Instructions for reinstalling all your Ubuntu packages fast

Found these very useful instructions which allow you to reinstall Ubuntu (or any other debian based system) and end up with exactly the same packages installed, almost automatically.

http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linux-get-list-installed-software-reinstallation-restore.html

Synergy - Mac

Video on how to configure SynergyKM with Mac as the server - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uydwhv20qnI

Making Ubuntu look like Win7

There is a script here that does quite a good job of making Ubuntu look like Win7
http://ubuntu.sun.ac.za/index.php?title=W7_Theme

It does warn however that you might not find it easy to change back and I haven't tried going back so be careful if you think you might want to revert.

Installing Sun Java JRE on Lucid Lynx - 10.4LTS

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://archive.canonical.com/ lucid partner"
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin
sudo update-alternatives --config java

From http://www.clickonf5.org/linux/how-install-sun-java-ubuntu-1004-lts/7777

Bulk Resize Images

From http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/tip/16524.html

mogrify -resize 320x240 *.jpg

After this command is completed, all of the images will be replaced with resized version of themselves. Notice that in an effort to preserve the image aspect ratio, mogrify may not be produce images that are exactly 320x240. To force this to happen, modify the original command to by placing an exclamation point at the end of the desired resolution:

mogrify -resize 320x240! *.jpg

Copying files from Rhythmbox to usb device

Create a file called ".is_audio_player". Put the following code into the file.

audio_folders=mp3/
folder_depth=1

Then plug in the usb stick and Rhythmbox detects the USB stick as an audio device. - From http://www.webupd8.org/2010/06/how-to-use-rhythmbox-to-transfer-music.html

Changing the ip address range in Virtual Box

Go to a terminal and type:

VBoxManage modifyvm "VM name" --natnet1 "192.168/16"

This changes the ip range to a 192.168 rather than the default 10.0 range