How to code OpenGL programs on Ubuntu?

After searching for a long time, I've finally found a solution on how to use Code::Blocks to work with OpenGL APIs.

Code::Blocks is an IDE just like Visual Studio on Windows. Install Code::blocks from the Ubuntu Repository by typing this at the terminal.

sudo apt-get install codeblocks

Once you're done, you need to download files that support OpenGL. You need to install the following package for it to work.

freeglut3 & freeglut3-dev - For GLUT Library. It installs some files into your /usr/include/GL/ folder.

libsdl1.2-dev - For SDL Library. It installs some files into your /usr/include/SDL/ folder.

To install these type the following at the terminal.

sudo apt-get install freeglut3

sudo apt-get install freeglut3-dev

sudo apt-get install libsdl1.2-dev

Once you're done with this library installation, you should tell the Code::Blocks to link to the correct library for it to be able to execute GLUT/SDL programs. This is how you do it.

1. Open Code:Blocks (You can find this in Applications -> Programming -> Code::Blocks or type codeblocks at your terminal)

2. Go to Settings -> Compiler and Debugger.

3. Open Linker Settings tab. And under "Link Libraries" add "glut" for GLUT, "SDL", "GLU" and "GL" for SDL.

4. Click OK and you're now done with it. Now your CodeBlocks should be able to compile OpenGL - GLUT/SDL code. Compile a running code to check.

If it didn't work then please comment on this post so that i can help you.

PS: The whole procedure is to install both GLUT and SDL Libraries. But it is always any one, either GLUT or SDL, that is used. So if you want to install any one of them then skip the instructions that are for the other one.

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Lucid Lynx

Today, the most of the users and clients use LINUX operation systems. Nowadays, a lot and lot of LINUX flavours has been developed and released by different companies but still the development of the OS is still in progress. Even, most of the users and clients(as of now) use LINUX, still in the corner of their minds, they think that WINDOWS is better than LINUX. This feel comes to mind only when he/she fails to use a software in the LINUX or feel difficulty in using the command lines or the user interfacing criteria's. This is the foremost feel/think which the user gets when he/she suffers or find difficult in using LINUX. So, the development/upgradation of the LINUX OS's is more essential to make sure that none of the user finds difficult in using LINUX. Same thing is being done by a famous LINUX OS developing company named UBUNTU.

Currently, this company has a UBUNTU 9.10(Karmic Koala) as its current stable version of LINUX. And the upcoming version named UBUNTU 10.04(Lucid Lynx) has a greater development/enhancement of the OS.

Change in the features of LUCID LYNX:--

• Schedule for release on 29 April 2010.


• We have a Gnome version-2 as the default environment for Ubuntu 9.10, we still have Gnome2.x only as the default environment in LUCID LYNX too.


• Gnome 3 will be developed for a stable use and will be released as a Long Term Support version(LTS) or in the next version of Ubuntu. But as of now, Ubuntu 10.04 has sticked with Gnome2.x as its Long Term Support version since the Gnome 3 is under development and testing.


• Working on the enhanced version of GTK+ that will include RGBA support.(A=Alpha , meaning Transparency). This means, there might be inclusion of Transparency or a high quality desktop viewing as that of WINDOWS 7. Right now, an application named ADVANCED DESKTOP EFFECTS is used as a tool for improvement in the effects of the desktop but we didn't have a transparency effect in that. May be GTK+ includes transparency effect.(Have to wait and explore after its stable release).


• Installation time will be reduced since downloads and installation will happen in parallels and hence a great shorting of the installation time. In Ubuntu 9.10, first the download of installation files will happen and then the installation will be carried out. So, apparently, the time needed for the installation by LUCID LYNX is pretty much lesser than that of earlier versions.


• PIDGIN(IM[Internet Messenger] client)  may be removed from 10.04 and they might upgrade and setup the EMPATHY as the default IM client.


• The most worrying part in 10.04 is, it might not contain GIMP(Same as that of ADOBE PHOTOSHOP). This is a major loss to Ubuntu users. I really dont know why, Ubuntu developers are going to take out GIMP.

Well, these are some features which will be included in UBUNTU 10.04 LUCID LYNX. Till the stable version is released, all the things should be considered as tentative.

Comments are whole-heartedly welcomed.   Thank you :)

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Blogger in Draft

http://draft.blogger.com

I'm not sure how many of you know about this. I've been using it from quite sometime now.

Blogger in draft not so different from Blogger but with added functionalities. People behind blogger add new features to blogger in draft before releasing them to rest of the world. It has a better editor with some great features. All that you need to do is to log in to draft.blogger.com instead of using blogger.com and you can switch between them anytime.

You can find more FAQs here on their blog.

Using third-party templates has always been an headache in blogger, but not anymore. Use Blogger in Draft's new feature to design your own template, released just today. The best part is, it is highly customizable. You can choose between 4 of the templates (as of now), and you can customize it with hundreds of cool backgrounds and a variety of layout designs in adjustable size. You can change just about everything.

There are some more features that you may like in Blogger in Drafts. The WYSIWYG editor is more powerful and handling pictures and videos is very simple.

Snapshot below can help you find the template design feature.

"Template designer", new option under Layout Tab

Here are a couple of snapshots of what they offer at their template designer.

Basic Screen of Blogger Template Designer(click to expand)

click to enlarge

This is the secret behind my new theme ;). Kewl ain't it?

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Inverse Graphing Calculator

This is something I found just now.

http://www.xamuel.com/inverse-graphing-calculator.php?phrase=Racing+Infinity

The above link takes you to Xamuel's latest Inverse Graphing Calculator. It gives you the equation to your desired text. It gives equation which when plotted on a graph will give you the text you entered. Click on the link above. I did not try to prove its genuineness. Try if you want but don't forget to post back your comments here later.

Here is a snapshot of it.

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