Linux Newbie: Windows substitute software

[madtza]

Hi,

I've recently installed a copy of Ubuntu and was wondering
which apps to look at, that would more or less perform
the same functions as those I used in Windows.
I'm looking for something to replace my:
Mp3 player - Winamp and
Video player - BSBlayer, Media Player Classic...with codecs.

PS. Which app is used to get them small widget-like icon at the botom of your task-bar.

Your help would be mostly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Moederloos]

mp3 player - try vlc / amarok
videoplayer - vlc / mplayer / xine / kaffeine

all of them available with sudo apt-get install [nameofapp]

[The_Librarian]

MP3 player = Amarok (the best)

[SlyFly]

When Quickbooks move to Linux, might try Ubuntu again on work pc's...

[.Froot.]

no use using kaffeine. it uses the Xine engine. just install xine and its gui. also, amarok is the best media player across all OS's.

[madtza]

mp3 player - try vlc / amarok
videoplayer - vlc / mplayer / xine / kaffeine

all of them available with sudo apt-get install [nameofapp]

Thanks alot for that.

Sorry need to be sure on something.
The command "sudo apt-get install" , that'll be run in "terminal" right?

Anything else i need to look at, there's just so much out there.
I'm a newbie to the world of Linux but noob in Windows, so I 'm dying to break some stuff...just need a solid starting point.
Either way, I'm really impressed with it.

Thanks again.

[.Froot.]

Yeah it's in terminal.

[chiskop]

Thanks alot for that.

Sorry need to be sure on something.
The command "sudo apt-get install" , that'll be run in "terminal" right?

Anything else i need to look at, there's just so much out there.
I'm a newbie to the world of Linux but noob in Windows, so I 'm dying to break some stuff...just need a solid starting point.
Either way, I'm really impressed with it.

Thanks again.

Yeah, in the terminal - but you might prefer to open synaptic (System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager), search for the packages, and install from there. Its the same thing.

[.Froot.]

Yeah, in the terminal - but you might prefer to open synaptic (System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager), search for the packages, and install from there. Its the same thing.

Yeah, as a noob you should rather go for Synaptic/Adept instead of jumping into the console.

[MadMailMan]

Yeah, as a noob you should rather go for Synaptic/Adept instead of jumping into the console.

NO!!!!!

Go terminal Feel the POWER!!! :D

[madtza]

Thanks everyone.

[madtza]

NO!!!!!

Go terminal Feel the POWER!!! :D

LOL!!! Maybe I should, actually meant to say noob in Linux not windows. Oopsie!!! :o

[sn3rd]

sudo apt-get install avant-window-navigator.

That's the dock at the bottom of the screen. Then you run it from Applications -> Accessories

You won't be sorry :p

[.Froot.]

Okay, yeah, terminal is fun when when you start. But if you don't know any of the packages' names (full names), it gets a little hard.

[andres101]

Okay, yeah, terminal is fun when when you start. But if you don't know any of the packages' names (full names), it gets a little hard.


apt-cache search <part of package name>

[sn3rd]

apt-cache search <part of package name>

or in this case, sudo apt-cache search <part of package name>

:p

[chiskop]

Or, again, just open Synaptic and search from there.

The guy has already said he is a new linux user, why is everybody insisting on frightening him with command lines?

[sn3rd]

Because when things bomb, the command line is what he'll need to use. And there is NO ambiguity on the command-line

[chiskop]

Yes, yes. But things haven't bombed and he doesn't, at this stage, need the CL. When/if he does need the CL, we can help with that - but for now, let's just look at the easiest way for someone new to linux to get what he's looking for.

[sn3rd]

Fair point. Synaptic it is

[.Froot.]

Because when things bomb, the command line is what he'll need to use. And there is NO ambiguity on the command-line


If you are stuck with using sudo, how the hell are you going to bomb things out? Even by using full-blown root have I only once in a couple of years managed that. AND I fixed it without touching a console.

[sn3rd]

If you are stuck with using sudo, how the hell are you going to bomb things out? Even by using full-blown root have I only once in a couple of years managed that. AND I fixed it without touching a console.

I've had a few issues in the past, and friends of mine have had a few too. CTRL + ALT + F1 has been a saviour

[.Froot.]

I've had a few issues in the past, and friends of mine have had a few too. CTRL + ALT + F1 has been a saviour

I love using CTRL + ALT + BACKSPACE too if things don't work too nicely. I firmly believe that the only three keys allowed on a Micro$oft keyboard should be CTRL+ALT+DEL. (It's the only way to get a Window$ machine working)

[sn3rd]

I love using CTRL + ALT + BACKSPACE too if things don't work too nicely. I firmly believe that the only three keys allowed on a Micro$oft keyboard should be CTRL+ALT+DEL. (It's the only way to get a Window$ machine working)

LOL! Too true... Just far too true :D

[andres101]

or in this case, sudo apt-cache search <part of package name>

:p

I normally su root whenever I open the terminal. Most of the commands I execute requires su permissions. There is nothing worse than spending 10 minutes editing a config file and when you try and save, it tells you that you don't have permissions.

(tip: to be able to su root, you first need to set the root password using sudo passwd root) - not recommended if you think you might break something.


Or, again, just open Synaptic and search from there.

The guy has already said he is a new linux user, why is everybody insisting on frightening him with command lines?

He was given options... isn't that what Linux is all about... options? Besides, there are many things you cannot do from the gui and sometimes it is just easier to do something from there.

[madtza]

Hi,

Tried to install the packages mentioned but I get an error.
I get the message, "Reading packlist...done, then building dependecncy tree done".
And then a message saying, couldn't find package unrar/xmms/vlc...

What exactly am I doing wrong, cause this seems to be the way it's done everywhere.

[chiskop]

It looks like you're trying to install a couple of apps from the command line, is that right?

If so, the syntax is

sudo apt-get install xmms vlc
- make sure you know the package name
- no slashes or commas - just spaces between apps.

But if you're just starting out, I really suggest you have a look at synaptic - it is much easier and there is far less room for error.

[madtza]

It looks like you're trying to install a couple of apps from the command line, is that right?

If so, the syntax is

sudo apt-get install xmms vlc
- make sure you know the package name
- no slashes or commas - just spaces between apps.

But if you're just starting out, I really suggest you have a look at synaptic - it is much easier and there is far less room for error.

Hi Chiskop,

I did that.
Also spent 'bout an hour trying to install some themes and desklets/screenlets but got nowhere.
I believe sudo is the command for power "users" of some sort right?
I'm still trying to get a hang of the whole file structure, cause there was
point when I just felt helpless. :( With a couple of "F&$%#@&^$!" along the way.

But yeah, guess that's why they call it a learning curve.

PS. I'm quite familiar with DOS so I think the terminal would do just fine, can't seem to get anything to work in the GUI anyway. Will learn faster as well.


Thanks again!

[Swift-wp]

MP3 player = Amarok (the best)

I personally don't think so. I hate that it doesn't play the song when I double click on it or press enter when I search it in the library. Or is there a fix for that?

[.Froot.]

I personally don't think so. I hate that it doesn't play the song when I double click on it or press enter when I search it in the library. Or is there a fix for that?

That's just how it was programmed. Depending on what you are used to Amarok is either a hell of a lot better, or a hell of a lot better and just different. You are the first person I hear of that doesn't like Amarok.

[Swift-wp]

That's just how it was programmed. Depending on what you are used to Amarok is either a hell of a lot better, or a hell of a lot better and just different. You are the first person I hear of that doesn't like Amarok.

Hey, what can I say, I'm unique.:D I'm used to using Winamp in Windows. The only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't play my files when I open it, other than that it's cool. I'm going to get shot down for this, but I think Winamp is better.

[.Froot.]

Hey, what can I say, I'm unique.:D I'm used to using Winamp in Windows. The only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't play my files when I open it, other than that it's cool. I'm going to get shot down for this, but I think Winamp is better.

What would you prefer to get shot with by the Linux community? You also have the option of quick and relatively painless.

[Swift-wp]

What would you prefer to get shot with by the Linux community? You also have the option of quick and relatively painless.

I knew I would regret saying that. You forget, I'm a part of that community as well.:rolleyes:

[.Froot.]

I knew I would regret saying that. You forget, I'm a part of that community as well.:rolleyes:

Not if you prefer Winamp to Amarok :D

[milomak]

my word i've seen it all now

[Swift-wp]

ok ok. If i can just get Amarok to play my files without enqueing them I'll be its biggest fan.

[Swift-wp]

The only reason i like it is because it plays my files immediately.

[.Froot.]

ok ok. If i can just get Amarok to play my files without enqueing them I'll be its biggest fan.

I just press <ENTER> on a song or double click it (once to select and another to play) and it works....

[Swift-wp]

Mine too, but when i open another song, then it enques it.

[.Froot.]

Mine too, but when i open another song, then it enques it.

There should be a setting or something. Will quickly check

[Swift-wp]

Thanks dude. I'm busy playing around with it myself.

[.Froot.]

Nope, if I click on a track it automatically starts (immediately). Didn't see any settings to change that.
(seems you beat my post)

[Swift-wp]

So you already have a song playing when you open another one? And it then plays the next song?

[Swift-wp]

I've checked every setting. It still just enques the next song i open once there is already one playing. Frustration starting to set in...

[chiskop]

I personally don't think so. I hate that it doesn't play the song when I double click on it or press enter when I search it in the library. Or is there a fix for that?
I'm not sure what you mean - I've just double clicked on a song in my collection (ie not in the playlist) and listen - clandestino. :D


I've checked every setting. It still just enques the next song i open once there is already one playing. Frustration starting to set in...
Oh wait, didn't see this. When I clicked on the the song earlier - my playlist was empty. And when I'm listening to something and double click on a song in the collection, it's added to the playlist. IMO - that's the right way to do things. Otherwise every time you try to add a song to the playlist it'ld get played, interrupting the previous song. That'ld just be irritating for me. But I guess we use amarok in different ways.

[Swift-wp]

Oh wait, didn't see this. When I clicked on the the song earlier - my playlist was empty. And when I'm listening to something and double click on a song in the collection, it's added to the playlist. IMO - that's the right way to do things. Otherwise every time you try to add a song to the playlist it'ld get played, interrupting the previous song. That'ld just be irritating for me. But I guess we use amarok in different ways.

Ya I think we do. There should at least be an option to turn that function off.

[chiskop]

Then how would you add songs to the playlist?

[Moederloos]

I'm not sure what you mean - I've just double clicked on a song in my collection (ie not in the playlist) and listen - clandestino. :D


Oh wait, didn't see this. When I clicked on the the song earlier - my playlist was empty. And when I'm listening to something and double click on a song in the collection, it's added to the playlist. IMO - that's the right way to do things. Otherwise every time you try to add a song to the playlist it'ld get played, interrupting the previous song. That'ld just be irritating for me. But I guess we use amarok in different ways.

I also dislike this - especially because I often have a radio station streaming etc, so the "current song" (radio station) will never end...


Then how would you add songs to the playlist?

Drag and drop?


But yeah, should be a setting for this. I hardly ever listen to music when I work, so not worth the effort - but the OP of this topic can surely add it to a wishlist.

[Swift-wp]

Then how would you add songs to the playlist?

There is an option to add a song when you press a certain key (brings up a menu), can't remember the key though.

[hawker]

If you are in the playlist itself, e.g "All music" and you then double click on the song, it should play straight away. But this was one of my main annoyances with Amarok. So now I just use Banshee/Rythmbox.

If you want a similar program to amarok, that looks better and has less bloat, try: Exaile.