[Linux] iTunes, iPods and podcasts
One of the biggest downsides of Linux is, in my opinion, that there's no Linux version for iTunes. Because I have an iPod, I use that program daily. But there are a couple of alternatives that cover its most important features.
Reading from and writing to iPodsSupported. Since the iPod is 'just' a removable drive with media playback capabilities
(audio, pictures and in some cases video), Linux treats this as a regular removable drive.
Reading your iPod music databaseSupported. Programs such as
amaroK,
Yamipod and
gtkpod can read (and play) music, audiobooks and podcasts.
Downloading podcastsSupported. There are plenty of Linux podcatchers available, such as
Yamipod and
gPodder. More information on this can be found
here.
Synchronizing your iPod
Partially supported. Although
amaroK,
Yamipod and
gtkpod can handle the music part, they cannot handle audiobooks and podcasts yet. In some cases, they just drop your podcasts between all your music instead of using the
Podcasts menu like iTunes does.
Plan B: emulating iTunes on Linux. There are some
free and
paid programs that emulate Windows so that you can use Windows programs on Linux. Although these programs are updated regularly, not all Windows programs will work. I don't know if that's the case with iTunes, but I might try it in the future.
Conclusion: Contributors to Linux have filled in the "gap" that iTunes left very well. If you're looking for a tool that has basic iPod support, use
Yamipod. However, it still lacks decent podcast support. If you're more concerned about the looks of the program, try
amaroK.
Labels: Fedora, iTunes, iTunes alternative, Linux, podcast, podcasts, podcatching, SuSE, Ubuntu
[Download] Getting things done with My Life Organized
My Life Organized is a program that helps you maintain a to-do list to
get things done. This program takes the to-do list idea to the next level: each item can contain subtasks. Example:
- Reinstalling Windows
- Search for my installation CD
- Back up my drivers
- Install an anti-virus scanner
- Install a firewall
- Install an office suite
- Install Windows Defender
When you're done with any of these subtasks, you just check its checkmark. You can assign priorities and a date (optional) to each item.
My Life Organized comes in three flavors: Lite, Standard and Professional. The Lite version is free; Standard and Professional editions can be used for 45 day without paying.
Website: http://www.mylifeorganized.net/Source: LifehackerLabels: Getting Things Done, GTD, list, organize, organizer, to do, to-do, to-do list
[Download] coComment lets you subscribe to blog comments and more
If you've ever been to a forum, you've probably also subscribed to a forum thread many times. Whenever someone posted a new reply in that thread, you got an email. Unfortunately, that's not the case with most blog comments and sites such as
Digg and
YouTube.
That's where coComment comes in. Before you can use this free service, you have to install their Firefox extension first. You'll also need to set up a coComment account.
Then, whenever you come across a blog post with comments that you want to subscribe to, just check "Tracking conversation" as shown on the screenshot.
When one or more items on your subscription list have new posts, the coComment icon on the Firefox status bar will show a mail envelope. Just click that, and you will be sent to your subscription list where you can see what's new.
Website: http://www.cocomment.com/Labels: blog comments, coComment, Digg, download, extension, extensions, Firefox, forum, subscribe, thread, YouTube
[Internet] Kongregate.com is web gaming 2.0
Kongregate is a Web2.0 online gaming site. Unlike your average run-of-the-mill game site, this site tries to connect developers and gamers.
You can rate games, you can leave comments, submit bugs and in the near future, their users will decide what's on the home page (similar to the
Digg6472 system).
They're still in private alpha, but I have three invites for those of you who want one. Just send an e-mail to konginvi.20.pdedecker@spamgourmet.com. Don't let this weird mail address scare you though; this is a valid e-mail address but allows me to avoid spam. But that's a story for another time.
Website: http://www.kongregate.com/6573Labels: developers, games, gaming, internet, Kongregate, online gaming, web 2.0, Web2.0
