aMSN already in Ubuntu 8.04 LTS? I am not seeing it.

I am a newly converted Ubuntu user and I have to say I LOVE IT! Things are running much faster than Vista and pretty much hassle free. However, I do run into a couple questions, give me some guidance please.

1. Ubuntu includes pidgin but it's missing the webcam function. Does aMSN support webcam like the MSN messenger? If so, which version should I download? Tcl/tk 8.4 or 8/5? I've no idea what this means. http://www.amsn-project.net/linux-downloads.php

2. If aMSN does not support webcam, which webcam software will work with HP DV2000?

3. Update manager is listing tons of stuff to download (118mb) should I be bothered to download/install them? Everything seems to be working quite ok so far, except there is no flash support on web site.

4. What other software are considered must-have for ubuntu?

Thanks in advance. I am really impressed with Linux and would like to make it a perfect experience.

 

click "accessories" (top left corner) then "add or remove programs"

search for both of these "amsn" and "ubuntu restricted extras" (flash support and stuff like mp3 playback) then install them

 

It's usually in your best interest to keep your system updated. A lot of those are security patches and bug fixes. Updates have been known to break certain applications but those are rare and usually occur with obsolete or otherwise unsupported applications.

You don't have to worry about disk space. Those update packages will replace files already existing in your system, so there should be no significant net gain in system size.

 

You can check out Kopete for webcam functionality. It worked out of the box with Kubuntu on my dv9700t.

 

I use a Logitech Quickcam STX and I had to install the qc-usb-source package before my webcam worked with aMSN.

 

aMSN works nicely with my webcam, so that solves that webcam problem.

The bigger problem now is to get amarok to work with iTune.

I have to say after messing with Amarok and MythTV, I am not ready to get rid of windows yet.

 

try other programs out, personally i really dislike amarok. Songbird is a good freebie (its not in add/remove though and its still in prerelease form) and rythmbox is another good music player

 

Actually, I take it back. aMSN is little buggy, it doesn't like offline messages.

Will Songbird communicate with iPhone? This is the primary reason why I tried out amarok.

 

it might, give it a try. The worst thing that could happen is you download the program then it doesnt work and you delete it