Edgy-Penguins - "Linux for Non-Geeks" - Apps & Projects - Handy PIMs
Handy Personal
Info Managers
Handy Personal Information Managers: The following applications are all so easy to use that it isn't really necessary to go into any detail as to how to use them. Each is a separate download, so you are free to just download and install whichever ones you like or feel would be useful.

Note:  Each of these applications is available from the DAG repositories, so you will need to add that repository to your Synaptic repository list if you haven't done so already. The instructions on how to do this are provided on page 152 of "Linux for Non-Geeks." Once DAG is in your Synaptic repository, be sure to update the package lists (by clicking the Update List button in Synaptic) before moving on.
Glabels
Introduction: Glabels (shown below) is not a personal information manager in the strictest sense, but it is close enoigh to warrant placement here. What it is is a handy label designing and printing utility. Glabels has templates for most of the address and packaging labels available at your local stationary store from makers such as Avery, Neato, and other makers. It is very straightforward in use. In addition to text, you can also add shapes, images, and even barcodes to your labels. A very capable application indeed!


Downloading and Installing Glabels via APT/Synaptic: To download and install Glabels, just type glabels in the Find box of the Synaptic main window, click Install Latest Version, click Execute, and then follow the general procedures you learned in Chapter 10.

Running Glabels: Once installed, you can run Glabels by going to the Main panel menu and selecting Office > Glabels Label Designer.

gToDo
Introduction: gToDo is a handy todo list that is very easy to use. It highlights chores that are due in the next 7 days in green as well as those that are past due in red (this must be set in the gToDo preferences). It can also give you reminders when something is coming up soon.


Downloading and Installing gToDo via APT/Synaptic: To download and install gToDo, just type gtodo in the Find box of the Synaptic main window, click Install Latest Version, click Execute, and then follow the general procedures you learned in Chapter 10.

Running gToDo: Once installed, you can run gToDo by going to the Main panel menu and selecting Office > More Office Applications > Todo list.

Rubrica
Introduction: Rubrica is a really cool GNOME address book with built-in icons representing the various groups that an entry can belong to. As you can see in the image below, when you click on an entry in the left pane, the information will be displayed in the right pane, the size of both panes being adjustable.


Downloading and Installing Rubrica via APT/Synaptic: To download and install Rubrica, just type rubrica in the Find box of the Synaptic main window, click Install Latest Version, click Execute, and then follow the general procedures you learned in Chapter 10.

Running Rubrica: Once installed, you can run Rubrica by going to the Main panel menu and selecting Accessories > More Accessories > Rubrica. The first time you run Rubrica, the Rubrica Druid will open up. Just check every check box in each of the Druid's pages. To make things run well and simply thereafter, be sure to save your main address book as rubrica.rub.

Dlume
Introduction: If you would prefer a slightly simpler address book, then Dlume is the one to turn to. As you can see in the image below, the interface is much simpler, though, like Rubrica, clicking on one of the entries in the top pane provides the information for that entry in the bottom pane.


Downloading and Installing Dlume via APT/Synaptic: To download and install Dlume, just type dlume in the Find box of the Synaptic main window, click Install Latest Version, click Execute, and then follow the general procedures you learned in Chapter 10.

Running Dlume: Once installed, you can run Dlume by going to the Main panel menu and selecting Office > Dlume Address Manager. When Dlume first opens, the window may remain blank (gray) for a few seconds. Do not worry about this; just hang in there for a few seconds and all will be as it should... just as it was for Buffy, Jody, and Cissy at Uncle Bill's penthouse apartment in Manhattan.

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