Linux only: The Ubuntu Unleashed blog has a great tutorial on remote controlling your Linux system—even through a Java-enabled browser. Here’s the whole deal:Install packages. Code: sudo apt-get install x11vnc vnc-java Set up a password for clients. Code: x11vnc -storepasswd Open up ports 5800 and 5900 on your firewall Run the terminal command: x11vnc -forever -usepw -httpdir /usr/share/vnc-java/ -httpport 5800 and add it for auto-starting in future sessions
That third step isn’t quite so simple, but luckily we’ve covered that ground before. The same warnings and disclaimers about running a VNC server in that link above apply here. While the guide and code are written from an Ubuntu users’ perspective, the packages and commands, possibly with a little tweaking, should be available in most distributions. Windows and Mac users can get help setting up their own VNC connections through this guide. Setup VNC Server for Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon in 3 Easy Steps [Ubuntu Unleashed]
It looks like Google will soon support connecting to popular IM networks so you can chat with all your contacts through Google Talk. Until they do, you can do the same by setting up Google Talk with third party Jabber servers yourself.
Windows/Mac/Linux (Firefox): The RetailMeNot Firefox extension integrates your online shopping with coupon aggregation web site RetailMeNot to keep you abreast of deals and freebies available at the site you’re currently visiting. Just surf to a shopping site and the RetailMeNot extension will automatically check for coupons and alert you of available deals for that site. We’ve highlighted the RetailMeNot web site before, including how we use it to save tonnes online, but we’ve never given the extension a go. It’s been a little hit or miss in my tests (sometimes the offers aren’t showing up when they should), but in all it could be a nice add-on for the online power shopper. The RetailMeNot extension is free, works wherever Firefox does.
RetailMeNot [Firefox Add-ons]Dear Lifehacker, I read your article on turning any action into a keyboard shortcut using AutoHotkey and my interest was piqued. You described how to remap the keys and create keyboard shortcuts for actions, but what I’ve always really wanted to do was to turn one key on my keyboard—specificially the Capslock key—into a dedicated minimise button. Is this possible, and if so… how? Signed, AHK Curious
Dear Curious, Yes indeed, this is not only possible, but it’s an excellent idea as well. And what’s even better, it’s totally simple to accomplish with AutoHotkey.
AOL is launching a do-not-track list—a web privacy effort that allows users to opt out of targeted marketing (similar to the more familiar National Do Not Call Registry)—later this year. Expect to see more of these opt-out lists soon.
Get a dose of Zombie-themed productivity this Halloween with a stroll down Deathhacker lane.
So many video file formats, so many handheld video players, so many online video sites, and so little time. To have your favourite clips how you want them—whether that’s on your DVR, iPod, PSP or desktop—you need the right utility to convert ‘em into the format that works for you. Commercial video converter software’s aplenty, but there are several solid free utilities that can convert your video files on every operating system, or if you’ve just got a web browser and a quick clip. Put DVDs on your iPod, YouTube videos on DVD, or convert any video file with today’s top 10 free video rippers, encoders and converters.
Mac OS X only: If you run any kind of server on your Mac with Leopard, you’ll dig its revamped Sharing and Network System Preferences panels, which offer new features in a reorganised interface. One huge drawback in Tiger is that unless you install extra software, you can turn on Windows Sharing for your home folder only. No more. Using Leopard, share any folder on your Mac via FTP, Samba, or AFP (Apple Filing Protocol), from a single, easy interface. Take a closer look after the jump.
Firefox only: Yesterday you learned how to auto-hide your Firefox bookmarks toolbar, and today we’ve got the tweak to make that toolbar wrap onto multiple lines instead of scrolling off the right side. Like the auto-hide tweak, this requires a change to your Firefox profile’s userChrome.css file. Here’s the CSS you need:
Linux only: Want the look and feel of a Mac without paying the high-end design premium? Tired of hearing from all your Mac-happy friends how awesome Leopard looks? Got time to run through six pages of instructions? Then HowTo Forge has got you covered. Their guide to making a nearly total theme conversion requires Compiz Fusion (installed by default on Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon), Awn and the patience to download and place a hefty handful of files, but everything seems to be covered, right down to the system sounds. The guide is written for GNOME-based Linux systems and requires a number of downloads, some of which might not pass the most stringent legal (or open source) tests but are otherwise free. I haven’t tried it myself, but this weekend’s another story.
Make Your Linux Desktop Look Like A Mac [via The Linux Tutorial]
