Create a virtual machine using VirtualBox

Virtual Box is a powerful open source x86 virtualization that runs on Windows, Linux, Mac and OpenSolaris. It supports a large number of guest operating systems such as Windows XP, Windows 7 RC, Ubuntu, Debian, SUSE, Fedora, and Red Hat. VirtualBox is free as well as many linux distributions. So if you haven’t tried any, I’d recommend you doing so.

In simpler terms, Virtual Box allows you to run another OS on top of your currently existing one. If you wanted to try installing an OS without the hassle of dual-booting, or even wanted to install another OS to do some programming since maybe Windows isn’t the best for you, then virtualiziation is one way to go. There is also no way you can harm your computer so its risk-free. If you corrupt a guest OS, simply delete it and try again.

VirtualBox Features

• Guest Additions for Windows, Linux, and Solaris – Allows you to install software inside the OS that improves performance. Just recently the guest additions allowed users running Ubuntu to run the Visual Effects, which is nice.
• Shared folders – Access folders from the host in the guest machines

Virtual USB Controllers – Connect a USB device and your virtual machine will recognize it, including USB Flash Drives.

For more features visit Virtual Box Features.

How to start

If you want to start, simply download Virtual Box and an OS. I’d recommend Ubuntu since thats probably the most user friendly (or so I think). If you want something else, hit up DistroWatch. Once you have that, setting up Virtual Box with the OS is pretty straightforward. I’ll add a tutorial later on for those who still need help.
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Split your Browser Window like in emacs, or vim

Recently, I was looking at source code over the internet and had trouble looking at the entire code in one window without having to create another just to see the entire content of that page.

Hoping there was a “split window” add-on for Firefox out there similar to emacs or vim, I began my search and found Split Browser. Split Browser allows you to split your browser window however you like. You can split your browser in order to see more of the current page without the need of having to open a new window which I thought was great. A preview of it in action is below.

I was user of AIM with my iPod touch but lately all the crashing and lagging made me make the switch to Beejive. So far? I’m loving it.

Beejive is worth the $9.99

Sure, $9.99 does sound like a lot. Considering I don’t have a texting plan, I didn’t mind forking over the money. I was skeptical at first but it comes with a great variety of features.

• Connect to Facebook, MySpace, AIM, Yahoo, Hotmail, and more…
• Desktopish type of application – Comes will all types of features you’d expect out of a desktop application
• Apply themes to conversations and the application itself
• Push notifications alerting you of new messages
• No lag and minimal crashing
• Easy to switch over to conversations and preview last message your buddy sent
• Overall, feels slick and sexy. Even the icon looks good on my home bar
• Vertical and Horizontal typing. Your current typing in progress is displayed on a transparent bubble which optimizes your chatting viewing area.

So if you are looking for another instant messaging application on the iPhone/iPod Touch, try out Beejive. So far its been the best looking and working instant messaging application I’ve used.

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Mac OS X only: A popular alternative to Mac’s iChat is multiclient Adium. Supporting AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo! Messenger, Bonjour, MySpace, Facebook, amongst others Adium is has all the goodies in the bag.

Adium’s Features

First of all Adium is Open Source allowing anyone to contribute. It has a slick UI with tabbed chats that simply look good. Also contains an extensive system notification with the ability to download custom themes as well.

Adium Impressions

If you are looking for a multiclient instant messenger, Adium is something you have to check out. I’ve been using it since I found out about it and haven’t stopped using it ever since. It’s user friendly, intuitive, and stylish. So what are you waiting for if you haven’t tried it out yet?
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Streamripper

Streamripper allows you to download streams using Winamp. I found this after visiting Shoutcast, a directory of radio stations you can listen using your browser or favorite media player. I started listening to some great hip-hop mixes on .977 Hitz and I wanted to record them to play them later. That is when I found Streamripper.

Ever wondered how to create flow charts or diagrams on your computer? Well I always did up until I came across Dia.We had to start using it because some of our courses required us to draw diagrams and this program was recommended. Ever since then, I fell in love with this program as its free and its extremely easy to use. I’ll be using Dia from now on to display my diagrams so keep an eye out!

How Dia Works

With Dia, you simply choose the type of chart you want to create. Then you are given an empty workspace with a toolbar with object. Simply drag and drop them onto the workspace. You can align to grid, place them in front or back, and even place text in them with ease. You can also create arrows to show the flow of data or relationships. Don’t worry, it isn’t a hassle to edit and modify charts in Dia. You simply need to click on the object and move around or delete as you please.

Click to enlarge

Dia allows you with special objects to create

• Entity Relationship Diagrams
• Flow Charts
• UML Diagrams
• Network Diagrams
• amongst others

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Synergy is a powerful yet elegant program that allows you to share a single mouse and keyboard with multiple computers regardless of the OS, each with its own display.
Why Synergy? I use a laptop that I take to school and takes notes on using Microsoft OneNote. When I go home, I usually put my laptop on my desk but I always thought it was so unproductive to switch from keyboard/mouse every time I needed to switch from my computer and laptop. Synergy allows me to set up the program on both my computers, and allows me to share my keyboard/mouse between both of them by simply rolling my mouse from one screen to the other.

Setting up Synergy

First, download and install Synergy.

On your host computer, the computer you want to use keyboard/mouse, follow these instructions.
1. Open up Synergy.
2. Click on Advanced.
2a. Choose a Screen Name and Port number. I chose Diego as my screen name, and left Port Number as is.
2b. Click ok.
3. Click on Share this computer’s keyboard and mouse (server)
4. Click on Configure.
5. Create two screens. I created Diego and DiegoLaptop(name of client).
6. Create 2 links so your mouse can travel to and from your screens. I left the percentages as 100%.

Secondly, on the client computer, simply download, install Synergy, and open Synergy.
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