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Eva's Useful Guide to Ubuntu 9.10
johannes-eva.net ^ | Novembre 2009 | Johannes Eva

Posted on 11/16/2009 4:45:08 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach

Welcome to the third edition of Eva's Useful Guide to Ubuntu!
This guide contains many tips to enhance and customize a fresh Ubuntu 9.10 "Karmic Koala" installation.

I have been using various Linux distributions since 1998, and Ubuntu since its first release in 2004. During the last five years, I have accumulated some experience installing and maintaining Ubuntu systems.

This guide was first meant to be my own reference, but I think it can be useful to anyone wanting to get the best of his Ubuntu box.

 

Summary

A. Media codecs, DVD support and more
B. Use the Gnome Control Center
C. Set up Firefox & Thunderbird
D. Install useful software
E. System & administration software
F. How to install fonts
G. Get more languages
H. How to force the package architecture
I. How to install Virtualbox
J. External monitor with NVidia
K. Hardware specific issues
L. Tips & tricks
M. Miscellaneous
N. Ubuntu branding
Final thoughts & comments

(Excerpt) Read more at johannes-eva.net ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: hitech; linux; ubuntu
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To: Mr. K
After 60 years UNIX (aka linux) still cannot come out of the box and install itself and give a user one double-click access to email

First off, UNIX has only existed for 40 years, and Linux has only existed since 1991.

Second, NO operating system can "install itself". Somebody had to pre-install Windows on the computer you bought or built.

Third, no operating system will give a user one double-click access to email. You have to set up the account, or type in username/password in the case of webmail.

My installation of OpenSuSE 11.1 on this old HP Pavilion took about 25 minutes including updates. No hardware problems. Last time i had to do a fresh install of Windows XP it took me about two hours, and i had to search for/install third party drivers. Incidentally, i LOVED Windows XP, never had a problem with it, not one BSOD.

Any other FUD you wish to distribute this fine morning?

21 posted on 11/16/2009 7:53:16 AM PST by Calvinist_Dark_Lord ((I have come here to kick @$$ and chew bubblegum...and I'm all outta bubblegum! ~Roddy Piper))
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach; raybbr

Good morning FRiends!

So, I played with Eldy. ‘nuff said. LOL Let me describe it for you.

Junk
Crap
Spam
Scam
Spyware

Too bad, so sad.

I got kicked off of their blog last night for pointing out it’s, uh, shortcomings. haha

First of all, it’s not a distribution, it’s merely a Java based interface that runs in either Windows, or (they say) any .nix distribution. I installed it on Ubuntu 8.10, 9.10, and Puppy Linux, as wells as, Win XP and 7. It behaved nicely on all except Puppy. In fact, it froze puppy, and spewed error messages left and right.

The first screen that pops up wants you to register, or select another option saying you’re a tech and using it only for evaluation purposes, and only for 30 days without full functionality. I registered (I thought) because I wanted full functionality.

After inputting all of my info, I was offered to select my Locale, sort of. I could select any City from a list of Italian Cities, and only major Cities were on the list. So much for “personalization” and getting weather info, unless of course, I lived in one of those major Italian Cities.

Next, I was presented with (what I can only describe it as) an advertisement for several corporations, a pop up like box with Corporate logos and info on it. I really couldn’t derive that for sure, as everything is in Italian. LOL

OK, so I decided to “Walk in the Internet”, as it is described. On Windows, I received an error message in a “DOS” box, that said it was killing a process-literally-it said “invoking death”!..in English.

I rebooted and tried it again, and this time I was allowed to get to the next screen, which was a page of “Favorites”, and one big green button that said “Your Favorites” on it. In order to add a Favorite, you need to click, at least, three more times, on smaller non colored in boxes/buttons, and type in the address and then enter a name for it. Still, you can’t get to it, until you use the big “Back” button under the main screen, but, you can from there.

Finally, I was allowed to access it’s (?)browser(?), which has a huge address bar that directs you to “type in your destination here”, I did, and Foxnews and FR filled the screen...completely. Alas, no flash, but I did have Flash installed on the Ubuntu box. Arrgghh! No way to back out, and no tabs, you have to hit the big “Back” button underneath the (?)browser(?), which takes you back to the “Walk in the Internet” screen. If you keep clicking on the “back” button, you’ll get taken back to the “Big Square”, which is the default screen upon opening.

The Email was about the same experience, except, after jumping through all of the hoops, and you get to hit send, it tells you it’s only a “Trial” version, and to get this function, I would have to click on the “Elephant” on the desktop, and install Eldy Lombardia or some such nonsense. my Elephant wasn’t clickable.

Clicking on “Help” got me to, you might have guessed it, the Corporate Logo screen again. So, I tried the “Guides” button, this time I got a bunch of Italian instructions telling me, I think, the setup process. Now, if I got this far, would I really need a guide to tell me how to get this far?

In Ubuntu, I was not able to access the Ubuntu desktop, except by clicking on the Exit button, which presents a dialog box that offers three choices, “Exit” (closing Eldy), “Reduce” (minimize the interface), and “Cancel” (you made a mistake). In Windows, I was able to minimize or close it out by clicking on the Windows controls in the top RH corner.

Eldy TV, ditto. Chat, ditto.

So, there is some form of payment required, I think, to have a fully functioning version, they are probably receiving some “click through” revenue on the so called “Favorites”, and the only email address you can have is {username}@eldy.it, so all of your email goes through their servers.

I would be suspicious of letting my Grandparents, or anyone, rely on this application. As well, I would make sure they were close to a Heart & Stroke Center...


22 posted on 11/16/2009 7:59:17 AM PST by papasmurf (RnVjayB5b3UsIDBiYW1hLCB5b3UgcGllY2Ugb2Ygc2hpdCBjb3dhcmQh)
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To: papasmurf
Damn,....crossing that one off my List....

Thanks very much for looking into that....

23 posted on 11/16/2009 8:02:11 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach ( Support Geert Wilders)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

That was hilarious! They should offer that to the Mac fan(atics), as well.


24 posted on 11/16/2009 8:02:48 AM PST by papasmurf (RnVjayB5b3UsIDBiYW1hLCB5b3UgcGllY2Ugb2Ygc2hpdCBjb3dhcmQh)
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To: Moonman62
Linux has been hovering around 3% market share for years. It makes a good Live CD rescue disk if you can find one that will boot on your machine.

i think that because of Live CD/DVD versions of *nix that percentage will eventually start to climb if it hasn't yet. The more people get familiar with it the more will want to use it. The marketing of *nix hasn't been great, Microsoft has to be saluted for their work on that end.

The Live CD/DVD is something that Microsoft should probably make more readily available to their customers. It would come in handy because of the reasons you've stated. i've used live DVD Linux disks when i've screwed up something on my Linux configuration. It is a very handy tool to have.

25 posted on 11/16/2009 8:04:06 AM PST by Calvinist_Dark_Lord ((I have come here to kick @$$ and chew bubblegum...and I'm all outta bubblegum! ~Roddy Piper))
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To: papasmurf
So, I played with Eldy. ‘nuff said. LOL Let me describe it for you.

Gotta admit. I have no idea what "Eldy" is.

P.S. did you get my info on that other thread?

26 posted on 11/16/2009 8:11:34 AM PST by raybbr (It's going to get a lot worse now that the anchor babies are voting!)
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To: raybbr
Eldy . Eldy allows seniors use computers and enjoy the Internet revolution, by providing a software that allows easy access to all the most important functions: e-mail (any pop3/imap account), chat, Web browsing, weather, text editor, streaming and a lot more.

So they say, those are their words from their website.
27 posted on 11/16/2009 8:16:46 AM PST by papasmurf (RnVjayB5b3UsIDBiYW1hLCB5b3UgcGllY2Ugb2Ygc2hpdCBjb3dhcmQh)
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To: papasmurf
Oh, I see it now. "Computing for Seniors" (Even though I don't read Italian I know that's not what the image says.)

LOL


28 posted on 11/16/2009 8:19:27 AM PST by raybbr (It's going to get a lot worse now that the anchor babies are voting!)
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To: papasmurf; Mr. K
After 60 years UNIX (aka linux) still cannot come out of the box and install itself and give a user one double-click access to email

Until it does (which it never will because Linux geeks need to feel so much more superior than everyone else) it will never be THE operating system the world uses.

And I am a software engineer- i KNOW it is superior operating system to windows, technically.

That is just so wrong, on so many levels. lol

ALL distributions of any Debian based .nix (and Debian is the widest in use) come with the Evolution Suite pre-installed. ONE CLICK to start ‘er up, enter your provider’s info, your account info, and your on your way.

Evolution is an Open Source competitor to Microsoft’s Outlook Suite, with full Calendaring, Contacts, Tasks, Collaboration, etc.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 can’t do that, because they don’t even come with an email client (MS wants to suck you into their “Live Mail” bs).

As well, there is a plethora of email clients (and servers) available for FREE, from the “select and run” Software Center or, through the synaptic package manager. Choices. Choices. Choice. FREE. FREE. FREE.

As for the superiority, well, just be glad we aren’t Mac-nuts. LOL

OS X is Unix which installs quite easily on an Apple-branded PC, called a Macintosh - or more commonly, just a Mac.
Here's Apple's Open Group brand certificate, which entitles Apple to use the UNIX brand. I suggest printing this on high rag content paper, framing it and hanging it in your server room or your Mac-graced cubicle. There are UNIX pretenders, and there is the real thing. Mac users, realize that qualifying for UNIX is no small feat, especially for an open source, BSD-based OS. The Open Group standards, the PDFs for which are idiotically marked as free but blocked from PDF download unless you buy your way into a membership, are rooted in System V. Apple is to be commended.

Leopard gets UNIX 03 certification

OS X can be illegally loaded on non-Apple PCs, of course - but that leaves you to sort out the vagaries of your particular hardware which have traditionally made Windows so problematic, and with no vendor support at all. If you go with a Mac, of course, the price of OSX is embedded in the price of the hardware, since Apple's business model is to sell you not only a good system out of the box but one whose OS you will be able to economically upgrade as Apple upgrades OS X. The upshot is that a Mac is an expensive but good computer which tends to hold its value better than a cheaper PC.

29 posted on 11/16/2009 8:24:22 AM PST by conservatism_IS_compassion (Anyone who claims to be objective marks himself as hopelessly subjective.)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Thats a very informative guide, thanks.

Have been using Ubuntu since 8.04 LTS.

Just installed Karmic 9.10 on a dell D600 dual boot with XP, and Karmic Ubuntu Netbook Remix on Acer Aspire One.

Karmic is my favorite version by far, very fast and smooth.


30 posted on 11/16/2009 8:38:45 AM PST by msnpatriot
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To: conservatism_IS_compassion

To me, computers are like women. I love them all. :O)


31 posted on 11/16/2009 8:58:32 AM PST by papasmurf (RnVjayB5b3UsIDBiYW1hLCB5b3UgcGllY2Ugb2Ygc2hpdCBjb3dhcmQh)
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To: Incorrigible
Good one!


32 posted on 11/16/2009 9:06:31 AM PST by rdb3 (The mouth is the exhaust pipe of the heart.)
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To: papasmurf
To me, computers are like women. I love them all.

Even the slow and outdated ones?

33 posted on 11/16/2009 10:20:16 AM PST by Pearls Before Swine (Is /sarc really necessary?)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Kewl. ‘Cuz 9.10 is vexing me on one box.


34 posted on 11/16/2009 10:24:45 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: Pearls Before Swine
Yes, I like it them slow. Besides, I tried trading in a 40 yr old for two 20 yr old's, and I found I wasn't wired for 220.
35 posted on 11/16/2009 10:25:28 AM PST by papasmurf (RnVjayB5b3UsIDBiYW1hLCB5b3UgcGllY2Ugb2Ygc2hpdCBjb3dhcmQh)
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To: papasmurf
Yes, I like it them slow. Besides, I tried trading in a 40 yr old for two 20 yr old's, and I found I wasn't wired for 220.

There's slow... and there's slow. In my case, I'm not wired for 320 anymore!

36 posted on 11/16/2009 10:30:34 AM PST by Pearls Before Swine (Is /sarc really necessary?)
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To: Mr. K
After 60 years UNIX (aka linux) still cannot come out of the box and install itself and give a user one double-click access to email

Gee, by that standard there isn't ANY operating system that works.

For instance, here is a FOUR PART TUTORIAL on how to install Windows 7.

That's right. A four part tutorial. On how to install just the OS. Installing an office suite, a decent email client and web browser not to mention all of the addons required to actually put a Windows machine on the Internet (spyware remover, anti-virus, firewall) are NOT part of the FOUR PART TUTORIAL.

On the other hand, I can boot a Live CD of Ubuntu and be on the 'net, browsing web pages, sending email and creating Word documents and PDF files in under 5 minutes.

37 posted on 11/16/2009 10:34:46 AM PST by Knitebane (Happily Microsoft free since 1999.)
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To: papasmurf
ROFL.....

I have had my Grandson visiting me....man the stories he tells...make me wish for the old days when I was younger....if you know what I mean...

He is heading for Afghanistan in the spring....guess he figures it will be like a drought over there...

38 posted on 11/16/2009 10:39:19 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach ( Support Geert Wilders)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

“make me wish for the old days when I was younger”

My 30’s were the best. Women were no longer girls, and the difference is distinct, and we also had a good time and enjoyed each other’s company, as well as having some, er, fun. haha


39 posted on 11/16/2009 11:03:07 AM PST by papasmurf (RnVjayB5b3UsIDBiYW1hLCB5b3UgcGllY2Ugb2Ygc2hpdCBjb3dhcmQh)
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To: Pearls Before Swine
There's slow... and there's slow. In my case, I'm not wired for 320 anymore!



Shame, shame, shame! LOL
40 posted on 11/16/2009 11:08:52 AM PST by papasmurf (RnVjayB5b3UsIDBiYW1hLCB5b3UgcGllY2Ugb2Ygc2hpdCBjb3dhcmQh)
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