Now I like openJDK a lot, but I still prefer Sun Java JDK for development So heres the recipe to cook everything -

1. Install JRE

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ferramroberto/java
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts 

During the installation press ‘OK’ in the screen that appears within the Terminal (see the below screenshot, the screenshot was collected from internet). You can do so by navigating using the ‘Tab’ key and once ‘OK’ is highlighted in red, press ‘Enter’.

2. Install JDK

sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jdk

3. Install Netbeans

The Ubuntu repository has Netbeans 6.9. The latest available version is Netbeans 7.0.1. So I prefer manual installation (Applicable for any version of Netbeans).

1. Download your appropriate version of Netbeans from http://netbeans.org/downloads/index.html
2. Remember the download location. In my case, it was /media/software/SDK-IDE
3. Apply sudo chmod a+x /media/software/SDK-IDE/netbeans-7.0.1-ml-linux.sh
4. Applying this command we are giving permission to the Netbeans installer file to be run as an executable program.
5. Now double click the file and then click on “run” to install NetBeans IDE
6. Follow the instructions

Thats all

• To check current aliases list: alias
• To check an existing alias: alias ALIAS_NAME
• To add new alias: alias COMMAND_SHORTCUT = ‘LONG_COMMAND’ [example: alias apacheReload = '/etc/init.d/apache2 reload''']
• To remove an existing alias: unalias ALIAS_NAME
• Learn more about alias at Wikipedia, Bash Man Page for Alias

Symbolic Links: This is actually my favorite. Does not depend on current shell session. FYI. each command is actually an executable script.

• To create a shortcut for all users, create a soft symbolic link of the executable script in /usr/local/bin. For example, to execute apache related commands using just apache, issue this command
  ln -s /etc/init.d/apache2 /usr/local/bin/apache #this command will create a soft symbolic link of apache2 in /usr/local/bin directory. Now you can just manage apache by using apache command.
• To create a shortcut only for current user, create a soft symbolic link of the executable script in $HOME/bin

Using your own shell scripts: This requires understanding of shell scripting. You can create a shell script which essentially provide the full ability to create new system commands. Make the script executable, keep it in home directory.

I hope it helps some one. Please use the comment section to provide your feedback.

Restoring volume icon is different in Ubuntu 9.10 or later versions.

So if you are in Ubuntu 9.04 or earlier,

1. Right click on the panel and click ‘Add to Panel’

2. Find Sound/Volume

3. Add it.

And if you are in Ubuntu 9.10 or later like me

1. Right click on the panel and click on Add to Panel

2. Find ‘Notification Area’ and add it. (IN case you have already have a notification area added like me, you can skip this step).

3. Right click near Notification Area

4. Find ‘Indicator Applet’ and add it.

By any chance if the above method does not work for you, you can restore your gnome panel by applying following commands in your terminal.

rm -f ~/.gconf/apps/panel
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart

Partial credit for this post: Ubuntu Forum

Let me know if you have any problem figuring this

Here are the links:

Make your own bootable Windows 7 Flash Drive

• Recommended: http://kmwoley.com/blog/?p=345
• Without using any additional software: http://maketecheasier.com/boot-and-install-windows-7-from-usb-flash-drive/2009/01/23
• With Microsoft provided software: http://store.microsoft.com/help/iso-tool]http://store.microsoft.com/help/iso-tool (only 2.6 MB)
• Using 3rd party software: http://maketecheasier.com/updated-boot-and-install-windows-7-from-usb-flash-drive/2009/09/ (only 6.7 MB)

Make bootable Ubuntu using Flash Drive

Actually this is very much easy, and same for all distro. all are free n opensource.

• Universal USB Installer
• UNetbootin

I hope it helps, if you need any help, let me know.

Running sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jdk will produce the following error

Package sun-java6-jre is not available, but is referred to by another package.
This may mean that the package is missing, has been obsoleted, or
is only available from another source
E: Package sun-java6-jdk has no installation candidate

Same error will be produced if you want to install Sun JAVA JRE.

To solve the issue, you have to switch back to Ubuntu Lucid distribution temporarily. After installing JDK/JRE switch back to original Ubuntu Maverick distro again.

1. System->Administrator->Synaptic Package Manager

2. Settings->Repositories

3. Other Softwares

4. Select Canonical Partners, click Edit, change Distribution to lucid, click OK

5. Repeat step 4 for Canonical Partner (Source Code)

6. Hit Reload

Now try to install Sun Java JDK/JRE

Don’t forget to change back to original distribution Maverick following the same steps once you are done.

Tips credit: Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meercat and Sun JRE

If you need any help, have any query please use the comment form below

• After downlaoding an ISO from any source, you must validate the SH1SUM or MD5SUM which one is required in your case to verify the security and integrity of your ISO.
• You can manually mount the ISO image to check its content when you are in Linux using the code

  su -c 'mount -o loop -t iso9660 <isofilename> <mountpoint>

• You can use VMware Player to boot your ISO image, even you can install it as a virtual OS in Linux. With this free software, you can not only verify the image but you can also test the installation without changing your current installation of Linux. Download it from here.

Some useful links about the topic:

• http://fedoraproject.org/en/verify
• http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-install-ubuntu-linux-from-usb-stick.html
• http://en.opensuse.org/Download_Help