ISO image (not a new
like Windows, but unlike term, but my first time working
“Rich, I found something Windows, it is free to with one). All went well. I had
full circle magazine #30 13 contents ^
14. MY STORY Recording Porgy & Bess
F
irst let me offer a received good reviews, so I in the appropriate box, fill in includes all of the
preface: I'm in my mid- wanted to listen to it and the other boxes with announcements, the
60s and have had no record it as well. WRTI appropriate information, and intermission feature, etc.,
official computer transmits its classical stream in you will have the station in which I did not want on my
training ever. I learned to four different formats; the one I Tunapie ready for playing player.
operate a computer using use is the aac+ format. and/or recording.
Microsoft Windows and, having I used MP3Splt (the
become disenchanted with it, I use the Tunapie program, I started recording at the graphical-user program
wiped it off my computer and in conjunction with its default beginning of the broadcast [MP3splt-gtk audio splitter],
started using Ubuntu only last player Audacious, to record and, over three hours later, I which I strongly recommend, is
year (8.04 'Hardy Heron' at the internet streams. WRTI is not stopped recording. found on GetDeb.net) and,
time), never having had any included in either the using that program, I split the
previous experience with Linux. ShoutCast or IceCast servers So what did I have? One file into:
Any knowledge I have has Tunapie offers, but it is quite very large aac file (1) the initial broadcast
come from by easy to install WRTI (or any (approximately 120 MB) announcements (about ten
William von Hagen, the forums station that can play in containing the entire minutes)
and Google. I have an Acer Audacious) to Tunapie. From broadcast. Now it so happens (2) Act I
Extensa 5620-6419 (Intel Core the station's website, you that I use a very inexpensive (3) the first part of Act II (which
2 Duo Processor T5550 and 3 merely right click on the actual MP3 player (which has no continued from Act I with no
GB RAM) with Ubuntu 9.04 link which starts the player, go internal memory; rather it break)
'Jaunty Jackalope' as my down to properties, open it, reads music from an SD card (4) the intermission feature
current operating system. and copy the actual “http” site whose maximum size is limited (Act II is in four scenes. The
shown (do not close the to 2.0 GB) and it can read only, “break” came between scene 2
I like to record music from Properties dialog box until you you guessed it, MP3 files. I and scene 3, thus splitting the
internet streaming sites have pasted the URL into made a copy of this aac file (I
(“Internet Radio”), specifically Tunapie as explained below); NEVER work with originals) I'm in my mid-60's
operas. This past Saturday, our then, in Tunapie, go to its and, using Sound Converter, I and have had no
local classical music station Favorites section (the upper created an MP3 file out of it. official computer
(WRTI 90.1 MHz) broadcast the right) and, in the blank space, (MP3 files are larger than aac training ever.
Lyric Opera of Chicago's right click and a dialog box will files; the resultant MP3 file is
performance of Porgy and appear; click on Add User approximately 195 MB.) But it's
Bess. This performance had Defined Station. Paste the URL still just one large file – and it
full circle magazine #30 14 contents ^
15. RECORDING PORGY & BESS
Act in two, rather awkwardly, I much like the feature in Interface is somewhat
think) MP3Splt which allows you to intuitive.) There are absolutely
(5) the second part of Act II delete a split point if you have no instructions for
(6) Act III (which likewise made one in an incorrect place; I then deleted files (1), (4), using this [MP3split]
continued straight on from Act you can also add split points and (7) leaving me with four program ...
II with no break), and, finally anywhere you like, either by files: the first act, the first part
(7) the closing announcements. clicking on the splitpoint of the second act, the second
desired, or even by entering a part of the second act, and the
NOTE: While using MP3Splt you timing point. (There are third act.
can name the various “splits” absolutely no instructions for files (ACT_I.mp3, ACT_II.mp3,
according to your desires. using this program, at least However, I wanted just one and ACT_III.mp3) onto my
that I could find, so you're on file for each act, so I made a player's SD card and it works
MP3Splt makes all new files your own; you'll have to new folder on my Desktop and beautifully. (As a matter of fact,
without “harming” the original experiment as I did. labeled it ACT_II. Into that I'm listening to it as I'm writing
with which you worked. I very Fortunately, the Graphical User folder I placed the two MP3 this.) I'm really pleased with
files for Act II. These files were what I got; the sound quality,
named ACT_II_Part_1 and played through a good audio
ACT_II_Part_2. (All names system, is excellent.
terminated in .mp3 of course.)
Undoubtedly, there are
I then went into the terminal other ways of accomplishing
and entered: the same thing (and maybe
some of them are even easier)
cd Desktop/ACT_II but this worked perfectly for
me and I'll be doing it again
I was then in that directory; I just this same way.
then entered the command:
And by the way, that
cat * > ACT_II.mp3
performance of Porgy and Bess
is everything the critics said it
Bingo. In that directory I had was!
a new file (named ACT_II.mp3)
which was a combination of the
other two (which still remained
in the directory). I was then
able to place the three desired
full circle magazine #30 15 contents ^
16. MY STORY Ubuntu Reincarnates Pensioners Laptop
M
y friend Mrs. P is 76- laptop responded more and books, etc. learn, I can already sense that
years old and looks more slowly as time went by. once au-fait with Ubuntu, there
back on a long She accepted this at first, but Mrs. P really enjoyed the would be no question of going
career in the caring then the time came when it machine being faster, and back to Windows again!"
professions and, before that, in became enough of an Ubuntu was much simpler than
the Church. She discovered annoyance for her to consider she had expected. This was a Now it was my turn to be
computers and the internet purchasing a new laptop. surprise to her. Ubuntu was surprised! I had been talking to
some years ago, having been simpler, easier, and faster than and helping Mrs. P herself, not
prompted by younger friends I suggested that we try Windows! Here was a laptop, her friend. And here was the
who were finding them Ubuntu on the ailing laptop which had been destined for previously condemned laptop
invaluable. before she looks into the trash bin, now flying high working well, and also
purchasing a new machine. with Ubuntu! converting the most nervous of
Mrs. P is non technical, but Ubuntu 8.04.2 ran on the users!
is adventurous and systematic laptop, not only without What happened when her
enough to have bought a problems but also at a good friend found out? Her friend Mrs. M now wants to buy her
laptop from PC World some pace. The laptop's speed with and near neighbour, Mrs. M, own laptop, not just any old
years ago. It gave trouble, so Ubuntu was a great surprise for sometimes used Mrs. P's laptop but an Ubuntu laptop!
she negotiated replacing it with Mrs. P, who found it hard to laptop. Mrs. M, also a Passing a department store the
a different model. After several believe that her laptop, pensioner and a very non- other day, Mrs. M went in and
years, this laptop was replaced previously slower than a snail's technical computer user, was asked about Ubuntu laptops,
by one purchased from a tea break, was now a normal much less confident about not Windows, please, but
department store. Her working machine which did not anything to do with computers. Ubuntu. The assistant had
computing experiences make her wait! One day, I emailed Mrs. P to heard about Ubuntu, although
continued, with XP, as you ask how things were going? it sounds as if he had not used
might have expected. The move to Ubuntu was The reply came not from Mrs. P it, since he was surprised that
taken gently, with steps going but from her friend, Mrs. M: this elderly female customer
I am regularly in touch with one by one and any questions "Mrs. M here! Actually, I really required Ubuntu because it was
Mrs. P as a family friend, and answered. For example, like it - it seems much more easier to use than Windows. He
over time I've been useful to Thunderbird was now used in straight-forward than Windows, should not have been
her in answering computer- place of Outlook Express. Mrs. and although Mrs. P still has to surprised. Ubuntu is just fine
related questions. Almost P's confidence grew as she remind me about some things, for pensioners! And everybody
without being noticed, her found familiar emails, address and there is plenty more to else too!
full circle magazine #30 16 contents ^
17. MY OPINION Acer Aspire One Distros
I
'm not a computer guy an extra 512MB RAM for just netbook, not a tiny laptop. went to Google to see whether
(programmer, IT, etc.), I'm $50 more. I decided to buy the I could find a dummie-proof
just an average user who XP offer (model ZG5), remove People don't realize that a Linux distro specially designed
reads a lot about it and install my own OS -- netbook is not for writing your for netbooks. It showed me the
computers, and I'm also an Ubuntu. Master of Sciences thesis nor pathway. As usually happens in
Ubuntu fan. I'm a wildlife for playing Open Arena. A the world of open source, I
Veterinarian who knows netbook is for surfing the Web, didn't find one - I found many.
nothing about technical stuff checking your mail, staying in Which one to use? My quest for
but likes to read about it. This touch with friends, playing the right distro started then.
makes me look smart, Frozen Bubble, and maybe This is the story.
especially in front of my kids. I connecting to a video beam to
was reading some good press give a lecture or show photos. Because I'm not technically
about a tiny, new, pretty thing If you buy a good pair of literate, I don't care about such
called Acer Aspire One (AA1), headphones it can even be an specifications as fat32, ext3, or
and was interested in putting ipod replacement (lol). With swap size. I just want a distro
my hand on one, because I netbooks, forget about the that works right out of the box,
wanted a laptop prepackaged At my Hotel room, I removed classical computer interface is easy to use, and makes me
with some Linux flavor so that I XP and -- using my other laptop and the way you use look different and cool in one of
could have Ubuntu without (Acer Aspire 9300, then dual- computers. They are those conferences I have to
worrying about drivers. booting Ubuntu and XP, now uncomfortable, and their attend every year.
Jaunty and Seven RC) and the screens, keyboards, even
The opportunity came in Hotel's WiFi -- I downloaded an touchpads are not made for a During an 8-month period, I
November, 2008. I was Ubuntu 8.10 ISO image and regular OS. Netbooks need big tested
attending a world conference UNetbootin. I found about icons and surfing through
in Lima, Peru, when I found unetbootin on Google after screens, not menus -- in other , and
good offers at the Panama discovering that my new words, a specially designed . I didn't try distros
International Airport: AA1 with acquisition doesn't have an interface with a special set of without special interfaces, so
an 8GB HD and 512MB RAM optical unit -- yes, I did the apps. Microsoft, OSX, and you'll not find here anything
with Linpus Linux for $500, or business without asking too regular Linux distros just don't about Xfce or similar low-
AA1 with 160GB HD and 1GB much. I set up a USB memory have the right answers. requirement laptop interfaces
RAM with WinXP for $550 -- this and installed it OEM. Then I not designed for netbooks. I
latter an extra 152GB HD and understood why they call it a Now I knew what I wanted. I didn't try Linpus Linux because
full circle magazine #30 17 contents ^
18. MY OPINION - ACER ASPIRE ONE DISTROS
its server never answered. I (somebody told me that the and it wasn't even designed for
didn't try LiveAndroid because cursor is name@computer:~$). I have to confess that before my computer!
it's still a cellphone's platform I started typing but nothing I tried this distro I was wary of
and needs a lot of tweaking to happened. I tried to manually it, because its site says it was I first tried Eeebuntu NBR
become a netbook interface. launch the graphical interface, made for the Asus eeepc, 1.0, but now I'm running
but nothing happened. whereas I was testing it on the version 3.0 based on Jaunty.
Except for Moblin, all of AA1. But, since many forums
these distros are Ubuntu Then, in both cases, I went said that it works in the AA1, I There are two things I don't
based, and all use Netbook back to my main computer t like about Eeebuntu NBR 3.0.
Remix as the main interface. (dual-booting Ubuntu and One is its theme, which looks
Windows XP) fired up my like a copy of Debian 5.0's
VirtualBox and tried again, but theme. The other is the fact
(http://www.kuki.me/) got nothing more than the little that when I consented to its
blinking white line. Both distros update recommendation the
(http://www.linux4one.it/) are so poorly documented that wifi stopped working. Since I
I couldn't find a solution. There don't know what I'm doing, I
When I saw these two was not even a help forum. ried it. had to reinstall the distro and
distros I was very glad since ignore every update.
both claim to be specially That was all then for both Basically it's Ubuntu with
designed for my AA1. Kuki Linux and Linux4one. NBR but “incorporating the One thing that I want to
Linux4one is made in Italy, and However, I really wanted to try Array Kernel and the have is the ability to
it was my first choice because I Linux4one, which claims that EeeConfigure system”. It automatically set up and run a
like Italian design (it makes me its wireless works just out of integrates the eeepc-tray ACPI 3G USB modem (I have an
feel like I'm driving a Ferrari), the box, so I downloaded it utility to control ACPI events Alcatel onetouch x060A). I read
and the distro comes in English again four months later but got and toggle certain devices on somewhere that I have to
and Italian. I supposed that, the same poor results. the Eee on/off, but since I don't install something called wvdial
once installed, I could change know what that is, I don't use and download and configure
the language to Spanish, as My humble suggestions for it. I have the option to usb_modeswitch and...hello
one can do in Ubuntu. both distros are to join forces, configure it for my AA1, but little monkey playing drums!
since both are working for the since I don't know how to do
In both cases, I set up my AA1, and to make sure the so, I ignore this. My suggestion: Eeebuntu is
USB memory, connected it to distros work out of the box the best one now, but it needs
my AA1, turned it on, pressed before providing an ISO image. Eeebuntu NBR is fantastic! It a nicer theme. I think it needs
f12 boot using USB, saw a lot runs fast out of the box, to widen its objectives because
of white text and then a without configuring anything -- it's not for the Eee PC only; it's
blinking white line, not a cursor (http://www.eeebuntu.org/) a fully operational netbook OS
full circle magazine #30 18 contents ^
19. MY OPINION - ACER ASPIRE ONE DISTROS
for any netbook, since almost and it has the same bugs. I'm sure that these and apps).
all netbooks use the same dependencies are artificial.
hardware. Perhaps it should As you may know, AA1 has This makes me remember Jolicloud favors apps such as
change its name to something two mmc/sd slots. Ubuntu NBR those apps that I don't use in Dropbox, Twitter, Gmail,
like Netubuntu (Ubuntu for does not mount the cards my other partition and that I Meebo, Zoho, and Spotify -- in
netbooks). immediately. You need to boot can't remove -- Internet other words, cloud computing.
the OS with the card inserted Explorer, Windows Media These even have a link to
for it to be mounted, but there Player, Windows Movie Maker, Jolicloud's website (which
(http://www.geteasypeasy.com/) are some tweaks to fix this -- and Outlook Express. Eeebuntu needs invitation and
look, the monkey playing! NBR 3.0, on the other hand, registration) that makes me
It looks just like Eeebuntu, comes without any games and think that they will use that
but it's slower and its ISO Both Eeebuntu and Ubuntu without Evolution, but with link to offer some paid cloud-
image is larger. It's poorly put NBR have the same bug with Mozilla Thunderbird, which is computing service in the
together, poorly documented, the mmc/sd card slots. Neither the one I use (and can be future, which is not bad, but I
and just plain sloppy. I prefer one uses the wireless led, and easily removed), so Eeebuntu don't need.
Eeebuntu NBR. neither mounts my 3G USB NBR continues to be my
modem as a modem but as a favorite. The screenshots in the
CD by default. Ubuntu NBR has website do not match the real
(http://www.ubuntu.com/) an extra bug reported: if you interface; in reality, it looks like
switch from the NBR interface (http://www.jolicloud.com/) Ubuntu NBR with Prism.
to the regular Gnome desktop,
the Gnome bars disappear or This project is in alpha 2c. I This distro is not my option,
become weird. In Ubuntu NBR registered and downloaded it and my dummie suggestion is
in the NBR mode, you can't to try it (I know, a dummie that, if you want Jolicloud's
edit the top Gnome bar that should not try an alpha functionality, you should install
you still have. version, but I wanted to taste it Prism on Eeebuntu NBR and
very badly). It is said to be “an create a special entry in the
I still prefer Eeebuntu, Internet operating system,” menu for those apps.
With Ubuntu 9.04, a new because Ubuntu NBR comes meaning that it's designed for
member of the family arrived, with Evolution and Gnome cloud computing (which I don't
namely, Ubuntu NBR. It uses games, which I can't remove like since I still visit some (http://moblin.org/)
the new kernel which comes because they have places where I don't have
with everything to run on my dependencies with the Gnome Internet access and since I still Before saying anything else
AA1, but it's not as well desktop -- if I don't want these have more-than-enough space about this distro, I want to say
configured as my Eeebuntu, apps, why should I keep them? in my HD to keep my own files that I love it; currently, my AA1
full circle magazine #30 19 contents ^
20. MY OPINION - ACER ASPIRE ONE DISTROS
is running both Eeebuntu NBR environment, built around the partition because Moblin And I have been unable to
3.0 and Moblin 2.0 in dual boot. X Window System. The new UI doesn't support ext4. It doesn't toggle the 3G switch on.
also includes an integrated play my music/videos since it
What I understand, Gecko Web browser. doesn't have the needed A couple of other things I
according to what I have read, codecs installed, nor could I think it needs is a menu entry
is that Moblin is a distro When you turn it on, it find them in the repositories. I such as “appearance” to
developed by the Intel shows a section called “My think that the developers change the color combinations
corporation and then passed to Zone,” which is a variation on forgot about VoIP as an (Moblin is blue and black,
the Linux foundation. I also the desktop or home screen. It important part of “stay in which I like, but what if
read that Canonical, among provides an overview of the contact with friends.” It doesn't somebody prefers green and
many others, is now part of user's latest activities on the have anything related to this yellow, for example?), and to
this project. system. The screen is divided (but there is a post in a forum set the background image (I
into three areas: recent on how to install Skype). It couldn't find how to change it).
activities (left), that is calendar needs more apps. For example, And finally, I think it needs a
and to-do items; recent files I need something for picture to hide the column of
and websites (center), such as presentations (such as white text lines that every
pictures viewed and websites Impress), but it doesn't have Linux distro shows when
visited (be careful with what OOo in the repositories. The booting.
was your last activity before file explorer (I think it's
opening this in public.); and Nautilus but I'm not sure)
Moblin (for Mobile Linux) is a recent social network updates doesn't have the option to add
Fedora-based distribution (right), currently tracking scripts. It doesn't have a way If you want to continue
specially designed for Twitter and Last.fm. to switch screens (netbook using the AA1 as a tiny
netbooks. It's “an open source screen and video beam, for notebook, in my opinion you
project focused on building a Did I mention that the entire example). And I insist that it should use Eeebuntu NBR,
Linux-based platform optimized OS starts in seconds? should mount and use my 3G which deserves to be an official
for the next generation of USB modem right out of the part of the Ubuntu family. If
mobile devices including Moblin 2.0 is in beta stage. box. There is no obvious option you understand what a
Netbooks, Mobile Internet It has some things I don't like to turn off, restart, suspend, Netbook should be, you should
Devices, and In-vehicle and doesn't have others that I hibernate, or change users give Moblin 2.0 a try.
infotainment systems”. miss. I plugged a ntfs-formated (there is no option for other
Wikipedia says that it comes USB drive and failed to mount users at all). You have to press
When preparing this file to send it to
with a custom-built GNOME it, which is unacceptable in the and release the on/off button the magazine I read the news of an
Mobile UI based on current stage of Linux to turn off the computer right upcoming new netbook's Linux flavor -
OpenedHand's Clutter, a key development. It is unable to away. It doesn't even ask for a - Ubuntu Moblin Remix -- my dreams
piece of the Maemo graphical mount my Eeebuntu NBR password to open your session. come true. I love Linux!
full circle magazine #30 20 contents ^
21. REVIEW Sony PRS-505 Ebook Reader
height) than a DVD/video-game Below and to the left of the menus. You can enter the
case (below left, the 505 on screen is a circular button Settings menu and alter the
top of an Xbox 360 case) and a which also flips pages, handy view from portrait to
hair's-breadth thinner. for when the device is in landscape, but it would have
landscape mode. To the left of been nice to be able to do this
In the box, you get the 505, this round button is a small by clicking a button while in a
the snazzy brown cover (which button for zooming text, and to book rather than having to
uses magnets to stay closed), a the right of the round button is come out of the book to effect
USB cable (to also charge it the bookmark button. Below this change. But this is a small
with) and a couple of CDs, both and to the right of the screen is niggle. I’ll probably never use
geared towards Windows an up-down-left-right circle landscape mode anyway. If you
I know there are plenty of users, although one CD has with a button in the center; the were reading a book on the
PRS-505 reviews on the Web, some old public-domain circle is for moving up/down 505, then your first option
but the vast majority don’t classics on it for you to read. menus and the button is for would be to continue whatever
mention if the 505 plays well The CDs aren’t necessary selecting. This device is also you were reading last, which is
with Linux. That’ll be the focus anyway. One is a cataloging used in scrolling zoomed
of my review. For the record, application (I’ll come to its images. Beside this round
I’m using Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty). Linux equivalent in a moment) button is the menu button. The
and the device mounts as a top edge of the 505 has the
USB storage device. The 505 on/off slider and two slots for
has internal memory for storing the Sony/SD cards. The bottom
books, but it also accepts Sony edge has the USB socket, a
and SD cards. wall-socket charger (not
supplied), and also a jack for
The device certainly looks ear/head phones plus a volume
pretty enough with its brushed control for playing MP3 files.
aluminium case and matching
controls. Down the right side of
the screen (I’ll come to the
First things first: the 505 is screen in a moment) are ten When you first turn on the
tiny! It comes with a nice selection buttons (more on 505 you’ll get the main-menu
leather-feeling cover. The 505 them in a second) and two screen (right). There’s really
itself is a touch smaller (in buttons to flip pages with. not a lot to tinker with in the
full circle magazine #30 21 contents ^
22. REVIEW: SONY PRS-505 EBOOK READER
effectively a shortcut. Next, excellent (and free)
you can list books by Title, which is a PDF.
Author or Date. Or you can Bear in mind when you think
view your collections and about getting a 505 (or any
bookmarks. Buttons 7 to 0 are ebook reader) that, although
for audio, pictures and settings. reading a PDF is one of its
features, it is mainly geared
Books by Title does just towards ePub files which are
that: it lists your books by their mainly text. So, if you want to
titles from A-Z. I could either view PDFs that are mainly
click buttons 1 through 3 to images, you may need to OK, so we know it displays
select one of the three books convert them. PDFs with text various text formats with ease,
on the page, or I could use the only will usually display well. but how do we (as Linux users)
up/down/select button (round The photo above shows the put books on the contraption? Linux has a wonderful,
button, bottom right). PDF displayed as fit-to-screen Well, as I said, in my Ubuntu magical application known as
by default. You can, of course, 9.04 the 505 mounts Calibre, which can
zoom the text if you wish, but automatically as a USB storage automatically detect the 505
this can cause delays as it device, so you can drag-and- as an ebook reader, send files
I chose number three, the reformats the page. Text-only drop ebooks to and from it. But to it, and do many other great
files, such as ePub, have very be aware that it scans its things.
short reformatting delays. internal memory and the
removable storage, and then Installing Calibre is the
Pressing the menu button, creates a list. So even if your (slightly) tricky part as it’s the
while reading, displays the ebook is in twenty separate old 0.4 version that’s in the
options in the menu shown chapters within a folder, the Ubuntu repositories. But fear
above: continue reading the 505 will list those twenty files not, a kind soul has created a
book, start from the beginning, among everything else. It will PPA to let us easily install 0.5:
jump to the end, show any do the same with photos. So
bookmarks for the current it’s best to tidy up your https://launchpad.net/~fabric
book, and several others, collection. But how can this be esp/+archive/ppa
which I’ve not used much. done, since the Reader comes
with Windows discs! Add the PPA by fabrice_sp,
Bookmarking a page has a Fortunately, Linux has an follow the instructions (on the
nice touch: it folds the top-right equivalent for everything! PPA page) to add the PPA key,
corner of the (electronic) page. and Calibre 0.6 will show up in
your package manager.
full circle magazine #30 22 contents ^
23. REVIEW: SONY PRS-505 EBOOK READER
The GUI for Calibre is self screen (below). It will display that feed as a forum, the solution is this:
explanatory. In the settings, list of titles and (text) previews, download the Calibre binary
you pick/create a folder to put which let you select the story from the Calibre site, and
all your ebooks in and tell you want to read: extract the libunrar.so file from
Calibre where your ebooks (or the download. Place the
folders of ebooks) are. It will And, as in any other ebook, libunrar.so in the /usr/lib folder.
then add them to its database you can zoom the text. The You’ll no doubt need to use the
and copy them to the folder zoom function makes the 505 a command line with sudo to
you specify in the settings. This good present for an older copy the file across. But it does
keeps everything nice and relative who likes their news work, honest!
neat. As soon as you plug in and books but finds
the 505, Calibre detects it and books/newspaper print too
displays it in the top bar in the But wait, it does more! small.
window (beside the rather Calibre also has an extensive
large heart icon). Now you can list of news feeds, which it can I got my PRS-505 for a mere
right-click on a book and select grab, convert to epub, and £150, which is a bargain, and
to send it to the 505’s internal send to your 505! What I’ve I’m delighted with it. It will fit in
memory or removable storage, been doing is leaving my 505 the inside pocket of my jacket
if any. plugged in overnight with and will, no doubt, entertain
Calibre set to retrieve the news me on my journeys to and from
Not only does Calibre send feeds at 6 a.m. (from various work. It can grab the day's
and organise books, it converts news sources) and upload news, give me books to read,
too! And this is where it won them to the 505 automatically. and even let me revisit my
me over. You see, I’m an old So, when I wake up at 8 a.m., I childhood by displaying old
sk00l comic fan and to read can grab my PRS-505, sit on comics! What an amazing
comics on the 505 would be a the bus, and read the day's piece of electrical wizardry it is!
dream come true -- and Calibre news. Very handy.
makes it so!
You can add CBR/CBZ files When trying to convert CBR For more ebook applications,
to your library and then files to LRF, I kept getting a see our How-to on page 10 of
convert them to LRF format for libunrar.so error. Unfortunately, this issue. If you fancy yourself
viewing on the 505! OK, they’ll this file is not in the as a writer, see our Top 5 on
be in black and white, but very repositories or anywhere else page 34 to find the most
readable -- even when the for that matter. After getting helpful writing applications.
pages are displayed as fit-to- help from the MobileRead
full circle magazine #30 23 contents ^