Create DVD Video using ManDVD

This is my second post on creating DVD video, on the first one I used a program called DeVeDe. Now I want to do the same using another program called manDVD. This was recommended by an anonymous comment on the other post. I really like manDVD, the step by step process makes converting to DVD video very simple. It also lets you create really nice looking menu's for your DVD. To get a hold of the program check the links at the end.

When you run the program you'll be presented with the following window. You can start a new project or load an existing one.To start a new project, first select the destination folder and then choose the standard and size of your final DVD video. Click 'Confirm' to get to step two.


Next, start adding your video files. Once you've done that you can add subtitles, define the length of chapters or even add some nice video effects. I'm going to ignore all that and go straight to menu creation.


The first step for making a menu is choosing a background. Here I have chosen a picture. You can have an animated background created from the video if you want. Next click on the 'Menu font' button, choose an appropriate font and size. You can also have music playing in the menu background, which is nice.


Next, we need to add the video buttons to the menu. Position the buttons using the sliders. Once your happy with the positions click 'Confirm button position'. Don't forget to choose whether you want it to go back to the menu or play the next video when one video ends. When your done, click 'Next' to go to the final window.




In this window click on the 'Options' button. From here you can set the video bitrate depending on whether you want good quality of a faster conversion. Once your done click the options button again to get rid of it.


The last choice to make is whether you want 4/3 or 16/9 format. Then click 'Generate DVD structure' and wait for it to finish converting.


Once it's finished you can view the result, burn it to disk or create an ISO image. As you can see from the screenshots the program isn't fully translated into English, however this is not a huge problem and shouldn't prevent you from doing anything. ManDVd is now my preferred application for converting avi to DVD in Ubuntu. Thanks to the person who recommended this.


Links:
getdeb.net
Softpedia

Happy New Year

Happy new year to all, I hope 2008 is even better. We still have few more hours of 2007 left here in the UK but I can already hear the fireworks going off outside.

Effects of GSM Signals on Sleep

A story in slashdot highlights the results of a research project carried out in Sweden regarding the effects of 884 MHz GSM radiation on sleep of the subjects studied. The results show that subjects exposed to the radiation compared to placebo exposure displayed a prolonged latency to reach the first cycle of deep sleep (stage 3), the length of stage 4 sleep also decreased in exposed subjects. Moreover, participants that otherwise have no self-reported symptoms related to mobile phone use, appear to have more headaches during actual radiofrequency exposure as compared to sham exposure. The study indicates the effect of exposure on components of sleep, believed to be important for recovery from daily wear and tear, as being adversely affected.

Links:
Slashdot
PIERS Online

Alternative Start Menu for GNOME

The GNOME start menu, like almost everything else, is fully customisable. On one of my previous posts I showed you how you can customise the look of Ubuntu, now I want to show you the alternatives to the standard start menu you get in Ubuntu.

Standard Menu Bar
Here's what the default menu bar looks like, you actually get it at the top but I have my panel at the bottom.





You can change the layout or even add/ remove the menu items by right-clicking on the start menu and selecting 'Edit Menus'.



Slim Main Menu
This a more compact version of the above and it's also the one I use. I like it because it leaves more space for the running programs applet.


Once again you can edit the layout of the menu items. I don't go into the start menu very often since I have all my favourite apps on the desklet at the top of my screen.

Gimme
Gimme is more than a start menu, it's a whole organiser. It's jam packed with things, you can access almost everything from it. It has a search function which lets you find everything from programs, files, computers on a network and even search your friends on IM.


It is quite large but you can always remove the buttons that you do not need from preferences.

USlab
Uslab is a modified version of the menu from Suse 10. I have never used it myself but here's what it looks like.


It takes up less space than gimme and also has built in search function.

Links:
Gimme
USlab

The Theory of Evolution Made Easy

With so much confusion and misunderstanding around, spread by creationist nuts, someone has created these seven excellent videos explaining everything from the history of the universe to the theory of evolution. Enjoy.










Link:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=potholer54

Hardy Heron Theme Mockups

Here is a list of some interesting looking theme mockups for the next release of Ubuntu. I personally like the first one, it looks clear and fresh. It looks like Gelatin, as the first one is known as is being officially considered a candidate for Hardy Heron. You can also download it from here. It needs a little bit of polish but overall I think they are heading in the right direction with this theme.

Ubuntu Bluetooth Remote Control

I have a Sony Ericsson K800i phone and one of its coolest features is the ability to control your pc using bluetooth. It's pretty straightforward in Windows but Ubuntu needs a little bit of work to get it going. Open up your terminal and follow the steps below.

• Install bluez-utils, Gutsy comes with this installed but here's how you can install it if you don't have it

sudo apt-get install bluez-utils

• Next let's search for our phone

hcitool scan

• You should see your phones MAC address and identifier appear, something like this

00:11:22:AA:BB:CC MyPhonesName

• Now, copy the MAC address of your phone and enter the following

sudo hidd --connect 00:11:22:AA:BB:CC

Your phone should now ask you if you want to allow remote control, select yes and your ready to control your Ubuntu. Unfortunately you have to do the above every time you want to use it. To control your media applications such as Totem or amarok you need to download certain configuration files to your phone. For a list of compatible phones and the configuration files check out the link below.

Links:
help.ubuntu
ubuntu forums

Nanosolar: Solar Power for the Masses

Nanosolar, a Silicon-valley start-up has managed to do what a lot of people have been trying for a long time: they have developed solar cells which create energy that is cheaper than burning coal. That is a huge achievement considering cost was the biggest drawback for solar power generation.
What differentiates Nanosolar from others is that they focused on the manufacturing process instead of just increasing efficiency of the cells. The result is that they have managed to reduce the cost per watt to an amazing 33 cents. They plan to sell at $1 per watt, making them a tidy bit of profit.
They are using a mixture of Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide, which can achieve an efficiency of 19.5%. Others are also using the same mixture of elements as an alternative to Silicon, Silicon is a poor absorber of light and therefore the wafers must be thick. The new mixture allows coatings to be very thin and still convert energy at a good efficiency.
The company plans to begin full production in 2008.

Link:
Nanosolar