Ubuntu 7.10 Features

Version 7.10 of Ubuntu (Gutsy Gibbon) is suppose to be released in October, 2007. I was curious as to what new features it would include, so I did some looking and found a great list of new features right on the Ubuntu web site.

I haven’t tried the beta of Gutsy Gibbon, but I’m working on downloading the ISO now. I’ll write more once I get a chance to give it a try.

Here’s some of the features I found interesting:

• New version of GNOME (version 2.20)
  I’m not sure, but Kubuntu may include the new KDE 4
• Compiz Fusion included and enabled by default.
• Built in desktop search
• Improved plug in manager for Firefox
• Graphical configuration of the X server (this has been a needed feature for a while)
• Automatic printer installation
• NTFS writing (I’m curious to see how well this will work)

  You can see the full list here.

  This should be an exciting release. I look forward to trying out all the new features.

BartPE Plugin For Ghost Version 11

After waiting for two months for Ghost Solution Suite 2.0 to come in, I’ve finally been able to create a plugin for BartPE. The version of Ghost included in the GSS 2.0 is 11.0, so I’ve named this plugin Ghost11.

It works like most other plugins, just add the needed files (see the included web page). You can find it here, along with some other things. I’ve even created an auto install of PE Builder with the plugin included in it. There’s also an auto install for Firefox 2.0.0.6.

I also plan to add some documentation on Ghost, BartPE, and nLite as soon as I’ve converted the documents to PDF.

EDIT: The documentation is now up.

iPod Classic

Well, I had been waiting for Apple to release the new iPods, and they finally did. I own a 4 GB second gen Nano, but I just recently filled it up. I never thought I would, but I found myself in the market for a new iPod. I was just waiting to see what Apple would come out with next in the iPod line.

I had a difficult time trying to decide between the iPod touch and the iPod classic. I really like the features on the new iPod touch, but the available space on the device just wasn’t appealing (8 GB or 16 GB). I just didn’t feel like it would be enough for me. So, I decided to go with a black 80 GB iPod Classic.

I’ll have pictures and a review up as soon as it comes in (should be this week sometime). I went out of town this weekend and there was an Apple store where I was, so I went in and had a peak at the new iPod Classic. I was really impressed with it, but I didn’t actually get to load anything on it or anything. The video play back looked great, and of course the sound quiality was excellent. The new interface was interesting and seemed to be very efficient.

I’ll just have to wait for mine to come in.

Video Programs

I’ve been playing around with converting videos, ripping DVDs, and making backup copies. I’m hopefully going to have a tutorial up soon, but for now here’s the programs I’ve been using. They’re not all free, but they’re not that expesnvie.

Handbrake
MacTheRipper
VisualHub
Toast 8

I’ll go into more detail later.