Better notify-osd integration on non-Ubuntu systems

I really like some of the simplifications Ubuntu throws into the desktop. However, a lot of these new things (most) are only well integrated in their desktop. One example is notify-osd. It installs just fine from ppa under Debian, but both bright and volume controls may not work as expected.
I longed for a better integration with my Debian system, as I don’t like regular gnome notifications. Thankfully, there are scripts :) I found both in the Archlinux forums (some forums!).

This is the script that allows to change the volume using notify-osd.
http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=69589 Check up post number 10. (Thanks to abarilla for the original script).

Save the script as “vol”, cp to /usr/bin (or wherever in the PATH). Next, configure volume shortcuts under System -> Pref -> Keyb Shortcuts, being the commands, i.e., “vol up” “vol down” and “vol mute”. You might have to reconfigure your actual volume shortcuts so they won’t clash with the new ones.

The one for brightness is available at the following address. (Thanks to xabz).
http://foro.archlinux.cl/viewtopic.php?id=61,
Do cat /sys/class/backlight/acpi_video0/actual_brightness with maximum brightness, and replace the number 9 in the script with whatever value it returns.
Now set keyboard shortcuts.

The problem here is that Gnome may “forget” your shortcuts for brightness or volume if they are special keys “hardware” shortcuts…. I only suffer it with brightness on my laptop.

If you use compiz, you may encounter an issue with notify-osd flickering when it fades in or out. This is because notify-osd integrates its effects so they are the same regardless of the composite manager. The way to avoid such flickering is to add & !(name=notify-osd) in the “Window Match” section in ccsm for the animations that you use, and that may affect it.

Last but not least, I found this instructions in webupd8.org to install a configurable notify-osd. Add the launchpad ppa and your good to go!

Enjoy!

Howto. Install Songbird on Debian

I always thought it’s a pity Songbird isn’t in the Debian archives. Anyway, installing Songbird  in Debian can be done without compiling from sources, and it’s a pretty straight forward installation. So much, you’ll never visit this post again ;)

Mpd on Debian with Vim

Yes, I know Vim is much more than a music player, or that it surpasses by large any use I may give to it. I just love to use it for almost anything. And as a non-programmer, that anything means whatever but code editing. It’s still pretty enjoyable :)

Being the music lover I am, and the fact that I like to try any music app there is around, it was just a matter a time that I ended up using ANY interface to control my mpd local server. In search for a light one, what the fuck? Vim.