Choosing A File Manager To Use
Most computer users today are spoiled by the richness of the graphical user interfaces or GUI. In Linux, we have dozens of desktop environments that compete against each other for dominance. Right now, GNOME seems to be winning. However, accessing servers remotely using the same desktop environment puts a heavy demand on the network connection. This is one of the reasons why mastering the command-line interface (CLI) is an added ammo in a system administrator’s arsenal. Frankly, it is a must-have in my book.
Anyway, using the CLI does not necessarily have to be too tedious specially when dealing with file management, e.g. moving files from one subdirectory to another, etc. The task is made simpler by a file manager named Midnight Commander (after the popular DOS utility, Norton Commander).
Installation is as simple as invoking “sudo apt-get install mc”. It should not take that long to download and install. PolishLinux.org has a short walk-through of what you can do with Midnight Commander.
Also, it is useful especially for new Linux users or those who are simply not comfortable using the command-line interface (CLI).
Since I am a CLI-user, I find that Midnight Commander, a Norton Commander look-alike, useful especially when deleting selected files or transferring selected files from one subdirectory to another.
The choice of File Manager is really a personal issue. The selection of a file manager is a highly personal decision. For most users, Midnight Commander is probably the command-line choice that is quickest to learn. Few users will want to use one of the generic file managers unless they are already familiar with it from another Unix-like operating system. Of the modern file managers, Konqueror the most satisfactory, so much so that otherwise dedicated GNOME users have been known to install KDE mainly so that they can use it.
However, for those who have always relied on file managers, the first choice has to be Krusader. Combining the centralized functionality of earlier generations with the look and feel of modern applications, Krusader is by far the most complete of the file managers I’ve mentioned.
Depending on your priorities, you might settle on another choice, but it’s worth taking the time to explore your options. For many users, the choice of a file manager remains nearly as important as the choice of an editor is to a developer. A file manager can’t force you to organize your files, but the right one can help you keep them that way.
The author writes about linux tip and blogs at http://www.hackitlinux.com/.
Instant EXE Programming Utility Review
Thought creating your own software programs was reserved for die-hard computer geeks? Think again!
If you have ever considered creating your own computer software, but thought that the time needed to learn a programming language and the cost of the development program were just too much, then you are in for a pleasant surprise.
Instant EXE is a software development program that allows just about anyone to create their own Windows-based computer programs. Want a utility to store your recipes? Need a tool to monitor a device on your network? Need to automate a process you do over and over again? Then Instant EXE just may be the solution for you.
There are two things that really make Instant EXE the ideal development tool for programming beginners as well as veterans. First, there really is no programing language to learn.
You see, instead of learning a complicated language Instant EXE (or jut IX for short) has a set of 50 highly customizable commands. Simply double-click the command from the list and it is inserted into your program, or script as they are called.
But, don’t let the fact that the program is easy to use make you believe that IX is not a robust development environment. Each of the commands is highly customizable using a graphical window for each. You do not need to remember or even type any routines yourself. Simply change the settings in the dialog box to change the command’s behavior.
IX’s completely graphical interface makes creating your own software much quicker and easier than other development utilities. Furthermore, there are hundreds of variables and formulas that you can choose from, giving you access to every property and setting imaginable.
The second attractive feature is that Instant EXE is completely free. You can create, compile, and distribute your own software without paying for the development environment or paying any royalties at all. This feature alone makes IX a great choice for hobbyists, network administrators, school and computer user groups, or anyone that wants to write their own software.
How can the company that produces IX support itself you ask? IX comes in 2 flavors. The standard flavor, which is sufficient for most people, doesn’t cost anything. However, if you want to unlock even more features you can upgrade to a low-cost paid version and even add in one of the growing number of plug-ins.
The plug-ins extend IX’s abilities even further. The database plug-in, for example, allows you to manipulate databases in the popular Microsoft Access format. The Browser plug-in allows you to include a web browser interface in your programs and even interact with those web pages. You could for example, automatically submit web searches using this plug-in.
Finally, IX has a very avid user group and forum where people exchange ideas and help each other out. If you’re looking to create a computer program of your own, then Instant EXE is definitely worth checking out.
James Pearson is the creator of the website http://www.freesoftwarecreator.com where you can find a robust programming utility that allows you to create real software programs without learning a programming language and a step-by-step video tutorial series.
Even You Can Create Your Own Software
What is stopping you from writing your own computer software? Do you think it will be too difficult? Do you think you will have to learn a new programming language? Do you believe that it would be boring?
If you have ever thought to yourself “I wish I could make my computer do …” or thought “I wish I could automate this task on my computer” then you are on your way to becoming a computer programmer.
Now, before you stop reading and think that computer programing is only for geeks and nerds, let me assure you that anyone can learn to program their computer. You can automate tasks and even create simple utilities that will save you lots of time and work.
The key to creating your own software is choosing a development tool that you find intuitive and easy to use. Many programming languages now have development environments that include drag and drop components that let you build windows and much of the program without actually writing any code.
Many languages, like BASIC and all its flavors, were designed with beginners in mind. These languages are relatively simple to learn compared to others. Additionally, there are many low-cost compilers available on line.
Recently a few programming tools have cropped up that allow you to make very simple software programs without any programming at all. These programs however are very limited in what they can accomplish. Most of these types of programs simply alter a template that you create in a text file. While these types of so-called development tools can, with a little imagination, allow you to create simple programs, they are not really robust enough to be considered true programming utilities.
Finally, you need to choose a programming language and development program that you can “connect” with. Sometimes a language just will not “click” for you, while another may come more naturally. By trying out several different options you can find the one that offers you the best combination of ease of use and flexibility.
While it may seem like an overwhelming idea at first, creating software is something that just about anyone can do. It takes a little patience at first and the ability to handle some trial and error, but it is possible for you to become a computer programmer.
Remember, decide what your goals are and seek out a programming tool that is both flexible and easy to use. Spend a little time learning the basics and soon you will be able to create your own computer programs.
James Pearson is the creator of the website http://www.freesoftwarecreator.com where you can find a robust programming utility that allows you to create real software programs without learning a programming language and a step-by-step video tutorial series.
HTML – The Language Of The Virtual World
HTML is the programming language that has been instrumental in bringing about this revolution called ‘Internet’. ‘HTML’ fascinates a lot of people. There are people who want to learn HTML in order to try their hands at developing a website on their own. For the website designers and developers, HTML is their bread and butter. They use HTML to bring websites to life. This community of programmers and developers is also in constant search of new HTML techniques that will enhance their skills further.
The use of HTML can be judged by the fact that thousands of websites are launched everyday on the internet (and all websites use HTML in some way). Another gauge of the popularity of HTML is the fact that there are several books on HTML available in the market and there are several websites that discuss and teach HTML. For example, www.html-code-pulse.be is a website that brings together all the resources and information on HTML. In fact, this website really justifies its name “HTML code pulse”.
In computing, HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is a markup language designed for the creation of web pages with hypertext and other information to be displayed in a web browser. HTML is used to structure information – denoting certain text as headings, paragraphs, lists and so on – and can be used to describe, to some degree, the appearance and semantics of a document. HTML’s grammar structure is the HTML DTD that was created using SGML syntax.
Originally defined by Tim Berners-Lee and further developed by the IETF, HTML is now an international standard (ISO/IEC 15445:2000). Later HTML specifications are maintained by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
Early versions of HTML were defined with looser syntactic rules which helped its adoption by those unfamiliar with web publishing. Web browsers commonly made assumptions about intent and proceeded with rendering of the page. Over time, the trend in the official standards has been to create an increasingly strict language syntax; however, browsers still continue to render pages that are far from valid HTML.
XHTML, which applies the stricter rules of XML to HTML to make it easier to process and maintain, is the W3C’s successor to HTML. As such, many consider XHTML to be the “current version” of HTML, but it is a separate, parallel standard; the W3C continues to recommend the use of either XHTML 1.1, XHTML 1.0, or HTML 4.01 for web publishing.
http://www.html-code-pulse.be links you to all the best resources and websites that have the html related news and information available. Really, http://www.html-code-pulse.be seems to be the gateway to the world of HTML.