How to Install ClassicMenu Indicator 0.08 from PPA in Ubuntu 13.10/13.04

ClassicMenu Indicator is a useful application indicator that once installed and executed will show a menu in the top panel of Ubuntu Unity that allows users to easily and quickly access system tools and software without the need to use the Dash menu.

Here is a screenshot of ClassicMenu Indicator under Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander):

ClassicMenu Indicator 0.08 Installation

For PPA installation under Ubuntu 13.10/13.04, enter these commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:diesch/testing 

sudo apt-get update 

sudo apt-get install classicmenu-indicator

Use the dash menu to start it:

For other distributions, you can install it manually by entering this sequence of commands:

cd /tmp 

wget http://goo.gl/cVAKtS -O classicmenu-indicator_0.08_all.deb 

sudo dpkg -i --force-depends classicmenu-indicator_0.08_all.deb 

sudo apt-get -f install

Once installed, the application will be added automatically to the list of software that will be started automatically after you log in. If you want to disable it, start the dash menu and open "Startup Applications":

Then disable it:

Endian Firewall 3.0 Beta 2

Endian has announced the availability of the second beta build of Endian Firewall 3.0, a major new version of the Red Hat-based distribution for firewalls and routers: "Hey folks, take a look at the Endian Firewall Community 3.0 BETA 2. The new release includes new features relevant to email security, OpenVPN, logging and reporting module and a number of improvements as well. Features, improvements and bug fixes include: SMTP delivery status notification configuration; connections page for VPN users - frontend and backend; add the option "required" to the multiline validator; HTTP proxy information popup is not shown correctly; YAML traceback in domain routing until first domain route configuration; spam blacklists and whitelists typo in tooltip displayed text...." Here is the brief release announcement, with further details summarised in the release notes. Download: EFW-COMMUNITY-3.0.0-beta2.iso (203MB, MD5).

OpenMandriva Lx 2013.0 RC2

The second and final release candidate for the inaugural stable release of OpenMandriva Lx is now available for download and testing: "And here it comes - a week after RC1, OpenMandriva 2013.0 Lx RC2 is out on schedule. It's been mostly bug fixing and polishing at this stage. Nothing much different from RC1. You'll notice, though, that we've only got one launcher for RC2, KickOff. If you want SimpleWelcome, you can install rosa-launcher, if you want Homerun, you can install homerun and if you want Lancelot, you can install plasma-applet-lancelot. In RC2 we completed the artwork integration. It includes fixing of the plymouth theme, updated GRUB, ksplash, user avatars, and got a brand new screensaver. Additionally, following the results of 'The Flavour of Freedom' wallpaper contest, we've included the winners of the contest into 2013.0. In RC2 you'll find: Linux kernel 3.11.6, KDE 4.11, Firefox 25.0, LibreOffice 4.1.3." Read the rest of the release announcement for more information and screenshots. Download: OpenMandrivaLx-2013.0-rc2.x86_64.iso (1,522MB, MD5).

How to Check 3D Acceleration (FPS) in Ubuntu/Linux Mint

In this guide, we will see some commands needed for checking  3D Acceleration / FPS for both Nvidia and AMD graphics cards under the following distributions:

• Ubuntu 13.10/13.04/12.10/12.04 or older
• Linux Mint 15/14/13 or older

If you have more commands and tools that are not listed here, please mention them below (comment form).

Getting Started

First of all, install this dependency via the terminal:

sudo apt-get install mesa-utils

Before running the commands below, make sure 3D acceleration is enabled or not by entering this command:

/usr/lib/nux/unity_support_test -p

1. Glxinfo

You can use glxinfo to check 3d acceleration and rendering. Here are some commands you need to run from the terminal:

glxinfo -i | grep render

or

 glxinfo -i | grep direct

or

glxinfo -i | grep openGL

The output returned will give you information about your graphics card (AMD or Nvidia).

2. Glxgears

You can also use glxgears to test 3D Acceleration (FPS). Simply run this command:

glxgears

or

glxgears -info

 3. xvinfo

You can also use "xvinfo" to check information about your video card. You can run it with this command:

xvinfo

4. For owners of AMD (ATI) graphics cards, you can use this command to check your graphical performance:

fglrxinfo

or

fgl_glxgears

5. Glxspheres

To be able to use Glxspheres under Ubuntu/Linux Mint, you need first to install it as follows:

Installation (64-bit)

Via the terminal, issue these commands:

cd /tmp 

wget http://goo.gl/L7rsGZ -O virtualgl_2.3.3_amd64.deb 

sudo dpkg -i --force-depends virtualgl_2.3.3_amd64.deb 

sudo apt-get -f install

Then run it with this command:

/opt/VirtualGL/bin/glxspheres64

 Installation (32-bit)

For 32-bit systems, install Glxspheres with these commands:

cd /tmp 

wget http://goo.gl/O5AyjX -O virtualgl_2.3.3_i386.deb 

sudo dpkg -i --force-depends virtualgl_2.3.3_i386.deb 

sudo apt-get -f install

Then run it with this command:

/opt/VirtualGL/bin/glxspheres

Fedora 20 Alpha

Kevin Fenzi has announced that the delayed alpha release of Fedora 20 is now ready for testing - complete with Linux kernel 3.11, GNOME 3.10, KDE 4.11, ARM as a primary architecture, NetworkManager improvements and many other goodies: "The Fedora 20 "Heisenbug" alpha release has arrived with a preview of the latest fantastic, free, and open source technology currently under development. The Fedora 20 release coincides nicely with the 10th anniversary of Fedora. The first Fedora release (then called Fedora Core 1) came out on November 6, 2003. Since then, the Fedora Project has become an active and vibrant community that produces nearly a dozen "spins" that are tailor made for desktop users, hardware design, gaming, musicians, artists, and early classroom environments." See the release announcement for a full list of new features and other details. Download (torrents, SHA256): Fedora-Live-Desktop-x86_64-20-Alpha-4.iso (960MB, torrent), Fedora-Live-KDE-x86_64-20-Alpha-4.iso (921MB, torrent).

Chakra GNU/Linux 2013.09

Neophytos Kolokotronis has announced the release of Chakra GNU/Linux 2013.09, a major new update of the Linux distribution that always features the latest KDE desktop: "The Chakra project team is delighted to announce the first release of Chakra Fritz. 'Fritz' is the name of a series of Chakra releases that follow the KDE Software Compilation 4.11 series and is dedicated to the memory of Fritz_Van_Tom. With this ISO image we offer KDE SC 4.11.1. In this release, many areas have received a number of improvements that affect multiple applications; most notably a speed boost on Akonadi. The Plasma Workspaces 4.11 will receive long-term support as the KDE team focuses on the technical transition to Frameworks 5. You may have noticed that there is no new artwork with this new series as it is usually the case, since it wasn't ready by the time of the release. Hopefully work on the artwork will be completed soon so we can include it in a future release." Continue to the release announcement to find out more. Download: chakra-2013.09-Fritz-x86_64.iso (1,700MB, MD5).