The Hot ChocoLinux Cup

Program focus: Ailurus

Ailurus is a nice little program that allows you to tweak your Ubuntu installation. It is thought for the Linux newcomers, but it has very interesting feature that will appeal also the more experienced users. The most important feature of Ailurus is the possibility of accessing several layers of optimization.

To install the program, go to Ailurus webpage  and download from the right tab the version that fits your Ubuntu flavor.


Once the package has been downloaded, double-click on it or type from command line

sudo gdebi <ailurus_package_name>

Follow onscreen instructions. The program will be accessible from Applications -> System tools. 

The program has a few interesting features a new Linux user will certainly appreciate. First of all, under the Systems Settings tab there is a very useful automatic configuration button for Mozilla Firefox. One may play a little with the settings the author of the program has chosen, which are certainly optimal for some configurations but may be sub-optimal for you. 


There are several other interesting options this little utility brings to the Linux user, from a simple program installation tab to a tab that allows one to choose the fastest repositories based on the location.


A very interesting feature that may be attract also the more expert user is the possibility of taking snapshots of the programs installed (through apt) on the system. In this way, you can easily keep track of the system's performances while installing new programs. It is unclear to me if that would include also the programs installed through gdebi, but it is indeed a simple and yet useful idea.

The program also allows one to get rid of useless stuff, like unused kernels and config files for uninstalled programs. Furthermore, the memory can be freed, as well as some disk space through cleaning the apt cache and the recent documents list.

Finally, a feature that I really liked: Linux tips & tricks and the chance (that I personally took) of downloading a free copy of the Ubuntu pocket guide and subscribing to the magazine "Full Circle".

In short, Ailurus is a very nice program, very useful whether you are a Linux guru or a newb. Give it a try!