COMPUTERS, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY

[Stanley]

No doubt about the fact that GThumb, while still a good application, is more clunky in the new version. I've had a look at upgrading it but it's so complicated that I left it alone and will put up with it....

[Stanley]

Thanks to the people at Ubuntu. Complete new 12.04 64bit OS delivered and installed this morning. Wonderful fast service, 67mb and all done inside 5 minutes.

[Pluggy]

I retired my old atom machine, from an ex customer discarded case, a motherboard and memory from a machine I built a couple of years and bought back, because she was monving into a small flat and didn't have room for it, and a fast Core 2 Duo processor I found on ebay, I built a new to me desktop thats reasonably speedy. Not up to Stanley or even Tiz''s standard but a lot better than the old one.

[Stanley]

Good lad Pluggy. Say what you like but you can't beat a bit of speed!

[Cathy]

My norton security program has just finished and tomorrow I will be installing AVAST, I've taken notes off this topic from a few weeks ago about uninstalling norton and then installing avast, hopefully everything will go well... wish me luck

[Stanley]

I hope it all goes well Cathy. Don't be backwards in asking for help if you need it, uninstalling security programmes can be a bugger!

[Tizer]

Good luck Cathy, it'll be great if you can free yourself from the grip of Norton!

[Pluggy]

I'll spare you my feelings on Norton....

[PostmanPete]

My Father in Law asked me to have a look at his laptop recently as it was running really slow. I found out that Norton was using up a lot of resources plus it was taking up more than half the space on the hard disk..! I managed to get it uninstalled and he now has a speedy laptop which now runs Microsoft Security Essentials instead

[Stanley]

I know it's heresy but I often used to wonder, in the days when I was paying for security, just how essential it was. There seemed to be so much it didn't cure like intrusive Trojans and ad-ware. If I was asked what was the biggest single advantage of Ubuntu it is the fact that you can forget the whole 'problem'.

[Big Kev]

I know it's heresy but I often used to wonder, in the days when I was paying for security, just how essential it was. There seemed to be so much it didn't cure like intrusive Trojans and ad-ware. If I was asked what was the biggest single advantage of Ubuntu it is the fact that you can forget the whole 'problem'.

I wouldn't "forget the whole problem" completely. The chances are slim but you never know...

[Stanley]

You're right Kev in that nothing is 100% safe but the general experience with Linux based systems seems to be that there are comparatively so few of them that the trolls would rather target Windows.... I'll start to worry if there is something to worry about.

[Pluggy]

Windows/Android/IOS tie up the resources of the bad guys. Linux is a tiny and very diverse target. Something that works on one variant of Linux probably won't work on another for example. The object code only model which is the norm in Windows/Android/IOS land would be viewed with suspicion by the average Linux nerd and if the source code is out in the open, it completely negates the point of writing the crap in the first place. Malware can never thrive in a community that expects/demands open source software. I doubt it will ever become something to worry about whilst most software is open source and Linux remains diverse.

Not forgetting that Android is actually Linux and IOS is a first cousin.........

[Stanley]

But I suppose they are a big enough market to make them worth targeting.... And probably a user base who are not as suspicious as our lot!

[Tizer]

Pluggy, do you know of any way to change the `Delete' function in Ubuntu so that it asks for confirmation first rather than immediately sending files to the waste basket? It's too easy to press the Delete key by mistake or when the wrong file is in focus, especially with the new scroll bar which I find awkward. I've just found, by accident, a folder of photos in the waste basket which I wouldn't have deleted intentionally. Curiously, the folder had a subfolder titled `comments' and this had a file for each photo file name and with jpg.xml (or was it xml.jpg?) extensions. When I clicked on these they didn't open anything and a sign said something like `Cannot recognise the file type'. Each of the original photos has comments written by me. I've recovered the photos and they still have their comments but I'm a bit concerned about how this stuff got into the waste basket.

[Tripps]

Well who'd have thought it? This post comes by courtesy of Linux / Ubuntu or whatever it's called.
Had a grim time computerwise lately. First I destroyed the screen on my big ASUS by closing the lid with a data stick top in it. Worked round it with an external screen, but it is very large and clumsy on the desk. Next, my middle PC has died on me. There was a cup of tea involved, but I swear it missed the PC - anyway, it did work for a while after the incident. The condition got worse over a few days, and last night I got mad at it, and since it was blue bin day today - that's where it went. It was second hand from ebay so not a great financial blow.

Now I'm on the emachines netbook (very small) - and getting by. I had put Ubuntu on it, but not used it, however having replaced my android tablet with an Archos which is excellent, I now see how ubuntu works - I think. Something will have to be bought, as the font size is tricky to read, but i'll think about it. Forgive me for going on about it - but I think one or two may be interested.

[Pluggy]

Pluggy, do you know of any way to change the `Delete' function in Ubuntu so that it asks for confirmation first rather than immediately sending files to the waste basket? It's too easy to press the Delete key by mistake or when the wrong file is in focus, especially with the new scroll bar which I find awkward. I've just found, by accident, a folder of photos in the waste basket which I wouldn't have deleted intentionally. Curiously, the folder had a subfolder titled `comments' and this had a file for each photo file name and with jpg.xml (or was it xml.jpg?) extensions. When I clicked on these they didn't open anything and a sign said something like `Cannot recognise the file type'. Each of the original photos has comments written by me. I've recovered the photos and they still have their comments but I'm a bit concerned about how this stuff got into the waste basket.

Apart from 'File' 'Preferences' 'Behaviour' in Nautilus I don't think there are any other changes.

[Steven Chorkley]

[Problem solved*]
Pluggy, have you any suggestions how I can have open two instances of Gthumb in Ubuntu at the same time? I could do this in earlier versions of Ubuntu but not now. It was useful for comparing photos, especially from different folders. I can open a second instance of File Manager, Text Editor and Firefox by right-clicking the application's icon and choosing `Open a New Window' but Gthumb doesn't have this in the right-click menu.

[*While writing this post I found the solution - Gthumb has `New window' in the File menu and that opens further instances of Gthumb. But it would have been helpful if the software developers could be consistent in the way functions are accessed! I've kept this post in OG in case it helps someone else.]

I love the new desktop but I also have the LXDE desktop when I need it. The new interface isn't that bad on either a Laptop or a Desktop, and your earlier comment...... Tablets wont end up running the full OS they will use their new mobile GUI.

To open additional windows you can shift click the icon in the sidebar, rather the same than in Windows 7 because of the integration with the quick start items.

To pluggy....... Malware on Android will soon be none existent. I believe Google will monitor the apps entering the play store, and with their sand-boxing using a different user account for each app used. iOS however has never seen malware, sure it is possible as it is simply running on the basis of UNIX but even if an app got through apples authorization process it has really tight sand-boxing and cant even read the address book without permission from the user.

Does this make sense? Sorry!! I need to get to bed!

P.S. Microsoft Security Essentials rules!

[Stanley]

"Malware on Android will soon be none existent." Possibly the most optimistic comment of the day! I suspect that if the target is lucrative enough the little worms will find a way in!
David, hope you enjoy Ubuntu when you get used to it. It really is easy to use once you've got your head round the different aspects of the interface. If an Old Fart like me can manage..... (and it's all free!)
Kev. any time you feel like it pop in for your nameplates. How has the FMII settled down? Still liking it?
I made the OS stagger this morning, first time I've seen it happen. I was transferring a 200mb file to Gedit text editor and it didn't do it instantaneously! Mind you, I suspect it would be perfectly acceptable to anyone else....
You're going to laugh at this.... Just realised that I could make my life a lot easier if I asked Firefox to make the print bigger..... Must be getting old.....

[Tizer]

Steven, thanks for the Shift-Click tip for opening a second window from the side-bar, that'll be useful to me - there's always something new to learn.

Pluggy, thanks for considering my question. Nautilus | Preferences | Behaviour only offers a setting for the Trash folder, not for normal folders. I'll just have to be more careful when hitting Delete and when emptying the waste bin! Another problem I've had with the new type of `hidden' scroll bar is that (if I'm not careful enough) instead of grabbing the scroll bar handle I end up grabbing and moving a file or folder. When I release the mouse button the file or folder can get dropped into another folder. The first time it happened I thought I'd deleted the folder but couldn't find it in the trash bin. It only turned up when I did a search for the folder name, sitting in another folder several places away from where it had been!

David, I hope you get on well with Ubuntu this time - just ask on here if you run into any problems or want to know how to do anything on it. If you decide you'd like an Ubuntu desktop PC perhaps Pluggy would build you one like he did for me. Mine is working perfectly.

[Tripps]

Thanks for the good wishes. I must admit I'm struggling a bit. It does not seem as intuitive as Windows. I would guess I would be OK after an hour's tutorial with someone sitting next to me and coaching, but that's not an option.
I've considered pushing the boat out and getting a new laptop, but the all seem to come with Windows 8, and that does not seem to be too well thought of. Carry on pondering.......No pockets in shrouds.......

[Steven Chorkley]

"Malware on Android will soon be none existent." Possibly the most optimistic comment of the day! I suspect that if the target is lucrative enough the little worms will find a way in!
David, hope you enjoy Ubuntu when you get used to it. It really is easy to use once you've got your head round the different aspects of the interface. If an Old Fart like me can manage..... (and it's all free!)
Kev. any time you feel like it pop in for your nameplates. How has the FMII settled down? Still liking it?
I made the OS stagger this morning, first time I've seen it happen. I was transferring a 200mb file to Gedit text editor and it didn't do it instantaneously! Mind you, I suspect it would be perfectly acceptable to anyone else....
You're going to laugh at this.... Just realised that I could make my life a lot easier if I asked Firefox to make the print bigger..... Must be getting old.....

Malware on Android!!! Google are going to close the Market at some point..... They are begining the process with their new education section. They have a new verification app that watches the behaiviour of any apps you install. Cource , if you choose to install apps from Unknown sources this avoids the measures google have put in place. I don't want google to lock their phones down but I do want the apps in the Market to go through a verification process.

Steven

[Steven Chorkley]

I have a question..... I got a laptop so that I have a machine to take to college and installed Ubuntu.... It is also great to learn how to use my Raspbery Pi. How are applications managed? I installed chrome but the package installed using the Software Center. Where are the files stored? I mean .exe in Program files and .app in the Applications folder on the Mac.

Also why is the system set into different partitions? I have used Linux before but mainly Debian and never had any interest in how the system worked. I do have experience in the terminal due to my mac

Thanks,

[Big Kev]

"
Kev. any time you feel like it pop in for your nameplates. How has the FMII settled down? Still liking it?
.

Great stuff, thank you.

[Tizer]

Steven, I'm in my 60s and I know little about computers and software but I've been using Ubuntu Linux since about 2006 when I finally ditched Windows - also used Ubuntu for my home-based business. I've never really needed to know anything more than the basics. I install and uninstall software easily and safely via Synaptic Package Manager or the Software Center (the latest Ubuntu versions don't have Synaptic by default but you can download it via the Software Center and open it in the Dash). Odd times I've needed a proprietary application that isn't offered by the Ubuntu software repositories (`repos') but then I look on the Ubuntu Forum for advice. The system files are in...File System! You can view the file list from the File Manager (sidebar to the Home Folder) by clicking on File System but you'll probably need root permission to open and edit them. I don't go there often these days but if necessary, or just out of curiosity, I open Terminal and use the sudo command and password.

David, anything in particular that makes it seem less intuitive? I'd say it's not to do with intuition but simply that we've been brainwashed by MS Windows for a couple of decades - they've cleverly managed to make folk think that their strange way of working is the norm when the truth is the opposite.