Sunday, March 30, 2014

Playing Encrypted DVDs in Xubuntu/Ubuntu

Hello all Xubuntu Users....

  So, as I posted previously, I came back to using Xubuntu from Windows 7. Well, there is always some little thing in linux that you forget how to install or simply have to install. One of those little things for me today was playing encrypted DVDs on our favorite OS.
  At first, I followed the usual procedure of installing the restricted extras. However, this was not enough to play my DVDs in, say for instance, VLC. So, I searched this issue through Google, and I finally found the answer. Therefore, if you are having the same issue, and you have already installed the restricted extras for Xubuntu, then open a terminal and input the following command:   
sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh
 
   For more information about the above command, go to the following website:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats/PlayingDVDs


I hope this post helps all of those who are taking the courageous step of using Xubuntu.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

So I am back to Xubuntu - On a laptop!

Okay everyone. My posts for Xubuntu are sporadic. However, every once in a while I have a realization concerning this free linux operating system. The main realization this time is that a single version of linux does not fit every computer. For some reason, some laptops or towers simply do not "play" well with some flavors of linux.

For example, I bought a laptop without a screen (I would suggest this to anyone who wishes to save some money in replacing a tower machine.) which was a 64bit Compaq , and tried to install Kubuntu (64bit). "Heresy", some may say, but it was a wonderful gift to me and I had to give it a fun try. Need less to say, there were issues between the machine and the Kubuntu which would not straighten out. So, what did I try? The tried and true Xubuntu, and the Xubuntu did not disappoint. It ran, and is, running perfectly - Youtube videos check, Skype check, even Warzone 2100 check.

This is an off point, but why did I go to Xubuntu, or linux, when I could have easily had Windows 7 installed on the hard drive? Mainly, I have gotten completely tired of the malware and adware showing up on the Windows 7 internet browsers (Chrome and Mozilla). However, how much malware and adware have I encountered on Xubuntu? The answer is zero, and this answer makes for an extremely pleasant experience. So, what if I cannot watch Amazon Prime videos because of Digital Rights Management (DRM) procedures, I am still able to watch Youtube, Crackle, Hulu and my own content. I have simply resigned myself to the idea that I may have to buy a Roku or a similar device for such streaming content, and that is not such a horrible idea.