Re: [GTALUG] hoping for help

2017-07-20 Thread Bob Jonkman via talk 
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> As a note to everybody else, it would be a good  thing if we all 
> posted install instructions.  It will be a resource for all the 
> newbies out there.

Here are the instructions I used for a Linux Mint Installfest I ran a
few years ago. Specifics may have changed, but this might still be useful.

https://sobac.com/LUGs/bitsnbytes/Workshop2/

Feel free to copy / repost as desired.

- --Bob.


On 2017-07-15 11:41 AM, Howard Gibson via talk wrote:
> On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 22:23:05 -0300 Ann Pohl via talk 
>  wrote:
> 
>> Hi. Anyone want to do their bit for the environment by helping
>> me get set up? I am not wanting to be an OS computer whiz. I have
>> a full plate already doing environmental protection'defense 
>> work-activism, and being a grandmother etc..
>> 
>> ...I am currently shopping for a new not-fancy computer and need 
>> some recommendations on which would be best for installing 
>> Linux-Ubuntu in a dual boot, and I also need an affordable 
>> technician to help me do that when I get the computer.
>> 
>> Usually I am in eastern NB but am in the GTA for the summer. I 
>> have technical support down there, but not up here. My kids are 
>> buying me a new computer and I need some guidance. I use the 
>> Linux - Ubuntu side mostly for my work because it deals with a 
>> lot of security issues.
>> 
>> Thanks for considering this request. Ann Pohl
> 
> Ann,
> 
> I post my Linux installation instructions on my website. Installing
> Linux is not difficult.  I run mostly Fedora, but I have installed
> Ubuntu and Slackware, and my instructions are up there. Being able
> to install your own OS is good.  It keeps your computer out of the
> hands of repair technicians.
> 
> As a note to everybody else, it would be a good  thing if we all 
> posted install instructions.  It will be a resource for all the 
> newbies out there.
> 

- -- 
Bob Jonkman   Phone: +1-519-635-9413
SOBAC Microcomputer Services http://sobac.com/sobac/
Software   ---   Office & Business Automation   ---   Consulting
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Re: [GTALUG] hoping for help

2017-07-18 Thread Russell via talk 
On July 17, 2017 1:42:55 AM EDT, ac via talk  wrote:
>On Sun, 16 Jul 2017 20:13:53 -0400 (EDT)
>"D. Hugh Redelmeier via talk"  wrote:
>> | From: Russell via talk 
>> | Were an IRC channel set up
>> Got a number of years, we've had #gtalog on freenode.net.  (We used
>to

Now that you mention it, I seem to recall that the footer added by the tlug 
listserver use to mention IRC.

>> use #tlug but there were other users.)

Tokyo Linux Users Group perhaps?

>> Hardly anyone uses it.  Six at the moment, including me (just for
>> testing) and Myles twice.
>

IRC is a great way to quickly ad-hoc  ideas in a group meeting context.

Its also a great tool for B2B product support. I've helped a lot of beginners  
deal with product support this way. However these days cell phone tech has 
hidden IRC to the point of ubiquity.

>ever since I beat my long addiction to IRC in 1989, I can say with
>honesty:
>
>Hi, my name is Andre and I am an

Hi Andre.

 IRC addict, I have been clean now for
>almost 28 years...

RSI keeps me low key these days.

>
>bloody Fin's. if it isn't irc it is this linux virus,  * wondering
>whats next... :)

Keep coming back because it works. :-)

>
>Andre
>
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Re: [GTALUG] hoping for help

2017-07-16 Thread ac via talk 
On Sun, 16 Jul 2017 20:13:53 -0400 (EDT)
"D. Hugh Redelmeier via talk"  wrote:
> | From: Russell via talk 
> | Were an IRC channel set up
> Got a number of years, we've had #gtalog on freenode.net.  (We used to
> use #tlug but there were other users.)
> Hardly anyone uses it.  Six at the moment, including me (just for
> testing) and Myles twice.

ever since I beat my long addiction to IRC in 1989, I can say with honesty:

Hi, my name is Andre and I am an IRC addict, I have been clean now for
almost 28 years...

bloody Fin's. if it isn't irc it is this linux virus,  * wondering whats 
next... :)

Andre

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Re: [GTALUG] hoping for help

2017-07-16 Thread Russell via talk 
On July 14, 2017 9:23:05 PM EDT, Ann Pohl via talk  wrote:
>Hi. Anyone want to do their bit for the environment by helping me get
>set up? I am not wanting to be an OS computer whiz. I have a full plate
>already doing environmental protection'defense work-activism, and being
>a grandmother etc.. 
>
>...I am currently shopping for a new not-fancy computer and need some
>recommendations on which would be best for installing Linux-Ubuntu in a
>dual boot, and I also need an affordable technician to help me do that
>when I get the computer. 

Help with getting started is why Linux  installfests were popular in the past. 
I haven't been to one in the last decade, or heard of a recent local one in the 
last couple of years. Maybe a distro release party or two but thats about it.

I think several of this lists members are a part of Hacklab which has an open 
house on Tuesdays. You could probably visit on a Tuesday, talk to people and 
perhaps get one on one Tutorial assistance in Linux setup.

https://hacklab.to/about/

On the technical side, dual booting crosses the line of traditional out of the 
box DIY computing, as it requires some tinkering with disk partitions. 

However the graphical tools used by Linux these days make this step fairly 
trivial. Once you understand the concepts involved, its fairly easy. 

You dont need to understand the nuances of how the disk is partioned or the 
filesystem is structured. You only need to know that you need to shrink the 
existing partition(s) in order to create empty space for the new OS to reside 
in, the install software routine usually askes you about the rest. Just about 
every live distro comes with gparted to deal with shrinking partitions in order 
to install their distro alongside other OS's.

I'm assuming that the new laptop comes with a preinstalled OS and you would 
like to preserve it.

I just recently test installed several different distros on an older HP mini 
110 which came with Windows 10. So far all I have used Windows for, is the bios 
manufacture's tool to flash the bios upgrade.   

I settled on permanently installing Mint 18.2, XFCE which is the long term 
support beta for that distribution which uses a lightweight windowing service. 
Each time I installed a different test OS I was able to preserve Windows by 
using the tools which came with the live distro. 

Live is the term for an OS which will run from a USB stick or CD and also has 
an option to install. A live cd/usb is a good way to test your hardware 
compatability before installing.

>
>Usually I am in eastern NB but am in the GTA for the summer. I have
>technical support down there, but not up here. My kids are buying me a
>new computer and I need some guidance. I use the Linux - Ubuntu side.

This list is very much about self directed self study with a tad of outreach 
and occasional evangelism thrown in.

As someone else pointed out, it might be nice to have a sort of install primer 
available, made up of best practice suggestions for new users who subscribe to 
the list.

>mostly for my work because it deals with a lot of security issues.  

Correct me if I am wrong but at this point it looks like what you are looking 
for is some laptop hardware tips for the purchase and also hands on help with 
the physical install.

Hardware compatibility is almost a moot point, as some form of GNU Linux likely 
will run on any current system. Especially if video graphics or graphic 
manipulation are not a significant day to day issue.

I don't think there is a geek squad specializing in linux which does 
housecalls? I don't think there is even a local point of sale location with 
Linux pre-installs. I could be wrong tho.

As a hacker in the early 90's I use to do housecalls for Windows BSOD crash 
recovery and installing dialup modems for people. A great number of modem 
setups were for me to connect UofT sessional students to Pine email over 
Utordial. This is trivial to the point of being not a necessary housecall 
service these days.

Prior to your post, there was some interest in setting up Internet Relay Chat 
for the list. This idea could serve to provide real time advice for list users 
with technical set up issues. 

Were an IRC channel set up you could most likely connect on the computer you 
currently use and someone on the channel could walk you through creating the 
boot medium and using the app for changing the disk geometry and installing the 
OS in the newly empty un-assigned space.

Again, I'm not a member of Hacklab so I can't say come on down and use our 
space and bandwith to install.

However, I bet you can get a leg up on what needs to be done for your install, 
by showing up on a Tuesday evening open house and talking to someone in the 
hacktivist community F2F.

Hope this helps somewhat.

>
>Thanks for considering this request. Ann Pohl 
>
> [1] 
>
>Hi Ann, 
>
>It would be best if you joined our talk mailing list and ask your
>question there.

Re: [GTALUG] hoping for help

2017-07-15 Thread ac via talk 
Hi Ann,

I removed the *** SPAM *** from the subject line, my host rewrites
it so that clients may filter emails from mail servers with bad reputations, 
more easily and the place you are sending emails from sometimes 
sends out more spam than ham and is therefore judged as a bad source.

You should think about voting with your wallet and be "green" on the Internet :)

 http://multirbl.valli.org/lookup/216.40.38.60.html

so the *** SPAM *** is not related to your email, but to the place you
are paying to relay your emails...

thought I should just clarify that :)

> Hi Andre -- you know far more than I do. Yes, most likely just Linux -
> Ubuntu would be fine, I have a double boot on this old faithful
> laptop I am writing on right now, but I feel you are correct I do not
> need a double boot on the new laptop I intend to buy because Linux
> has become much more mainstreamable. 
> 
cool, then you can just 'single boot' into Ubuntu :)

It is easy to install (it does it by itself and a default install is
secure, the rest of your security is related to your own habits
(whether you share/open attachments, whether your chosen email software
automagically opens and parses emails (some of us still use pine
and/or even older email software - even I struggle to figure out how to
hack that, one has to result to social engineering or other dirty
tricks to access that type of kit :) )

You can easily get Ubuntu here: 
https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

and when you get the new notebook, you just install it :)

> I do not game on my computer ever so my specs are not high that way. I
> do travel, hence laptop only. I also am older so I like to have a big
> screen. I am looking with some interest at this computer: Lenovo
> Ideapad 320 which Costco sells. My old faithful is a Lenovo and I
> like it. 
> 
imho the new Lenovo's are fine and afaik work great with Linux.  The 320
could have a 14" / 15.6" or 17" screen? (also it could have an i3, i5 or
i7 Intel processor... - 320 vs 320S, etc)

Other Linux friendly brands are also HP :)

> I am concerned with security, more from stuff being sent to me, but
> also interference in my computer that could undermine my work. If you

Ubuntu is fine, regarding security it is a very broad subject and these
days everyone is and expert :) 

I see you are already using web mail, so that means that you are immune
to certain security things... except... is your hosting secure?  :)

The usual problem is with communication/attachments, if you frequently
open attachments this is where your weakness would be and there are no
easy answers as anyone could access any device that opens attachments 
(has java installed, etc)

Also web browsers and other applications that open/run any third party
software on your device... For example I have just seen very cool,
cutting edge spyware, on a known multinational company web... there are
hectic things out there and one is not always sure whether it is the
staff, gov agents, criminals or actual company that is doing weird stuff :)

imho, you could only have simple user land security on any device used
for communications. You can protect yourself form known virus, etc. but
not from spying or compromise. As in, this device I am typing this
email on, is not a trusted device as it is used for communication - so
devices like that should never contain anything of any value... (and is
never trusted)

real security is bothersome, expensive (running multiple systems and
networks) and is only intended for people with lots of tinfoil.

> want more of an idea of the sort of work I do, you can see the poorly
> organized blog at https://kentcountynbenvironmentwatch.wordpress.com/
> -- almost all of that is my writing, but I also do frontline and
> organizing stuff. I am on FB if you want to see me there. 
> 
> I hope this additional info answers most questions.  -- Thanks again
> for the quick reply and interest in my situation -- Ann Pohl 
> 
it is not that poorly organized it is a nice blog :)

Andre
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Re: [GTALUG] hoping for help

2017-07-15 Thread Howard Gibson via talk 
On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 22:23:05 -0300
Ann Pohl via talk  wrote:

> Hi. Anyone want to do their bit for the environment by helping me get
> set up? I am not wanting to be an OS computer whiz. I have a full plate
> already doing environmental protection'defense work-activism, and being
> a grandmother etc.. 
> 
> ...I am currently shopping for a new not-fancy computer and need some
> recommendations on which would be best for installing Linux-Ubuntu in a
> dual boot, and I also need an affordable technician to help me do that
> when I get the computer. 
> 
> Usually I am in eastern NB but am in the GTA for the summer. I have
> technical support down there, but not up here. My kids are buying me a
> new computer and I need some guidance. I use the Linux - Ubuntu side
> mostly for my work because it deals with a lot of security issues.  
> 
> Thanks for considering this request. Ann Pohl 

Ann,

   I post my Linux installation instructions on my website.  Installing
Linux is not difficult.  I run mostly Fedora, but I have installed
Ubuntu and Slackware, and my instructions are up there.  Being able to
install your own OS is good.  It keeps your computer out of the hands
of repair technicians. 

   As a note to everybody else, it would be a good  thing if we all
posted install instructions.  It will be a resource for all the newbies
out there.

-- 
Howard Gibson 
hgib...@eol.ca
jhowardgib...@gmail.com
http://home.eol.ca/~hgibson
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Re: [GTALUG] hoping for help

2017-07-15 Thread Daniel Villarreal via talk 
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On 07/15/17 09:02, Ann Pohl via talk wrote:
> ... most likely just Linux - Ubuntu would be fine, I have a double
> boot on this old faithful laptop ... I do not need a double boot on
> the new laptop...
> 
> I do not game ... I do travel, hence laptop only... I like to have
> a big screen. I am looking [at] Lenovo Ideapad 320...
> 
> I am concerned with security, more from stuff being sent to me, but
> also interference in my computer that could undermine my work...
,,,

Hi Ms. Pohl,
Welcome to the group.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Security

You'll also want to set up your web browser.
example: https://privacytoolsio.github.io/privacytools.io/#about_config
(verify before using)

You may also want to consider signing your emails.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/digitally-signing-and-encrypting-me
ssages

Have a great day!
Daniel Villarreal

http://www.youcanlinux.org
youcanlinux at gmail.com
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[GTALUG] hoping for help

2017-07-14 Thread Ann Pohl via talk 
Hi. Anyone want to do their bit for the environment by helping me get
set up? I am not wanting to be an OS computer whiz. I have a full plate
already doing environmental protection'defense work-activism, and being
a grandmother etc.. 

...I am currently shopping for a new not-fancy computer and need some
recommendations on which would be best for installing Linux-Ubuntu in a
dual boot, and I also need an affordable technician to help me do that
when I get the computer. 

Usually I am in eastern NB but am in the GTA for the summer. I have
technical support down there, but not up here. My kids are buying me a
new computer and I need some guidance. I use the Linux - Ubuntu side
mostly for my work because it deals with a lot of security issues.  

Thanks for considering this request. Ann Pohl 

 [1] 

Hi Ann, 

It would be best if you joined our talk mailing list and ask your
question there. https://gtalug.org/mailing-list/ [2] 

  

Links:
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