How To Install & Run ChromiumOS Inside Ubuntu [Linux]

Try out ChromiumOS inside Ubuntu. Whether you want to start a separate Chromium session or run Google’s netbook operating system inside a window, a new third-party package makes the process simple.
If you mostly use your computer to access the web, ChromeOS might be right for you. For the unfamiliar, ChromeOS is Google’s operating system for Chromebooks. It’s an entire operating system built around the browser and it’s focused on running web apps. ChromiumOS is the open-source version of that operating system, meaning it’s freely available. I’ve shown you how to install ChromiumOS on your netbook with Lime, but hardware supported is limited.
Ubuntu, meanwhile, works on basically any computer. So if you want to try ChromeOS on your existing system, Ubuntu is your best bet.
As of this writing the ChromiumOS package only works on 64-bit processors. Sorry about that.

Launching ChromiumOS In Ubuntu

Once you’ve installed ChromiumOS you have two options – run the command “chromeos” from the Ubuntu desktop or log out of Ubuntu and log into ChromeOS directly.
To launch ChromeOS in its own window simply press “Alt” and “F2″. You’ll see a dash-like window for entering commands; type chromeos and hit enter. You’ll see the full Chrome desktop in its own window:

To launch ChromeOS on its own, without the Ubuntu desktop, log out of Ubuntu. When logging in, click the Ubuntu logo beside the login field. You’ll see a list of options:



Pick Chromium OS, then log in the way you usually would. You’ll be presented with Chrome’s login screen:

You’ll need a Google account to log in (it’s your Gmail login, if you’re not sure what I’m talking about). If you don’t have a Google account, get one – ChromeOS isn’t terribly useful without it.
You’ll see a fancy first-time window once you log in:

Follow the tutorials if you want, or explore the new system. You’ll see a taskbar at bottom; use the App Button to launch your Chrome apps; you can pin your favorite apps to the taskbar. There’s even a built-in file manager.

The heart of the operating system – Chrome itself – works pretty much as you’d expect (though seemingly speedier, at least if you launch a seperate session). If you already use Chrome your bookmarks, history and apps will sync over, meaning you’ll feel right at home quickly.

Explore and enjoy. It’s a different way to use your computer, and it’s not for everyone, but you might like it.

Working/Not Working

While Chrome/ChromiumOS are not new, the package that gets it running in Ubuntu is. The developers point out what is and isn’t working in the documentation. Here’s what is working:

• Login directly from LightDM (at login screen)
• Sync, apps, bookmarks
• Flash (install google-chrome-stable)
• Talk (install google-talkplugin)
• Java (icedtea-plugin)
• Simple development for ChromeOS specific plugins/extensions(~/chrome-os/user)
• HW acceleration
• Tablet mode

And here’s what’s not:

• System controls, data is ignored and replaced with fake data ?
• Guest login (missing cros subsystem)
• Special “KIOSK” mode (switch still exists)
• Auto-updates

Note that they’re working on it, and things may be different by the time you read this, so check the documentation to be sure.

Install ChromiumOS In Ubuntu

Ready to install? Head to the LightDM Login ChromeOS page on github. You’ll find a 64 bit package for Ubuntu. Users of Ubuntu’s x86 version will be able to install this, but it won’t work. You’ve been warned.
If nothing else this gives Ubuntu a lightweight, browser only desktop that’s tightly integrated with Google’s ecosystem. To me this is a good thing, but I want to know what you think: will you be installing ChromiumOS in Ubuntu? Let me know in the comments below, along with any alternative browser-based desktops for Ubuntu.
Not sure how to install or use Ubuntu? Check out Ubuntu For Absolute Beginners, our manual outlining Ubuntu. It will get you started.

8 Free Tools For Live Website Visitor Tracking

The number of visitors that a website receives is an important statistic for many. Google Analytics, the widely-used website analytics platform, and alternatives like Webalizer or AWStats are great for long-term stats, but what if you want to see how many visitors are on your website right now?
Real-time visitor tracking tools have been popping up ever since 2007 or so, and now there are many choices in the live website analytics arena. Let’s go over some of the choices and see what makes them stand apart from the others.

Amung.us

Amung.us is one of the older live-click tracking services. MakeUseOf actually used their widget for a number of years – it was perfect for tracking who was on the site live, which articles were currently receiving a lot of visitors and historical viewer tracking. The Amung.us service is listed in our directory here.
If you need a simple widget for your website, Amung.us is perfect for this use. They do not include detailed tracking in their free service, but sometimes you simply don’t need it. Also, they allow you to place a map on your website or blog detailing where in the world people are coming from.

Clicktale

Clicktale is more of a full-featured analytics package. They focus on taking an individual user session and allow you, as the site administrator, to “play back” the visit from their first page to the next. Clicktale also offers some more detailed statistics such as time on the page, conversion rates, and other features seen in packages like Google Analytics.

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Another cool feature that Clicktale has (limited in the free plans) is the ability to see a heat-map over your website. This shows where a user moves their mouse on your webpages and what they actually clicked on. This is a great insight tool to get an idea of how real users interact on your page.
Clicktale has a free plan that includes 400 recorded pageviews per month and a limited playback of visits. To get some of the more interesting features, they do require that you upgrade to a paid plan.

Clicky

Clicky is a very strong, yet very simple live analytics package. We’ve featured it here on MakeUseOf before, and their offering has only grown in size and value.
They make a very compelling alternative to Google Analytics. Their free version includes many of the same features as GA, but also adds real-time tracking into the mix. The user interface is clean and simple and they also have mobile versions for iPhone or Android.
As with many of the other tracking platforms, there is a limited free version and also a pay version which includes more page views and features. The free version limits are 3,000 daily page views and one site. Clicky is definitely an option if you are looking for live website analytics at a good price.

Feedjit

A popular service with bloggers is Feedjit. Feedjit offers live analytics but is more focused on the “here and now”. It will show you who has visited your page in real time, displayed in a widget on your site or blog. It displays various statistics about the visitor, including where they are visiting from.
Part of the free version of the widget is that it is supported by ads. This allows them to bring the widget to you for free and also an advertising platform for your own website or company (if you pay for it). This could be considered a good or bad part of the service depending on your viewpoint.

GoSquared

GoSquared is “Analytics without the Analysis” and is a beautiful way to visualize visitors to your website in real-time. A live demo of GoSquared is available here.
The free plan offers one site and 10,000 monthly page views and paid plans start at $10 a month.

Piwik

Piwik is an open-source alternative to Google Analytics, with other features such as live visitor tracking built-in. For the crowd who don’t like Google having access to all of their data, Piwik is a great self-hosted option.
As with many open source alternatives, there is some legwork to be done to get Piwik set up correctly. Look for detailed directions in an upcoming MakeUseOf article by yours truly.
Piwik is absolutely free, and if you are willing to get your hands dirty, the source code is available to all for the ultimate customization.

Reinvigorate

Reinvigorate offers many of the analytics offered above. What makes them stand apart is that they do offer heat-maps along with the normal statistics, and also they have a desktop client that can be made to ‘ding’ every time someone visits your site.
Reinvigorate offers a free plan for up to 100k page views and paid plans starting at $10 a month.

Woopra

Woopra offers live stats on your website and is a very popular alernative to Google Analytics. Their free account (also known as Basic) gives you your website stats served alongside an ad.
Woopra has several features which set them apart from the pack. You can add a live-chat widget onto your site and chat with your visitors, and they also have an excellent API via which you can integrate your own statistics and metrics into.

Who’s The Best?

All of the above options are great solutions to the live-tracking analytics question. I think Woopra and Clicky are the two top analytics platforms as far as overall comprehensive features and ease of use. Amung.us or Feedjit are excellent if you run a small blog and just want to add simple live tracking to your pages. Finally, Piwik is the ultimate customizable solution – look for a howto on setting it up on your website in the coming weeks.
Do you have another option to see how many visitors are on your website? Be sure to let us know below!

Install Ubuntu 12.10

1. Using a DVD?

   It’s easy to install Ubuntu from a DVD. Here’s what you need to do:
   Put the Ubuntu DVD into the DVD-drive
   Restart your computer. You should see a welcome screen prompting you to choose your language and giving you the option to install Ubuntu or try it from the DVD.
   If you don’t get this menu, read the booting from the DVD guide for more information.
   

   Using a USB drive?

   Most newer computers can boot from USB. You should see a welcome screen prompting you to choose your language and giving you the option to install Ubuntu or try it from the CD.
   If your computer doesn’t automatically do so, you might need to press the F12 key to bring up the boot menu, but be careful not to hold it down - that can cause an error message.
   
2. 2

   Prepare to install Ubuntu

   • We recommend you plug your computer into a power source
   • You should also make sure you have enough space on your computer to install Ubuntu
   • We advise you to select Download updates while installing and Install this third-party software now
   • You should also stay connected to the internet so you can get the latest updates while you install Ubuntu
   • If you’re not connected to the internet, we’ll help you set up wireless at the next step

   
3. 3

   Set up wireless

   If you are not connected to the internet, you will be asked to select a wireless network, if available. We advise you to connect during the installation so we can ensure your machine is up to date. So, if you set up your wireless network at this point, it’s worth then clicking the Back button to go back to the last screen (Preparing to install Ubuntu) and ticking the box marked ’Download updates while installing’.
   
   
   
4. 4

   Allocate drive space

   Use the checkboxes to choose whether you’d like to Install Ubuntu alongside another operating system, delete your existing operating system and replace it with Ubuntu, or – if you’re an advanced user – choose the ’Something else’ option
   
5. 5

   Begin the installation

   Depending on your previous selections, you can now verify that you have chosen the way in which you would like to install Ubuntu. The installation process will begin when you click the Install Now button.
   Ubuntu needs about 4.5 GB to install, so add a few extra GB to allow for your files.
   Not sure about this step? Windows users can use the Windows installer, which will install and uninstall Ubuntu in the same way as any other Windows application. It’s simpler and completely safe.
   
6. 6

   Select your location

   If you are connected to the internet, this should be done automatically. Check your location is correct and click ’Forward’ to proceed. If you’re unsure of your time zone, type the name of the town you’re in or click on the map and we’ll help you find it.
   

   TIP: If you’re having problems connecting to the Internet, use the menu in the top-right-hand corner to select a network.

   
7. 7

   Select your preferred keyboard layout

   Click on the language option you need. If you’re not sure, click the ’Detect Keyboard Layout’ button for help.
   
8. 8

   Enter your login and password details

   
9. 9

   Learn more about Ubuntu while the system installs…

   …or make a cup of tea!
   
10. 10

    That’s it.

    All that’s left is to restart your computer and start enjoying Ubuntu!
    

Install Windows through USB Flash Drive

Install Windows through WinToFlash

WinToFlash is likely to make a big difference to the way you work. It will make life a lot easier for you. Quickly and simply install the program you needs and in no time at all you will find yourself writing essays on Windows and using your USB. The WinToFlash makes the job hassle free for you.

WinToFlash help you pull over the contents of a Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 2008, Windows 7, Windows 8 installation disk and prep the USB drive to become a bootable replacement for the optical drive. This is about you can install your Windows from flash drive or card, HDD, etc. to your computer or netbook.
And this is not all it can do. WinToFlash can transfer your live CD or DVD to USB card, for example, BartPE. After all you can erase your USB media and format it with Windows for everyday use.

Functions list

• Pull the contents of a Windows XP/2003/Vista/2008/7/8 install disc and prep the USB drive to become a bootable replacement
• Windows 32 bit and 64 bit full support
• Support all editions of Windows - Home, Professional, Media Center, Ultimate, etc.
• Transfer a Recovery CD or a tiny OS (BartPE based on Windows XP/2003, WinPE based on Windows Vista/2008/7/8) to a USB drive
• Wipe a USB media (destroy all data on it)
• Create a USB drive with emergency bootloader for Windows 2000/XP/2003
• Transfer MS-DOS to a USB drive
• Create a USB drive with Windows XP/2003 Recovery Console
• Format USB drive to FAT16 or FAT32
• Fine tune any option of FAT file system for better compatibility
• Fine tune any option of partitions table
• Select boot loader for a USB drive, like GRUB or Standard one
• Select partition type - CHS or LBA for better compatibility with some motherboards
• Create aswers file for Windows Setup. Add serial number, user name, etc.
• Windows Setup transfer process fine tune
• Check USB drive for file system errors after Windows Setup transfer process
• Fix some Windows Setup problems, like 0x6B BSOD
• AntiSMS function to fix boot blockers (send SMS to short number/buy something/etc. to unlock your PC problem) or viruses
• WinToFlash is portable application, you can carry around with you on a portable device and use on any computer
• Tranfer profiles support - save your transfer options and load it at any time
• Windows serial number encryption in profile with password
• Detailed log file
• Updates reminder
• Easy to use classic interface, like ntbackup utility
• Wizard with only two options for quick Windows Setup transfer
• Multilanguage support
• Now includes free WinToFlash Suggestor

System requirements

To use Novicorp WinToFlash, your computer has to meet certain hardware requirements. Actual requirements vary, depending on the system configuration and the programs and features that you choose.

• Pentium 233-megahertz (MHz) processor or faster
• At least 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM
• At least 20 megabytes (MB) of available space on the hard disk
• Keyboard and a Microsoft Mouse or some other compatible pointing device
• Video adapter and monitor with Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution
• Windows XP/2003/Vista/2008/7/8 

Your support

WinToFlash is free of course but if it was useful for you - give us five bucks and get a bonus!
If you are IT professional and you need additional features (like GRUB boot loader support, Windows Setup fixes, etc.) buy the Professional License.
If you run a business you need to buy the Business License.

Latest version

BetterInstaller (fastest partner download): Download WinToFlash with BetterInstaller (En)
Latest version via official download server #4: 0.7.0054 beta
Click to download via HTTP protocol from Novicorp WinToFlash download server #4
Extra link via official download server #2: 0.7.0054 beta
Click to download via FTP protocol from Novicorp WinToFlash download server #2
Latest version via Torrent: 0.7.0054 beta ( magnet)
Click to download via Torrent protocol. If you have problems use one of links below
FindmySoft: Download WinToFlash from FindmySoft (En)
Click to visit FindmySoft download page
Fiber download: Download WinToFlash from FiberDownload (En)
Click to visit Fiber download page
Free Download Splace download: Download WinToFlash from FDP (En)
Click to visit FDP download page
Place77 download: Download WinToFlash from Place77 (En)
Click to visit Place77 download page
Brothersoft download: Download WinToFlash from brothersoft (En)
Click to visit brothersoft download page
DownloadRoute download: WinToFlash download from DownloadRoute (En)
Click to visit DownloadRoute download page
SoftSea: Download WinToFlash from SoftSea (En)
Click to visit SoftSea download page
Computerbild: Download WinToFlash bei computerbild.de (De)
Click to visit Computer bild magazine download page
Chip.eu: Download WinToFlash from Chip.eu (En)
Click to visit Chip magazine download page
Chip.eu: Download WinToFlash from Chip.eu (Ru)
Click to visit Chip magazine download page

Windows 7 Installation Guide / Tutorial

The Windows 7 is finally here. It's released for beta testers a few days ago and I am here with a small step by step picture guided tour through the installation process. I downloaded the x86 version of the M3 build ( build No: 6801) from Microsoft Connect site, which is 2.72 GB ISO. The x64 version is around 3.2 GB in size.

The installation process was just like vista setup and to my surprise completed in just around 20 minutes in my low end Virtual hardware. This surely indicates the performance improvements Microsoft has put on this windows vista replacement.

The TestMachine

I decided to install Windows 7 in a VMware workstation first to make sure that the DVD I burned is perfect. VMware is great for taking screen shots and screen captures also.

VMWare Version: VMWare Workstation 6.5
Virtual HArddisk : 9 GB
RAM : 512 MB
Processor : Single Core
Windows Version : Windows 7 Ultimate M3 v6801-0-080913-2030


Preparing the DVD from the ISO image

Since most the people are installing Windows 7 in a real hardware, a DVD should be burned from the downloaded ISO image. You will need a DVD Burner, a DVD burning software and a blank DVD-R or DVD-RW to prepare the installation disk. I used a Sony single layer DVD-R as media and used Nero 8 as the DVD burning software. But for those who don't have Nero installed, CDBurnerXP is a free Alternative.

So using the DVD burning software of your choice burn the Windows 7 ISO image to the DVD. Make sure you choose the a very low burning speed, 4x or 8x, for better results.


Setting up your Computer & BIOS changes ( If required)

Now reboot your computer after popping in the all new Windows 7 DVD you just created in to the DVD Drive. In most cases if you do this you'll automatically boot in to the Windows 7 Installation DVD. But in some cases if the Boot device order is changed in the BIOS it may boot in to your older OS, instead of our DVD. In that case you'll need to change the BIOS settings to gt it done ( More details in a different tutorial).

Booting Up and First Installation Steps


Steps from here are pretty straight forward. Read the descriptions in each pages before clicking the Next button to avoid any disasters. IF there is options to choose in these steps you may find them with each images.










You may choose your Language options by selecting the dropdowns 'Language to install', 'Time and Currency format' and 'Keyboard or input method' here. I decided to leave everything to 'US' but it would be better for selecting the correct settings here for non-english users.


This screen is where the installation wizard begins. The install now options will leads to the advanced install options. For repairing a corrupt installation the 'Repair your computer' button located at the bottom-left can be used. For fresh installs just click the Install now button.




Tick the 'I accept the license terms' checkbox and click 'Next' to proceed.

Which type of installation do you want?

This screen provides two options, Upgrade and Custom (advanced). The upgrade option is for those who wish to upgrade an existing installation of older version of Windows to Windows 7. It is confirmed that Windows Vista can be upgraded to Windows 7 with out any issues, but Windows XP is still a problem.

We will opt for the second option here, the Custom install.

Where do you want to install Windows?

Clicking on the 'Custom' button brings the install location selection screen. In the test machine we have an un-partitioned empty disk. But in the case of a normal installation all your hard drive partitions (e.g. C:\ , D:\ etc.) will be listed here. Choose the drive as you like (a 15 GB size is recommended). Make sure the drive don't have any important data or the Windows 7 installation will wipe-out the contents of that partition. You can backup the data to another partition (e.g. for installing in D:\ drive move important files from there to say E:\ drive or to an external usb drive) for safe keeping.

Partitioning /Creating or Modifying Partitions

Click the Drive options (advanced) for advanced partition management options like 'Delete', 'Format', 'New' and 'Extend'. To create a new partition click the New button. But if you have list of partitions in the previous screen, choose the one where you are planning to install windows 7 and click Format. Then click 'Next' to proceed.


The 'New' option provides a text box to enter the size of the partition you wish to create in MBs. A 15 GB (15*1024 = 15360 MB) is recommended. In this case I opted for the full size of my virtual drive, i.e. 9216 MB. Click the Apply button to continue. You may be greeted with a message To ensure that all Windows features work correctly, windows might create additional partitions for system files. . This is a new feature in Windows 7 to have a small boot partition for system files. Click Okto continue.


So here we are, A new primary partition of 8.8 GB is created along with a System type partition of 200 MB. Select the partition you just created and click Next to continue.


All right, we are all set. The Windows 7 installation begins. time to grab a cup of coffee for and wait for 15 - 30 minutes for the all new OS!

We discussed the initial steps of Windows 7 installation in the first part of this tutorial. In this session the instillation proceeds though the series of screen shots which involves a reboot. No user interaction is required for this Part.

The PART 3 of installation shows the basic setup like entering the Serial Key, setting up the computer name and user account, Timezone selection etc.

This part of Windows 7 installation guide covers the Windows Product code (Serial key) input, Computer name setup, user account and password setup, time zone selection, Windows update configuration, location selection, Home group setup etc.