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resize image

i have created an application to resize images using a php framework called p4a. here is the link to it:  http://jbwebstudios.com/my_apps/image_resizer/

convert string to integer in php

to convert string to integer use (int) infront of the string variable.

eg

$width = 50;

$width = (int)$width;

Five Brilliant Ubuntu-based Distros You Never Knew Existed

There’s little doubt that Ubuntu has changed the Linux landscape since its creation several years ago.

It has adopted and developed several key technologies to help make those typically harder tasks under Linux, easier. Even though it itself is based on Debian, it has become a popular foundation for several other distributions.

Although one can take a base command-line install of Ubuntu and make it into anything, derivatives are popular because they take away that need for custom configuration. The vast number of distributions testifies to that!

Of course, there are the official derivatives such as Kubuntu, but what about all those others? It turns out, there are quite a number of simply fantastic distributions based on Ubuntu that you probably never even knew existed. Generally these are geared towards a specific niche, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t useful - quite the contrary!

DEFT (Digital Evidence & Forensic Toolkit)

Kicking off our look at useful derivatives is DEFT, a 32bit live CD dedicated to computer forensics and incident response. DEFT is a distribution based in Italy, created and maintained by a dedicated team of seven (plus the community). DEFT had their first release in 2008, with version 5 released in November last year.

The DEFT live CD is comprised of a custom environment using LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment), combined with their DEFT Extra Computer Forensic GUI tools. It also aims to include the best free software forensic tools available, such as DHash, Sleuthkits’s Autopsy, ophcrack, ClamAV, Wireshark, Gigolo, Nessus and more.

DEFT desktop

The goal of DEFT is to provide an easy to use interface and showcase the excellent free software tools available for forensic work. If you have a security breach, DEFT could be just the custom live CD you looking for.

Element

New this year is Element, a 32bit distribution aimed at the media or home theatre PC market. Although the project is very young, the release candidate for version 1.0 has just been announced.

Element is designed to be run as a dedicated media PC in the lounge room, connected to a high definition television. What makes this distribution unique is its special ten foot user interface, created specifically to provide the cleanest experience on a television. Based on Xfce4, it really is simple to use and looks completely snazzy.

Element’s ten foot user interface

While its primary function is for managing music, videos, photos, and internet media, it also includes the usual tools such as Firefox and Brasero, for use as a standard PC. It is modular by design, allowing for extra plugins to be installed providing additional functionality.

Element comes with XBMC Media Center by default, a very popular application for managing your digital media. Due to its pluggable nature however, should you prefer a different system such as Boxee, Moovida or Hulu, they can be installed also. The default install also comes with VLC media player, Brasero disc burner and the Transmission bittorrent client. Being based on Ubuntu, you will also have access to the full repository of applications to achieve any task you desire. The project also boasts the ability to use Element as a gaming console with “hundreds of 3D and general games also available.”

Element with XBMC running

If you’ve been looking for a complete, ready to go distribution to use for your own media PC, Element could be just the thing you’re looking for!

Jolicloud

How can we forget about netbooks in this day and age? Apple’s new iPad doesn’t look set to destroy them any time soon and Linux is gaining ground in the commercial space with Moblin, Ubuntu and Android. Previously, we also looked at xPUD, a cloud focused Linux distribution. Still, that doesn’t mean that all users will find comfort there!

Meet Jolicloud, yet another distribution for your netbook. If you think that there’s no more room for Linux on the netbook space, just try Jolicloud and you just might change your mind. Jolicloud is a highly optimised operating system which supports a staggering number of netbooks.

The sleek interface is somewhere between Moblin and Netbook Remix.

Jolicloud netbook desktop

The distribution has a built in cloud service, where users can backup to and store their data online. While this is a strong aspect of Jolicloud, it also comes with the usual applications expected on a desktop machine. In a sense, it’s a good balance between the two worlds.

Jolicloud cloud service

The default Jolicloud installer is actually a Windows executable which re-partitions the user’s drive and installs Linux in a dualboot configuration. One of the primary goals of Jolicloud is extreme simplicity. As such, the installer is just three steps and takes about 15 minutes. It’s worth noting however, that there is also an advanced installer available for the more technologically minded and Linux savvy.

For a distribution yet to release their final stable version (currently at beta stage) Jolicloud is one polished, sleek distribution. If you have been disappointed by existing custom Linux distributions for your netbook, take a quick look at Jolicloud and you might just find what you’ve been looking for. Seriously.

moonOS

You would be forgiven for thinking that there are just two environments for the Linux desktop, but of course there are dozens. While a select few enjoy most of the spotlight, one very special window manager has been plodding away for over a decade. It is called Enlightenment.

Enlightenment (known simply as “E”) is more than just a window manager, it is in fact a complete suite of graphical libraries. It can be used on its own as a complete desktop environment, or in conjunction with another. The current development tree (E17) has been a work in progress since December 2000 and is a complete rewrite of the current stable release, E16. Although not yet finalised, E17 is extremely usable and as such various new distributions have been making it available.

One such distro is moonOS, an operating system originating in Cambodia and created by artist Chanrithy Thim. As such, the distribution features some amazing original artwork. E17 is not included in the official Ubuntu repositories and so moonOS is unique in that it offers this environment as well as one based on Xfce4. The distro is able to run GTK applications and comes with a carefully chosen selection of programs for every day work, such as Firefox, OpenOffice.org, Exaile music player, GIMP and Pidgin chat program.

moonOS E17 desktop and artwork

moonOS show cases the outstanding work done on E17, coupled with amazing original artwork. It’s a great distribution to download and show to friends.

wattOS

Things are certainly changing in the computer industry these days. Focus has shifted from power hungry super charged CPUs to highly efficient, low power systems. While the Linux kernel has excellent power management and there are several excellent applications such as PowerTop for managing power hungry systems, how about a distribution dedicated entirely to power efficiency?

Meet wattOS. What OS? No, wattOS. A 32bit distribution devoted to being a super fast, light weight, power efficient operating system. Once again, this distribution comes with a different desktop environment, namely Openbox. Openbox is a very lightweight, highly customisable desktop environment, well suited to older machines (and therefore lower power consumption in faster processors).

It comes with the latest software from Ubuntu, but also includes various power management tools to help monitor and tweak the system’s power usage. The interface is simple to use and can be modified to suit various tastes. Extra applications are of course available, meaning wattOS can be used as great base distro to build upon.

wattOS LXDE desktop

wattOS is a great alternative to others minimal distributions such as Damn Small Linux and Tiny Core, especially for older recycled computers. Its small memory footprint for the desktop environment mean that it can run nice and lean, while still providing added flexibility of installing standard Ubuntu packages.

Open your mind

It’s easy to think that one size fits all, but that’s simply not true. The excellent base of Ubuntu, inherited from Debian, has spawned a great number of derived distributions, some generic, some highly niche.

These distributions above have all popped up in the last year or so and are true gems. They show how wide and varied the motivation for building a new distro can be, from forensics and digital media to specific desktop environments, netbooks and energy efficiency. The results speak for themselves and testifies to the flexible nature of Linux. Sometimes it pays to keep an eye out on what’s new, because you might just find the perfect little gem you’ve been longing for.