Is Linux keeping the desktop? - Page 3

Rodrigo · 2012-01-23, 16:54

Paul,

Much appreciate the explanation. It does help.

So, would it be accurate to say that these twice-a-year releases usually work more like Windows Updates (where they fix stuff but keep the basic system the same) than like major overhauls like XP to Vista to 7?

Rodrigo

xilman · 2012-01-23, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodrigo

So, would it be accurate to say that these twice-a-year releases usually work more like Windows Updates (where they fix stuff but keep the basic system the same) than like major overhauls like XP to Vista to 7?

Yes and no. Although fixes are an important part of an upgrade, Linux upgrades often include important new functionality, including brand-new applications and, sometimes, removal of old ones when their use is superseded by new ones.

Paul

chalsall · 2012-01-23, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodrigo

Your next post was good to hear -- you've already gone through the upgrade process and didn't run into any issues having to reinstall everything. Good, good, good.

To speak to this a little bit...

When a Linux *distribution* is upgraded, if the Linux *Kernel* is upgraded as part of the process then the machine should be rebooted. Otherwise the new Kernel won't be running.

For those running nVidia or ATI/AMD (or any other) proprietary drivers and/or libraries, there can be manual work required after the reboot.

There's nothing worse than finding yourself booting your laptop just before an important presentation, and discovering that a Kernel upgrade you did weeks ago (but didn't follow this rule) broke your video drivers....

There are some in the Unix community who believe that "Reboots are for hardware changes". Unlike WinBlows users who think "Hmmm... It's not working. Let's see if a reboot fixes it...".

IMHO, both positions are wrong.

If something is wrong, a reboot will most likely destroy state information which can help debug the "once a month" bug (read: the extremely rare, and thus extremely difficult to reproduce and debug, bug). And rebooting will usually only mask the bug, not fix it.

On the other hand, if a machine has been running for an extended period of time, do you *know* it will come back to the state you expect it to after a reboot if there have been any configuration changes and/or software updates? Scheduled reboots should be conducted regularly (after a full backup) to ensure an unscheduled reboot will result in a sane state afterwards.

Rodrigo · 2012-01-24, 07:24

Thanks, Chalsall -- very sensible advice.

And yes, in Windows there's definitely that "PC repairman" technique of rebooting if it's not working. Umm, I just did it the other day for my wife's computer...

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalsall

There's nothing worse than finding yourself booting your laptop just before an important presentation, and discovering that a Kernel upgrade you did weeks ago (but didn't follow this rule) broke your video drivers....

I hear the voice of experience speaking here.

Been doing some Linux reading -- several large-format magazines I bought over the summer when Borders was about to go out of business and I wanted to get my hands on live CDs before they disappeared since they were no longer restocking. There are a lot of new terms and concepts to learn and keep straight, but I'm sure the fog will start lifting over time.

I test-drove Zorin OS tonight. Not such an alien experience! And it came with LibreOffice, so the next thing will be to insert a USB drive and try to open Word and Excel files in it. That'll provide an idea of how a flash drive gets handled/recognized, and then how compatible LibreOffice is with Microsoft Office documents.

Rodrigo

Dubslow · 2012-01-24, 20:36

In my experience the Libre/MO compatability is fairly high, though not perfect. The biggest error I've seen is that a Roman numeral'ed list in MS Word became standard numbers in Libre, when Roman numerals were specifically requested. That was a bit of a pain. Other than that though, it should be pretty good.

Flash drives are more or less the same.

Rodrigo · 2012-01-24, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubslow

In my experience the Libre/MO compatability is fairly high, though not perfect. The biggest error I've seen is that a Roman numeral'ed list in MS Word became standard numbers in Libre, when Roman numerals were specifically requested. That was a bit of a pain. Other than that though, it should be pretty good.

Flash drives are more or less the same.

Dubslow,

Thanks for this information! It doesn't sound like a big problem.

For a USB flash drive -- is there any indication that the system has found it (sound effect, autorun window), or do you simply go looking for it in the file manager (I hope that's the right term here)?

Rodrigo

chalsall · 2012-01-24, 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodrigo

For a USB flash drive -- is there any indication that the system has found it (sound effect, autorun window), or do you simply go looking for it in the file manager (I hope that's the right term here)?

LOL... Unix doesn't do "autorun"... That's a really stupid idea invented by M$ which thinks their operating system is smarter than their users, and that it's OK to install everything presented...

Under most Linux distributions, the USB drive should appear in your file system. And, depending on your distribution, possibly on your desktop.

Rodrigo · 2012-01-24, 22:02

chalsall,

I appreciate the information.

Autorun was disabled for security reasons in Vista and 7 (and, I think, XP) some time ago. My purpose in asking was to know if, in Linux, there is an automated indication of any kind that a flash drive has been recognized, or if you have to manually go looking for it to determine that. In Windows, when you connect or disconnect a USB device (and it successfully communicates), you get a sound effect informing you that the system found it, and it'll install drivers if needed.

I'll try doing this and see how Zorin behaves.

Rodrigo

Dubslow · 2012-01-25, 00:27

In my experience with Ubuntu (which Zorin says it's a derivative of) not really. Opening the file manager should be sufficient.

Dubslow · 2012-01-25, 04:26

Relevant (to the GUI discussion):
http://news.techworld.com/operating-...ds-up-display/

That would at least return a Gnome-Do like functionality, even if without the wonderfulness of panels.

Rodrigo · 2012-01-25, 07:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubslow

Relevant (to the GUI discussion):
http://news.techworld.com/operating-...ds-up-display/

That would at least return a Gnome-Do like functionality, even if without the wonderfulness of panels.

That's actually a cool-looking feature. HP's Total Care Advisor has a similar effect, where it seems to float above the surface of the screen and is transparent enough to show what's underneath. But I wouldn't want it to replace regular menus altogether.

Obviously I have virtually no experience with any penguin varieties, but I imagine that users of this HUD won't need to remember sometimes cryptic program filenames, but rather will be able to call up a program by its "brand" or popular name.

Rodrigo

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2012-01-23, 16:54	#23
Rodrigo Jun 2010 Pennsylvania 1646₈ Posts	Paul, Much appreciate the explanation. It does help. So, would it be accurate to say that these twice-a-year releases usually work more like Windows Updates (where they fix stuff but keep the basic system the same) than like major overhauls like XP to Vista to 7? Rodrigo

2012-01-24, 20:36	#27
Dubslow Basketry That Evening! "Bunslow the Bold" Jun 2011 40<A<43 -89<O<-88 3·29·83 Posts	In my experience the Libre/MO compatability is fairly high, though not perfect. The biggest error I've seen is that a Roman numeral'ed list in MS Word became standard numbers in Libre, when Roman numerals were specifically requested. That was a bit of a pain. Other than that though, it should be pretty good. Flash drives are more or less the same.

2012-01-24, 22:02	#30
Rodrigo Jun 2010 Pennsylvania 934₁₀ Posts	chalsall, I appreciate the information. Autorun was disabled for security reasons in Vista and 7 (and, I think, XP) some time ago. My purpose in asking was to know if, in Linux, there is an automated indication of any kind that a flash drive has been recognized, or if you have to manually go looking for it to determine that. In Windows, when you connect or disconnect a USB device (and it successfully communicates), you get a sound effect informing you that the system found it, and it'll install drivers if needed. I'll try doing this and see how Zorin behaves. Rodrigo

2012-01-25, 00:27	#31
Dubslow Basketry That Evening! "Bunslow the Bold" Jun 2011 40<A<43 -89<O<-88 3×29×83 Posts	In my experience with Ubuntu (which Zorin says it's a derivative of) not really. Opening the file manager should be sufficient.

2012-01-25, 04:26	#32
Dubslow Basketry That Evening! "Bunslow the Bold" Jun 2011 40<A<43 -89<O<-88 3×29×83 Posts	Relevant (to the GUI discussion): http://news.techworld.com/operating-...ds-up-display/ That would at least return a Gnome-Do like functionality, even if without the wonderfulness of panels.