How to Install Linux Mint in to a Virtual Environment

By Eric Even
So, you've heard about this Linux thing and want to know what it's all about. While a die hard Windows user myself, there's some really good reasons to understand and use Linux.
I won't call Linux virus proof, because there's no such thing (with the exception of a mechanical cash register, that just barely qualifies as a computer), but you are far less likely to encounter Linux viruses than those for Windows or Mac OS.
Linux has the very distinct advantage of being largely free and open source, so updates are frequent and cost nothing. There's a world of excellent software available for the platform and tools to run Windows applications with some love and some work.
I'll be demonstrating the installation process for Linux Mint through a virtual machine using the very excellent and free VMWare Player.
1) Download and install VMWare Player.
First, you'll want to visit VMWare.com and visit the Products section, under Free Products for VMWare player.
Download VMWare Player for Windows and run the installer when it finishes downloading. The program is straight forward on its install and the defaults should all be perfectly OK.
2) Download Linux Mint
Linux Mint can be found at linuxmint.com. Visit the Download page to find the different versions.
For our purposes, we'll be working with the Cinnamon 32-bit version of Mint.
Choose a mirror appropriate for your region of the world.
The file will download as a.iso file. This is a disk image file, sort of like a direct copy of a DVD. The file extension is named for the ISO, the International Organization of Standards. Save this file to an easy to remember location on your computer.
3) Configure Your Linux Mint Virtual Machine.
Open your newly installed VMWare Player and choose Create a New Virtual Machine.
Choose your ISO from which to install Linux Mint. If you get a warning about VMWare not being able to detect which operating system you are installing, you can simply ignore it. We'll be specifying the OS. Click Next.
Select Linux as the Guest Operating System, and leave (or select if needed) Ubuntu as the Version. Click Next.
Give your virtual machine a name. Choose a location to save your virtual machine. Click Next.
Configure your storage settings. Since this is a test machine, and we don't need to use a lot of space, 8 GB should be sufficient to play around and install some applications. I prefer to store the virtual disk as a single larger file, since I generally won't be moving it. Click Next.
Verify your settings and click Finish. Your basic settings are now complete.
4) Install Linux Mint
*ADVANCE WARNING: If at any time while installing Linux Mint, you can't find your mouse cursor or it gets "stuck" press the Control and Alt buttons together. This is a function of the VMWare Player.*
Select Play Virtual Machine using either of the green Play Buttons.
If you get a popup to install VMWare Tools, choose Remind Me Later.
Let the auto load cycle complete. After some message appear, Linux Mint will boot directly to the desktop. Mint is designed to run as a Live Operating System, which means it can run directly from the disk or disk image (.iso).
From here you can explore and use Linux Mint, but it won't be particularly fast compared to a full installation. Double click the Install Linux Mint icon on the virtual desktop.
The installer window will launch and as your to specify your language. I'll be running under the assumption of English. Click Continue.
Assuming your PC is online, and you set up your virtual hard disk to be 8.0 GB, you should have two check boxes on the next screen. Click Continue.
Select the Erase Disk and install Linux Mint option, and leave all other options unchecked. You are working inside of a virtual hard disk, and it's completely isolated from the rest of your computer, so you won't erase anything on your PC. Click Install Now.
The operating system will generally auto-detect your region. If not, type in your city to have it set your time zone. Click Continue.
Define your keyboard layout. Click continue.
Set up your name, your computer (VM's) name, your username, and your password. I've set my machine to log in automatically and set a password of "password1" since this machine is only for playing around and not for any of my personal information or online transactions. I've also set it to log me in automatically so I don't have to type in my password every time. Click continue after you have set up your user identification.
You'll notice arrow buttons on the side of the Mint installer screen as it wraps up the install. You can click through these to take a mini-tour of the Mint operating system. Let the installer complete its tasks. Grab a soda or something if you finish with the tour. You can click out of the virtual machine to play some solitaire on your host PC while you wait.
When Mint is done installing, it will prompt you to continue testing (work with the live desktop) or restart and launch in to the normal install of Mint. Click Restart Now.
Mint will ask you to remote the installation media, close the tray, then press the enter key. Since we aren't working off a DVD, we'll need to dismount the image. Press Ctrl and Alt together on your keyboard to unlock your mouse.
Click the Player button in the upper left of the VMWare Player window, select Removable Devices, select CD/DVD, and click on Settings.
Un-check the Connect as power on button for the CD/DVD drive. Click the OK button. Click back on to the black Mint Logo screen and press the enter key on your keyboard. Mint will now reboot.
Mint will reboot and automatically log you in to your desktop, where you'll be greeted by the Welcome to Linux Mint window. You can choose to have this show up at start up or not. Click the Close button on the window.
5) Using Linux Mint
For Windows users Mint is a very intuitive operating system. The Menu button in the bottom left functions like the Start button in Windows. Opening it will reveal a large menu of applications, sorted by type. Click through and see what you can find. Most of them are very self-explanatory.
Unlike Windows Linux is built on a package manager system instead of an executable system for installing new programs. Let's install Skype on Mint.
From the Menu, choose the Software Manager. When prompted, type in your password. The software manager application will launch.
Search for Skype using the search box in the upper right. Type in Skype and press the enter key.
Mint will find the package to install Skype. Double click on it to bring up the information window.
Click the install button. Skype will install itself and the screen will say "installed" once complete. Close the Software Manager.
Going to the Menu and selecting the Internet category will show Skype installed on the machine.
From here, explore Linux Mint, and get a feel for it. There's many usability resources on the Web, and this should get you started pretty well.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Even
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Install-Linux-Mint-in-to-a-Virtual-Environment&id=7859620

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How to Reset the Administrator Password on a Mac

by Emily Chang

If you've misplaced or simply forgotten the administrator password on your Mac, you won't be able to perform necessary software updates, change certain settings or install new software. You may even be unable to log in to your computer. However, there are ways you can bypass or reset the administrator password on your Mac and take back control.

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How to rip DVD to Final Cut Pro with DVD Ripper

by Ander Winger

Information about DVD to Final Cut Pro .

Final Cut Pro is a professional non-linear editing software application developed by Macromedia Inc. and then Apple Inc. Final Cut Pro 7 runs on Mac personal computers powered by Mac OS X version 10.5.6 or later and using Intel processors. It is a module of the Final Cut Studio product. The software allows users to log and capture video onto a hard drive (internal or external), where it can be edited, processed, and output to a wide variety of formats.However, I found many people want to know how to import AVCHD to QuickTime Mac as below.

Question: How to import DVD into Final Cut Pro?

Hello, I am currently editing a short film and for it, I need to use bits of films that I have on DVD. I am using Final Cut Pro and having trouble importing the films into it. I have tried converting DVD to mp4 but that didn't work. I have downloaded a software called Streamclip that many recommend but apparently it needs Apple's mpeg-2 component which I need to pay for. Is there another way of importing a DVD to FCP, or converting DVD to .mov, so it would work in Final Cut?I've been trying to use my PC at home to convert the movies but if that isn't possible I also have access to iMac. Any help much appreciated!

For resolving these problems, I search a tool--- DVD to FCP Converter can convert DVD to video and Audio formats like MP4, AVI, MOV, 3GP, MPEG, H.264/AVC, MP3, WAV, AAC, AC3, AMR. Those formats are supported by lots of portable devices such as Pod, iPhone, Apple TV, PSP, BlackBerry, GPhone, Zune, etc. I hope it is helpful for us.

More Information:

How to get SWF to FCP, the best way is to import SWF to FCP by converting FCP supported MP4, MOV, etc.

Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article444372.html

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5 Ways to Prolong Your Gaming Laptop’s Lifespan

by Abie Anarna

You’ve had your gaming laptop for quite a while now, and you’re already starting to feel its age. On the one hand, maybe it’s its way of telling you that you are sorely in need of the next high-end laptop to last you another two, maybe three years before the next one. On the other hand, you may not have enough cash on you (a rather common affliction, or so I’m told), leading you to maybe consider getting laptop replacement parts and perhaps upgrade its video card or RAM stick. And then you’re reminded that laptop parts are rather hard (and a bit expensive) to come by, being that laptop manufacturers purposefully specialize each part to make sure that you get replacements from them and only them.

Lucky for you, I have a, um, third hand to offer. Best of all, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg (yeah, I’ll stop with the manual fixation now). The third option is improving your laptop’s performance through software upgrades and setting adjustments. Here are five things you can do to prolong your laptop’s life at virtually no cost.

1. Always Install the Latest Drivers

When it comes to video games, video cards are often the deciding factor of how good your games will look. As such, top graphics processing unit (GPU) manufacturers NVIDIA and ATI are constantly one-upping each other, not just in the specs of actual video cards released, but also in the driver updates given to said video cards.

The video capabilities sold with your laptop (whether on-board or not) are set to factory standards. It would do you well, then, to constantly check the website of the manufacturer of your laptop’s GPU to keep your machine updated. Doing so could increase your gadget’s performance by as much as 20%.

It should also be noted that driver updates aren’t just applicable to graphics cards. These also go for sound cards, and occasionally, motherboards (although this usually only happens when a motherboard compatibility issue needs to be resolved).

2. Overclock the GPU’s Settings

Desktop users are no strangers to overclocking. Laptop users, however, aren’t, since only a select few laptop CPUs allow their settings to be overclocked. There are some laptop GPUs that allow this, though; and if your laptop has this, you might as well make use of it.

When you overclock your GPU, you only have to worry about two settings: The core clock and the memory clock. Try to experiment at which levels both settings work best while still staying stable. The thing to remember is not to jump to higher levels from the get-go. 5% increments are a safe bet.

3. Check Your Laptop’s Power Settings

A computer’s power settings determine how much power is allotted to certain parts, like processors and GPUs. Whereas PCs allow you to just max the settings, laptop power settings vary constantly depending on the available power source.

If you’ve got a power socket and your laptop’s battery charger handy, you have the option of maximizing your laptop’s power settings to achieve higher performance levels in games.

4. Adjust Graphical Settings In-Game

This one depends on how well you can tolerate doing away with certain graphical features in games. In my case, since laptop screens are often smaller than desktop monitors, I find that I don’t really need to have a game’s resolution set to maximum since the difference in pixel count wouldn’t be easily discernible anyway. In another case, if you’re the type of gamer who doesn’t take much premium in accurate metallic reflections, you can opt to set this setting at lower levels.

Again, mileage varies from gamer to gamer; and experimentation is a must.

5. Shut Down Unused Background Applications

As a last resort, you may also turn off any programs running in the background which you don’t really need. For example, since I play most of my games offline, I can opt to turn off torrent programs, auto-updaters, and antivirus scanners; and that’s just for starters.

Running programs are usually indicated in the notification tray. Shut down running programs from there as needed.

And there you go: Five ways of extending your gaming laptop’s usability without having to spend a single penny. Who says you need to purchase laptop replacement parts to play better games on your laptop?

More Information:

Abie Anarnais a writer and blogger who specialize writing about technology. She has a big concern for technology and reducing e-waste that become her theme in writing. She writes for LaptopAid.com to help her Audience in reducing e-waste and finding the right laptop spare parts.

Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article444047.html

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