Posted on 01/06/2020 12:14:40 AM PST by sushiman
I have IE 11 in both my PCs and am finding it increasingly difficult to use some websites . Even Facebook says that my browser will soon not be usable on that site . I don't want to install Windows 10 , so , to those who are still using Windows 7 , which browser do you recommend ? Any other advice ? Thanks in advance !
“Ubuntu is pretty windows-like”
I just tried the newest Ubuntu, and coming from Mint 18.3 “cinnamon” there is absolutely no comparison. Hands down the Mint cinnamon is the best for a new Linux user and almost the same in function and feel as win 7. A new user can fly with it immediately as the closest to win 7. :)
“s Linux good for word processing? “
“It’s OK if you’re not a user of the esoteric functions buried deep in the MS Word menus. If you are, you’ll likely hate it, but if you search hard enough, you may be able to find something that will do what you want.
You’re still going to have to learn SOMETHING new.”
Which app are you referring to? Libreoffice or Librewriter? How long has it been since you have used these? They have all the same functions found with any other similar app.
I had to do a search because I couldn't visit some sites without my Pi time and date matching the servers'. So I searched for how do I manually set the clock. Bunch of hits, including a site dedicated to Pi discussions.
The sites purporting to have the answer wouldn't show me the page because my time and date didn't match.
That, in essence, is the Linux experience.
I used the W10 tablet (the two CPUs are hooked to that 40" tv) to read the instructions and tried five or six different ones that Pi / Linux users just guaranteed would work. Finally found one that did. Luckily I can revisit my typing on the command line by the use of cursor keys, in case I need this again. After the third boot or so the effin' automatic set by server gizmo started to work.
By the way, this isn't a solicitation for how to do either thing (turn on the automated thing, or manually set the t&d). :^) Believe me, that's the last thing I want to see another version of.
I've used the Pi (v1) before, back when it came out, an early-adopter buddy had one, we hooked it to this same tv and it was, well, it worked, it wasn't too toylike, could be used for stuff. Version 4 is pretty darned good. Of course, I had to put it together, and btw, the Canakit has basically NO insructions for assembly, so I had to view a YouTube on the 2-in-1. It took two tries (and an interminable download on the second try) to install the Raspbian and get the system to boot. Then the t&d problems which I'm glad are behind me.
As I think I mentioned, I've got a fully functional W10 machine, with screen and keyboard, and while it's a small form factor, it's good to go and can be used (with some reading glasses), while the Pi is really just a cigarette pack sized CPU, no keyboard, no mouse, no monitor -- and the same money.
My intent is to, perhaps, use the Pi as my in-house VPN server.
Also, there are free office suites available for download, and they check their own versions and see if there's an update.
“By the way, this isn’t a solicitation for how to do either thing (turn on the automated thing, or manually set the t&d). :^) Believe me, that’s the last thing I want to see another version of.”
Lol, OK... is it alright to just nibble around the edges then? Assessment rather than suggested cures?
I see what happened I think, You were installing small specialized apps individually when a full Linux lighter version OS with all the works can actually be installed on a Pi. I just ordered a Pi myself to play with. From what I understand, once you have a full “light” OS installed, such as Mint 18.3 Xfce, installing and making your own VPN and honey pot is easier. But I have only done a LOT of homework on this.
I built my own VPN tunnel “server” not just a “client” in this Mint I have with OpenVPN. The problem is, with your own server your IP provider will change addresses on you to fit their own traffic problems. This messes up a personal VPN server, I had to also acquire a “static IP service address” to forward to and tunnel through so that it would not change. Because when they change it on you it is done for until it happens to come back to that exact same address again.
“Also, there are free office suites available for download, and they check their own versions and see if there’s an update.”
Yep, Everything Linux is good about that, checking up on it’s self. The version I always promote, comes boxed with a fantastic full bundle of all the needed apps like that. It really does come with all the best bells and whistles available to start with. :)
I use Windows 7. I don’t consider any out of the box browser to be adequate. I have chose to use Firefox with the following extensions installed and enabled to make it safe and usable:
AdBlocker Ultimate.
HTTPS Everywhere.
NoScript. I keep this on by default except when a site is deliberately exempted. Can be a PITA sometimes but this simple precaution stops most of the shenanigans out there.
uBlock Origin.
Fireshot. For full web page screenshots.
AutoCopy.
Auto Opt-out for Flash.
Zoom Page WE.
DownThemAll!.
Random Agent Spoofer. I keep this on just to mess with tracking. Your browser sends a *LOT* of information on you and your pc when you visit a site. This spoofs it and randomly varies it. A must have.
I work in privacy solutions and accordingly I do not have a Facebook account and never visit Facebook for any reason. But if (like my wife) you must, then add the Facebook Container to stop them tracking you.
Great. thanks, can’t wait to try it!
“My intent is to, perhaps, use the Pi as my in-house VPN server.”
I apologize, I blew right past that “in house” thing.
I am sure this might be much easier with a light full GUI interface OS rather than command line. OK, that was indeed a suggestion...
May I PM you with the particulars and process? :)
Yes, I would appreciate that very much.
Great! :)
I like free, I appreciate all you've said, but free office suites (mostly exactly the same ones) and free or very cheap programs are available for d/l on all current OS platforms, and Linux remains a hobbyists' OS. If the Pi and Linux had come along when I was first jumping in (mid-1980s), it would be a different story.
“esoteric functions”
We switched over from free choice word processing at work when they standardized on Microsoft software. Word Star was a good early one, but Word Perfect was what our group had settled on. A major advantage was that you could read the codes and see what it was doing. MicroSoft told us there were no codes in Word. That is not quite true. There are not many and the system for finding them is strange.
I used Word Perfect to learn to read the old German cursive. Their word lookup had a wild card entry that would bring up all the words in their dictionary with that spelling. *h*t would give you what, that & anything else that would fit. Never found that feature in Word. It may exist, but I did not have a private copy of Word.
[singing] GUI, GUI baby, GUI, GUI baby, GUI, GUI baby, Linux wants to take me on a C cruise...
“and Linux remains a hobbyists’ OS.”
Not anymore my friend... Honest Injun... This mint 18.3 “cinnamon” is a full blown full featured point and click drag and drop graphic user interface OS with GUI companion apps where the average user would never even need to ever touch the command line. It is right up there as equal and actually in many ways superior to windows 7.
In the last couple years they have now created something that is absolutely competitive with Win 7 in ease to use and function. Those old stigmas are the only reason why more have not tried it. I was blown away my friend, I will never go back and should have done it much sooner... And I am looking at it from the non-techy boob side of it. :)
My problem with Linux was hardware drivers. If they existed they were less than intuitive to install.
On top of that, software installations were definitely hit or miss.
If it is now as easy as Windows or IOS, maybe I’ll take another look.
“If it is now as easy as Windows or IOS, maybe I’ll take another look.”
Yes it is, and now hardware providers such as printers supply the drivers needed for linux. But this version I suggest has worked everything I have thrown at it plug and play. Seriously... Try the Mint 18.3 “cinnamon” as a known working stable Distro package and update it three times after installing if you do. On the third update, update just only the kernel.
The James Madison University mirror source is a known clean complete download. I think you might be pleasantly surprised at how far they have now come. It is a full GUI OS software downloader, updater, apps, and all... :)
https://linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=246
I've had to use a command line on the W7 (and whatever we had before that) about ten times in 18 years. I've had to use the command line on the Pi almost that many times in perhaps 18 days. And I haven't been using it for over a week. I've used Ubuntu on an obsolete 32 bit CPU that was being given away at the workplace (a coworker wanted it cleaned up and updated, that was my brilliant idea) and the installer actually worked pretty easily. The machine actually booted into the configured state after the first shutdown, video was correctly set.
This was at least six years ago. By contrast, the Ubuntu install I used a couple years ago (version called Linutop, for one of those old embedded XP solid state boxes, got it out of the hobby pile at a recycle) came up with the login screen, without any way to actually log on, and of course nothing in support of it online.
Ping
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