Re: [PLUG] linux for a Ludite
While I was struggling with teaching her Windows (bad) and Mint (better) my daughters kept telling to give her an iPad. (We are in our 80s! And she was the Valedictorian.) I demurred, but finally gave in. They taught her how to use it and the light suddenly went on. The ease with which they can do global "videophone" is the last straw in selling this one way ticket. (Yes I know about Skype...) Over the years I've given iPads to daughters and granddaughters around the world to their delight. (The males get Linux and Windows.) And they gave me iPads in return. I use them when watching TV and running Ham Radio remote (FLEX 6300). iPads do have their place and resistance is futile in this case. :-D. -Dave On 11/11/2017 11:00 AM, Wayne wrote: Linux Mint Wayne On 11/11/2017 10:50 AM, Chuck Hast wrote: Folks, my wife finally conceded that she needed to learn how to use a computer, that has been an uphill battle for years, I am looking at starting her out on a T42 Thinkpad which I have here. At this point all she needs is a browser, some- thing to play music and watch videos. Later on I will show her how to use LO. So what should I put on that T42 that will work reasonably well for her to get started but will not be too much. I am going to set it up with a very limited amount of things, and let her work up. Big thing is I do not want her to open something, get flustered and then back away I have been thinking about either Lubuntu or ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Need an OLD style BASIC
BASIC was great when it was in style. Millions of students got their start with BASIC, and to many it was their intro to the computer business. This book went into 3 Editions and many foreign translations. I miss BASIC. . David A. Lien - W7DAL https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/411TT7D8WRL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51XXLJL1GZL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/411TT7D8WRL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg On 12/15/2017 7:43 AM, Richard Owlett wrote: On 12/15/2017 09:10 AM, David Bridges wrote: Perhaps basic256 is close to what you are looking for. It is packaged for Debian so it should be easy enough to check out. apt-cache show basic256 http://www.basic256.org/index_en -- David *YES* That page looks fascinating - leaving for appointment, might have to wait til tomorrow to investigate. According to https://packages.debian.org/stretch/basic256 its installed size is ~10MB demonstrating lack fluff. Thank you. ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] The end of Mint KDE edition
Let me ask a simple minded question: I've been running Linux for maybe 20 years. Nothing fancy, office apps mostly, and went through all the early update struggles, etc. Played with virtually every version along the way eventually settling on Ubuntu until that silly debacle. Then cut over to MINT which does everything I want and more. Also I note that MINT was the most downloaded version for years until recently. There must be a reason? QUESTION: What is so unique about some of the other old major Linux lines that make them so important to some users? Or is is mostly a matter of habit and not wanting to change? TNX. Dave. On 5/11/2018 6:21 PM, King Beowulf wrote: On 05/10/2018 09:06 PM, elcaseti wrote: The fact that Slackware is still using KDE4 is very appealing to me. My command line skills are not at the Slackware level, but I bet I can find a Slackware-based distro that is more to my liking that's still using KDE4. Too bad Slax moved away from KDE. I used to use Slax for certain simple tasks. I might still use Slax for some things, & I don't mind that it's switched to a Debian base, but it's not going to be my main distro. It seems like Vector is not a very active project anymore. I tried KDE Neon about a year ago, & found it to have quite a few broken things. I might even try Gecko KDE Plasma, since I've not really given OpenSuse much of a chance. The following Slackware derived distros with available KDE are still active. I haven't used them in a while (I always go back to the pure source), but they track the Slackware core pretty closely while adding ease of use features. Most Slackware derivatives are tweaked, "trimmed down" to reduce memory and hard drive space. Zenwalk: http://zenwalk.org/ XFCE is the default, with KDE available via their package manager. Binary compatible with may other Slackware package sources. Salix: https://www.salixos.org/ XFCE is the default, with KDE available via their package manager. Binary compatible with may other Slackware package sources. Porteus: http://www.porteus.org/ Started out as a community remix of SLAX. Packages consist of modules and can be installed and run from USB flash drive, flash card or CD (live distro) or hard drive. There are utilities to convert Slackware packages into installable modules. It is designed to be portable. They do recommend Slackware if you want to install a full uncompressed version to an internal hard drive. ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] The end of Mint KDE edition
TNX Wayne. I follow Distrowatch from time to time and just downloaded manjaro which is the current favorite. Am installing it now to see what all the noise is about. -Dave. On 5/11/2018 7:14 PM, Wayne van Loon wrote: Here <https://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major> is a link to DistroWatch's top 10 distros where you can read their take on a few old line distros including Slackware that is being discussed here. Wayne On 05/11/2018 06:55 PM, Dave Lien - W7DAL wrote: Let me ask a simple minded question: I've been running Linux for maybe 20 years. Nothing fancy, office apps mostly, and went through all the early update struggles, etc. Played with virtually every version along the way eventually settling on Ubuntu until that silly debacle. Then cut over to MINT which does everything I want and more. Also I note that MINT was the most downloaded version for years until recently. There must be a reason? QUESTION: What is so unique about some of the other old major Linux lines that make them so important to some users? Or is is mostly a matter of habit and not wanting to change? TNX. Dave. On 5/11/2018 6:21 PM, King Beowulf wrote: On 05/10/2018 09:06 PM, elcaseti wrote: The fact that Slackware is still using KDE4 is very appealing to me. My command line skills are not at the Slackware level, but I bet I can find a Slackware-based distro that is more to my liking that's still using KDE4. Too bad Slax moved away from KDE. I used to use Slax for certain simple tasks. I might still use Slax for some things, & I don't mind that it's switched to a Debian base, but it's not going to be my main distro. It seems like Vector is not a very active project anymore. I tried KDE Neon about a year ago, & found it to have quite a few broken things. I might even try Gecko KDE Plasma, since I've not really given OpenSuse much of a chance. The following Slackware derived distros with available KDE are still active. I haven't used them in a while (I always go back to the pure source), but they track the Slackware core pretty closely while adding ease of use features. Most Slackware derivatives are tweaked, "trimmed down" to reduce memory and hard drive space. Zenwalk: http://zenwalk.org/ XFCE is the default, with KDE available via their package manager. Binary compatible with may other Slackware package sources. Salix: https://www.salixos.org/ XFCE is the default, with KDE available via their package manager. Binary compatible with may other Slackware package sources. Porteus: http://www.porteus.org/ Started out as a community remix of SLAX. Packages consist of modules and can be installed and run from USB flash drive, flash card or CD (live distro) or hard drive. There are utilities to convert Slackware packages into installable modules. It is designed to be portable. They do recommend Slackware if you want to install a full uncompressed version to an internal hard drive. ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] The end of Mint KDE edition
Rich- Thanks for the comments. I came up the same route with Red Hat, Mandrake, SUSE, Slackware and a dozen others along the way. But currently recommend MINT to newbies since it is hassle-free to install and update, looks a lot like windows (yea I know...) and meets the needs of almost everyone at that end of the learning curve. Their needs are simple and straightforward. I still miss the command line days of MSDOS and LDOS so relate to those who prefer it in Linux. But the overwhelming percent of Linux users are probably looking for the simplest and most effective way to get their job done with the least amount of hassle. Now that there is lots of relevant high-volume end user software available IMHO that's the only way Linux will accelerate its acceptance... Best ... Dave. On 5/12/2018 5:57 AM, Rich Shepard wrote: On Fri, 11 May 2018, Dave Lien - W7DAL wrote: QUESTION: What is so unique about some of the other old major Linux lines that make them so important to some users? Or is is mostly a matter of habit and not wanting to change? Dave, Starting in 1997 I ran Red Hat 4.0 through 7.0 but tired of the upgrade dependencies hassles. In 2003 I switched to Slackware-8.0 and have no need nor interest in changing. There are many reasons for my decision. Some of them are: - Stays way back from the bleeding edge for all system components, including the kernel. - Provides complete, unmodified kernels; no distribution-specific tweaks. - All tool and application packages are complete. That is, there is no separate 'dev' package with header files and whatever else not included in the base package. - Runs on everything from Atom processors to IBM S/90 mainframes (which affects me at only the desktop/portable level). Supports both 32- and 64-bit processors. - Can be installed on servers without the X Window System. - The distribution is complete as an operating system and hundreds of additional files are available from www.slackbuilds.org all in the same tarball format as the files on the distribution DVD. - Great support on linuxquestions.org. - Just works(TM), and easy to use for those of us who favor a CLI over a GUI. HTH, Rich ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] The end of Mint KDE edition
Rich- That's very interesting. I came to computers fairly late, it not being my primary technology. But between keeping planes (and ships) from being hit by radar controlled missiles and helping put men on the moon I very early on set up a "key sort" aka "edge notch" data card sorting system out of necessity. It was practical and worked well and was a way of getting the job done fast, if cheap and dirty, while bypassing the often arrogant "white coats" in their sacred Computer Control Rooms and all that entailed. My first hands-on exposure to a real computer was with a PDP-8 running BASIC at the U of Ills Grad School of Electrical Engineering. It made my socks zip up and down and I knew I had to be part of it. I soon met up with Fortran IV while teaching at Cal Poly SLO using both timeshare and an IBM 360/40 via Hollerith cards. (Echos of key sort?) Coming in 2nd in my HS typing class was finally paying off. Do they still teaching typing in school? Then came a DEC-10 and my own key to the control room. :-D. As a consultant to Tandy Corp I helped spec out TRS-DOS, then wrote the BASIC Language Tutorial book that went in the TRS-80 box. Tandy had a perfect early entre to this brave new field, but the same mentality that decades later would destroy Radio Shack torpedoed this very timely and innovative mass produced Volkswagen of personal computers, and what could have followed. I went on the write /The BASIC HANDBOOK, //Encyclopedia//of The BASIC Language/, and dozens of other best selling computer books translated into many foreign languages. So aside from programming the Altair and Imsai and others in their native machine languages I led a fairly sheltered computer life and came a bit late to Linux, mostly as an investor. And having little need now for its special features I just enjoy playing with it for Office and Ham Radio and watching it mature. 73 Dave W7DAL P.S. My wife did much better early on with a portable using Xfce than the same computer with Windows. But when she got an iPad that was all over. Nothing can touch an iPad when it comes to Grandmas keeping in global video contact with the kids and Grandkids. (Yes, being an early adopter I know about Skype.) We have bought nearly a dozen iPads now and if one goes bad it is instantly replaced. The operating system is irrelevant to 99% of the worlds real computer users. Also the fact that they come from Apple. On 5/12/2018 2:03 PM, Rich Shepard wrote: On Sat, 12 May 2018, Dave Lien - W7DAL wrote: Thanks for the comments. I came up the same route with Red Hat, Mandrake, SUSE, Slackware and a dozen others along the way. But currently recommend MINT to newbies since it is hassle-free to install and update, looks a lot like windows (yea I know...) and meets the needs of almost everyone at that end of the learning curve. Their needs are simple and straightforward. Dave, I first used fvwm2 as the linux X window manager; it was too much like M$ and I quickly found Xfce which I've used since then. For me, computers are tools: means to an end, not an end in themselves. Slackware installations and upgrades continue to be 'hassle-free' as long as one reads and follows the directions. I still miss the command line days of MSDOS and LDOS so relate to those who prefer it in Linux. Having used 80-column Hollerith punch cards for S/360 FORTRAN code and JCL (Job Control Language) system commands, punched tape on DEC VAXes, and the command line on Primes and other mini-computers it's more efficient for me (a touch-typist thanks to Army Intelligence School training during the Vietnam war). But the overwhelming percent of Linux users are probably looking for the simplest and most effective way to get their job done with the least amount of hassle. This can be the command line or the graphical interface. Both are effective and likely depend more on how one grew up. Those too young to have used typewriters (electric or manual) and know only their pocket computers (a/k/a 'smartphones') prefer pictures. Each to their own taste. Linux offers choices (sometimes too many) whereas Microsoft and Apple offer none to a few. Now that there is lots of relevant high-volume end user software available IMHO that's the only way Linux will accelerate its acceptance... I think this holds true regardless of the underlying system distribution. On many end-user mail lists (e.g., GnuCash) the most cries for help come from those running some flavor of windoze or a ubuntu. I've a friend who knows very little about computers but she's been running Slackware with Xfce on her laptops for many years now. Of course, this makes it real easy for me to keep it upgraded and security patched. Virtually every issue she encounters comes from the th
Re: [PLUG] Hardware recommendations
Good work Jim. Having built up many computers over the decades I watched this thread with interest. -Dave On 9/10/2018 1:02 PM, Rich Shepard wrote: On Mon, 10 Sep 2018, Jim Garrison wrote: This might just be the one time you NEED a CMOS reset jumper. Before giving up I'd try that. Jim, Yep. This was the catch of the day. The motherboard manual showed me where the CMOS jumper is located and provided explicit directions: move jumper from pins 1 and 2 to pins 2 and 3. Wait 5-10 seconds (I waited 10). Put jumper back on pins 1 and 2. Boot system into the BIOS setup and reset system date/time. Sure enough, after doing that the system _paused_ at the screen where it had stalled then went on to boot. Replacing a dead CMOS battery was a new experience for me so clearing the CMOS real-time clock was required. Nothing other than the date and time were changed in the BIOS settings. Another new experience where I could not use prior knowledge to fix the problem. Thanks very much, Rich ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Which distribution for new user?
My own preference is the MATE version of MINT but they are all good. -Dave On 9/12/2018 1:07 PM, Rich Shepard wrote: On Wed, 12 Sep 2018, David wrote: Linux MINT. Easy choice IMHO. (Former Ubuntu user plus many others over the decades.) Well, two votes for Linux MINT makes for an overwhelming response. Thank to you, too, David. Regards, Rich ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Linux and renewable energy
Python 3 is included in the NOOBS Raspberry Pi Linux install. RPI works well in my limited experience with it. -Dave On 11/17/2018 1:12 PM, Rich Shepard wrote: On Sat, 17 Nov 2018, Mike C. wrote: Before understanding how her system worked, I just starred thinking about data, sensors, servos and mechanical/electrical interfaces and energy usage and environmental applications. Admittedly, much of this doesn't require an embedded OS of any sort, I guess I just like the idea of using Linux to solve some of these energy/environmental issues that are bearing down on all of us. Mike, I suggest you take a look at Python3, which runs well on linux. There are abundant modules available for just about anything you'd want to do. Perhaps 'pandas' (the data analysis module), 'scipy', matplotlib are worth exploring. Connecting software to sensors and other hardware is common. You could probably control a large solar array with a raspberry pi. Take a look at python.org. It's a good place to start. Rich ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Slackware Install, 2nd try
Dick - I've been watching this saga with great interest and glad your persistence paid off. Hopefully you can find time to distill your findings into a nice simple set of A, B, C installation instructions so others (like me) can bypass these problems and give Slackware a try. TNX. -Dave On 11/28/2018 8:59 AM, Dick Steffens wrote: On 11/28/18 7:59 AM, Dick Steffens wrote: slackpkg upgrade-all is still running, so I'll report back on the success with Firefox after breakfast. Slackpkg finished and Firefox works as expected. Now on to making the computer look like I want it to. ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
[PLUG] Virtual Box does not work...
/If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit! There's no point in being a damn fool about it. W. C. Fields./ I have gone far beyond Fields admonition and the time has come to ask for help. I'm trying to install Oracle VB on Linux (Mint) in order to run any version of Windows so I might run Windows software to control external IoT devices under Linux. They are controlled either directly via a Serial Port, or via a USB adapter to Serial. These devices work fine under any version of Windows alone, but I can't make them work from Windows software running in a VB. (I've been fussing with this off and on for months!) Have tried a half dozen computers both old and new and they all behave identically. Have installed the same IoT software on all of them directly under Windows and it performs beautifully. Windows and Linux alone work perfectly on those same computers (fresh installs on fresh hard drives.) I'm convinced there is nothing wrong with any of the computers and the mature IoT control software works perfectly without a VB. I've installed the latest Oracle VB software plus matching Extensions (direct from the Oracle site) countless times and it behaves the same on all computers using different versions of Windows as GUESTS. Numerous tests were run with VB using both Linux and Windows as HOST with identical negative results. (Sorry if this is getting long but I have to take out this frustration on the keyboard...) Here is what happens: With either base OS installed, and a Windows GUEST installed in a VB, with the GUEST powered OFF: At the MACHINE level under SETTINGS and SERIAL PORTS I activate COM 1. And set the USB Port to USB 2. After powering the GUEST ON these SETTINGS are still correct as I set them, *but they are shaded out*! Firing up the IoT software in this VB makes no contact with the IoT by either the SERIAL or USB ports. However Windows Device Manager run at the GUEST says both the SERIAL and USB ports are working properly. But they are not. For Example: The same IoT device that connects under Windows 10 (with the VB turned off) does not work running Win XP (or any other Windows) as a VB GUEST on that same computer with no other physical or software changes made. That is as simply as I can explain it. I keep feeling that I'm just one click away from success but don't know where to click. I give up! HALP! (Sorry I can't attend the Clinic tomorrow...) -Dave (Vancouver) ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Virtual Box does not work...
Thank you Derek and Ed. Your ideas and suggestions were most helpful. I pursued them all, but hit brick walls in every direction. Either more techno-barriers arose or needed software had been discontinued. /I'll delete a cheeky screed here about Oracle releasing such a PITA product.../ So I punted. Installed the latest *VMware*, Windows version, on Windows 10. The USB Ports work fine, but no Serial. Then installed Windows 10 on the latest Ubuntu Linux version with the same results. The USB ports work well by default. Will attempt to solve the Serial Port problem under VMware as time allows just to solve the problem. But this satisfies my needs. I can now run the Windows IoT software in a Linux box with a USB to Serial adapter. *Mission accomplished*. TNX AGN! -Dave On 12/16/2018 9:27 PM, King Beowulf wrote: On 12/16/18 3:51 PM, Derek Loree wrote: On Dec 15, 2018, at 9:24 PM, Dave Lien - W7DAL wrote: /If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit! There's no point in being a damn fool about it. W. C. Fields./ I have gone far beyond Fields admonition and the time has come to ask for help. I'm trying to install Oracle VB on Linux (Mint) in order to run any version of Windows so I might run Windows software to control external IoT devices under Linux. They are controlled either directly via a Serial Port, or via a USB adapter to Serial. These devices work fine under any version of Windows alone, but I can't make them work from Windows software running in a VB. (I've been fussing with this off and on for months!) Have tried a half dozen computers both old and new and they all behave identically. Have installed the same IoT software on all of them directly under Windows and it performs beautifully. Windows and Linux alone work perfectly on those same computers (fresh installs on fresh hard drives.) I'm convinced there is nothing wrong with any of the computers and the mature IoT control software works perfectly without a VB. I've installed the latest Oracle VB software plus matching Extensions (direct from the Oracle site) countless times and it behaves the same on all computers using different versions of Windows as GUESTS. Numerous tests were run with VB using both Linux and Windows as HOST with identical negative results. (Sorry if this is getting long but I have to take out this frustration on the keyboard...) Here is what happens: With either base OS installed, and a Windows GUEST installed in a VB, with the GUEST powered OFF: At the MACHINE level under SETTINGS and SERIAL PORTS I activate COM 1. And set the USB Port to USB 2. After powering the GUEST ON these SETTINGS are still correct as I set them, *but they are shaded out*! That is because the VM is running, no hot-plug of those devices. Did you change the “Port Mode”? The default is for the port to be disconnected. This means the device will show up in your VM, but won’t be able to connect to anything. Try changing the “Port Mode” to “Host Device”. Firing up the IoT software in this VB makes no contact with the IoT by either the SERIAL or USB ports. However Windows Device Manager run at the GUEST says both the SERIAL and USB ports are working properly. But they are not. For USB devices, you need to tell VBox that the device should be passed through to the guest, this you can do while it is running or you can use the Settings in “Ports” under “USB” where the “USB Device Filters” are located. If your host system can’t see the USB device, your guest won’t be able to see it. Storage devices need to be unmounted from the host before being passed through to the guest. For Example: The same IoT device that connects under Windows 10 (with the VB turned off) does not work running Win XP (or any other Windows) as a VB GUEST on that same computer with no other physical or software changes made. That is as simply as I can explain it. I keep feeling that I'm just one click away from success but don't know where to click. I give up! HALP! (Sorry I can't attend the Clinic tomorrow...) -Dave (Vancouver) Good luck, Derek Loree As above, but also try installing the guest extesions INSIDE the guest - these are not the extensions installed on virtualbox itself. -Ed https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch04.html ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] USB on VirtualBox on Slackware
On 12/18/18 4:43 PM, W7DAL wrote: /Try VMWARE instead. It installs USB by default. Linux install instructions are on the net. />//>//>//>// Please stop. ? Is there a problem with my post ? Have I somehow offended the "posting police"? I have the same problem with USB ports as in this original post and solved the problem with VMWARE running under Linux. Now my USB ports work just fine. ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] USB on VirtualBox on Slackware
Hmmm... I thought the known difficulty of actuating USB ports on Virtual Box was the immediate topic and I was just trying to be helpful. But perhaps thinking outside the "Box" is not permitted on this thread. You know what they say about "no good deed...". Anyway, no problem. A MERRY CHRISTMAS to you also, Scrooge. On 12/18/2018 10:26 PM, King Beowulf wrote: On 12/18/18 7:11 PM, Dave Lien - W7DAL wrote: On 12/18/18 4:43 PM, W7DAL wrote: /Try VMWARE instead. It installs USB by default. Linux install instructions are on the net. />//>//>//>// Please stop. ? Is there a problem with my post ? Have I somehow offended the "posting police"? --- Switching to another VM software is not the topic of this thread, nor in the interest of the OP. Either stay on topic or move aside. -Ed ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] SSD Advice Needed
Michael- I use $20 SSDs from Newegg and they work fine for general use. SSDs are direct replacements for mechanical drives. For a low budget you can just duct tape them in place if needed. Not a problem. You will be amazed at how much faster they are. Good luck. -Dave On 5/18/2019 9:06 AM, Michael Barnes wrote: I haven't messed with much in the hardware department for years. I recently picked up a small 12V computer I want to use for some field applications in ham radio. It presently has a conventional 160 GB SATA WD Caviar Blue drive in it now. I'd like to replace that with a comparable SSD that is hopefully just plug and play with the existing SATA connectors. Is that possible? My intent is to just load a basic Linux install (probably CentOS) from a USB stick and run a few basic services. It will have a USB GPS puck and run gpsd and ntp. I'll run the normal network server stuff of dhcp, dns, etc. I guess Samba is still the thing for a file server. It will not be connected to the Internet when in the field. The field network will be a bunch of Windows laptops and will need to share some files across the network with the server. So, all that to ask, what should I get for an SSD for this thing? This is a low budget project. Thanks for your ideas. Michael ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] SSD Advice Needed
I have about a dozen 120g mixed brands. All work fine. No failures of any kind. For ~$20 you can't go too wrong... On 5/18/2019 11:14 AM, Tyrell Jentink wrote: For your purposes, it probably doesn't ultimately matter much... You aren't running a Data center, you aren't archiving emails, you aren't filing taxes. Get a cheap one, do sensible backups. Samsung Evo 960 series drives are consistently getting excellent reviews in the blogs for best general purpose SSDs... But they are generally a bit more expensive than what people have been suggesting... Probably lends itself to the point that "Even cheap ones are good enough." For what it's worth... My laptop is currently sporting a 500GB Evo 960 SATA SSD, and it's performing very well. On Sat, May 18, 2019, 11:04 Michael Barnes wrote: On Sat, May 18, 2019 at 10:07 AM Dave Lien W7DAL wrote: Michael- I use $20 SSDs from Newegg and they work fine for general use. SSDs are direct replacements for mechanical drives. For a low budget you can just duct tape them in place if needed. Not a problem. You will be amazed at how much faster they are. Good luck. -Dave Looked at Newegg. They have a huge selection of KingDian SSDs. Never heard of KingDian. Are they any good? Many options I have no idea what is what. That's what I get being out of the hardware game for over 10 years. No idea what TLC or MLC or any of the other options are. Suggestions appreciated. Michael ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] UPS battery
I buy all my backup batteries on the net. The prices are rock bottom and the shipping (heavy!) to your door is free. Can't beat that. -Dave On 11/25/2019 9:33 AM, Galen Seitz wrote: The backup battery for my mom's Frontier fiber connection needs replacing. Can someone suggest a place near the east side of Hillsboro to purchase a 12V 8AH sealed lead acid battery? I could walk over to NW Battery Supply on Belmont and get one, but I'm hoping to avoid a trip to Hillsboro. thanks, galen ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
[PLUG] Can't make Open Office transfer images to web.
Want to get beginner going with Open Office under Linux Mint 19.2 to create very simple web pages with photos and cartoons. But I can't make it work myself! No prob creating text files and posting to site, but cannot get the image files to go along with them. (Also tried AbiWord for Linux with same results.) Having the same problem when trying Open Office under Windows 10 so I must be making the same error in both places. Have used Front Page and Microsoft Express for 2 decades with no problem. Open Office should be easy for something this simple. Ideas please... ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Can't make Open Office transfer images to web.
Correction: It's now *Libre Writer*... On 12/14/2019 2:45 PM, Dave Lien W7DAL wrote: Want to get beginner going with Open Office under Linux Mint 19.2 to create very simple web pages with photos and cartoons. But I can't make it work myself! No prob creating text files and posting to site, but cannot get the image files to go along with them. (Also tried AbiWord for Linux with same results.) Having the same problem when trying Open Office under Windows 10 so I must be making the same error in both places. Have used Front Page and Microsoft Express for 2 decades with no problem. Open Office should be easy for something this simple. Ideas please... ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
[PLUG] MSFT Expression Web 4 on Linux Mint?
Is anyone running Expression Web 4 on Mint? Using VM or ??? I presume. TNX Dave ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Recommended battery UPS?
We have half a dozen of this series (different power values) and they have worked well "when needed". The price is right. IMHO. https://www.newegg.com/apc-be670m1-2-x-nema-5-15r-5-x-nema-5-15r/p/N82E16842301701?Description=ups&cm_re=ups-_-42-301-701-_-Product&quicklink=true On 5/2/2021 6:46 PM, Russell Senior wrote: It looks to me like the same form factor battery as the Power Sonic PS-1270, a 12V 7A-hr SLA gell-cell. On Sun, May 2, 2021 at 2:20 PM Keith Lofstrom wrote: Costco offers a $100 Cyberpower Uninterruptable Power Supply; I was reminded that I should buy a new one. I researched the Cyberpower unit, and learned that it was a two minute device - just enough time to power down a smallish tower server - and that it used a pair of non-generic batteries which cost more than $100 to replace. Bad deal. So ... what do the Kewl Kids use for UPS these days? Keith -- Keith Lofstrom kei...@keithl.com ___ PLUG: https://pdxlinux.org PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG: https://pdxlinux.org PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug ___ PLUG: https://pdxlinux.org PLUG mailing list PLUG@pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Ubuntu MATE LTS 3 years vs 5 for non-LTS
The Mint guys made a concentrated effort to make it user friendly recently and have done a great job IMHO. Easy enough for Grandma to use, and almost easy enough for her to install if someone gives her an install DVD or USB stick. I'm very impressed with it and busy sending USB sticks to reluctant friends. This is finally ready for the 'mass market'. https://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=303 Don't know about the GTK2 apps... -Dave On 3/24/2023 1:38 PM, Ted Mittelstaedt wrote: I noticed that Free Geek switched to Mint for those PC's they sell a while ago. Screenshots of mint mate seem to be a mix of win 10, win 11 and MacOS desktop stirred together with a strong win10 motif But the $64k question can you still run older GTK2.0 apps on the desktop? Ted -Original Message- From: PLUG On Behalf Of W7DAL Sent: Friday, March 24, 2023 1:19 PM To: plug@pdxlinux.org Subject: Re: [PLUG] Ubuntu MATE LTS 3 years vs 5 for non-LTS Try*Linux Mint Mate* latest version. They have finally made Linux user friendly to the point I'm comfortable recommending it to non-tekkie friends. I've been following Linux from the earliest days. Good Luck! -Dave On 3/24/2023 12:43 PM, Keith Lofstrom wrote: I tried transitioning from Scientific Linux to Redhat LTS (not "L" sadly). That went away. Then I tried using Ubuntu Mate 20.04 LTS (horrid startup behaviors, but 22.04 is worse). I get this email today: - As of 30 April 2023 Ubuntu MATE 20.04 LTS has reached EOL (End of Life) and is no longer supported. Being a long term release (LTS), official Ubuntu flavors are only supported for **3 years**, as opposed to Ubuntu's 5 years. This means MATE components of your system will no longer receive updates after today, but foundational components will continue to receive security updates from Ubuntu. - Hrm. In Ubuntu-land, LTS long term support means less time supported. And today is April 30. So, sandwiched between way too many non-software engineering tasks, I'm transitioning to Debian Mate. So far, Debian is pain relief. No promise of LTS, but upgrades seem effortless and the dancing paperclips and snaps and gesture GUI are absent. Smaller RAM footprint, therefore I can keep using my "tall-screen" 3x4 laptops for their principal function, reading and writing A and A4 format documents. We'll see how this goes. I fear that gesture GUI (which requires steady hands, no tremor) will eventually take over the Linux desktop, so I may have less than a decade to complete important-to-the-world-IMHO keyboard-driven computing and writing tasks. Sigh. The world will not end with a bang, instead a "tweet". Keith L.
