If font size in the figures do not change in Matlab..

If you wish to change the font of the text in your Matlab figure globally, then you have to set :

>>set(gca, 'FontSize', xx);

And if you want to change it only for a specific legend or text or axis-handles just add the option 'FontSize',  xx  to your parameters.

But this did not work in my Ubuntu 12.04 system. No matter what changes I made, Matlab displayed a fixed font size.

Thanks to the following forums, I could sort it out:
 
 
http://www.mathworks.in/matlabcentral/newsreader/view_thread/301184
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1762805

You need to go to terminal and install following two packages, log in again.
 
$sudo apt-get install xfonts-75dpi
$sudo apt-get install xfonts-100dpi

Manage your time at work: timer for Ubuntu

Well, sometime back I was finding it difficult to focus and manage my time. Some times, I would sit at work for long period at a stretch affecting my health, some other time I would not be able to focus for 10 minutes. I searched for a timer that will help me set a fixed duration in which I will be bound to focus. I found a tool in the following link for usage in Ubuntu. I also found many more tools, but I liked this particular one because it is simple and has the visual clock like effect. As the time recedes, I become more alert since I need to finish the task within that period.

http://www.upubuntu.com/2011/10/beautimer-quick-and-lightweight.html

I found it very useful in managing my time and focusing as well. Hope it helps you too. :)

Happy working!