Posted on 06/08/2022 10:40:31 AM PDT by ShadowAce
Since /home is a separate partition/disk on my laptop, I can reinstall the OS at any point, and when I run this script, it automatically installs and configures the software I want.
Every time I install a new package, I'll add it into the script. Makes a vanilla install to be my preferred install.
For instance:
I (obviously) replaced my username with "Shadow" in the above snippet.#!/bin/bash if [ "$EUID" -ne 0 ] then echo "Please run as root" exit fi cp /home/Shadow/Shadow-user /etc/sudoers.d/. cat /home/Shadow/fstab >> /etc/fstab hostnamectl set-hostname laptop-name apt-add-repository ppa:lucioc/sayonara apt -y install /home/Shadow/Downloads/nordvpn-release_1.0.0_all.deb apt -y install xfsprogs xfsdump attr quota apt update apt -y full-upgrade --allow-downgrades apt -y install nordvpn apt -y install kde-standard apt -y install tuned terminator vim transmission xfreerdp flameshot . . .
So--I perform a vanilla install, run this script (Usually another 20-30 minutes due to the update/upgrade process and the kde-install), and everything is back to the way I want it.
Which must mean you have capable hardware, as VM can be slow (Virtual machines access hardware indirectly=less efficient), among other possible drawbacks.
"But I admit it was some initial config work to get it all cooperating. " For me just to achieve similar speed and efficiency with a Linux OS (and I have tried all major and many minor distros) comparable to Windows (now 11, not because it is better than 10, as it is not) on a rig with Ryzen 3200G w/ 64GB RAM. + M.2 main drive and SSD's) then among other things, I would want to:
(due to much typing and operations with stiff arthritic fingers) remapp Caps Lock to ctrl+c, Esc to ctrl+v; NumLock to Esc and the middle mouse button to (easily done with a AutoHotKey script (NumLock::Esc
CapsLock::^c
Esc::^v
mbutton::^x
Install and get WINE to run correctly (too often does not in my experience) to run certain programs (esp. Bible ones for which there are no full Linux equivalents).
Install multiple portable Firefox installations (each having its own general purpose, with many tabs open on each). Without finding and running scripts.
Be able to find program executables (usually easily done in Windows via right click versus Linux, and in which there can be two files in the same directory with the same name) and create how shortcuts to them, as well as for Send to/Open with options).
Create custom right click menus with user-chosen locations, programs, etc.
Find a true equivalent to Windows device manager and HWiNFO64.exe.
In addition to which is finding out how to get Firefox (with multiple tab rows) and LibreOffice as customized to work the same in Linux.
And also find and configure an AutoHotKey equivalent.
There is also the legal multimedia code issue, if a decreasing one.
Plus, having one land line for 3 phones, I would like to have my Phone Try free software or equivalent to work.
More can be added, but I presently find the time it would take to be unwarranted. I can and have turned off Windows telemetry that I do not want, and unless MS decides to become too restrictive then I do not think I will be switching, although I like to experiment sometimes.
Thanks for keeping us informed though.
Thanks. I didn’t do a separate home directory the last few times I installed. I got lazy.
Does your script install the programs and then set the preferences or settings and set it up how you like? For instance, I have a mouse gesture program that takes a lot of personal settings for instance d rawing a “c” will “close window” or “pull up the calculator “, andmthere are like 20 or so custom settings that I have to redo everytime I reinstall.
I know we've been over this before, but I cannot remember if I pointed you to xbindkeys or not. That seems to be a tool that will allow you to remap ctrl-c to your CapsLock, and the other ones you need.
It's not GUI, but it does have some guidance included in the config file.
It can. Probably the easiest way to do it would be to set it up manually the first time, them copy the configuration file to /home/Bob434/configs/ or something like that, then you can just copy it into the correct location when you run the script.
Ok,thanks. Looks,a bit complicated but maybe I can find a video,of how to do it. Sure would be better to get it all back automatically.
Laziness is exactly why I set it up this way. If I don't have to re-configure everything in /home/Shadow/.config then I won't.
Yeah that makes sense. An ounce of “prevention” is better than a lb of cure as they say
Still using Gnome. I initially installed Cinnamon (a fork of Gnome) but it caused problems and I ended up reinstalling Ubuntu. In my current setup I have Ubuntu with Gnome plus third party themes and icons that give it a Mac like look.
“My favorite is Linux Mint Cinnamon.
I can do everything I need with the Linux applications found in the Software Manager.
I’m never going back to Windows.”
Yep... Best thing since sliced bread. Linux techies don’t like it because they don’t need to fiddle with it all the time and play. It is compulsive... lol
“The lack of centralization is part of the charm of Linux. Everybody likes having their own flavor. So that means no one distro will be dominant like Windows is.”
And with a little practice and knowledge you can even build your own personal custom distro.
As far as I know, the information the Windows VM sends back to the mothership is the same as for a bare metal install - and somewhat configurable by the user.
I used both VirtualBox and VMware Workstation. You have to pay for the later, but not the former. VMware Workstation allows you to create new VM’s, whereas VMware Player (free) only allows you to use an existing VM. If you are just setting it up - I’d go with VirtualBox. With VMware Workstation, you have to pay to update it every few years as you update your base Linux system.
It is a much better solution then a dual boot machine. It’s pretty simple to create a new VM with VirtualBox.
I used to be such a fanboi and really believed Linux would be a competitor to Windoze. It was superior in every way. What I failed to realize is that MOST computer users don’t really care about superior vs inferior products. You can’t even stop them from picking up viruses/malware by doing stupid stuff. They want to be able to chat with their buddies while playing some FPS game or share recipes or pix of the grandkids. They view security, control, and adaptability as liabilities, rather than strengths.
If Linux were to go after THAT market, it would require making it vulnerable, frankly. I use the KDE Plasma version of Mint, as well as MX. I have a windoze 11 machine that I don’t trust to put anything on but ThinkorSwim and Schwab’s trading software. I am playing around with the web version of thinkorswim and so MAY be abandoning windows altogether. I don’t game. I don’t use photoshop (gimp works for my needs) and I had to google filepro to find out what it was.
I have abandoned the idea that Linux will be a serious competitor for the pc/desktop market (which is shrinking, btw), and don’t even care anymore. People are stupid. All there is to it.
Yep, Grandpa just wants to press the “On” button and it works.
Try the snapshot function of MX Linux. Get it set up, make a snapshot (in the menu, duck soup stupid easy), load it up on the next boot.
Thanks, i do a Timeshift Snapshot (I use linux mint cinnamon)- and can use those, but I’ve had them fail on me too- so i was hoping for a way to get it onto a burnable disk- also it woudl be a way to get it onto other machines-
I’ll check out the MX sapshot system tho0ugh, thanks for the suggestion
Good luck. Please let me know how it turns out for you.
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