how to view all the uninstalled packages in a debian based linux?

dpkg - > is a debian package manager command
dpkg -l - > will list all the packages with their status installed/deinstalled/removed/half-installed etc

The first 2(actually 3) letters of the output of " dpkg -l " command are significant to us, because it tells the current state of the package.  if it is
ii  - installed
rc - removed but configuration files are kept
So, " $dpkg -l | grep ^rc "
will display all the package that are removed but configuration files are still kept.

Note: if you purged configuration files of a package during removal using
"apt-get remove --purge < package_name >" then those packages will not be displayed.

For more information about dpkg :
i) man dpkg
ii) dpkg -l - > Read the first 4 lines ;-)
iii) Read this http://linuxprograms.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/status-dpkg-list/

How to install a specific version of a debian package?

Some times the debian package version which is installed in your linux box (say foo-package-x.y.xy ) is different from what version you really want(say foo-package-y.x.yx).  Assume that both the versions are available in the repository.  So, how we install the exact version we needed..? Here comes the solution, from terminal issue the following command,

$sudo apt-get install foo-package=y.x.yx
Replace the foo-package with your packagename, y.x.yx with the version (name)number you need.  Now, the package with the given version will be installed.

If you want to see all the available versions of particular debian package in the repository.. do the following,
$sudo apt-get update 
The above command updates the package index of your machine with the repository.
$sudo apt-cache show <package-name>
The above command shows the details of package, where we find version details also.

Want to install linux debian packages without internet connection..? check this out

How to install/configure skype in debian based linux?

skype:

 is a VoIP based software application which is mainly used for peer to peer phone/video call, instant messaging over internet connection in free of cost^*.  To use this one should have a valid user account with skype.  Now, skype have features like file transfer,  video conferencing also.

free of cost^*  - Only between skype accounts,  yes you can call/sms any landline/mobile phone... but with applicable call charges :(.

1. Download the latest linux version of skype from here.  Select your exact distribution like debian, Opensuse, ubuntu etc..

2. Install the downloaded package using your package manager.  I am using BOSS GNU/Linux 4.0 and it is a debian based one.  So, the following steps regarding installation is applicable to only to the debian based linux  distributions like ubuntu, BOSS GNU/Linux, linuxmint, knoppix etc.

GUI way:
Right click the downloaded skype-xy-z.deb package -> Open with gdebi package installer -> Install

Command line way:
$dpkg -i fullpath-to-downloaded-directory/skype-xy-z.deb

Once installed, as per your distribution's application classification skype menu will be placed either below internet or sound & video.  In BOSS GNU/Linux it will be placed under Internet.

3. If you have skype user account already then just use it.  If not create your user account by "Do not have user account.? create " link from the Skype GUI application.

GUI -> Graphical User Interface
BOSS -> Bharat Operating system solutions
GNU -> GNU's Not Unix
VoIP - Voice over IP(Internet Protocal)

How to add border to photos using gimp?

By script-fu method:
1. Open/Load the image to which you want to add the border into gimp
2. Click on Filters -> Decor -> Add border -> Give X,Y(breadth,width) value & select the color -> OK
Note:  This method will increase the dimension of the existing image by the value you given in X,Y value.  To repeat/increase the border size use ctrl+f
3. You can add other border types like Fuzzy border which is available in the same menu as above

By shrink & layer method:
1. Open the image in gimp, select the full image ctrl+a.
2. Shrink the image using Select -> Shrink
3. Create a new layer with default dimension by Layer -> New Layer
4. Invert the selection by Select -> Invert or ctrl+i
5. select the paint bucket tool, select either color or pattern, then click on the border region
Note: This method will shrink the visibility of the original image dimension by the value give in shrink.

How to add/edit email signature in gmail/yahoo?

Email signature:
As per wikipedia Email signature is,
"An e-mail signature is a block of text appended to the end of an e-mail message often containing the sender's name, address, phone number, disclaimer or other contact information."

Add/Edit Email signature with gmail:

gmail-settings

1. After log in into you gmail account click on the  gear wheel symbol(at right top) -> settings -> General tab -> signature block
2. Input your signature block text & save
3. To check click on compose -> the new message will show the signature you just gave.



Add/Edit Email Signature with yahoomail:
1. After log in into your yahoomail account click on options(at top left) -> mail options -> signature
2 & 3 are same as in gmail.