Author: Stan Shinn

Some various tips for Ubuntu family users, including this auto-login tip:

By default, when you boot up the computer, Ubuntu will give you a login screen before you get to your X session. From a security perspective, this is a good idea, particularly in multi-user environments or in any situation where other people have physical access to your computer. Still, many users are used to just being logged in automatically, and don't want to fuss with logging in each time they reboot their desktop.

To set this in Ubuntu, go to System -- Administration -- Login Window. You'll need to provide your password, then you'll get the Login Window Preferences window with five tabs. Choose the Security tab and click Enable Automatic Login. If you have more than one regular user, make sure to specify which user should be logged in automatically.

Read full list here: Linux.com | Ten tips for new Ubuntu users

Nice writeup on using rsync to mirror files across a variety of operating systems: rsync - Lifehacker

Here is a handy little web application (no software download required) lets you convert between PNG and ICO formats without losing any quality.

Use it at ConvertIcon

A nice list of Gmail tips; I especially like the Gmail search operators summary:

Search operators in Gmail work much the same as they do with Google. Type the operator followed by a colon, and then your search term (e.g., to:tips@lifehacker.com). Likewise, you can exclude terms from your search with the hyphen (-).

The search operators allow you to limit the scope of your search to the to (to:), from (from:), and subject (subject:) fields. Easy enough, right? You can also search based on labels (label:), emails with attachments (has:attachment), and even dates (after:/before:yyyy/mm/dd).

More at Hack Attack: Become a Gmail master

Sounds cool. Free is nice. Wonder if this is stable?

With DM2 installed you get 4 virtual desktops, custom Open/Save dialog folder locations (can you say godsend?), and the ability to minimize any window to the system tray. Also, right-click the minimize button to send any window to a floating, transparent icon that stays on top but doesn't crowd your taskbar.

Read article at: Lifehacker, the Productivity and Software Guide

PHP is great for programming on the web. It is also a highly productive language:

PHP scripts are five-to-10 times more productive than hand-coding a server application in Java or C from scratch

It is so productive that IBM is pushing it for the mainframe! Read more @ PHP Puts Mainframe Developers in Prime Time

Running an email marketing campaign? Which day you should email may differ based on if your target demographic is B2B or B2C:

Business-to-business (B2B) e-mail is best sent earlier in the week. B2B e-mail received on Monday or Tuesday gives readers the opportunity to address the message before the week's the business takes over. Thirty-three percent of survey respondents said they prefer to receive e-mail on Monday, and 36 percent on Tuesday. Preference for the remainder of the week declines sharply each day.

The best day to send business-to-consumer (B2C) e-mail isn't as easily determined. Preferences peak for receipt on Wednesdays (26 percent) and Fridays (31 percent).

Read this Clarity on Best Day to E-Mail article for more information and an invaluable graph.

I have a couple of PCs running Ubuntu Linux for my kids. The installation is easy and hassle-free, but don't include the much needed Flash and Java support for browsers for my kids to play games. Enter EasyUbuntu. One install does it all:

EasyUbuntu is an easy to use (duh!) script that gives the Ubuntu user the most commonly requested apps, codecs, and tweaks that are not found in the base distribution - all with a few clicks of your mouse.

EasyUbuntu is so easy to use in fact, that even your grandma could be playing encrypted dvds, streaming Windows Media, and sporting the latest Nvidia or Ati drivers in minutes!

One word of caution -- don't install Nvidia or Ati drivers unless you feel you really need them. I installed them and then my xserver GUI wouldn't load. The other installs worked flawlessly.

Get the software from EasyUbuntu