My Video and General FAQ
Hi guys, due to the unexpected popularity of my videos I have been a bit overwhelmed by the responses I’ve received, so I thought I would answer some of the most repeated questions here in one post for you. If I have directed you here it is because I do my best to give a relevant, personal answer to all of the messages I have received, but I’ve answered your question previously so you can benefit from what I’ve already written. 
1. Technical Support Questions / Detailed Explanations
2. Video Recording/Editing
3. Hardware/Software/Distribution Info
4. Personal Info/Choices/Linux vs. Windows
1. Technical Support Questions / Detailed Explanations…
I love you guys, I really do, and I so badly want to help each and every one of you, but trying to help everyone troubleshoot their issues or solve problems would be extremely difficult for me, and I couldn’t answer you in a timely manner. So please use one of the support channels available to you that I use at the least, and then point me to the question there – I’ll do my best to try and help out too, but no promises! Some of the places I go first are: #linux and #ubuntu on IRC, or #ffmpeg for ffmpeg questions, #kdenlive for kdenlive, and so on – the folks on IRC are patient and helpful. For those running a variant of Ubuntu, there is no better place than the Ubuntu forums for support, as the community there is absolutely massive, and friendly!
2. Video Recording/Editing
What video camera do you use?
Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 – watch my video here for details.
Update: Most of my videos you see produced after October of 2010 were shot with my Panasonic HDC-TM700 it records in 1080p, full HD at nearly 60 FPS and I’m loving it! I’ve also upgraded my webcam to the Logitech c910 which can shoot 720p at 30 FPS.
What microphone do you use?
Marshall MXL USB.008 USB Condenser Microphone – for Narrations
Update: I still use the above mic for narrations, but I got a new Rhode SVM condenser mic after October 2010 to be used with my Panasonic TM700.
What screen capture program do you use?
I use ffmpeg’s -x11grab option to record my desktop, though I have also used gtk-recordmydesktop for a quick and easy GUI front-end (unfortunately it only records in OGG format), and also kdenlive has a screen capture utility. While the option to record audio is available, I do my narration after recording my desktop.
Update 11/2011 - I found a screen capture program for Linux that I love, it’s called the Kazam Screen Casting Tool, and here is my video review of it.
What non-linear editor do you use to edit your videos?
This is one area where dual-booting with Windows helps me. Depending on the video I may use Windows Movie Maker, Sony Vegas Pro, or KDEnlive for my video. Each does things a little differently than the other. I am always looking for good (hopefully open source?) video editors, and am hopeful that lumiera or another Linux program can someday be to me what Final Cut Pro is to Mac users.
3. Hardware/Software/Distribution Info
What theme do you use?
Slickness Black – watch my video here for details.
Where did you get your background picture? Was it made in gimp?
I love fractals, and the majority of the pictures I use are from www.beautifulfractals.com with the Creative Commons license. (You may also have seen pictures of Adriana Lima or Alessandra Abrosio 
What distributions do you use?
I work on a handful of different computers, which have a combination of Ubuntu, Ubuntu Studio, Ubuntu Server, Windows Vista, and Windows XP on them at the moment. I don’t currently use other distributions, though I have Debian and 64 Studio and intend on seeing if they will work better for some of the things I’m trying to do, like multimedia production. For the foreseeable future my videos will be based on Ubuntu, unless someone can give me compelling reasons I should switch to a different distribution when I’m comfortable with this one.
What animation/effect/setting am I seeing on your desktop?
Watch my Compiz videos here, here, and here for details on my desktop settings, including the animations, zoom effects, and so on.
What computer hardware do you have?
I have several different PCs, and I record from a number of them, so my answer will differ on any given day!
4. Personal Info/Choices/Linux vs. Windows
Why did you use this command/program/shell rather than this other one/do it this way?
One of the best things about Linux is the amazing number of choices you have to do any one task. I try to focus my videos toward newbies to Linux but also introduce them to slightly more advanced concepts, while staying as distribution-neutral as possible. I know there are many other ways to do everything I talk about, and please do keep giving suggestions on how to improve, I love them!
A/S/L/what do you like/who do you like/etc?
Read my About Me page here! <3
Why do you hate Windows/Microsoft?
I don’t hate Windows or Microsoft, I use Windows all the time for playing games and certain tasks I haven’t fully switched over to Linux for yet (like some types of video editing). I think Linux is better for certain things, and Windows for certain things, so I try to use the best tool for the job.
So why did you say this negative thing about Windows/Microsoft/etc?
Microsoft is easy and fun to joke about, but that doesn’t mean I have something against them. I joke about everything, and I like to use satire in my videos/articles. Unfortunately satire and sarcasm don’t always translate well over the internet…
How can I get in touch with you/learn more about you/get to know you better?
My About Me page here is a great place to start. Honestly I am a Twitter addict, so add me on Twitter here and you’ll get to read more than you ever wanted to know about me! Now with frequent TwitPics too!
Related posts:
Hi Nixie,
Thanks for the info! I wasn’t one of the people who requested info, but this post answered most of the questions I didn’t dare to ask. But! I’m interested in your Compiz setup, but the links are missing (is that on the ToDo list?).
Excellent work, it’s always a pleasure to come back and see what you’ve done!
James
Hi Nixie,
Have you ever considered doing a complete install/exploration of Ubuntu Studio & the Myst components i.e. the ultimate multi-media device/home theater?
Ron
Hi, sorry, I fixed it, the links should be working now. I am still having problems with the index, the same-page #links aren’t working correctly. Stupid b2evolution keeps directing the link to my blog skin. Yet another reason I’ll be switching to WordPress soon…
Thanks Nixie, you’re a lifesaver! I’ve been using Linux for over 10 years now, and this just goes to show, you learn something new every day. I love your Compiz settings, and I have shamelessly copied everything.
Take care,
J.
Hi Nixie , There is one more answer I would like to know, What does you name (NixiPixel) mean ?
Cheers,
Free_Programmer
Dont switch to wordpress! Be a true die-hard nix user and go with Drupal! (ok that didnt make sense since both run wonderfully on linux..)
I am forever indebted to you for this ifonrmiaton.
Thanks for the info and your videos, your the coolest.
hi Nixie,
I’m a huge fan of your videos, I mean, I’m not a new user (I’m a certified Red Hat System Administrator…) but I like your style, something really new in tech obsessed linux world (a girl! that speaks in plain English! not in l33t tech slang
This just to inform you that there’s an ubuntu open project called Ubuntu Tutorial CD where I hope you’ll partecipate, ‘cose this’ll be part of official relize, so could be a great occasion for both…
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ScreencastTeam
best regards,
marco
hello Nixie,
)
Great that you constribute tutorials for newbies in the linux community. I have question, do you have any tip how to get WLAN to work painless in Ubuntu? Maybe a future idea for your next video tutorial maybe?
Great video on kdenlive, thanks!
Thanks for jumpstarting my efforts to understand compiz fusion.
hi nixie
is there any way to use different desktop backgrounds without disabling nautilus show desktop option?
@Nixie, any change I could get you to follow me back on Twitter. It’s frustrating reading your funny additions to Twitter without being able to send a reply
PS
Forgive me some spelling and grammar mistakes (i’m dutch)
0-O
I started following you on twitter, although I’m not very active.
–heart flutter– wow a pretty girl who knows Linux and games. Sounds like a dream girl, if you lived in LA, I’d totally ask you out!
Loved your grub video, although I’ve still got problems. So do I give up and just reinstall linux or try to finally understand grub after successfully avoiding that since the end of lilo.
So I finally got GRUB to work. basically I moved the existing /boot/grub directory to /boot/grub.old and then followed the directions here:
http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=975 and then copied my old grub.conf from the old directory.
So it seems if you already have grub installed it can be in some inconsistent state and only by removing it can you get back to normal.
This all happened because I repartitioned one of my drives which I didn’t think would have the MBR on it, since it wasn’t the first boot disk. Looks like I know more about GRUB.
One other thing irritating thing is that one more recent fedora versions they show a friendly screen instead of the boot messages even if you edit /etc/inittab and set it to runlevel 3. Sheesh! Does Ubuntu do that also?
I L0VE YOU NixiePixel
broken link:
http://www.beautifulfractals.com
You have the link set to:
http://nixiepixel.com/blog/skins/nifty_corners/www.beautifulfractals.com
คนไทยในต่างแดน อิ.อิ.
lol are you kidding me?
1) You are incredible attractive
2) You like Tech
3) You are obviously extremely smart on the subjects you choose to talk about.
How can it be a surprise to you that your videos became THIS popular?
LoL
I’ve always admired your audio and though it was about time I got myself a decent mic so started wondering what type you’re using. Initially was going to PM you on YouTube, but then remembered the blog! Saying to myself “Nixie would be the type to have a FAQ on her ‘video studio’ setup”. I LoL so hard when I found this page!
One Marshall MXL USB.008 USB Condenser Microphone will be getting purchased shortly!
I would like to know how do we finish faster Final fantasy 13, I have complete the 5 chapters in 3 days when the game was out in stores but then I was stuck at end boss was not able to kill it, so I restart and now Im now in chapter 4 trying to kill the odin of Lightning and I die before is bar can be to half, If you know what is the best thing to do like weapon improvement or role improvement I dont know, is the first time I play final fantasy game, I play Diablo’s series of Blizzard, Guild Wars trilogy + expension from Ncsoft, and Shaiya from Aeria Games. So I’m totally lost is completely different and harder to play final fantasy’s series So I need help for be better at it. Thank you so much before, take care
Hi Nixie
I apologize if I just didnt see it, but what do you suggest as a reference for a Fedora newbie (had to pick that one for class)? Im in an OS Security class so I am interested in the basics and the advanced.
Any help you could give would be great..
Now for the obligatory stroking of the ego.. yours not mine…
My instructor is with the NSA. When I had him for my basic UNIX class he pointed us to your vids on youtube and suggested we all get aquainted with you as you are excellent at getting the point accross to any level.
Have a great day!!
as for me I use Macvide ScreenCap (macvide.com)
The Amanda Kay link is broken under the “Current Crushes” section.
You are one of the best geeks to put the complexity down to an understandable level.
So, how about a video showing how to share a printer connected to a ubuntu rig with a windows 7 pc. HMMMMM? I know you use samba. That is sure. After that, it gets fuzzy.
Thanks a bunch
you very nice geek girl
new to ubuntu . help, i have a mac osx 10.4.11 and a want to install ubuntu on it. is it possible
can i remove osx 10.4.11 and install ubuntu
i remove windows 7 from my pc and install ubuntu 10.10 it rocks i wont go back to windows it sucks .
Have a great day!!
hey Nixie, you got me to jump the band wagon, and i love Ubuntu, 1 day in and all that i was intimidated by before is gone, but i have an issue…i am running/loving Ubuntu 10.04, xbmc, and my moto droid, i found an awesome program for the droid called mkremote (turns my droid into a mouse and keypad thru WiFi and/or Bluetooth) it works wonderfully. I want to auto boot the 2nd half of this program its a .jar file i need it to start at boot (which it does) but only 90% of the time, how can i get this to load at boot without any errors?
ps i need to be runnin this jar file on the computer to be able to connect my droid as a mouse and keypad yea i can manually start this file but i love automation XD
Hi Nixie,
Thank you for your regular video posts. They’re really great. I think you’re tallanted person with a gift of a comedian actress (I’m positive. This is a very rare gift).
I am new in Linux. Recently I got new comp with Intel dual core processor (Atom N330) and Ion Nvidia video card. I plan to use it for my HTPC. I’d like to install ubuntu 10.04 and XBMC on it. Now I considering whether install 32 or 64 bit version. On wiki.xbmc.org they seems recommend 64-bit OS. My friend who installed ubunntu recently told me 64-bit is important for good streaming. However, his ubuntu quite often crushes when he close his XBMC.
So, bottom line, I have 64-bit computer, good Nvidia ion videocard and only 2GB memory on RAM what type of Ubuntu 10.04 you would suggest me to install?
PS. I tried to download the 32-bit version of Ubuntu from http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download. But iso file was corrupted. I have downloaded amd64.iso from megaupload which was good. However it is ubuntu10.04-desktop and not 10.04.1 (?). I also don’t know whether it is LTS version.
Sorry for bothering you with this problem.
Thanks for your help and enthusiasm.
all the best,
Marat
Hi Nixie..!!! Great video’s … enjoy em a lot !! I just went from windows 7 to ubuntu x64 latest version and all is great, except for justin.tv
I get this really blurry screen out there.. When I watch youtube, all is fine ??!!
Any suggestions ??? Coz me not wants to go back to micro$oft
greetz
Hi nixie if you could answer this question that would be really kind but if your too busy thats fine.
Im upgrading to a new pc which dosent come with a windows restore/re-install disk so if i install wubi how can i un-install it without ruining my computers boot manager/windows partition?
If you could email me that would be great.
Thanks.
nice to know you nixie
You are bringing me around to Linux as an alternative.
I would like to see some videos on SAMBA which is needed in Fedora 12
and maybe Ubuntu.
Also, you might think about an index listing on your website with a text page that has written out, the command line entries for the videos you make.
I am right now headed off to your Compiz videos, again, to copy down the commands now.
I like learning from you.
WindowsWhore
Hej,
For quick-and-dirty video editing I tend to use Avidemux. Simple to use and blazing fast.
For more advanced editing Cenerella appears to score high, haven’t used it myself so far, seems to have a bit of a steep learning curve.
Have fun,
Steven
crap, that should have been Cinerella…
NIxie,
A suggested Linux video. How can you move a hard disk to new machine without having to reinstall Ubuntu? Two similar scenarios:
1) One hard disk with Ubuntu (10.10). Had to replace the motherboard, which required putting the DVD drive on a different connector. Old board had separate AGP, audio & NIC, all that is built-in with new board.
2) Moving a drive (was HDD-0) to a Windows machine as a second drive. The machine dual boots by selecting the boot drive from the BIOS when booting. (I.e., no special boot loader. Usually the machine is left in Windows.) The same would result if you have one of those trays that lets you treat drives as plug-ins.
A big difference I have seen between WIndows and Ubuntu is that if you move a (bootable) Windows HDD elsewhere all it does is require reactivation. Every time I have moved an Ubuntu HDD it went crazy and I had to reinstall. (Ext4, partitions /, swap, and /home)
The subsequent time I read a web-site, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as significantly as this 1. I mean, I know it was my selection to read, but I in fact believed youd have some thing intriguing to say. All I hear can be a bunch of whining about something that you could fix should you werent too busy looking for attention.
Hey! I Know the last comment on this page is really old but even though I found u on YouTube tonight I love you and all of you videos! I’m a total geek just like you
Your perfect; buetiful, funny, and a computer geek!! Please respond.I don’t have a question but I figured id tell u what u probably already know. Bye!
P.S I’m only 13.
Keep rockin, Josh
Hey its me again but with a question this time!
Can u please tell your suscribers and yourself how to use a virtual cd drive? Burning Linux to a cd and then booting it is not nessisary.Just use a virtual cd drive(google it) to open the iso while os is running,no need for a cd. Ps the virtual cd drive will open any iso file
and you install it without booting from it how, again?
IM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY CAIRO-DOCK. IT HAS A BLACK BACK GROUND BEHIND IT, AND MY VISUAL EFFECTS ARE NOT WORKING.
I THINK I UPDATED THE SYSTEM AND SCREWED SOMETHING UP
PLEASE HELP
Hello Nixie,
I’ve been watching many of your videos, and well, I took a chance and installed Ubuntu. I am now able to boot into either operating systems. Great right? Well…not really. Aside from what I’ve learned from your videos (thank you by the way), Ubuntu and I seem to have a communication problem. Not only does it speak a foreign language but it doesn’t seem to like my peripherals (printer/scanner, Logitech Quick cam along with others …). It seems that the key to our relationship is the universal translator called the terminal. However, my terminal is broken. I speak English (and typically bad English) and it speaks…something else. Where can I go to get a comprehensive understand of the operating system and anything and everything about command line structure? I’ve put together a list of commands that I can copy and past (found here and there) and gone to Ubuntu’s online Community for help but still, I haven’t found anything that provides me the knowledge that will allow me to be able to use the terminal freely.
wow.. i just need to say i think your awesome!!! and all the help with ubuntu!! im new and its only working because of you!! thanks.
i was wondering if you could help me with getting mabey an old version of songbird? for my ubuntu 10.10?
is this doable?
but please remember i spent years snowboarding and mountian biking… im really new to this computer wrangling stuff haha
you rock!!
…dabble.
Hi Nixie.
I’ve been watching your linux related videos for quite some time and they great.
I’ve sent you a tech support message.
If you could help me it would be great
Thank you.
Have a nice night
Hi there,i would appreciate if you could make teaching video from setting up motion detection wtih webcam (zoneminder, motion etc…). sincearely a guy from Finland
Hello again, Does anyone have expertise in making linux disabled friendly ie: Dragon or other good? voice control software, also text to speech ( have not tried KMouth), we would like set a distro for all disabled. Dragon 10.0 loads great in Ubuntu 10.04 and Mint 11. We would like to use the KDE desktop from PCLinux full monty, or enlightenment ( for it’s old system use and comparability ) , PCLinux due tue old system abilities (the disabled have no $ for new systems), Gnome 3 is also good due to icon arrangement. Thanks for any and all help.
Thank You Ken , for THE DO IT GUYS !
Dear Nixie,
Your vids are an excellent addition to all of the Ubuntu support out there. Thanks so much.
I recently had an idea for a vid you might try based on an adventure I had. I moved my Ubuntu “Natty” installation from WUBI under Win7 to it’s own USB hard drive. I don’t use Win7 much anymore except for some drivers that I can’t get to work with Ubuntu. Everything else that I used windows for has been replaced. Anyway, I backed my Ubuntu installation up from windows, with tar, and restored it to the USB external HDD but it was a challenge. The boot loader is where I had the most problems. I think it took me 2 days to finally get it. Would it be possible for you to make a video about how to do move an ubuntu installation like that?
There is one other issue I want to fix, and my first thought was to ask you about it because forums intimidate me. I’ll post this issue there too because someone might help. I have a NeatReceipts scanner, one of those little travel models. I found a great resource on how to install the drivers from a Win installation and set it up. So far I have it where X-sane will find it and actually scan but only using gksudo (I don’t do CLI very well). It doesn’t scan very well either, but if I can get the permissions figured out I can try tweaking the scan quality.
Thank you, again, for your videos. You have taught me a lot.
Hi Nixie,
I’m Italian and I follow you from a couple of weeks, so please excuse my English.
I like very much your videos and your web site.
I saw your video about “Kazam Screencaster” and I installed it. I tried it, but… I don’t like very much.
Do you really think is a good software?
I mean, you can recode only full screen, instead in “recodeMyDesktop” you can select the screen size. I think is quite good.
Thank you for your video, is a good exercise to learn new things about Ubuntu and about English. Have a nice day, Aleinux
Hi Nixie ,
Thanks for your linux tutorial videos.
I have installed Ubuntu server 11.04_64bit in a computer.It is running successfully.
I would like to configure it’s Network adapter IP as static.I did it using Network tool in the OS .I assigned a local IP like 192.168.1.23.But after network restart it is taking an IP automatically as 192.168.1.3 and some times 192.168.1.2 like that.
Could you please help me to assign a static IP for the adapter?.
Thanks in advance
Albin
Kerala
India
Hi, i have wondered for some time now is there an easy way to get my ipod to work with linux ? Also if you have time i have a second ? so far i have been using Oracle VM Virtual box and am looking into getting a laptop strictly for linux for are some good specs i should look for ? like video cards,ram processor etc ..