Cross-platform file/folder transfer

I had actually posted on FilePhile some time ago but could not get it to install in Ubuntu 8.04 on the EeePC 901. After typing

java -jar FilePhile.jar

I kept getting this error

Exception in thread “main” java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: Could not initialize class java.awt.Toolkit
at java.awt.Component.<clinit>(Component.java:568)
at com.api.filephile.gui.FilePhileGUI.main(Unknown Source)

After much searching, I eventually found a fix here that worked for me. This involves just typing this command into a terminal:

sudo update-java-alternatives -s java-6-sun

Now, FilePhile opens, asks me to agree to the EULA and that’s it. Note that it took a while (maybe 4-5 minutes) before the Preferences dialog box actually fully works.

However, to test it, you need to have a second FilePhilee registered user so I created another user in Ubuntu 8.04 on the MacBook. (Note that sun-java6-jre must be installed for FilePhile to work). Strangely, this time FilePhile started without any problem.

Transferring a file from one computer to the other was very simple and just involved “Add Buddy” (and adding the other user’s email address), selecting the file to send and then clicking send.

This looks very nice and is possibly just a little better than the Droopy/Woof combination in that folders are easily transferred and only the email address (rather than the IP) is needed.

Generate temporary email addresses with whspr

There are quite a few ways to receive emails from potentially insecure senders without revealing your true address.

Here’s another.

Search for images of just the right size

Did you know about this? You can use Google Image search for images of exactly the size you want and none other.

Very useful.

Adsweep — Keeps Opera ad-free

Opera is the only browser I’ve used for the last two years or so. I use it in all my computers, in all of my many OSes.

So, how great to see an ad-removal tool specifically designed for the regrettably underused, but easily the best browser on the planet .

Free to download, simple to install and works great for me in Ubuntu 8.04.2

Get extra context menu items in Windows 7

Since I installed Windows 7 Beta a few weeks ago, I really have hardly used it. Nevertheless, I might at some stage so here’s a relevant tip if I ever do try it again..

CLI image conversions

First post to the excellent Tips4Linux blog for more than two weeks. This one relates to command line conversion of images. For example you can very quickly transform a .jpg image into a .png one. However, to make the “convert” command available you must install imagemagick which is available in the Ubuntu repos.

Guide to Ubuntu -Free!!

Haven’t even looked at this yet but as I have Ubuntu as my primary OS on three computers, I will soon.

However, the free version is in PDF format, which I have to say, I really don’t like. It’s just not as convenient as browsing to a document when you want to rather than have something like this stuck on your Desktop.

But, if it were really useful, I’m sure I could get over this rather petty aversion.

Convert icon images between formats

Nice on-line app to convert a nice Windows icon (for example) to something you can use on Linux.

DIY TV antenna

Video shows how to use some coat hangers to make a nice TV antenna.

Want free blank sheet music?

This will be very useful for cheapskate (or maybe I should say “sensibly economical”) music composers. An online app that allows you to choose your own style of sheet to print.