Knowing what applications GNOME provides is quite useful. Having that information can save you time looking for programs that are or aren't installed.

Click the Applications menu on the top panel and you see the following menu options. Selecting each option opens a submenu containing applications organized by category. The following sections list the applications found in each category.


Accessories
This submenu contains applications that don't fit into any specific class.

These GNOME menus tend to change from version to version. The following list was extracted from Ubuntu 6.10, which uses GNOME 2.16.1.

• Archive Manager: View and extract files from Linux tar files. Linux uses tar to archive files in much the same way Windows uses Zip. The Archive Manager utility lets you look inside tar archives before deciding what you want to do with them.

• Calculator: A simple calculator program.

• Character Map: This utility lets you use symbols from all the world's languages in your word processing documents. You open the Character Map utility, select the language from the Script menu on the left of the dialog, and click on a character and drag it to your document. For instance, if you're writing a homework assignment and need to represent the Greek letter Alpha, you select the Greek option from the Script menu.

• Dictionary: Opens a simple dictionary window. You type a word in the Look Up text box and the application returns a definition.

• Take Screenshot: This application makes a copy of the current screen. You can then save the image as a file.

• Terminal: The Terminal Emulator. You type interactive shell commands in a Terminal Emulator.

• Text Editor: Opens a simple text editor. It's actually quite powerful, giving you many of the features found in full-featured word processors like OpenOffice.org Writer.


Games
All work and no play make Ubuntu a dull distribution. Ubuntu includes some simple games, such as Solitaire and Blackjack.


Graphics
• Edit graphical images and view them with the tools found here. The GIMP Image Editor: This is a powerful, image-capture and -editing system. You can capture screen images and then edit them; you can also edit the images that you import from other sources, such as photographs.

• gThumb Image Viewer: Preview images. gThumb provides a quick and easy way to preview images. Previewing images is faster than opening each one individually.

• XSane Image Scanner: Scan and import photographs and other images from a scan device.


Internet
All major Internet categories are covered by applications found in this menu.

Ekiga Softphone: Call other Linux computers. You can also call other telephones using the Ekiga service.

Evolution Mail: Use the fabulous Evolution messaging program.

Firefox Web Browser: See how the Web should be surfed with Mozilla Firefox. Firefox includes many features that other browsers are trying to catch up to, such as encrypted password storage, tabbed browsing, and automatic removal of cookies and other potentially sensitive information.

Gaim Internet Messenger: This is an instant messaging program. Communicate in real-time with friends and acquaintances.

Terminal Server Client: Connect and interact with Microsoft Windows computers.


Office
Ubuntu provides all the tools you need to use your computer for reading, writing, and 'rithmatic. OpenOffice.org is an open source suite of programs that provides a word processing, spreadsheet, and slideshow program, along with other tools.

Evolution: Evolution provides a great e-mail application, plus calendaring, contacts, and more.

OpenOffice.org Database: Open existing databases and create new ones using this application.

OpenOffice.org Presentation: Create slide presentations that are compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint.

OpenOffice.org Spreadsheet: OpenOffice.org Calc creates spreadsheets that can be compatible with Microsoft Excel.

OpenOffice.org Word Processor: OpenOffice.org Writer is a full-featured word processor compatible with Microsoft Word.


Sound & Video
Ubuntu goes Hollywood, letting you play and record music and more. Rhythmbox Music Player: Play open source audio files and Internet radio streams. Serpentine Audio CD Creator: Create audio CDs from digital audio files and play any standard-format audio CD (such as store-bought CDs). Sound Juicer CD Extractor: Extract (rip) audio CDs. Sound Recorder: Record audio on your computer.


Add/Remove
Selecting this option opens the Add/Remove application, from which you can install software packages from CDs, DVDs, or the Internet.


Preferences
This menu provides access to the utilities that help you change the look and feel of yourUbuntu computer. Change settings such as your desktop background and your screen saver from this menu.


Administration
This menu provides access to utilities that help you manage your Ubuntu computer. For instance, you can modify your network settings by selecting System -> Administration -> Networking.

Source of Information : For Dummies Ubuntu Linux For Dummies

There appears to be a shift taking place in the PC industry: the move from 32-bit to 64-bit PCs.

We've been tracking the change by looking at the percentage of 64-bit PCs connecting to Windows Update, and have seen a dramatic increase in recent months. The installed base of 64-bit Windows Vista PCs, as a percentage of all Windows Vista systems, has more than tripled in the U.S. in the last three months, while worldwide adoption has more than doubled during the same period.  Another view shows that 20% of new Windows Vista PCs in the U.S. connecting to Windows Update in June were 64-bit PCs, up from just 3% in March. Put more simply, usage of 64-bit Windows Vista is growing much more rapidly than 32-bit. Based on current trends, this growth will accelerate as the retail channel shifts to supplying a rapidly increasing assortment of 64-bit desktops and laptops.

64-bit PCs running 64-bit editions of Windows Vista typically have 4GB of memory or more. Compared to 32-bit systems, which top out at around 3GB of memory, 64-bit PCs can offer added responsiveness when running a lot of applications at the same time and have the potential for greater performance and new experiences as next-generations applications are written to take advantage of this new platform.

What started out as a gradual (some would say "glacial") movement toward 64-bit PCs, driven primarily by technology enthusiasts, seems to have turned into a swift transition, likely fueled by the falling cost of memory and consumers' desire to get the most out of their PCs.

This change begs a few questions:

Is the 64 bit market ready to go mainstream?

Will consumers realize the benefits from larger chips and 4GB or more of memory?

The answer to both of these questions is yes - but a qualified yes.

Preconfigured 64-bit PCs obtained from retailers or PC manufacturers should work quite well.  This is in stark contrast to the experience of many technology enthusiasts who built their 64-bit PC from scratch and may have had to scour the Web looking for drivers.  So, unless you really love to tinker with your PC, we suggest you buy a pre-built 64-bit PC at retail or directly from a PC manufacturer.

Beyond the box, you also need to consider the hardware peripherals and software programs you plan on using with your new PC. Any hardware or software product displaying the ‘Works with Windows Vista' or ‘Certified for Windows Vista' logo must be compatible with both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows Vista in order to warrant the use of the logo. If you don't see the logo, visit the Windows Vista Compatibility Center and check the 64-bit compatibility status. Hardware and software vendors continue to test and improve their products. Please note that the Windows Vista Compatibility Center is currently in beta. In some cases it is possible that a device may be marked as not compatible when in fact it is. I recommend that you also check with the device manufacturer to see if the compatibility status of your desired device has changed.

On the performance front, 64-bit PCs can provide a more responsive experience when running many applications simultaneously. Websites such as Bit.Tech.Net and Tom's Hardware have published performance benchmarks detailing some of the improvements realized from running the 64-bit PCs. In addition, PC Accelerators built into Windows Vista, such as Windows SuperFetch, improve performance by keeping commonly used programs in memory, even when the program is closed. More memory capacity on 64-bit PCs allows SuperFetch to do its job more efficiently.  

But if you only use your PC for a few tasks, and rarely do them at the same time, then you're unlikely to realize a measurable performance benefit today.  Of course, buying extra capacity for your future, unplanned needs is always worth considering.

In the future, we expect both compatibility and performance of 64-bit PCs to continue to improve. Most hardware devices have 64-bit drivers today and most software products work unmodified because of the 32-bit emulation technology in 64-bit Windows Vista (called WOW64). But there are some gaps, especially in the long tail of the market, but we expect rapid improvement now that 64-bit PCs are getting so popular.

Over time we'll see more 64-bit-optimized programs hit the market, which promise dramatic performance and experience improvements. A few key ones, like Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop and Sony Vegas Pro video editing software, are due to be released this fall. If you're a software or hardware developer, visit our 64-bit readiness page to learn more about 64-bit compatibility and optimization.

After I got done posting this morning about how much I loved the free VMWare ESXi, I received a few emails pointing me to the license restrictions that you agree to when installing it. Here is the fun part:


3.9 Audit Rights. You will maintain accurate records as to your use of the Software as authorized by this Agreement, for at least two (2) years from the last day on which support and subscription services ("Services") expired for the applicable Software. VMware, or persons designated by VMware, will, at any time during the period when you are obliged to maintain such records, be entitled to inspect such records and your computing devices, in order to verify that the Software is used by you in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and that you have paid the applicable license fees and Services fees for the Software; provided that VMware may conduct no more than one (1) audit in any twelve (12) month period. You shall promptly pay to VMware any underpayments revealed by any such audit. Any such audit will be performed at VMware’s expense during normal business hours, provided that you shall promptly reimburse VMware for the cost of such audit and any applicable fees if such audit reveals an underpayment by you of more than five percent (5%) of the amounts payable by you to VMware for the period audited.

So essentially by downloading and installing this software you now agree to allow VMWare into your company and start poking around to see if you have stolen anything.

I don't think so.

I thought Microsoft has had some really crazy restrictions - but this tops them all. I will need to think carefully about using their software. I hope someone at VMWare gets a clue and removes this restriction.

Do you know what Registry Doctor 2008 is?

DESCRIPTION

Registry Doctor 2008 is a fake registry cleaning program that makes a false claim of being able to fix or clean your system’s registry. Once Registry Doctor 2008 is installed, either through a Trojan infection or the www.registrydoctor2008.com website, it starts to display popups and perform fake system scans. Do not trust these messages or scan results because they are all bogus.

In non-techie terms: In the end Registry Doctor 2008 ultimately tries to get you to purchase the full version of Registry Doctor 2008 at a premium price. The amount that you spend on Registry Doctor 2008 might as well have been thrown in the garbage because that’s exactly what you are buying, garbage. Registry Doctor 2008 does nothing good for you. You should never download or purchase Registry Doctor 2008 under any circumstances.

Registry Doctor 2008 screen shot image:

www.RegistryDoctor2008.com website image:

Aliases: Registry Doctor 2008, RegistryDoctor2008, www.RegistryDoctor2008.com.

Registry Doctor 2008 Automatic Removal Instructions

This automatic removal method is for non-techie computer users. If you’re too lazy to learn about spyware removal or how to access sensitive files in your computer, then this is the method for you.
Before you start: Print or bookmark these instructions because you’ll have to reboot into Safe Mode. Also back up your computer in case you make a mistake.

1. Download and save SmitFraudFix to your desktop.
2. Restart your computer in Safe Mode (how to do safe mode). Once the
   desktop appears, double click on the SmitfraudFix.exe on your desktop.
3. After the credits screen, you’ll see a menu. Select the option number 2, which is ‘Clean (safe mode recommended)’, and then
   press Enter to delete infect files.
4. SmitFraudFix will begin cleaning your computer and take a series of cleanup processes. When the process is over, it will automatically begin the Disk Cleanup program.
5. Once the Disk Cleanup program is complete, you will be prompted with the message ‘Registry cleaning - Do you want to clean the registry’. Answer Y (Yes) and hit Enter. Reboot your computer.
6. SmitFraudFix will now check if wininet.dll is infected. SmitFraudFix will ask you whether to replace the infected file (if there’s any) ‘Replace infected
   file?’ Answer by typing Y (Yes) and hit Enter.
7. Reboot your computer to complete the cleaning process.
8. After reboot, a Notepad screen may appear containing a log of all the files
   removed from your computer. If it doesn’t appear, a file will be created called
   rapport.txt in the root of your drive, (Local Disk C:).
9. Restart your computer in Safe Mode (how to do safe mode).
10. Go to C:\Windows\Temp, click Edit, click Select All, press DELETE, and then
    click Yes to confirm that you want all the items to go to the Recycle Bin.
11. Go to C:\Documents and Settings\[LISTED USER]\Local Settings\Temp, click Edit, click Select All, press DELETE, and then click Yes to confirm that
    you want all the items to go to the Recycle Bin.
12. Reboot your computer back to normal mode. Go to Windows Update and download all critical updates.

Registry Doctor 2008 Manual Removal Instructions

This manual removal method is for techie computer users. Registry Doctor 2008 manual removal may be difficult and time consuming to remove. There’s no guarantee that Registry Doctor 2008 will be removed completely. So read the Registry Doctor 2008 removal steps carefully and good luck.
Before you start: Close all programs and Internet browsers. Also back up your computer in case you make a mistake and your computer stops working.

1. Uninstall Registry Doctor 2008 Program
   Click on Start > Settings > Control Panel > Double-click on Add/Remove Programs. Search for and uninstall Registry Doctor 2008 if found.
2. To stop Registry Doctor 2008 processes (view process removal steps)
   Go to Start > Run > type taskmgr. The click the Processes tab and you’ll see a list of running processes.
   Search and stop these Registry Doctor 2008 processes:
   registrydoctor.exe
   rgd_freeinstaller.exe
   For each unwanted process, right-click on it and then select “End task”.
3. To unregister Registry Doctor 2008 registry keys (view registry keys removal steps)
   Go to Start > Run > type regedit > press OK.
   Edit the value (on the right pane) by right-clicking on it and selecting the Modify option. Select the Delete option.
   Search and delete these Registry Doctor 2008 registry keys:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEsoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversion
   un registrydoctor2008
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEsoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversioninternet settings5.0user agentpost platform 3p_urgd 1.0.6.0
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEsoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionuninstall
   egistrydoctor2008
   egistrydoctor2008 displayicon
   egistrydoctor2008 uninstallstring
   egistrydoctor2008 displayname
   

4. If your homepage has been changed, go to Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > click on the General > click Use Default under Home Page. Add the your desired default homepage, then click Apply > click OK. Open a new web browser to check that you have your desired default homepage.
5. Remove Registry Doctor 2008 Directories.
   To find Registry Doctor 2008 directories, go to Start > My Computer > Local Disk (C:) > Program Files > Show the contents of this folder.
   Search and delete the following Registry Doctor 2008 directories:
   C:\ProgramFiles\RegistryDoctor2008
   C:\ProgramFiles\Registry Doctor 2008

   Right-click on the Registry Doctor 2008 folder and select Delete.
   A message will appear saying ‘Are you sure you want to remove the folder Registry Doctor 2008 and move all its contents to the Recycle Bin?’, click Yes.
   Another message will appear saying ‘Renaming, moving or deleting Registry Doctor 2008 could make some programs not work. Are you sure you want to do this?’, click Yes.

6. To remove Registry Doctor 2008 icons on your Desktop, drag and drop them to the Recycle Bin.

You’ve completed the Registry Doctor 2008 manual removal instructions!
I hope this article has helped you solve your Registry Doctor 2008 problems. If you want to contribute to this article, post your comment below.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. By using this information you agree to be bound by the disclaimer. There’s no guarantee that Registry Doctor 2008 will be completely removed from your computer. Seek professional help if your computer continues to experience problems.

I wanted to give you all a heads up on something new we're bringing to the blog. 

A lot of times when the Product Team is showing off Windows Vista, the crowd is pretty impressed by all of the useful features we built into the OS. Most of these are things that will make day-to-day work quicker or easier - especially for those of us office drones. But many of our users just don't know they exist. So we figured, why not show you some of our favorite features? 

Over the next week or so, our own Esther Choi from Windows Vista Product Management will be hosting a series of short videos that don't just cover what these features are, but also how and when to use them. We hope to make videos from the Windows Vista Product Management Team a regular thing, so let us know what you think by leaving a comment...and what you want to hear more about! 

Today we're kicking off with Instant Search, which is really cool in Windows Vista. Finding stuff can be a big pain, but the search capabilities built directly into the OS help me locate the documents, music files, photos, emails and whatever else you're looking for quickly. 

Video: Windows Vista Demo: Instant Search

By the way, while we're on the topic of features, I wanted to let you know that the Windows Vista Product Guide - a great resource on all things Windows Vista - is now available for FREE in paperback.  All you have to do is pay for shipping.  Order your copy here.  I should note that the paperback guide doesn't include the new stuff in SP1, but you can download all of that information here.

Many users actually sent an email and gave a deep appreciation for making a program like WinBubble. Anyway, I would like to thank everybody for providing a good feedbacks and comments about the program. If you want to download WinBubble 1.74, I suggest to read first the new features of the program. TweakUI for Vista?

Last February 7, 2008, my idol book writer author said from his experiment that WinBubble is the Best Free TweakUI Replacement For Vista and Also, my idol Paul Thurrott in Twit.tv - Windows Weekly amazingly said the same observations last May 11, 2008.

"If you’re looking for a TweakUI replacement for Windows Vista, there are several contenders, but the one that’s closest in spirit and functionality is, I believe, WinBubble, a freeware application by Lawrence Albert"

Like I said to other Communities and friends around the world. I will not say or declare WinBubble as the New TweakUI for Vista. I will leave it to the great authors, respectable writers around the world to declare that honor and name.

Again, I would like to thank everybody for giving a good comments and suggestion for more development of the program. I’m sorry if I said lately that I will slow-down the development but now I changed my mind.

I will develop WinBubble more Not just for the Geeks But for All the people that doesn’t stop supporting my program. WinBubble will always be a Free Vista Tweaker and Customization program for Windows Vista and the incoming Windows 7.

Great Thanks Guys!!!