If you are new to Linux, you may be confused as to why Ubuntu doesn't include support for Flash, DVD playback, MP3, Sun Java, etc. by default. Well, the reason is because while Linux is open source, free software without copyright restrictions, many of the multimedia plugins are proprietary - that is, not open source. However, Ubuntu 9.04 allows you to easily add several of the most common proprietary multimedia plugins in one stroke. Just go to Applications > Add/Remove and type "Ubuntu Restricted Extras" into the search box. Check the box and click the Apply Changes button. Now you are good to go!

Like many students at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, I have set up my University email to auto-forward into Gmail. I have also set up Gmail to allow me to send mail using my UWRF account as an alias. Unfortunately, until recently people who read such emails in Outlook would see a lame "From username@gmail.com On Behalf Of username@uwrf" message in the From field.

Well, now Gmail offers an option to send the email through the University's (or any other supported email provider's) SMPT servers, thus doing away with the "On Behalf Of" message. It looks more professional. Hit the link to read more about it. If you are a UWRF student and you want to try it, here's a screenshot of the details: