Going Linux

We look at switching from Windows to Linux in this first of two parts. Episode 353 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #353 · Moving from Windows to Linux - Part 1 00:15 Introduction 02:21 Extensive show notes links 08:11 Why would I want to ditch Windows if it's working for me? 28:19 Things to look at before you ditch Windows. 34:16 What do you do after you've selected a distribution of Linux to install? 41:48 How can I try it out before I install Linux? 47:24 Before you install, back up everything! 59:42 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 60:36 End

We start with a critical voice mail from Lester. We also have comments on our review of Linux Mint, discussions of Lexmark's lack of support for its printers on Linux, how to provide remote support, increasing swap and boot partitions and more. Episode 352 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #352 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 0:20 Lester: Pinguy review was too critical 07:05 Cogoman: Mint 19 experiences 21:07 Ken: Comments on the Mint review 26:11 Paul: Hello from Ankara 35:27 John: Failure to reboot 41:45 Josh: An idea for the Lexmark printer 43:50 David: A work-around for the Lexmark 47:59 George: Backing Up iOS on Linux 50:24 Jim: Remote connections 54:59 Preston: Podcasting advice 63:29 Michael Installing Linux without Wifi 67:51 Michael: Coconut Linux 69:57 Paul: Increasing swap and boot partitions size 74:35 Sean: Guildwars tip for Bill 85:36 goi

We review Pinguy Linux, release 18.04. Episode 351 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #351 · Review of Pinguy 18.04 00:15 Introduction 00:55 The Windows update prevents Bill's machine from booting into Linux, delays our recording 02:38 Guild Wars 2 on Linux 05:21 Pinguy review 09:15 Website looks nice but 'help' section needs a bit of updating 10:03 The developer is responsive 13:01 The 3.2GB ISO image is HUGE! 13:42 Some of the included software 16:29 Not for everyone 19:01 Pinguy relies on a lot of PPAs 21:04 OK for some 21:32 Desktop: A heavily modified Gnome with lots of extensions 22:11 Best Practice: Lean toward Standard vs. Custom functionality, customizations should add value 23:48 Slow, even on powerful hardware 25:57 Theme is not consistent 27:29 Needs a lot of polish 28:16 Could be more intuitive, discoverable 30:28 Bill's suggest

Bill has not yet switched from Linux Mint. The eBook version of 'Using Ubuntu MATE and Its Applications- Ubuntu MATE 18.04 Edition' is now available. In this episode, Tom can now suspend, Dan reveals how on-site repair really works, James has a paperweight, and much more. Episode 350 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #350 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:54 Bill is still using Linux Mint 04:19 2nd edition eBook now available 05:45 Tom: Found a solution to his suspend problem 10:34 Dan: About big-name machine on-sit repairs 14:11 Paul: First experience with Linux Mint 19 20:52 Stefan: Backing up an iPad on Linux 27:10 James: Lexmark x9575 Linux compatibility 31:04 James: A new Debian variant and MS Skype 38:05 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 39:25 End

Bill reviews Linux Mint 19 and discusses the Good the Bad and the Ugly. Well, there's really no Ugly. We compare it with Ubuntu MATE 18.04 and render a final verdict on which we'd recommend. Episode 349 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #349 · Linux Mint 19 Tara 00:15 Introduction 11:21 Linux Mint 19 13:10 Working around Alienware problems 17:01 The Good 17:27 Update Center 23:02 Welcome screen 24:01 Comparing Linux Mint 19 with Ubuntu MATE 18.04 35:56 Out-of-the-box support for Flatpack but not for Snap 36:53 Cinnamon 37:57 Mint 19 feels noticably slower 44:07 Mint uses more memory 45:58 Final verdict 49:59 Software pick: ClamTK 50:40 Bonus tip: Be careful out there! 53:03 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 54:36 End

We receive feedback on previous Listener Feedback episodes, including feedback for Bill on his issues with his Alienware computer. Joe wants to relive his childhood. Episode 348 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #348 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 01:46 Bill has a 32bit vs. 64bit battle 05:31 Larry's Dell support call goes horribly wrong 06:55 Paul: Recording Discord 09:23 Daniel: Bad news 11:17 Paul: Linux Mint 19 is coming 15:56 Oscar: Linux on Windows 19:31 Troy: Re: Episode 346 21:53 Greg: Episode 344 feedback 25:15 Serge: Episode 346 Alienware 26:35 Thomas: Regarding Alienware problems 27:22 Serge: Episode 346 Discord for Daniel 30:39 Joe: Relive my childhood through bbs 34:32 P Durao: I’ve got a stupid difficult machine as well 37:19 Mario: Feedback from Listener Feedback #346 40:07 Tom: Ubuntu MATE Acer Laptop BIOS 48:26 goinglinux.com,

Much of what we discussed in our last user experience episode used the terminal. This episode covers some of the basics of using the terminal. It's not as intimidating as it might seem at first. Episode 347 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #347 · Using the Terminal 00:15 Introduction 00:43 Terminal basics 02:00 The terminal 04:49 Installing applications 08:17 lshw to display your system info 09:43 inxi to display your system info 11:23 Easter eggs 12:34 Upgrade distribution releases 13:48 Determine if an application is available to install 15:59 Discover what a command does 19:14 Not as difficult as it seems 20:33 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 21:30 End

Bill needs some help! Listeners share tips and help for other listeners. George asks for a book. Daniel has problems writing to disk. Episode 346 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #346 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 01:21 Bill asks the minions for help 10:51 Another reason users switch from Windows to Linux! 13:22 Daniel: Discord is not accessible 15:46 George: May I please have a book? 24:04 Tom: Championing freedom and fostering success in the land of Linux! 25:15 Hilander: Getting Fedora video working 27:22 Leonid: Compare distros and desktops 29:40 Göran: Advice on Garmin GPSs 31:45 Rick: Help for Mike 33:14 Mathias: Help for Joshua on file ownership 35:52 Daniel: Trying to write to disk 38:13 Aaron: Installing software on Linux 42:51 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 43:13 End

In Linux there are methods of installing software, from source code by compiling and installing, or through software packages and package managers. There are newer forms of installing software, for example using portable app installers like Appimage, Snap or Flatpak. In this episode we describe the common methods of installing applications on Debian-based distributions. Episode 345 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #345 · Apt and apt-get and aptitude, oh my! 00:15 Introduction 00:39 Ubuntu MATE 18.04 LTS released 02:30 Debian-based Packages explained by 'minion' Ken Leyba 04:35 Debian-based package managers 14:37 .deb package anatomy 17:44 The dpkg command-line tool 20:07 The advance packaging tool - apt 24:48 Aptitude 26:47 Synaptic 27:39 Just for fun 30:06 Are you a minion? 31:39 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 32:58 End

We have feedback on the Discord package, the Linux In The Hamshack Podcast, Linux hardware, Linux maintenance, file permissions, and more!. Episode 344 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #344 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 02:02 We've remembered how to record! 02:45 Ubuntu MATE Guide for release 18.04 05:45 David: Update from a year ago 07:59 Michael: Comment on Discord 09:46 Ken: LIHS Podcast 11:22 Michael: Stores selling Linux computers 26:01 Greg: Linux Maintenance 28:28 Frank: Compiling from source 31:58 David: Garmin GPS compatible with Linux 33:20 Serge: Portable VeraCrypt for Linux 34:45 Paul: About AntennaPod 35:16 Michael: Feedback on feedback 36:58 Joshua: File permissions 42:46 ThisHostingRocks: Shameless plug 44:23 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 46:17 End

Support for high-resolution computer displays (HiDPI or 4K displays) is still being perfected. Not all Linux distributions provide settings that behave well in high-resolution mode -- and most are somewhat clunky. With the 18.04 release, the Ubuntu MATE team is releasing a utility for the MATE desktop that automatically can detect your 4K display and set the appropriate screen scaling for you. Episode 343 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #343 · HiDPI Auto-detection in Ubuntu MATE 00:15 Introduction 00:50 Alone again, naturally. 01:52 Adjusting for 4K on Linux 02:54 High-resolution scaling limitations 04:15 The best HiDPI Linux Desktops (until now) 04:40 Ubuntu MATE's auto-detection and auto-adjust settings 05:26 Choosing a HiDPI resolution 06:56 Adjusting Ubuntu MATE's new HiDPI settings 08:32 Hope for the future of high-resolution support on Linux 09:01 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @g

Serge provides multiple suggestions for replacing Skype. Jim describes some mobile AntennaPod issues, Greg discusses powering off by force, Norm suggests Mail-In-A-Box, Emilio asks about a portable VeraCrypt for Linux, Simohamed offers a suggestion and Jack describes how he has Gone Linux. Episode 342 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #342 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:59 Serge: Multiple suggestions for Skype replacement 02:31 Jim: AntennaPod issues on mobile 05:53 Greg: Power off - by force 08:33 Norm: Mail-In-A-Box 11:50 Simohamed: Episode suggestion 12:31 Emilio: Portable VeraCrypt for Linux? 14:58 Jack: Gone Linux 15:57 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 18:57 End

Bill takes on a top secret special project. Jeremy recommends a backup solution, Greg removes cruft, George recommends Synology, Daniel asks about our Skype replacement, and more! Episode 341 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #341 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:54 Internet problems resolved (we hope) 02:06 Jeremy: Backups recommendation 04:44 Greg: Autoremoving cruft 06:19 Greg: That's not an old computer. This is an old computer! 09:34 Scott: FSLint 15:07 Serge: Configuration management suggestion 16:01 Daniel: Replacement for Skype 17:47 George: Synology 19:57 Nigel: Installing Linux applications 22:44 Bill's next project 23:59 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 25:06 End

We discuss security on Linux and provide basic Linux security guidelines. We discuss in more detail, backups, automated software updates and upgrades, and the uncomplicated firewall. Episode 340 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #340 · Security on Linux 00:15 Introduction 00:45 Just you and me 02:04 Overview 03:55 Basic Linux security guidelines 05:39 Backups 07:45 What and where to back-up 11:20 Automating disaster recovery 12:26 Software Updater 15:44 Firewalls 17:01 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 18:49 End

In this episode, we have a lot of interest in Internet filtering and wiping hard drives for privacy. Also, we answer questions about the Linux screen reader, Orca, make recommendations on hardware, and discuss a multiple screen issue. Episode 339 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #339 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:56 Welcome to the podcast, Bear! 02:14 Daniel: Is Orca included with Linux Mint 06:34 Daniel: New or used limited-budget computer for Linux? 10:43 Alan: Ubuntu 16.04 issue with multiple screens 14:53 Kevin: Command-line access to network-attached storage 19:08 George: Answers for listener questions 25:57 Tony: Privacy on the Internet 26:39 Nathan: Contacting Ikey 28:00 Jim: Ubuntu MATE desktop options and a rant 33:01 Jim: Filtering out adult sites 41:35 Eldon: Fdupes to get rid of duplicate files 42:46 Craig: Hardware for Internet filtering 45:17 Paul: Wi

Although you can do some basic tweaking out of the box with other operating systems, Linux is infinitely more configurable than macOS or Windows. Sure you can get add-on software to personalize your Windows desktop quite a bit, but most Linux distributions provide the customization tools built right in, with additional utilities just a few clicks away in the software repositories. This episode gives you some ideas as to what can be done with Linux, an operating system that is designed to be customizable. Episode 338 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #338 · Personalizing Your Linux Desktop 00:15 Introduction 00:54 Show notes include screenshots and details 01:20 Personalizing the Desktop on Linux 02:50 Ubuntu MATE offers pre-configured panel layouts 04:27 Traditional layout 05:17 Contemparary layout 06:41 Redmond layout 07:34 Cupertino layout 08:32 Pantheon layout 09:07 Mutiny layout 09:48 Netbook layout

At the request of our listeners, we provide a few recommendations on various subjects ranging from distributions for a low-powered computer to software to wipe a hard drive. Episode 337 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #337 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 01:41 Mike: Comparing files 06:08 Paul: Why the ThinkPad Wifi was not working 08:17 Paul: Wiping a hard drive 10:31 Craig: Recommendation for cheap computer for content filtering 15:49 Ken: Recommendation for Ubuntu MATE vs. Mint 19:10 Chris: Recommendation for configuration management 22:30 Jeff: Back channel connections to Solus 24:41 Justin: Recommendation on a light-weight distribution 38:56 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 40:48 End

In the Going Linux holiday tradition, Bill and Larry review some of the significant happenings during the past year. Episode 336 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #336 · 2017 Year End Review 00:15 Introduction 02:01 Highlights of 2017 02:57 Ubuntu MATE: Two books and a guide within the distribution. 10:19 Goodbye net neutrality 19:32 The Minion Network begins 22:58 Linux takes over the world! 24:33 Goodbye Linux Journal 28:14 Goodbye AIM 30:01 City of Munich goes back to Windows 35:13 Containers 36:25 Linux malware 39:00 Distrowatch top 10 47:48 Ubuntu leaves Unity for Gnome 51:27 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 52:29 End

The minion network grows! After our break for US Thanksgiving, we get more feedback on popular topics like progress when using the dd command, disk cloning, snap packages, and backups. In addition we get a suggestion on using info, and an alternative link to grsync instructions. Episode 335 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #335 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:59 Holiday break 01:24 How to join the Minion Network 04:53 Andrei: One installation file alternative 07:51 Greg: Zoneminder 11:33 Greg: Getting help with Linux 13:04 Rai: Snaps and the like 15:29 Craig: DD progress 16:54 Heath: More on DD progress... and minions 18:27 Göran: Even more DD progress 19:19 Ken: Another volunteer minion 20:57 Jeff: Disk cloning 26:53 Ali: A question about Snaps 29:55 Greg: Another minion! 31:10 Mike: Grsync documentation link 31:56 Michael: An alternative link 32:43 Ad

This month's feedback includes a lot of commentary on why 64-bit Linux download files are sometimes labeled 'AMD64,' and Whole disk cloning. These appear to be very popular topics. We hear from another hardware hoarder... er... uh... collector. Adrian suggests a 'Minion Network.' There's more. You'll have to listen to get it all! Episode 334 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #334 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:55 Bill is connected again! 03:48 Logan: Why a 64-bit Linux download is sometimes labeled AMD64 04:10 Ken: Explains AMD64 as well 05:47 Daniel: Explained Intel vs. AMD even more 08:09 Heath: Explains from an instruction set perspective 10:53 Rick: Grsync link is broken 12:04 Barbara: Cloning a drive with dd 15:36 Adrian: Cloning and the 'minion network' 26:14 Adrian: Another hardware hoarder 30:11 Dave: Confused 36:22 Jan: Thanks for the time stamps 36:52 Brune: Using Discord