Category: Geek Software of the Week: Linux Edition!

OK, so I wanted a “CCleaner” for Linux! I love CCleaner! I can use it to keep my PC clean and tight! So, I “Googled” and viola! Turns out there is a similiar Open Source (FREE!) program that is similiar for Linux! Rock on!

BleachBit

“BleachBit quickly frees disk space and tirelessly guards your privacy. Free cache, delete cookies, clear Internet history, shred temporary files, delete logs, and discard junk you didn’t know was there. Designed for Linux and Windows systems, it wipes clean 90 applications including Firefox, Internet Explorer, Adobe Flash, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari,and more. Beyond simply deleting files, BleachBit includes advanced features such as shredding files to prevent recovery, wiping free disk space to hide traces of files deleted by other applications, and vacuuming Firefox to make it faster. Better than free, BleachBit is Open Source.”

A great Java-based SQL Client for Linux!

SQuirreL SQL Client

“The SQuirreL SQL client provides a simple graphical interface to relational databases.
Because it is built using Java, it can access any JDBC-compliant database running on any
machine, allowing remote access to multiple databases. A SQuirreL user can:

– easily view and edit data in any JDBC-compliant database,

– view the database’s meta-data,

– work with multiple databases on both local and remote machines,

– use a single, consistent interface to work with different database engines, and

expand the tool’s capabilities and include DB-specific functionality using plugins.
The user can click on tables to view them and edit data, or use full SQL operations. Data
can be viewed in read-only mode for safety, or in an editable mode where it may be
modified by simply typing the new data into the table. All of the meta-data for the
database (eg: data types, table column names, etc.) are accessible through SQuirreL. In
cases where multiple types of database engines are being used (eg: Oracle, MySQL,
PostgreSQL, etc.), the user does not need to learn multiple DB-management tools since
SQuirreL-SQL provides a common mechanism for accessing them all. In those cases
where a Database engine has non-standard quirks, SQuirreL’s plugin architecture allows
users to include DB-specific components to handle those operations. The plugin
architecture also allows developers to create add-on functions that users may choose to
include or not as they wish.”

Yes, DragonDisk was a GSotW for Windows, but this week I am trumpeting it as a Linux program as well! I have a video demo of it on this week’s Netcast (coming soon!)

DragonDisk Linux Edition

“DragonDisk is a file-management system for the Amazon S3 Service.

DragonDisk will backup, share and organize your data thanks to an intuitive interface similar to Windows Explorer’s.

Its functions and conviviality will persuade you from the start, whether you are an amateur or a professional user.”

This is REALLY, REALLY handy! Remmina is an RDP client for Linux. It is in the Fedora “Add/Remove Software” “store”… just be sure to install the plugins as well!

Remmina – The GTK+ Remote Desktop Client

Remmina main program:

• A pure GTK+ 2.0 application!
• Maintain a list of connection profiles, organized by groups
• Make quick connections by directly putting in the server address
• Remote desktops with higher resolutions are scrollable/scalable in both window and fullscreen mode
• Viewport fullscreen mode: remote desktop automatically scrolls when the mouse moves over the screen edge.
• Floating toolbar in fullscreen mode, allows you to switch between modes, toggle keyboard grabbing, minimize, etc.
• Tabbed interface, optionally managed by groups
• Tray icon, allows you to quickly access configured connection profiles

Remmina plugins: RDP, VNC, NX, XDMCP, SSH, Telepathy

You can install it on Fedora from “Add/Remove Software” under “Activities” then “Applications”, simply type in “cairo-dock” and install it! It is very “Mac-like” and handy! Check it out! It is Open Source, and uses OpenGL!

cairo-dock Web Site

It simply works… it is there when you need it, and gets out of the way (“intelligently”) when you don’t! Very cool. If you are using Linux, try it, and pretend you are on a Mac!

So, I needed an MP3 tagger for Linux. And I found one!

EasyTAG – Tag editor for MP3, Ogg Vorbis files and more

“EasyTAG is a utility for viewing and editing tags for MP3, MP2, MP4/AAC, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, MusePack, Monkey’s Audio and WavPack files. Its simple and nice GTK+ interface makes tagging easier under GNU/Linux or Windows.

The program exists for the both versions of the GTK library 1.2 and 2.4.
The GTK 1.2 version wouldn’t change a lot (may be some bugs fixes), as all new developments will be concentrated on the new GTK 2.4 version.”

Airtime by Sourcefabric, is the Open Source radio station automation package for Linux (specifically with detailed in structions for installing on an Ubuntu box.) I demo it as part of Netcast #200!

Airtime by Sourcefabric Software

“Think Google Calendar for radio stations – move, plan and share shows. Simply drag-and-drop to programme regular or one-off shows and set to repeat if needs be.

Allows station managers to create shows, block-out timeslots and grant access to only those who need it, preventing accidental schedule changes or clashes.

Manage your audio archive, upload files, construct playlists, create shows, edit the Programme Calendar, and cue playout. All through the web.

Airtime now features a pair of standalone JQuery widgets. This lets your website show your visitors what’s currently playing and the upcoming schedule.

We encourage radio stations to keep their heads in the cloud. Full SoundCloud integration means you can automatically record and upload shows and their valuable metadata to SoundCloud, one of the best audio sharing sites on the web.

New, community-requested feature! Record any show and then automatically set a date and time for up to ten rebroadcasts. Goodnight graveyard shift!

Sourcefabric Support can help you set up anything, from solar-powered transmitters, to multiple-station network hubs to the complete integration of your radio station with your website. Talk to us.”

OK, this software is SO cool, I created a whole new Geek Software of the Week category! This video editor for Linux is clean, powerful, and easy to learn and use! It is awesome! The effects and options are as powerful as ANY “paid for” package.

OpenShot Video Editor

“Simple. Powerful.

OpenShot Video Editor is a free, open-source video editor for Linux licensed under the GPL version 3.0.

OpenShot can take your videos, photos, and music files and help you create the film you have always dreamed of. Easily add sub-titles, transitions, and effects, and then export your film to DVD, YouTube, Vimeo, Xbox 360, and many other common formats.”