Switch to Ubuntu Today - Canonical's support services for Ubuntu Desktop Edition

Canonical has announced today in a press release that it will offer new support services for both individual and small businesses, which will ease the transition to the popular Ubuntu operating system, from Microsoft Windows or Apple Macintosh. Ubuntu is a 100% free and open-source Linux OS for both desktop and server platforms, with millions of users around the globe. With these support services offered by Canonical, users can take now take full advantage of the Ubuntu OS. They will include support for installations, desktop configuration and general assistance (see below for details about each package).


Steve George, director of Canonical's Corporate Services division says: "Canonical's Desktop Support Services provides an easy, inexpensive way to get Ubuntu up and running in the home, home office and small business - reaching the vast majority of computer users. [...] With our team supporting them, Ubuntu is ideal for people who just want their computer to work, where the goal is to get up and running with no fuss, focusing on the things they want to accomplish."

Canonical's Desktop Support Services includes three packages: Starter, Advanced and Professional:
- The Starter Desktop Service offers support for installations and basic configuration and functionality of the Ubuntu system, like creating various documents, playing audio and video streams, using various applications or setting up the Internet. The package's price starts from 34.73 Pound Sterling (GBP) + VAT;
- The Advanced Desktop Service offers support for power users who need help or assistance for migrating documents or settings from a Microsoft Windows or Apple Macintosh operating system. Advanced installations, personnel accounting and desktop publishing are also covered by this offering. The package's price starts from 72.62 Pound Sterling (GBP) + VAT;
- The Professional Desktop Service offers support for experienced users who already use Ubuntu as their main operating system, but need help with network installations, various applications support, advanced productivity, advanced system administration and more. The package's price starts from 138.03 Pound Sterling (GBP) + VAT.

All three offerings described above include:
- Live phone support 9x5
- Email support
- Security upgrades
- Product upgrades
- Duration: 1 year or 3 years

For more details and prices you can check out the Canonical Store.

By: Marius Nestor

Available Now: Mandriva Flash 2009 Spring - Mobile 3D desktop in your pocket

Mandriva announced yesterday in a press release that a new version of its portable USB Mandriva Flash Drive was available for purchase. The new edition is based on Mandriva Linux 2009 Spring, with the KDE 4 desktop environment, and it is available on an 8 GB USB flash drive.


Think of Mandriva Flash 2009 as your personal and private mobile desktop, which empowers you to perform your daily computer tasks from anywhere. Mandriva Flash 2009 Spring offers a fully protected and secure environment that allows you to store your personal data. No software will be installed on the PC; everything works off the USB flash drive. It includes the powerful Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird applications for a safe and secure web browsing and effective e-mail communication, respectively.

Highlights of Mandriva Flash 2009 Spring:
· KDE 4 desktop environment
· Windows launcher
· Microsoft Windows migration tool
· Amazing 3D desktop effects
· OpenOffice.org office suite
· Mozilla Firefox web browser
· Mozilla Thunderbird e-mail client
· Codeina audio/video player
· Adobe Flash
· Sun Microsystem's Java
· Skype VoIP client
· Google Toolbar
· Includes a boot and restore CD

Mandriva Flash has localization in English, German, French, Italian, Finnish, Spanish, Swedish, Portuguese and Dutch. It doesn't require an installation, you can boot directly from the USB key and most hardware configurations are supported. Here are the recommended requirements:
· Any AMD, Intel or VIA CPU;
· At least 512 RAM (1 GB recommended);
· Any Intel, nVidia, VIA, Matrox, SIS or ATI video card;
· Any AC97, Sound Blaster or HDA-compatible sound card;
· Any SATA, SCSI, IDE, SAS hard drive with at least 2 GB free space (16 GB recommended for a complete setup).

Mandriva Flash 2009 Spring is available right now from the official Mandriva Store at the price of $49.90. All orders will be delivered in 2 weeks.

About Mandriva
Mandriva, formerly known as Mandrakesoft, is the publisher of Mandriva Linux, an easy-to-use and innovative operating system, and one of the most popular Linux distributions in the world. Dedicated to making open-source technologies accessible to all users, Mandriva offers a full range of products and services to enterprises, individuals and government organizations. Mandriva products are available online, in 80 languages and in more than 140 countries through dedicated channels.

Mandriva Linux 2009 Spring can be downloaded right now from Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here.

By: Marius Nestor

Piloting a jet fighter as if it were a Convertible!

A Russian movie involved a scene when a man has to pilot a jet fighter with the canopy open. The pilot not only performed the stunt but he broke the sound barrier while doing it. Quite a feature!

How to Fix VirtualBox USB Support - Step-by-step tutorial with screenshots

It is actually a known fact that there is an issue with VirtualBox and the attached USB devices that many of us are trying to use in the virtual machine. Here is a real-life example:

I am a 100% Linux user and I have a photo printer that Linux can't recognize. Let's say that I want to print some photos quickly, to give them to someone. I have a Windows installation in a virtual machine just for this reason (sad, I know) and I want to access my printer, which is connected via a USB port. To my surprise, I can see the printer in the USB device list of VirtualBox, but I can't access it (very frustrating). Firing up Firefox and searching on Google for a fix takes too long, because there are many old tutorials that teach you how to modify various files or change permissions, etc. What to do? Well, below is the answer to the endless VirtualBox – USB issue (and it's pretty damn simple too!).

This tutorial was created mostly for my needs, but I am sure that many of you will find it very helpful. Ready?

This is how a default installation of VirtualBox in Ubuntu 9.04 shows the USB devices, and we need to fix it.


Go to System -> Administration -> Users and Groups...


Click the "Unlock" button...


Type your password and click the "Authenticate" button....


Click on the "Manage Groups" button...


In the "Groups settings" window that will appear, scroll down until you see the vboxusers entry. Select it and then click on the "Properties" button...


Another window will appear, called "Group 'vboxusers' Properties. Just check the box in front of your username and click the "OK" button when you're done...


Close the "Group settings" and "Users Settings" windows and log out. Log in and open up VirtualBox, start your virtual machine and you will see that you can now access the USB devices!


Yes... it was that simple!

By: Marius Nestor

Cheap Swimming Pool

Cheap Swimming Pool (6 pics)

You need a good amount of money to buy a swimming pool, but if there is not enough money (or you want to save), there is a simple solution to this. And that is exactly what the father of a family did... He bought several large waste containers and made a mini "aqua park"

It is Dangerous to Drink Ice Tea

It is Dangerous to Drink Ice Tea (3 Pics)
A guy bought a bottle of ice tea, the equivalent of Ice Tea in China. And just before drinking it, he stopped. When you are in China, be extremely careful

Air Show

Air Show (16 Photos)

Jeep Commander

Jeep Commander Specifications:


Chassis
Brakes: Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Rough Road Detection
Wheels (F): 18-inch seven-spoke aluminum chrome-clad wheels
Wheels (R): 18-inch seven-spoke aluminum chrome-clad wheels
Tires Front: 245/60R18 BSW all-terrain tires
Tires Rear: 245/60R18 BSW all-terrain tires
Front Suspension: Quadra-Drive II 4x4 Group
Rear Suspension: Quadra-Drive II 4x4 Group

Drivetrain
Differential: Electronic Limited Slip Differential
Final Drive Ratio: 3.73

Engine
Type: New 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8
Bore X Stroke: 3.92 x 3.58 (99.5 x 90.9)

Engine & Transmission
Displacement cu in (cc): 345 cu. in. (5654 cu. cm)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 357 hp (266 kW) @ 5,200 rpm, (58.3 hp/L)
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 89 lb.-ft

Exterior
Body Type: 5-passenger
Length: 188.5
Width: 74.8
Curb Weight: 5204

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Specifications:


Chassis
Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: 255/45 R20 - 285/40 R20
Driveline: All Wheel Drive

Engine
Type: V8
Displacement cu in (cc): 370 (6059)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 415(310) / 6000
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 410(556) / n.a.
Redline at RPM: n.a.

Exterior
Length × Width × Height in: n.a.
Weight lb (kg): n.a.

Performance
Acceleration 0-62 mph s: < 5.0
Top Speed mph (km/h): n.a.
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.