Linux switching between text mode & graphical mode, Gnome

• Switching from X Window to one of the 6 consoles: Ctrl + Alt + F1, ..., Ctrl + Alt + F6.
• Switching from a text console to another text console: Alt + F1, ..., Alt + F6.
• Switching back to X Window: Alt + F7.

HOWTO : Add a program to Applications Menu

In Gnome(edgy) : System -> Preferences there is an item called "Main Menu". Here you to edit the application menu.

How to open Gnome terminal in full screen mode

If you are wondering how to have your Gnome terminal opened in full screen mode as default follow these steps.

Make a shortcut on your top panel.

Right click on the Terminal icon up there and click properties.

Then in the command box instead of just "gnome-terminal" type the following :
gnome-terminal --full-screen

Rar files, Linux

Open a terminal and run following commands :

sudo apt-get install rar
sudo ln -fs /usr/bin/rar /usr/bin/unrar

After that you can find Archive Manager in the Gnome menu under Applications -> Accessories.

quickly resize or rotate images within nautilus

If you are looking for a way to batch resize many pictures at the same time with just 2 easy steps, you have found the right tutorial. I found a way by blogging on Internet to add resize and rotate option to your right click and have it always there right beside your hand ;-)

Installation

To add this functionality we’ll need to install the nautilus-image-converter package:

#sudo aptitude install nautilus-image-converter

Use

Before you’re able to use this functionality you’ll need to restart nautilus or simply logout and back in. You’ll now be able to right-click on any image on your machine and you’ll see two new menu items:

"resize images"

"rotate images"

Check out the screen shots down here ...
You can also choose to resize by percentage or by exact dimension.

Source : Modifed but direct tutorial from Ubuntu Tutorials Dapper

Open / view .chm file under Linux or FreeBSD

Chm file is a Microsoft Compressed HTML Help file in a proprietary format for online help files. Under Linux/FreeBSD or UNIX you can open .chm file using following three different programs which makes it possible to browse native Windows CHM files:

Install chm viewer

Use apt-get or yum command to install chm viewer:

Fedora :

First you have to login as root :
$ su
Password:
# yum search gnochm
Loaded plugins: refresh-packagekit
================ Matched: gnochm ==========
gnochm.noarch : CHM file viewer
python-chm.i386(package name) : Python package for CHM files handling
# yum install -y python-chm.i386(package name)

Ubuntu :

For Gnome :
# apt-get install gnochm
OR for KDE
# apt-get install kchmviewer

Gnome Desktop User

Use gnochm program as follows
$ gnochm file.chm

KDE Desktop User

Use kchmviewer (very nice and highly recommended) program as follows
$ kchmviewer file.chm

Other tool

xchm program is quite outdated but works:
$ xchm file.chm

Source(Ubuntu part) & modifed by me for Fedora

Change Login background, Ubuntu

GDM is controlled by themes..

see System -> Administration -> Login Window

you will find a lot of themes for login here :

http://art.gnome.org/themes/gdm_greeter/