The "Linux questions (and other stuff)" thread

[mikedt]

As to Slimboat, I use Boat here, wondered if they were related. I think it used to be Slimbrowser and was just changed to Slimboat. I have Iron rather than Chrome, and I've removed both Bing and Google as search engines. I use Start Page, Ixquick and Duck. I haven't updated FX on Ubuntu as I don't like the newer versions, and was trying to get ESR. TMobile informed me my browser was out of date. I update most of the other stuff, I just uncheck FX and Mozilla. I haven't used it for a while, anyway.

SlimBoat and Boat have no relation at all, apart from they're both Webkit based AFAIK. SlimBoat is American, Boat is not American..sure the name comes from Beijing Office Automation Tech, or something like that. SlimBrowser is really IE with a different interface, it uses IE's Trident engine.

The only thing FX has going is tab permissions. I don't have to look at a page full of images if I don't want to. I can turn them off on the fly. The new Australis is going to look like Chrome, and I'd rather have the menu bars where I can see them. Pale Moon (based on Mozilla) doesn't do Linux or Mac.

BTW, you have to edit a lot of crap in About:config. Mozilla has hooked into some social sites, and if you don't like it, you edit it. I want a browser that does nothing but browse, if I want a link, I bookmark, I can use tabs or not and all the toolbars are available. I don't like the damn speed dials either. They take up too much real estate. I can read faster than I can recognize the icon and a line of text is faster.

I'm sure both SlimBoat(Ebay and Amazon affiliate) and Boat(ad-ware) are heavily hooked into some affiliate and ad stuff. Monetisation in return for giving you nice "free" browsers. So something to be aware of if privacy and tracking are of a concern to you. Plus Boat is almost certainly phoning home to Beijing as well. In the same manner that Dolphin does, also Chinese.

 

[saptech]

I installed KOrganizer at some point, but don't actually use it. I just found out when I ran it that because I've disabled Akonadi server, it can't do its thing. So I can't test it for you. However, I verified that Kontact can be removed without affecting KOrganizer (at least in terms of being ABLE to remove it, without simultaneously removing KOrganizer--whether the latter will function properly with Kontact gone, I can't honestly say).

My best advice is to simply install KOrganizer and see what happens. If Kontact gets installed, too, and you don't want it, remove it and see if KOrganizer still functions.

Well, I was able to install Korganizer without installing Kontact, but something must be missing because I'm not able to setup Google Calendar using this website.

Debian Diary | Using Kontact with your Google Account

I did install a minimum KDE, so something is probably missing. I didn't want to use Kwallet with it so I didn't choose it during setup of the Korganizer, either.

Thnx.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Well, I was able to install Korganizer without installing Kontact, but something must be missing because I'm not able to setup Google Calendar using this website.

Debian Diary | Using Kontact with your Google Account

I did install a minimum KDE, so something is probably missing. I didn't want to use Kwallet with it so I didn't choose it during setup of the Korganizer, either.

KWallet is used for quite a few things. I don't know why you don't want to use it, but without it you're probably limiting the number of apps you can run and/or their functionality.

Also, in the link above, the article is titled "Using Kontact with your Google Account," and the image on the page is indeed Kontact. So...help me out here! (Look, I got like zero sleep last night, I'm still working on my first cup of coffee, and I have to take my little princess, Joy Noelle, to the vet in a little while--and she knows something's up, so she's hiding.) I thought you didn't want Kontact, but it seems from that article that it's basically part of using KOrganizer to do what you want.

 

[zuben el genub]

Rather Beijing than American marketing.

 

[saptech]

KWallet is used for quite a few things. I don't know why you don't want to use it, but without it you're probably limiting the number of apps you can run and/or their functionality.

Also, in the link above, the article is titled "Using Kontact with your Google Account," and the image on the page is indeed Kontact. So...help me out here! (Look, I got like zero sleep last night, I'm still working on my first cup of coffee, and I have to take my little princess, Joy Noelle, to the vet in a little while--and she knows something's up, so she's hiding.) I thought you didn't want Kontact, but it seems from that article that it's basically part of using KOrganizer to do what you want.

The article is titled Kontact but does mention Korganizer and setting it up with Google Cal.

KOrganizer can also read your Google Calendar and even put up reminder windows configured by the Calendar event details in your Google Account. Unfortunately, you are unable to edit these Calendar entries(or at least I haven't took the time to figure this out yet). First go into your Google Calendar, click on the little down arrow next to the Calendar you wish to access in KOrganizer, and select Calendar Settings. Scroll to the bottom and click on the ICAL which corresponds to Private Address. A dialog will be displayed, either copy the URL or right-click it and select Copy Link Address. Now go into KOrganizer and add a new Calendar. For the Calendar type select Calendar in Remote File. If you do not see this option, you may need to install extra packages. A full KDE install with the PIM suite should have the required packages installed. Choose a name for this Calendar, make it Read-ony and paste the ICAL URL into the Download from box. You can choose the other options at your disposal, such as when to reload the Calendar from Google. Press Okay, and you should immediately see your Google Calendar in KOrganize. The reminder daemon will also display pop-up notifications on upcoming events as well.

I do not have the 'Calendar in Remote File' option. I'm sure if I need Kwallet but since you say it's a good thing to have, I'll include it.

***EDIT***
Adding Kwallet did make a difference. I now have Korganizer configured with Google Calendar. Now I need to figure out if they will sync with each other or if Korganizer will sync with GC!

Thnx.

 

[mikedt]

I note that SlimBoat is not exactly free of Facebook, and other social stuff. And it definitely has its own affiliate code for Ebay and Amazon. This is the default start page, and no attempt to localise itself for the country, I know Hulu is rather useless in the PRC.

 

[MoodyBlues]

This is only peripherally related to Linux, since that's what I use. I have this weird, new, inexplicable issue with my mail client, SeaMonkey.

When I search within one specific folder, it yields no results. And what's crazier is that if I move some of the messages from that folder to another folder and then search in their new location, I STILL get no results.

I'm doing what I've done for DECADES (SeaMonkey was formerly the Mozilla Suite, which was Netscape Communicator before that), but definitely not getting the expected results!

Searching any other folders or messages, using the exact same search criteria, i.e., searching within the body of the messages in a folder, works.

The e-mails in question are plain text.

I'm stumped.

 

[Dngrsone]

Well, I finally figured out where to program the hotkeys to spin my cube around in Plasma:

System Settings, Shortcuts, Global Keyboard Shortcuts

KDE Component: KWin

'Switch Window to the Left'
'Switch Window to the Right'


You will get an error because Ctrl+Alt+Left is used in Juk as a default setting. If you don't use Juk, you will never miss it.

 

[mikedt]

This is only peripherally related to Linux, since that's what I use. I have this weird, new, inexplicable issue with my mail client, SeaMonkey.

When I search within one specific folder, it yields no results. And what's crazier is that if I move some of the messages from that folder to another folder and then search in their new location, I STILL get no results.

I'm doing what I've done for DECADES (SeaMonkey was formerly the Mozilla Suite, which was Netscape Communicator before that), but definitely not getting the expected results!

Searching any other folders or messages, using the exact same search criteria, i.e., searching within the body of the messages in a folder, works.

The e-mails in question are plain text.

I'm stumped.

Could be a bug. Was SeaMonkey updated recently?

 

[MoodyBlues]

Could be a bug. Was SeaMonkey updated recently?

Good thought, Mike. Perhaps the last update did it--and I know there's a new update that I haven't applied yet. Maybe that will undo it! If it is a bug, it's just very odd that it only applies to specific messages.

 

[zuben el genub]

We have a new one:
Zorin OS 7 Released - A Ultimate Linux Desktop with Windows 7 Feel

Look at the 6th item in the list. The repositories don't always have the programs and drivers I want. I'm not getting rid of a scanner and printer I like just for Ubuntu!

Any OS on my computer would look the same. Gray screen, no animations, no fancies.

BTW, I've seen rumors about Mozilla's support for Seamonkey. If you look at Mozillazine fora, they will have some info. I did like Netscape.

 

[MoodyBlues]

We have a new one:
Zorin OS 7 Released - A Ultimate Linux Desktop with Windows 7 Feel

I long ago lost track of all the Linux distributions out there. And now there's another one!

Any OS on my computer would look the same. Gray screen, no animations, no fancies.

Is that actually how you like it, or is it a resource thing, or...?

BTW, I've seen rumors about Mozilla's support for Seamonkey. If you look at Mozillazine fora, they will have some info. I did like Netscape.

I'm not sure what you mean. SeaMonkey *IS* Mozilla. It started as Netscape Communicator, then became the Mozilla Suite, then finally settled on being called SeaMonkey.

 

[EarlyMon]

I'm going to save myself some private messaging.

First, thanks to all who've sent reminders about the subforum, I didn't forget but was definitely about to.

I'll see what I do.

 

[zuben el genub]

I've seen complaints elsewhere about the lack of interest by Mozilla in Seamonkey. I usually do read the Mozilla section to see what kind of junk they are going to try to include next. I haven't used it. I prefer Thunderbird to built-in email. Opera had email, I didn't sign up for it, and got pestered about it every time I opened the browser at the end. When I did use Opera, I also used Eudora, not Operamail.
The new policy at Mozilla seems to do almost nightly updates. Every week another new version rolls out. Seamonkey doesn't do that, so maybe that's why some users feel ignored. I got tired of the nonsense, so I switched to Pale Moon which doesn't do Linux. ESR doesn't do nightly versions either. It's written mostly for businesses that need the interface more static and just security updated.

The desktop is gray by preference. I don't always maximize a browser and don't need a lot of extra color in the background. With the way Gimp opens, with separate screens, I'd switch to a neutral background to be able to focus on what I'm doing.
I tend to park stuff that I temporarily need on the desktop. I just shove the minimized browser out of the way. By doing that, at least I can read the browser and remember exactly what I was looking for on the desktop. Works well on the dual boot. I can download whatever I want in Ubuntu and shove it on the offline XP desktop for use. When I use XP, I file it.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I've seen complaints elsewhere about the lack of interest by Mozilla in Seamonkey.

It's more a matter of Mozilla deciding to focus on SeaMonkey's children, Firefox and Thunderbird. Whereas SM is a suite that includes both a browser and e-mail client, Mozilla decided to spend their time promoting each unit separately (FF and TB). So the SeaMonkey project branched off, but is still accessible from Mozilla's web site.

I usually do read the Mozilla section to see what kind of junk they are going to try to include next. I haven't used it.

My SM is configured exactly as I want it, so I don't have any unwanted junk.

I prefer Thunderbird to built-in email.

With SM, you get that plus a browser.

The desktop is gray by preference. I don't always maximize a browser and don't need a lot of extra color in the background. With the way Gimp opens, with separate screens, I'd switch to a neutral background to be able to focus on what I'm doing.
I tend to park stuff that I temporarily need on the desktop. I just shove the minimized browser out of the way. By doing that, at least I can read the browser and remember exactly what I was looking for on the desktop.

What you're describing doesn't match up with my daily experience using KDE. Everything I have open is visible and accessible on that desktop's taskbar--and ONLY on that desktop's taskbar, by preference. If I wanted apps to be visible on desktops they're not running on, I could have it that way, but I don't like that. As for the GIMP and its multiple windows, that's no longer necessarily the case--they now have a single-window option. That was something I thought I'd really like...until it rolled out in beta and I didn't like it at all. *shrug* What can I say? I guess I had gotten used to its multiple windows by then, and the way I have them arranged by default works really well for me.

 

[Dngrsone]

I was unaware of the single-window option... I will have to try that out.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Followup to my last post.

Here are some screenshots showing my desktops; select any to see them full size.

The first two illustrate doing nothing (it's just there to show what minimized apps look like in the taskbar) and hovering over one of the minimized apps (SeaMonkey).






This is another desktop, which has no apps running on it, hence nothing minimized in its taskbar:




Desktop cube just to show the multiple desktops:




I like absolutely NOTHING on my desktops, except pretty wallpaper. The way I have my KDE configured it's beautiful to look at, and everything is easily accessible, but there's no clutter. I hate clutter.

 

[zuben el genub]

Why would I put a download of an embroidery file on the taskbar? That's going to be shoved on a USB stick when I find one and transferred to the computer that runs the embroidery software. That's mostly what I have saved on the desktop. Stuff that belongs elsewhere and the computer isn't online so I can't use dropbox.
With the file sitting on the desktop, I remind myself to transfer it. If it goes in downloads, I'll forget.

 

[zuben el genub]

If this is right, then someone had better be doing some better user guides than what's available. Some of us have enough knowledge to want more than the standard "how do I get on Facebook" and are not techy enough to understand the language.

Linux Today - Goodbye, Win XP - Hello, Linux?

 

[Dngrsone]

If this is right, then someone had better be doing some better user guides than what's available. Some of us have enough knowledge to want more than the standard "how do I get on Facebook" and are not techy enough to understand the language.

Linux Today - Goodbye, Win XP - Hello, Linux?

The company I work for has a good two dozen machines with XP on them, and they are not likely to upgrade anytime soon.

Hell, I have two machines in my shop that run on old AT machines and DOS 6.0... no upgrades for the software running on them (nor the hardware they power), so I am stuck with them until the end of time.

As for user guides... good luck. I could write the type of guide you want, but who is going to pay me for it? There's a lot of time that goes into such a project, and I certainly haven't any to spare.

Nor would it be profitable enough for me to quit my day job.

 

[MoodyBlues]

As for user guides... good luck. I could write the type of guide you want, but who is going to pay me for it? There's a lot of time that goes into such a project, and I certainly haven't any to spare

I feel like I'm missing something here. In my personal experience, just about everything I've ever used or had problems with could be looked up online. Most projects, such as the GIMP, have excellent, in-depth guides and tutorials. Even relatively obscure things, like the old Broadcom 43xx wireless issue on laptops, could be solved by looking online.

Again, I'm speaking strictly from *MY* experience.

 

[mikedt]

The company I work for has a good two dozen machines with XP on them, and they are not likely to upgrade anytime soon.

Hell, I have two machines in my shop that run on old AT machines and DOS 6.0... no upgrades for the software running on them (nor the hardware they power), so I am stuck with them until the end of time.

If one has legacy hardware and software that the manufacturer no longer supports or is out of business. You have to use it because for whatever specialised process or job it's doing no modern equivalent exists or is prohibitively expensive. You're very much down to supporting yourself and doing whatever you can to keep it going, like scavenging Ebay and rubbish dumps for old AT machines. Many businesses find themselves it that situation with old machinery and things.

Wouldn't surprise me if there was some factory somewhere doing some process with CP/M machines...LOL.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Hell, I have two machines in my shop that run on old AT machines and DOS 6.0... no upgrades for the software running on them (nor the hardware they power), so I am stuck with them until the end of time.

But what happens when they die? I'd be looking at it like that, i.e., that I'd better get moving on a plan, now, to transition over to something else. I would not want to be in a position of being forced to take action as a result of a crash

 

[mikedt]

But what happens when they die? I'd be looking at it like that, i.e., that I'd better get moving on a plan, now, to transition over to something else. I would not want to be in a position of being forced to take action as a result of a crash

Yeh if those old AT computers are your livelihood. Better have some contingency and/or moving on plan.

It's not not just the hardware and software of course, it's the people that know how to maintain and service it. They move on, retire, pass away, etc. and don't pass the information on. Whatever old system or machine craps out and no one knows how to fix it.

Think NASA found themselves in that situation for a few of their old systems and had to get people back out of retirement, or at least ask them how to service and fix them.

Talking about legacy PC things. Our classroom whiteboard projectors all have analogue VGA plugs. Some new laptops don't come with VGA sockets, especially ultrabooks, Android tablets and laptops don't have VGA either, and nor do Macs and iPads. Often it's digital DVI and/or HDMI only now. And analogue VGA will eventually disappear completely from new PC hardware, like the way serial, parallel and PS/2 ports went.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Think NASA found themselves in that situation for a few of their old systems and had to get people back out of retirement, or at least ask them how to service and fix them.

That also happened--and I mean really widespread--during the Y2K frenzy. Long retired COBOL programmers were hired out of the woodwork to bring old code up to snuff for 01/01/2000.

For any youngsters who don't know , back in the day files had to be as concise as possible, because storage and/or memory were at a huge premium. So programmers--never even THINKING that decades down the road this wouldn't work out so well--assigned only two spaces in programs, such as databases, for the year position of a date, i.e., MMDDYY. The YY was understood to be prefaced with 19, as in 1974 or 1987. That was all fine and dandy until 2000 came along! Hence the infamous Y2K issue, that kept many of us up for long hours leading up to New Year's Day.