QMLSaver Is A Nice Clock Screensaver For Ubuntu

If you had trouble installing the Noflipqlo screensaver or simply didn't want to go through so many steps to install a screensaver, you can try QMLSaver. It's not exactly the same thing, but the animation is still pretty nice as you can see in the video below:

To install QMLSaver in Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat (works on both Gnome and KDE), use the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:prodoomman/qmlsaver
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libqt4-dev qmlsaver

Then go to System > Prefereces > Screensaver and you should find QMLSaver among the available options.

Noflipqlo: Popular Screensaver "Fliqlo" Comes To Linux [Installation Instructions]

WebUdp8 reader bhm brought Fliqlo, a very popular screensaver for Windows and OSX to Linux. Fliqlo allows you to make your screen look like a flip-style clock.

What doesn't work: Noflipqlo currently doesn't work with Gnome Screensaver so you'll have to use Xscreensaver. Also, the "flip" effect doesn't work (hence the name - Noflipqlo).

To install Fliqlo in Linux (called "Noflipqlo"), use the following commands (note: the commands below will disable the Gnome Screensaver):

sudo apt-get install bzr build-essential
cd && bzr get lp:~b0h3m4/+junk/noflipqlo
cd noflipqlo
./install-dependancies.sh
make
sudo make install
./force_gnome-screensaver_off.sh #disable the Gnome Screensaver

Then run xscreensaver using the following command:

xscreensaver-demo

For me, Flipqlo (noflipqlo) doesn't show up under the available screensavers so I had to manually add it by editing the ~/.xscreensaver file:

gedit ~/.xscreensaver

And under "programs:" (where all the screensavers are listed), add this line:

    noflipqlo -root        \n\

Then Noflipqlo should be displayed in Xscreensaver (xscreensaver-demo):

If the screensaver is not centered, in xscreensaver GUI (run "xscreensaver-demo" again) go to the "Display modes" tab, click on "Settings" then on the "Advanced" button and select "Best" (this worked for me) or some other option under "Visual".

The instructions may seem hard but they aren't. Anyway, if you find this to be too difficult, wait for the PPA as bhm said he'll be packaging this.

Revert the changes

To use the Gnome Screensaver again (instead of xscreensaver), run the following commands:

gconftool-2 --type boolean -s /apps/gnome_settings_daemon/screensaver/start_screensaver true
sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/gnome-screensaver #just in case

Notes:

1) Anyone who knows what actual font (or any very similar) is being used in original screensaver (seen on first shot; or just google fliqlo), please comment! Right now it uses Droid Bold.

2) If you find bugs, please report.

Thanks to bhm for Noflipqlo and the tip! Credits for the first image in the post: unplggd.com

Caffeine 1.0 For Linux Released

Caffeine is a Gnome applet which basically prevents your computer's screensaver and power saving to activate. The applet works simple but effective: a coffee-cup will be displayed and when you click it, the coffee-cup fills up and keeps your computer from going to sleep.

Caffeine in activated state

Caffeine in deactivated state

Imagine that you’re giving a presentation. The room is illuminated only by the blue glow of the projector, displaying your slides on the screen behind you. You linger on a particularly crucial slide, carefully explaining the subtleties to your mesmerized audience. Several minutes pass, and just as you are about deliver the stunning conclusion, the projector goes dark, displaying only a tiny “No Signal” message in the bottom corner.

But that's not all: Caffeine can automatically start prevent the screensaver and power saving when playing a game, watching a flash video in Firefox (YouTube, Hulu, etc) and even while playing Quake Live.

Installing Caffeine in Ubuntu

You can either add the Caffeine PPA repository and install it from there, or download the .deb files:

-For Ubuntu Jaunty:

sudo bash -c "echo 'deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/caffeine-developers/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main' >> /etc/apt/sources.list"
sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 569113AE
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install caffeine

Or download the .deb file: caffeine_1.0-0ubuntu0~ppa14~jaunty_all.deb

-For Ubuntu Karmic Koala:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/caffeine-dev

Or download the .deb file: caffeine_1.0-0ubuntu0~ppa14~karmic_all.deb

Other Linux distributions: download the source files.

After installing Caffeine, right click a Gnome panel, select "Add to panel" and add Caffeine.

More info about Caffeine for Linux

[Image credits: Caffeine wiki]