Tootips - Sotware tips & Reviews!

Goodbye Social Media, Welcome Back RSS!

2021-10-02T18:18:17+00:00

In this age of a never ending flow of information, social media has become the epitome of a giant and virtual attention grabbing machine whose ultimate purpose is to extend the user’s session as much as possible. Their reasoning is that the longer the user stays on their platform, the likely he or she is to see and click on ads, thus maximizing the platform’s revenue, something that often happens at the expense of the user. The psychology behind the endless scrolling boils down to exploiting the users’ curiosity to see new and random stuff as well as playing on their FOMO, or to put it simply: the algorithm locks you into an addictive and endless loop that tricks your brain into always looking for more content which creates a vicious cycle that can be very hard to get out of.

Now, I am not going to dedicate this whole article to bashing social media. Like any human invention, social media does have some benefits which may or may not be apparent depending on the context. However, I would argue that most peoples’ usage of social media somehow always falls into this destructive and repetitive never ending scrolling pattern. This pattern inevitably locks people into a filter bubble that rarely if ever exposes them to views different than their own. It was this realization that finally convinced me to move away from social media. What is interesting though is that the alternative has always been lurking there waiting for social media refugees to land on its shores. I am of course talking about the good old RSS feeds.

RSS is an acronym that stands for RDF Site Summary or as commonly known Really Simple Syndication. It is a web feed standard that allows websites to provide content updates to their readers in an XML format that can easily be read using a variety of dedicated RSS readers. Before the emergence of social media, RSS was one of the most widely used content delivery formats that was provided by almost every blog or news site. Back then, Internet users used to grab the RSS feed of every interesting blog they came across during their daily browsing spree. Come to think of it, in the golden age of RSS, the average Internet user used to browse or discover several new websites every day. I think this is how the web was intended to be used. After all, the Internet was called the World Wide Web for a reason. The web was like a giant and open jungle waiting to be discovered by adventurous users. Now compare that with the browsing habits of the average Internet user today. For the vast majority of them, the Internet starts and ends with Facebook or any other social media website or app. I think this is sad, because it highlights the negative effects of web platformization that we have been witnessing ever since the appearance of social media.

The good thing about reverting back to RSS is that the switch will actually force you to make an effort to curate your beautiful and unique list of RSS feeds. Instead of consuming whatever the algorithm throws at you, you actually control everything that goes in or out of your RSS list. This will in turn give you a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that rarely happens when you spend most of your online time effortlessly scrolling through your social media feeds. Since the business model of most social media sites mostly favors engagement over substance, switching to the old good RSS way of content consumption will encourage you to actually spend some time reading articles and discovering new content, because the odds of coming across something interesting by going through a list of feeds that you curated yourself are, in fact, very high. I have read more articles in the few days following my switch to RSS feeds than I did in an entire year on social media. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since your hard earned and curated list of feeds obviously provides more intriguing and interesting content than the low-effort and engagement seeking posts that populate social media.

Overall, I feel like my online life has become much calmer and fulfilling than ever before. The excitement and joy I felt from reading articles and discovering new things is worth every bit of time I spent curating my RSS feeds’ list.

Bonus Tip

As a final gift, I will give you this tip that will help you stay away from Facebook or any other social media site really. To block Facebook on your browser, you simply need to add this line to your µBlock filter list:

facebook.com

That’s it! Next time you visit Facebook, you will be presented with this beautiful µBlock screen:

This simple hack will act as both a psychological barrier as well as a reminder that you should spend your precious time elsewhere!

Welcome to Jekyll!

2020-06-17T20:53:17+00:00

We are migrating our blog to Jekyll. For those of you who don’t know Jekyll, it is one of the most popular static website generators on the Internet. It is also used by Github Pages. As I said, in the last couple of days, I was migrating the entire Tootips website from Blogger to Jekyll. As you may have guessed, the transition process was mostly seemless although I had to write a Python script to batch process all my Blogger posts so that they will display correctly using the new Jekyll theme.

The rest of this post represents the Jekyll’s welcome post that gets created with every new Jekyll installation. I could have deleted it, but I preferred to keep it to serve as a reminder of this new milestone of Tootips.

–

You’ll find this post in your _posts directory. Go ahead and edit it and re-build the site to see your changes. You can rebuild the site in many different ways, but the most common way is to run jekyll serve, which launches a web server and auto-regenerates your site when a file is updated.

Jekyll requires blog post files to be named according to the following format:

YEAR-MONTH-DAY-title.MARKUP

Where YEAR is a four-digit number, MONTH and DAY are both two-digit numbers, and MARKUP is the file extension representing the format used in the file. After that, include the necessary front matter. Take a look at the source for this post to get an idea about how it works.

Jekyll also offers powerful support for code snippets:

def print_hi(name)
puts "Hi, #{name}"
end
print_hi('Tom')
#=> prints 'Hi, Tom' to STDOUT.

Check out the Jekyll docs for more info on how to get the most out of Jekyll. File all bugs/feature requests at Jekyll’s GitHub repo. If you have questions, you can ask them on Jekyll Talk.

Tox: A Distributed And Secure P2P Instant Messaging Application (FOSS Skype Alternative)

2015-02-27T20:13:00+00:00

As the Internet continues its rapid expansion and evolution, privacy is becoming a serious concern for a lot of users, especially with the rise of social networks and services, and that is where Tox comes into play.

Tox is a FOSS attempt at creating a secure, privacy-centered and distributed instant messaging application that provides you with all the features you might expect from an all-in-one communication platform.

Among Tox's features are:

Audio and video calls
Group chats
Emoticon support
Encrypted communications
Command line interface
Cross-platform support
Ability to send/receive files

ScreenShots:

#Group chat

#Settings

#Ncurses Interface

The application is available on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android. It comes with a variety of clients, such as qTox (Qt client) and Toxy (Metro-style client for Windows). To get the full list of available clients along with a comparison table, please visit the project wiki at: https://wiki.tox.im/Client

To install qTox on Ubuntu, first add the Tox Debian repository to your software sources:

#remove old key
sudo apt-key del 0C2E03A0
 
sudo sh -c 'echo "deb https://repo.tox.im/ nightly main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/tox.list'
wget -qO - https://repo.tox.im/pubkey.gpg | sudo apt-key add -
sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https
sudo apt-get update -qq
echo "Tox Repository Installed."
echo "You can now install utox, qtox, toxic, ratox and tox-bootstrapd"

Now, you can install your favorite client using the following command:

sudo apt-get install qtox

Arch users can easily install qTox from the AUR: qtox-git

Easily Record Your Screen With SimpleScreenRecorder

2014-06-06T19:38:00+00:00

While I prefer recording my screen using an FFmpeg script, a lot of Linux users continue to seek GUI solutions. If you are one of those users, then read on!

SimpleScreenRecorder is an application that makes screencasting a breeze. Despite its name, the application comes with quite a few options that allow you to record your desktop using a simple and effective interface.

Some of SimpleScreenRecorder's key features include:

Simple and convenient Qt interface
Correct audio/video synchronization
Wide range of supported codecs (i.e. it uses ffmpeg/libav for encoding)
Ability to preview the output while recording
Pause/Resume
Multithreaded recording (i.e. better video quality and less CPU overhead)
Full control over the recorded area (i.e. it can record the whole screen or a part of it)
Optimized for slow computer
Live Streaming (beta feature)

ScreenShots:

#Welcome Screen

#Output Formats

#Recording In Action

#Tray Icon

To install SimpleScreenRecorder in Ubuntu, simply add the following PPA to your software sources (it offers binaries for Precise, Quantal, Raring, Saucy and Trusty):

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:maarten-baert/simplescreenrecorder
sudo apt-get update 
sudo apt-get install simplescreenrecorder

Arch users can easily install SSR using the following command (it is available in the official repositories):

sudo pacman -S simplescreenrecorder

If you are feeling adventurous, you can also install the git version using any AUR helper.

Boost Your Command-Line Experience With These Bash Keyboard Shortcuts

2013-12-17T18:17:00+00:00

If you use the terminal a lot, then you probably know that correcting misspelled commands can become a tedious task, especially if you are dealing with complex and long commands. A common example is forgetting to add sudo at the beginning of a long command which forces you to use your keyboard or mouse in order to correct the command.

Fortunately, Bash (i.e. the default shell in many Linux distributions) comes with some useful keyboard shortcuts that allow you to easily edit your commands on the fly.

Here is a list of commonly used bash keyboard shortcuts:

Controlling the cursor:

Ctrl + a: jump to the beginning of the line.

Ctrl + e: jump to the end of the line.

Ctrl + p: previous command (i.e. up arrow).

Ctrl + n: next command (i.e. down arrow).

Ctrl + f: go one character forward.

Ctrl + b: go one character backward.

Alt + f: go one word forward.

Ctrl + b: go one word backward.

Editing commands:

Ctrl + t: swap the last two characters (e.g. iv + Ctrl + t ==> vi).

Alt + w: swap the last two words (e.g. systemctl sudo + Alt + t ==> sudo systemctl).

Ctrl + l: clear the screen.

Ctrl + u: delete the line before the cursor position.

Ctrl + w: delete the word before the cursor (only one word).

Alt + u: uppercase the next word (i.e. the word after the cursor).

Alt + l: lowercase the next word.

Alt + c: Capitalize the next word.

Ctrl + _: undo the last movement.
sudo !!: add sudo to the beginning of the last used commad.

Manipulating history:

!xyz: run the last command starting with xyz.

!!: run the last command.

!?xyz?: run the last command containing the string xyz.

^xyz^abc: run the previous command replacing xyz with abc.

!!:$: print the last argument of the previous command:

mkdir -p ~/DIR/newDIR
!!:$
~/DIR/newDIR

NOTE: all these shortcuts work with zshell as well.

Inspired by this Quora answer

How To Make VLC Remember The Position Of The Last Played Video [How To]

2013-11-06T18:26:00+00:00

If you own an Android device (e.g. tablet), chances are that you are familiar with the auto-remember feature that comes enabled by default in many popular video players including MX player. This feature allows you to automatically remember the position of the last played video, so that you don't have to guess where you stopped your last video playback each time you reopen your video file.

The default installation of VLC doesn't include such a feature. However, you can easily achieve similar result using the VLC Srpos plugin.

To install the Srpos plugin, you will have to compile it from the source code. To do that, first download the source code (HERE), then issue the following commands in a terminal:

sudo apt-get install libvlc-dev
cd ~/Downloads
tar -zxvf libsrpos_plugin-0.3.tar.gz
cd libsrpos_plugin-0.3
./configure
make
make install

To activate the plugin, do the following:

Start VLC
Open the preferences window
Select "All" in "Show Settings" (i.e. advanced settings mode)
Go to Interface ==> Control Interfaces
Activate "Save/Restore position of the last played files"
Restart VLC

That is all there is to it. From now on, VLC will remember the position of the last video playback for you :)

A Review Of Rhythmbox, The Default Music Player Of Ubuntu [Guest Post]

2013-08-02T01:10:00+00:00

Rhythmbox is an integrated music management application set in MP3/OGG primary format designed to operate for GNU/Linux, Solaris, BSD, Unix-like and the GNOME desktop. Initially released on August 18th, 2001, Rhythmbox is GNOME’s default music player. Originally inspired by Apple's iTunes, it is a free software program based on the powerful GStreamer media framework.

It features easy playlist edition, CD-ripping, MP3 Walkman support, audio CD burning and Internet radio playback. Its interface is strongly based on Apple's iTunes. It also includes such features as playlist support, iPod integration, podcast playback, and support for streaming audio. It even goes as far as to allow users to browse the online music stores Magnatune and Jamendo.

Some of the key features that come with Rhythmbox are an easy to use music browser, searching and sorting music, comprehensive audio format support through GStreamer and manual and automatic Playlists creation. Rhythmbox also features Internet Radio support, including Last.fm streams, automatic download of audio podcasts and the ability to browse, preview, and download albums from Magnatune and Jamendo as previously mentioned.

Some of the more basic features of Rhythmbox include displaying audio visualizations, displaying album art and song lyrics downloaded from the Internet and the ability to play, rip, and burn audio CDs. Probably the most useful key feature is the ability to transfer music to and from an iPod, MTP, and USB Mass Storage music player.

Overview Of Rhythmbox’s Display

Written in general C programming, the latest version of Rhythmbox on the market is version 2.99.1. Rhythmbox has been extensively integrated with several external programs, services and devices. One such external source is Ubuntu, where it is featured as the default media player instead of its competitor, Banshee, for version 12.04 LTS. It is also featured as an extension for Mozilla Firefox and as a plugin for Creative Commons. As for Rhythmbox’s Party mode, Party mode sets Rhythmbox to cover the desktop/panels on full screen and queues any selected tracks in the play queue automatically.

Rhythmbox features a unique “music browser”, which allows users to search for music that they love in a simple and easy to use format. Coupled with the unique feature of creating “automatic playlists”, which allows the user to create playlists that automatically include or exclude songs from the Library based on a user-defined set of criteria, Rhythmbox has set a new standard for what it means to be a “music player”. On top of these two unique features, Rhythmbox’s added ability to browse and download albums from online sites such as Jamendo and Magnatune make Rhythmbox truly a unique and exceptionally user-friendly music program.

Screenshot of the user-friendly search of the online music store Magnatune

With all these features integrated into this unique piece of music software, Rhythmbox is this writer’s choice for music friendly entertainment.

A guest post by Sara Collins

Sara Collins is a writer for NerdWallet, a site that helps tech-lovers learn about a range of personal finance topics, from coupon codes to college tuition planning.

CurseOfWar: A Command-Line RTS (Real-time Strategy) Game for Ubuntu/Linux

2013-07-29T23:28:00+00:00

CurseOfWar is an action RTS game which incorporates a fast-paced gaming style that allows you to control your territory by focusing on high-level strategic planning. This type of high planning includes some typical war strategies such as creating infrastructure, gathering resources and controlling armies.

Although the game requires some strategic skills, it has very few rules. You can explore these rules by following this link: CurseOfWar's rules.

Here is a video that highlights the main features of the game (recorded by Gotbletu):

Installation Instructions:

To install CoW on Ubuntu, simply add the following PPA to your software sources:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:curseofwar/curseofwar-stable
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install curseofwar

After you've successfully installed the game, you can start a lightweight session (useful for beginners) by running the following command:

curseofwar -i4 -q1 -dee

For more tips about the game, please visit its home page @Github

BitMessage: A Decentralized P2P Network For Sending/Receiving Encrypted Messages

2013-07-03T20:39:00+00:00

BitMessage is a Peer-2-Peer network that allows you to send and receive encrypted messages to/from other users or subscribers. It is a decentralized network with a strong focus on privacy and anonymity. You can think of it as a BitCoin network that allows you to exchange text messages instead of currency.

Features:

Trustless (i.e. no need to trust a central certificate authority)
High level of anonymity (i.e. sender/receiver protection from eavesdroppers)
Subscription system (i.e. ability to broadcast messages/subscribe to broadcasts)
Public key encryption

To start sending/receiving messages, you need first to create a BitMessage address. To achieve this, simply head to the Your Identities tab, then click new. After completing the previous step, a new window will open, allowing you to create your unique BitMessage address:

It is highly recommended that you enter a passphrase which allows you to keep the same BitMessage address across multiple installations.

After you have created your own address, you can test your configuration by sending a message to the following echo server:

BM-orkCbppXWSqPpAxnz6jnfTZ2djb5pJKDb

An echo server is simply a server that will send your message back to you after being received.

ScreenShots:

#Settings

#Send a Message

Installation Instructions:

To install PyBitMessage on Ubuntu, simply run the following commands in a terminal:

sudo apt-get install python openssl git python-qt4
git clone https://github.com/Bitmessage/PyBitmessage ~/PyBitmessage
cd ~/PyBitmesssbitmessage/src/
python ./bitmessagemain.py

Mumble: A Low-Latency And High Quality Voice Chat For Gamers

2013-06-19T18:47:00+00:00

Mumble is a voice chat application mainly designed for use by gamers. It is a VoIP application that features a low-latency and high quality voice chat allowing users to communicate with each other via a network of servers that are scattered around the world.

Features:

Low-latency chat
Encrypted communications
Simple audio configuration using a Wizard
High sound quality using the Speex codec (i.e. noise reduction and automatic gain control)

Mumble comes with In-game Overlay which allows gamers to see who is talking and what channel they are connected to.

ScreenShots:

#Audio Configuration Tool

#Audio Recorder

#General Settings

#Server List

To install Mumble on Ubuntu, Simply add the following PPA to your software sources:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mumble/release
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mumble