Tag Archives: Technology

Glowy Window Shadows with Compiz

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I was running Ubuntu Linux 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) on my desktop which had an ATI graphics card. There were a lot of driver related issues (fglrx driver). I tried different versions of the driver, even upgraded to the alpha version of Hardy Heron, to gain access to the new kernel. The issues persisted. Succumbing to the driver blues, I replaced the ATI card with an Nvidia card. I am so much happier now.

However, I have this:

Glowy shadows

Notice the glow instead of shadow

What should be window shadows are somehow a glowy halo!

It is good to know I am not the only one. There’s a bug on CompizFusion (OpenCompositing) website that tracks this issue.

There seems to be a general consensus that this is indeed related to the Nvidia Linux drivers.

Here’s what is known so far. Folks dealing with glowy shadows have following in common:

  • Some flavor of Linux (Ubuntu, ArchLinux, …)
  • Nvidia graphics card (Mostly the 8-series)
  • Latest Nvidia driver (nvidia-glx-new version 169.09 in my case)
  • CompizFusion with Window Decoration plugin
  • Either Emerald or Gnome window decorator

If you are dealing with similar issue, and think can add useful bit of information to the discussion, drop a comment. Better yet, update the bug on CompizFusion (OpenCompositing).

While we are at it, is there a way of tracking bugs submitted to Nvidia (via nvidia-bug-report.sh)?

Official Google Mac Blog

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In the new Official Google Mac Blog, Google mentions there’s a Mac team that has started to show results. This is great!

I’ve always had this Google wish list on the Mac…

  • Google Talk: I’d not want Google to make Google Talk client for Mac. What I’d love is a full functional integration of Google Talk features into iChat – voice, file transfer, buddy icons and what not.
  • Google Calendar: Again a full functional integration of Google Calendar features into iCal. Currently I can only subscribe to my Google Calendar from iCal. I should be able to edit my calendar too. I am sure the API is all in place, an iCal plugin is probably the missing link.
  • Useful Widgets: Dashboard widgets for Google Notebook, Google Calendar Agenda etc., would be great! I’d imagine converting Google Gadgets to Dashboard Widgets should be doable

I can almost hear Google say “So be it!” :)

Camino getting better!

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I’ve become a big fan of Firefox browser. I’ve been using it since its Phoenix days. Its been so great to see it grow into this awesome piece of open source software.

Near the end of 2003, I made the switch to Mac – making it my primary computer (an iMac G4). I do have a windows laptop – I mostly use it for money management, I could not find a software like MS Money on Mac OS X – nope, Quicken on Mac is ugly. Well anyway, since the topic is Camino, I’ll not write about how glad I am that I made the switch.

I am a satisfied user of Firefox on windows and linux systems. Even on Mac OS, I don’t have any complains about Firefox. At the level I use it, it works as good as it works on windows XP. Arguments in favor of Camino – which is a Mac variant of Gecko browsers, on its webpage are pretty compelling. So beginning with its version 0.8.0 or so, I started trying out the browser. I download every new version that comes, waiting to see if it reaches a stage when I can replace Firefox with Camino on the Mac system.

So far that hasn’t happened – although 0.8.3 came pretty close. I think the only thing I am missing in Camino is live bookmarks. Another thing that was missing was adblock extension, which has become something I cannot live without now. But I was pleasantly surprised by how Camino ExtraPrefs fills that void.

All in all, Camino has improved a lot in tha last few versions – and is getting better. I am looking forward to the day when it can finally replace Firefox on my Mac system. Currently, Firefox rules!

‘Live Bookmarks’ now at mahesha.com

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Mahesha.com now provides Live Bookmarks!

If you don’t know what live bookmarks are, you are probably not using Mozilla Firefox browser – which, by the way, you should try!

You can read all about Live Bookmarks, and other cool features of Firefox on its home page.

Once you have the Fox, use Firefox RSS icon icon at the botton-right corner of the browser window to add a Live Bookmark on mahesha.com. Currently the only Live Bookmark published if for Albums @ mahesha.com.

Hope you like this addition!