Re: [ubuntu-uk] Research Required
On 30/12/10 01:18, Bruno Girin wrote: > Having said this, one way to avoid the "where have all my windows > gone?" moments is to make the transition very obvious by enabling the > cube in Compiz for instance: at least if the user is confused, calls > you and says "there was this cube thing then all my windows were > gone!", you know exactly what happened. Another trick for Windows > users who are used to the ALT+TAB key combo is to configure it so that > ALT+TAB shows all windows in all workspaces rather than only windows > in the current workspace. Another one I like to show new users is to install the window selector panel applet (as opposed to the window list) which shows apps open in all workspaces. I usually install parcellite too, so they don't ring me about copy and paste not working after they close the app they copied from. Unfortunately the maintainer of parcellite is stepping down, and glipper (the GNU alternative) is somewhat unstable, often crashing on login. -- JimP -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Research Required
On 29 December 2010 16:07, Yorvyk wrote: > On Tue, 28 Dec 2010 22:20:11 + > Colin Law wrote: > [snip] >> >> By all means set the workspaces to one to get rid of that complexity though. >> > This I don't agree with as multiple workspaces are one of the best ways of > organising oneself. True but it is a metaphor very few new users are used to. What I tend to do, both with Ubuntu and OS-X, is to demonstrate the feature and gauge the response. If it's along the lines of "oh that's cool!", I leave it on, if it's along the lines of "oh, that's confusing...", I disable it, at least until they've got used to their desktop and the way it operates. Having said this, one way to avoid the "where have all my windows gone?" moments is to make the transition very obvious by enabling the cube in Compiz for instance: at least if the user is confused, calls you and says "there was this cube thing then all my windows were gone!", you know exactly what happened. Another trick for Windows users who are used to the ALT+TAB key combo is to configure it so that ALT+TAB shows all windows in all workspaces rather than only windows in the current workspace. Everybody is different and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. What is great with Ubuntu is that you can really configure the system in a way that suits how the user wants to use it, not the other way round. Cheers, Bruno -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Research Required
On Tue, 28 Dec 2010 22:20:11 + Colin Law wrote: > On 28 December 2010 19:45, Nigel Verity wrote: > > ... > > I installed Ubuntu 10.4 LTS. I removed the bottom task bar completely so as > > not to complicate matters with the concept of workspaces. I moved the top > > task bar to the bottom of the screen, then added the task list applet so > > that open applications would each be represented by a familiar button. I > > removed the Firefox and Help icons to complete the Windows look-and-feel as > > far as possible. > > My experience with setting up Windows users with Ubuntu has been that > the top and bottom bars have not been an issue. Users are, after all, > experienced with application menus and toolbars at the top of windows, > which is more or less what the top bar is. I think trying to make it > as much like Windows as possible is unnecessary. Better to > concentrate on making users aware that they are getting something > better, they then expect it to be different, and as long as the > operation is logical and simple there will be few problems. If we try > to convince users that they are getting a windows clone they may > complain about the differences that they will find. If we convince > them they are getting something that is better (_and_ free) then they > are more likely to accept the differences, or even revel in them. > I'm with you on that one. I would never attempt to make Ubuntu look or behave like windows. I want the user to know it is different, but similar. One of the other things I try to discourage is icons on the desktop, it smacks of disorganised behaviour to me. > > By all means set the workspaces to one to get rid of that complexity though. > This I don't agree with as multiple workspaces are one of the best ways of organising oneself. -- Steve Cook (Yorvyk) http://lubuntu.net -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Research required ...
On 28/12/10 13:14, Patrick Bulteel wrote: >> Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2010 12:06:18 + >> From: Barry Drake >> Subject: [ubuntu-uk] Research required ... >> To: UK Ubuntu Talk >> Message-ID: <1293451578.2118.38.ca...@pcspecialist> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" >> >> Those of you on the advertising list will know that Dant? Ashton and I >> have been trying to research easy entry into Ubuntu with the mindset of >> the average Windows user. Please consider helping with this research. >> The aim is to pick a particular 'need' and to follow through whether >> this need can be met under Ubuntu, how easily and how successfully. >> This use should ideally be one that your Windows friend would have, and >> preferably a need that you know little about. >> >> First take a look at: >> https://help.ubuntu.com/10.04/switching/C/applications-equivalents.html >> >> > I found the following page very useful. > > http://ubuntulinuxhelp.com/top-100-of-the-best-useful-opensource-applications/ > > I'm sure that there's lots of other comparison pages out there. > > >> This page may need revision, and certainly needs extending. >> >> Rules for research: any necessary packages to be easily and quickly >> installed without using the commandline. The preference would be to use >> the Ubuntu Software Centre. If you have a way of meeting the need, but >> this requires commandline or other methods, please submit this anyway - >> Ubuntu could incorporate a simple workaround. Any scripts or code you >> write to make things work could be posted. Stuff like that could easily >> be part of a package and run on installation without the user being in >> any way aware of the complexity. >> >> When you have done the research, please report on how easy it was to >> access the information and provide links if a good method is suggested >> online somewhere. >> >> So far, I have researched iPod and iTunes. I have also explored >> Logos/Libronix as a colleague has over ?1000 worth of books in that >> format. I have to report that Ubuntu is not for him. I have e-mailed >> Logos and received a reply stating that at present they do not have >> plans to support our platform. The same was true of Mac until many many >> Mac users complained to Logos! A niche area, but maybe you'd like to >> aid that cause? >> >> I also did a webcam exercise with my sister. The task was dead easy for >> me - but incredibly daunting for my sister and it need not have been! >> That one hardly wants any tweaking but it does need tweaking and >> properly documenting. >> >> Researching iTunes, I found an official Ubuntu document that said iTunes >> would install under PlayOnLinux. I tested this. Only iTunes 10.6 can >> be made to work, and it installs crippled. The CD rip and burn >> facilities don't work. It is official policy that we do not include >> methods based on Wine or any of its derivatives as these, however good, >> are not for the Ubuntu newbie. >> >> The result of the above is that iTunes can be perfectly replaced and >> iPods work just fine under Ubuntu with several apps BUT the Apple >> download store cannot be accessed. Most of you knew that already - I >> was working in the dark and discovered how hard it was to get >> information that a newbie could follow. >> >> So - lay aside your geekiness for a time, imagine you're a newbie and >> volunteer to research a particular need. Please state the one you are >> thinking of pursuing so we don't duplicate the effort. If there's a >> good response, maybe someone who has admin access to the Canonical or >> Ubuntu website can set up a Wiki for us to report back on? >> >> Hope I'm not treading on any Canonical toes here apologies in >> advance if I am. >> >> Regards,Barry Drake. >> >> -- >> What do you see when you use your Computer? Same old thing? >> ...There IS a Better Way! Ubuntu! >> >> >> > I'm going to try to convert one of two computer that my parents have to > Ubuntu over new years. > > All they need is to be able to browse the web, use email and use Skype with > their webcam. I'm not sure what else, but I know they have a scanner/printer > (don't know the brand yet) and a digital camera. All of these I'm going to > try to get working. Also, the best part is I will be able to support them > remotely very easily if I have to. > > I think that what I'm going to do is to let them do the work while I watch > over their shoulders and make notes. I'll gladly share these. As a side > note, my parents are in their 60s and my father is the computer literate one > - to some extent. > > -- > Patrick > > What may be useful is when you click on the taskbar network icon it comes up with the systems up address, at least, The reason for this is that sometimes when trying to help people it is useful to know, expecting a new user to goto a console window, and type ifconfig seems a bit much, as that gives lots more information than is required. It may be useful t
Re: [ubuntu-uk] e1000e driver woes on 10.10
On 29 December 2010 08:22, Tim Dobson wrote: > Heya, > > I'm having some issues with my parent's recently upgraded maverick > desktop and I wondered if anyone had any thoughts here. > > The issue is that the ethernet connectivity appears to (in about 50% of > boots) bounce continuously giving the users no connectivity. > > When the interface doesn't come up properly here are the results of: > cat /var/log/syslog | grep e1000e > http://pastebin.com/ctKj9HPX > > FYI, a successful boot where looks like this; http://pastebin.com/L4c8YmPA The only difference I can see between the two is that when on successful boot, the interface is up and running prior to NetworkManager reporting the Ethernet device found, while on a failed boot, NetworkManager reports the Ethernet device found prior to the interface being up (see lines 11, 12, 13 in both logs). What may happen after that is that NM gets confused and tries to bring the interface down and then up repeatedly but doesn't wait long enough for the interface to come up. It may be worth having a look at the NM settings to see if there is anything that can help, although I didn't find anything through a cursory search. Cheers, Bruno -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
[ubuntu-uk] e1000e driver woes on 10.10
Heya, I'm having some issues with my parent's recently upgraded maverick desktop and I wondered if anyone had any thoughts here. The issue is that the ethernet connectivity appears to (in about 50% of boots) bounce continuously giving the users no connectivity. When the interface doesn't come up properly here are the results of: cat /var/log/syslog | grep e1000e http://pastebin.com/ctKj9HPX FYI, a successful boot where looks like this; http://pastebin.com/L4c8YmPA It's a Lenovo thinkcentre and is connected to a router right next to it with a 0.5m length of Cat5 Ethernet. The router has other things hanging off it and does not loose connectivity. The Ethernet cable has been swapped out and switch ports have been changed. This hasn't made a difference. I suspect the issue has only occurred since the upgrade to 10.10. lspci -nn for the interface gives: 00:19.0 Ethernet controller [0200]: Intel Corporation 82566DM Gigabit Network Connection [8086:104a] (rev 02) t...@vitalstatistix:~$ lsmod | grep e100 e1000e151787 0 On a successful boot querying ethtool gives: t...@vitalstatistix:~$ sudo ethtool eth0 Settings for eth0: Supported ports: [ TP ] Supported link modes: 10baseT/Half 10baseT/Full 100baseT/Half 100baseT/Full 1000baseT/Full Supports auto-negotiation: Yes Advertised link modes: 10baseT/Half 10baseT/Full 100baseT/Half 100baseT/Full 1000baseT/Full Advertised pause frame use: No Advertised auto-negotiation: Yes Speed: 100Mb/s Duplex: Full Port: Twisted Pair PHYAD: 1 Transceiver: internal Auto-negotiation: on MDI-X: on Supports Wake-on: pumbag Wake-on: g Current message level: 0x0001 (1) Link detected: yes I know I've probably not really got enough data of it failing for people to be able to help that much, what would be useful to include? Thanks in advance :) Tim (Sorry to summon the hivemind, however I've been in bed for the past two weeks with flu and you know how frustrating it is doing parental tech support at the best of times!) :) -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
[ubuntu-uk] Desktop backgrounds
When I upgraded/installed 10.10, I chose one of the pre-installed desktop backgrounds (a sort of shades-of-blue photo of a pier). A few weeks ago I downloaded a Christmas background. Yesterday I went to change it back, but the pre-installed background I'd used before wasn't there. No probs - I downloaded one I liked from art.gnome. But do the updates change those pre-installed backgrounds? Can't see that they would. Why bother? So where has it gone? Dianne PS I was given a copy of the Ubuntu Linux Toolbox for Christmas - my questions will now be trivial and pointless as I shall be asking the Book all other questions. :) -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
