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Finding just the right application in Linux can sometimes be frustrating. Helios did some digging at Freshmeat and uncovered a jewel.
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Most of us came to Linux via MS Windows and draw our frame of software reference from that experience. Being so, we look for Linux software that does the same things that our Windows software did. Most of the time we have it, sometimes we don't. L4L noticed the lack of a simple click and print CD cover/sleeve program and put a call-out to developers for such an application. Well, seems that helios just didn't check Freshmeat as well as he should and he later found it right under his nose.
Cdox is just what the CD case ordered. You can build your CD cover/sleeve, or you can resize any image file to the correct size with a couple of clicks. This is a cool little Java app and we are so impressed with it that we feature it in "Jewel of the Week". You may download it from [HYPERLINK@themes.freshmeat.net] with many package selections, or you can download the noarch rpm from files of helios at [HYPERLINK@66.69.202.210] Please see the readme file in the tar.gz file. There are some very specific instructions for PCLinuxOS users.
Interview with Cdox developer Andreas Schmitz
As many of you know, Lobby4Linux decided that there just was not an adequate program for simple cd cover/sleeve making. Once helios took a second look at Freshmeat, he found just the app he was looking for. After strenuous testing and use on different machines and distros, we decided that this one is a keeper. I contacted the author listed at Freshmeat and asked for an interview. It is my pleasure to report that we have it for you.
Cdox is the name of this cool little Java app. It is simple, easy to use and understand, and most importantly; it does what we need it to do...resize on the fly and produce cd covers, sleeves and booklets. We at L4L are often suprised in one way or another when we talk to Linux software developers by their motives. No suprises here. Cdox was conceived and written by two college students in Bonn Germany. Andreas Schmitz and Rutger Bezema. I had a chance to exchange emails and information with Andreas and he was good enough to interview for Lobby4Linux.
L4L: Good morning Andreas, or good afternoon to you I suppose. I sometimes forget there is about 8 hours difference between us. Let me ask you first about you and Rutger. Tell me a bit about yourselves.
AS: There is not much to tell really. We are both Computer Science students at the university here in Bonn and are working hard toward our degrees. Our studies leave us little time for anything else.
L4L: Well, we are glad you found time to write cdox. Tell us how that project evolved.
*AS: We had two motives for creating cdox. First, we could not find any Linux software that did this job simply. Everything we found was either too much work, produced inferior results, or just did not do what it was supposed to do. You should be able to choose a graphics file, decide if you want text or layered input then save and print your cover. Something this simple should not be so much work. As well, we wanted to improve our Java skills and cdox gave us an education in Java to be sure.*
L4L: Yes, that is a scheduled question anyway. Did you also choose Java because it is cross platform or for other reasons?
*AS: Yes, being cross platform had some influence, however we were able to produce an appealing GUI while producing a program which works well. Java gave us the environment in which to do both.*
L4L: Not knowing a thing about programming, some of us believe that Java will be the future of package management for Linux in the future. Would you present your arguements for or against this opinion?
*AS: In most linux distributions, there are only a few Java-based programs, none of them providing core functionality. In fact, most of the core functionality is provided by programs written in C, not C++. The interface to the system is done by C system calls.
Also, Java is a proprietary language, even though source code and specifications are available. It is doubtful that Linux will use a proprietary system to power the management of packages. Yes it is open source, but it remains proprietary. Java may gain more and more importance in end user programs, but that it will one day be the standard package management I very much doubt.
1) There exist very good and modern package managements, in particular dpkg/apt, that grow in popularity every day.
2) Java as package management does not have many features, and it's certainly missing important ones to manage a Linux system. For example, Java does not really know anything about native Linux file system structure. If you want to package non-Java software, this is very important (where to put libs etc.*).
L4L: So ok...some of us were wrong, LOL. Tell us a bit about your future plans.
*AS: Cdox is pretty well done. There is not much more that can be done to it, as it has a very simple function and none of its required tasks change. For now, we are highly focused on graduating college. However, if anyone cares to contact us or would like to help us or contribute to the project, you may reach me via [e-mail:cdox@gmx.net].
L4L: Andreas, on behalf of the Lobby4Linux staff and readers, I would like to thank you for your time today. Providing cdox to the Linux Community is a good thing and we will do our best to spread the word of this fine project.
*AS: Thank you Ken. Please let your readers know that they may contact us at any time. We look forward to hearing from them and assisting in any way we can. Full Story |
