The "Linux questions (and other stuff)" thread

[MoodyBlues]

Thank you for the replies @MoodyBlues and @bcrichster I now need the time to prepare the system and get it all setup.

Hopefully next week.

You're very welcome.

Please post any questions or concerns you may have. I'm convinced that we'll be able to help with anything that comes up. Not me, necessarily, but my Linux buddies who know things I don't, like anything to do with window$. They're very knowledgeable and always willing to help.

 

[JAy3001]

Guys, just before I start the potential OS killing step; the guide has me doubting my options:

The 256 GB in my system was already had several partitions from manufacturer but mainly for backup and other purposes. Main partition was C drive, of around 220 GB, where Windows 8.1 was installed.

If you have just one partition like this, you need to make some free space out of it for Linux. If you have several partitions of considerable size, use any of them except C drive because it may erase the data.

See attached pic.. am I fine to use the C drive to shrink the storage to make room for the Linux partitions or will it kill MS at the same time?

 

[Deleted User]

I would use Windows disk management to shrink partition C: Then you can create a new partition in the freed up space.

 

[Dngrsone]

Using the shrink option in Windows is perfectly safe. Unfortunately, Win will only give you have the drive; so if your drive is 1TB, then you will end up with a little less than 500G to play with.

If you want more than that, then you could shrink the Windows volume further with GParted, but there is risk of damaging the data in that partition, particularly with older Win installations.

 

[JAy3001]

Thanks @LV426 and @Dngrsone

Once i shrink the partition, do I need to do anything with it or leave it as a raw partition for linux to sort on the install?

 

[JAy3001]

So erm, how long should it take to startup from boot? The boot menu appears and I choose Start Kubuntu and then it just sits on a blank screen doing nothing..

 

[MoodyBlues]

So erm, how long should it take to startup from boot? The boot menu appears and I choose Start Kubuntu and then it just sits on a blank screen doing nothing..

Keeping in mind that I don't do what you're doing (dual boot), I'm just guessing.

So have you installed Kubuntu or you're trying to?

I know when I'm installing it, at certain points while it's cranking away doing stuff, its screensaver kicks in and--you guessed it--it's a blank screen.

Is there hard drive activity? What happens when you press a harmless key, like [ctrl]? Anything? If not...I don't know...bad install media?

Please feel free to hop on over to Kubuntu Forums, where there are friendly, helpful members and sections specifically for things like Help the New Guy and UEFI Assistance. If they can't help you, no one can!

 

[JAy3001]

Yeah, I'm looking into it @MoodyBlues .. most of what I'm reading is beyond me tho. (Was already at those links)

Installation does not begin, I believe another option to install appears after the first screen. Nout happens when pressing buttons.

I've downloaded the ISO from 2 different sources and mounted on 2 different sticks. So I think its maybe something to do with the gfx card.. not sure tho.

https://askubuntu.com/questions/162...hat-options-do-i-have-to-fix-it/162087#162087

I tried the above, although I misread it earlier and used the Nividia method and not the ATI method. So I'll give that a go tomorrow if time is given. Spent 2 hours messing with it today..

Thanks for the reply @MoodyBlues

 

[MoodyBlues]

Yeah, I'm looking into it @MoodyBlues .. most of what I'm reading is beyond me tho.

Whoa! Stop right there.

Just post your own question(s) on KFN, being very specific and detailed, and be sure to explain that you're...*gasp*...a newbie when it comes to Linux/Kubuntu. Your exact circumstances, equipment, and questions are bound to be different from others.

Thanks for the reply @MoodyBlues

You're welcome. I wish I could do more, but it's just outside my skill-set.

 

[JAy3001]

Lol yeah that's what I'm finding. A lot of the guides I read all assume you have linux installed in the first place before having the black screen issue so want you to go into menus I cannot access yet.

I shall do tomorrow @MoodyBlues as I'm at work tonight and need access to the laptop. I reckon it is something silly that will take a few minutes to sort... I hope.

 

[MoodyBlues]

So I was skimming an article about Linus Torvalds [possibly?] inventing Bitcoin. I didn't read it in its entirety, but couldn't help but smile at a couple of things.

First, it says that Linus (yeah, we're totally on a first-name basis ) is worth ≈$150 million, then, second:

"Part of that is due to shares he has in Red Hat Linux, apparently given to him as a thanks for creating the open source operating system that now runs much of the world."

 

[JAy3001]

You know, it must be an issue with Kubuntu and my system as I have just tried Mint and it booted up perfectly within a few seconds. Not sure what yet..

 

[MoodyBlues]

Hey guys, this person still needs help with his dd problem. (Now he thinks I don't know what '-seek' is, when I actually had asked where he got its [very big] value, and if he was sure it was correct. )

As noted earlier, I need help. Help!

 

[GameTheory]

@MoodyBlues

Does Kubuntu let you move the panel to the top and make it transparent like frosted glass? (this is deal breaker if not possible)

I'm trying to decide what I will be installing on my lenovo laptop. I used ubuntu for many years then last year switched to xubuntu and been loving it. Aside from the above I'm looking for good Wacom support which all the gnome de distros have. I heard kubuntu also has good wacom support with a proper gui for adjusting settings on the fly.

Obviously xubuntu is at the top of my list, but has no gui for wacom, though it comes with the libs as do all *buntus. Ubuntu Budgie is my second choice so far. I tried it and is fantastic and so far has everything I want.

 

[Dngrsone]

@MoodyBlues

Does Kubuntu let you move the panel to the top and make it transparent like frosted glass? (this is deal breaker if not possible)

I'm trying to decide what I will be installing on my lenovo laptop. I used ubuntu for many years then last year switched to xubuntu and been loving it. Aside from the above I'm looking for good Wacom support which all the gnome de distros have. I heard kubuntu also has good wacom support with a proper gui for adjusting settings on the fly.

Obviously xubuntu is at the top of my list, but has no gui for wacom, though it comes with the libs as do all *buntus. Ubuntu Budgie is my second choice so far. I tried it and is fantastic and so far has everything I want.

You can move it to the top, easy. Don't know about the transparency thing, though.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Does Kubuntu let you move the panel to the top and make it transparent like frosted glass? (this is deal breaker if not possible)

Yes. It will take some time--not because there's anything difficult about it, but because of the infinite choices you'll have in front of you.

Themes, colors, opacity, style, effects...it just goes on and on. So you're likely to find yourself trying 1,000 combinations before finally settling on what you like best.

 

[GameTheory]

Well I just spent the past 3 hours using kubuntu, but it didn't fit my needs and will not be using it. It didn't have the deep level of customization that xubuntu has. Also suffered from the same lack of proper wacom support as xubuntu.

One thing that impressed me about kubuntu is that it is now just as light weight as xubuntu. After putting both OSes through their paces, they both hover on idle at about 500mg of ram usage. Very impressive!

Now ubuntu budgie doesn't have the level of customization as the previous two, but it has everything I want out of the box. Including proper wacom support and even supporting pressure sensitive digitizer. It does however consume 3 times as much ram as xubuntu & kubuntu at around 1.4gb on idle.

Will check a couple other distros before making my decision.

Edit:
Just found a repo on github to add wacom tablet to kubuntu. Unfortunately still coming up short on frosted glass panel.

 

[MoodyBlues]

It didn't have the deep level of customization that xubuntu has.

I'm truly baffled by this, because I know how it can literally take days to step through all of its options.

Can you give us an idea of the 'deep level' you're looking for? Like specific goals/objectives.

Unfortunately still coming up short on frosted glass panel.

Hmmm...

 

[GameTheory]

I'm truly baffled by this, because I know how it can literally take days to step through all of its options.

Can you give us an idea of the 'deep level' you're looking for? Like specific goals/objectives.

Hmmm...

Nah doesn't take days to step through the options. There's a lot, but they're mostly centralized in system settings. I've been customizing distros for a long time, so I'm used to it now.

Objectives:
Kubuntu has tons of options, but they're presets that you can enable/disable. What I'm looking for is the added options to be able to dial-in my own hex color codes and opacity which xubuntu has. I also need proper wacom support out of the box, not some janky work-around like in kubuntu and xubuntu.

I was over on the reddit forums and they claim that these are features that they're waiting to see if the kde team adds to the distro.

Not a big deal, a distro is not meant for everyone. Ubuntu Budgie has checked most of the boxes so perhaps I'll settle on that. Thanks for your time.

In other news, just got a new article in my google feed about the release of linux mint 19.2. Gonna check that out, though I've never been a fan of mint. Last time a tried it, it had some bugs and reminded me of windows xp.

By the way here's a screenshot of my xubuntu setup which is what I'm trying to replicate on my next distro...

 

[MoodyBlues]

By the way here's a screenshot of my xubuntu setup which is what I'm trying to replicate on my next distro...

So something like...

I didn't take the time to actually fine-tune it. I just wanted to show that at least on my ancient 14.04 Kubuntu system, it's doable.

ETA: I think I've come off sounding like "it's my way or the highway!"--and that's not my intent. I'm perfectly fine with my favorite distro not being someone else's. I've harped on it because I believe it can look/feel the way you want, through a combination of settings. But if it's not for you, no problem! One of my biggest reasons for loving Linux is choice, and that includes distros.

 

[GameTheory]

So something like...

I didn't take the time to actually fine-tune it. I just wanted to show that at least on my ancient 14.04 Kubuntu system, it's doable.

From what I gather kubuntu changed a lot since 14.04 and so have many other distros. Latest is 18.04.2.

The guys on reddit claim that you can't change panel opacity while having a dark theme enabled in 18.04. There's no opacity slider or hex input. I was able to get a transparent panel by installing a transparent theme, but it also made everything light.

Also as mentioned before, out the box wacom support is needed which not even my favorite distro has.

It's alright Moody, I'm taking ubuntu budgie for another spin and downloading some other distros to try. Thanks

 

[GameTheory]

Wow, didn't see this coming! Mx Linux took the top spot from Manjaro and Mint which have been duking it out for the top spot for some time...

https://distrowatch.com/

Downloading it now to give it a whirl.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Wow, didn't see this coming! Mx Linux took the top spot from Manjaro and Mint which have been duking it out for the top spot for some time...

https://distrowatch.com/

Downloading it now to give it a whirl.

What does it say about how out of the loop I am that I hadn't even HEARD of MX Linux?!

I do hope you're going to give us a rundown once you've given it a whirl.

 

[GameTheory]

What does it say about how out of the loop I am that I hadn't even HEARD of MX Linux?!

Yeah just swing by Distro Watch every once in awhile and you'll stay in the loop in the linux-sphere.

I do hope you're going to give us a rundown once you've given it a whirl.

Actually, I put MX on hold. I started playing with kubuntu again because I'm stubborn.

So the kde team said on reddit that they removed panel tuning from the latest version because "it cluttered the ui". I disagree.

Anyways, I found a work-around to get a translucent panel while on a dark theme. It's not ideal and cannot set level of opacity, but works.

I'll post how to do it in a bit for those like me that must have this. (solid panels are sooo windows xp )

 

[MoodyBlues]

Actually, I put MX on hold. I started playing with kubuntu again because I'm stubborn.

Oh, you know I'm happy to hear that!

I don't want to tell you stuff you already know, so I'll try to be brief. Using combinations of settings, such as those found under Application Appearance, Desktop Effects, and Workspace Appearance, and making use of downloaded Window Decorations and Desktop Themes, and really digging deep into tweaking each part, *almost* anything is possible. I'm taking into account our wildly different versions, which may mean some things aren't possible--or apparently not possible.

Just keep in mind that the statements about this or that no longer being part of its base package, doesn't mean you can't still achieve it with a little time and effort. Fine tuning things like Style and Color under Application Appearance is a good place to start.