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LINUX : Linux Installs : OVERVIEW of Linux Installs (2009 to present) (A MENU of LINKS to Ubuntu-MATE install descriptions --- including the following older Linux install descriptions) Ubuntu Install Notes (2009-2011) (Description of installs on several of my computers, including 'netbooks'. Also, description and screenshots of partitioning a hard drive while overlaying a previous Linux install.) Linux Mint Install Notes (2011 Nov, 2012 Jun) (Description of install on two Acer AO722 11.6" netbook computers --- including description of solving a Broadcom wireless connection problem --- and installing the 'semi-rolling' LMDE distro.) Linux UEFI Install Notes (Preliminary) (2013) (Description of a 'Live' install of Linux Mint Debian Edition on an Acer netbook with Windows 8 pre-installed with 'secure boot'.) Trouble-shooting on Linux : When Gnome2-Nautilus Fails to Start (2017) (Symptoms, Causes, Solutions) (with possible application to MATE-Caja) Disk Partition Checking/Recovery with 'fsck' (2017) --- on an 'external' USB disk drive (Symptoms and a Solution) 'Big Copy' of files to USB 'sticks' (circa 2015) (alias 'thumb drives' - or 'pen drives') (warnings and advice on how to avoid CORRUPTED USB sticks) Finishing Touches to Linux Installs : A Gnome2 Desktop Configuration --- on a netbook (2011) (Discussion and screenshots of desktop icons, Gnome2 top and bottom panels, Gnome2 menus, network-connect menu, software center, shutdown menu) (Much of this applies to the MATE desktop environment, spun off from Gnome2 circa 2011.) How to Restore the Classic MATE/Gnome2 'TOP PANEL' (especially useful for Linux Mint MATE users, and other users of MATE) Handy Linux/Unix Scripts-and-Commands (a menu) (A source of useful shell scripts, including Nautilus-or-Caja file-manager 'right-click scripts'. Also, handy Linux/Unix commands & command 'aliases'.) For an easily-installable download of Nautilus-or-Caja utility scripts, see my Freedom Environment software web site. That site includes some Tcl-Tk scripts (subsystems), such as the 'tkGooies' subsystem, the 'feAppMenus' subsystem, & the 'xpg' utility --- Nautilus/Caja file manager not required. Remove 'quiet splash' GRUB bootup parameters (2019 version) (to allow for seeing bootup messages) How to Show Linux Boot Messages (2015 version) (either on-screen during bootup or in log files) Linux Backup Script(s) (OLD, for 2009 to 2019) (using the command 'rsync') Linux Backup Scripts (NEWER, 2019-plus) (using the command 'rsync') Disk Formatting (esp. USB hard drives, for use in backing up Linux files --- and for putting media files [movies, audio, images] on a disk) Linux Apps Lists (Lists of apps to consider adding to a 'base' Linux install --- along with source sites of the apps.) Linux App Installs to a '/apps' directory (Notes on how to install various Linux apps under '$HOME/apps'.) Linux Web Browsers Install and/or Upgrade Notes, circa 2022 Old Linux Web Browsers attempts to install new releases using AppImage packages on an old Linux distro in 2019 --- and their communications protocols (SSL, TLS) 'Fun' and 'Serious' Fonts downloads (individual fonts, and self-extracting-install-scripts for Linux systems --- several packages of fonts) Flash Player install on Linux -- for TV watching via various web browsers Adding Apps to Old Linux Installs : Debian App Installs - from '.deb' files How to add software to old Ubuntu, LinuxMint, and other Debian-based distros using software archive sites like 'snapshot.debian.org'. Linux Distro Release IDs (numbers, names, dates) (for Debian, Linux Mint, Ubuntu) Linux Notes/Guides : Linux Guides (of Others) for Applications, SysAdmin, and Programming (an archive of PDFs, links, config file images) my Linux notes/guides on Gnome desktop and Nautilus file manager issues on Image Creation-Editing utilities (especially 'mtpaint') on 3D viewers, converters, and test/demo files, on Audio-Video Editing utilities, on CD-DVD utilities, etc. etc. (For more media processing utilities, see the Handy Shell Scripts-and-Commands and Freedom Environment Caja/Nautilus scripts links that were mentioned above in the 'Finishing Touches' section.) Tommy Thompson Ubuntu-MATE YouTube Videos for utilities & apps (in various categories: Audio, ... , Email, ... , FileManagement, ..., Video, ... , Web Browsers) Zenity script examples (code snippets that show how to use the zenity GUI to prompt for user responses in Linux scripts) Audio/Video Topics : Linux Sound Configuration (my notes --- with screenshots.) Preparing Movies (on Linux) --- for a USB disk drive attached to a Samsung TV Special Topics : (such as computer peripheral devices and 3D graphics) How to 'Reclaim' USB sticks used for Linux distro ISO files (2023) (using 'umount' & 'wipefs' & 'gnome-disk-utility') Printing & Scanning on Linux with a Brother Laser Printer-Scanner (2023) (including description of Brother 'backend' software Installation & Usage) (specifically on Ubuntu-MATE Linux, using a Brother HL-L2395DW printer-scanner) A Document/Image Scanning How-To for Epson Scanners (2015) (including description of 'iscan' software Installation & Usage) (specifically on Ubuntu Linux, using an Epson NX430 PSC = Printer/Scanner/Copier) Scanning Slides on Linux with an Epson Scanner (Preliminary, 2021) (including description of 'iscan' software Installation & Usage) (specifically on Ubuntu-MATE Linux, using an Epson Perfection V100 Photo scanner) configuring the Veho VMS001 digial USB MICROSCOPE on Linux (2010) Linux 3D performance on several desktop and netbook PC's (2011) Also see the HARDWARE section below. For example, the page on a Logitech mouse and the page on netbooks. Linux Q and A : Linux Questions-and-Answers (2005-2010) --- grouped into about 40 categories --- such as Audio , ... , Backups, ... , monitor-Display , ... , Installs (of Linux) , ... , Security , ... , System-Admin , ... , Video , ... , Web Server , ... Special Linux Install Topics :     (OLD, but perhaps still instructive) Linux Disk Partitioning - Mepis 2005 (a step-by-step guide, with screen images, based on MEPIS Linux Live CD, circa 2005) (As a more recent 2010 alternative, I have a disk paritioning description, with screen images, based on an Ubuntu-overlay-of-Xandros-Linux install page. Lots of screen images.) Live USB Creation - Mandriva 2008 (a step-by-step guide, with screen images, based on 'Mandriva One' Live CD, circa 2008) (On Ubuntu, circa 2010, it is best to use 'System > Administration > USB Startup Disk Creator'.)

WEB DEVelopment : demo pages of 'seamless tiles' for web pages decorative images for web pages - 'decopics' (1) animated images and (2) still images JavaScript Examples 'complete' HTML-plus-JavaScript(-plus-CSS) examples JavaScript Queries on Browsers and DOM Objects utilities for HTML-JavaScript-CSS programmers --- and for the curious JavaScript BOOKMARKLET EXAMPLES in particular, 'bookmarklets' to reduce frustrations in web browsing (bookmarklets for extracting info from 'busy' web pages) Screen DPI from 'Ruler Images' (images to measure the image rendering quality of small screen devices) How-To put nice math expressions in web pages using 'MathJax' (and 'MathML') a collection of web page templates. (circa 2011 ; need updating) Examples: a basic web page of several blocks of text and a few decorative images --- blog-like a basic web page of photos, medium-res, down the page, with links to original or higher-res photos/scans a web page of a table of thumbnails (6 per row), with thumbnail-links to larger photos a web page of a table with 2 columns, suitable to record runs and run-times, OR stocks and dividend info, OR stocks and exec compensation, OR ... a web page of a table with 3 columns a web page of a table with 4 columns web pages with a Table of Contents pointing to content sections in the lower part of the page (the content could be groups of links, groups of photos, text blocks) a web page with a Table of Contents (TOC) pointing to content on a separate web page for each TOC line-item Also see the HTML-generating scripts via the 'Handy Commands and Scripts' page of the Linux section, above. colors for web pages (for old, 256-colors-or-less monitors)

Computer PERFORMANCE :   (irrespective of operating system) Web Browsing - How to Block Connections to Performance-Degrading '3rd-Party' Internet Hosts (blocking hosts with /etc/hosts or iptables) CPU chip/processor Benchmark Ratings (especially single-thread ratings)

DESKTOP DECORation :   (for any OS --- Linux, Apple, Microsoft, etc.) Desktop Backgrounds (Group 1) - Images for downloading. Desktop Backgrounds (Group 2) - Images for downloading.

Tcl-Tk : sample TclTk GUI images (esp. tkGUIs on Linux) sample Tcl-Tk code (complete programs, rather than snippets) For more examples of Tcl-Tk GUIs (images and code), see my Freedom Environment software web site. That site includes some Tcl-Tk scripts in 'subsystems', such as the 'feAppMenus' subsystem, the 'tkGooies' subsytem, and the 'xpg' utility subsystem.

Computer SECURITY : collected SPAM (bad mail) (esp. 'bad' IP addresses and ranges) 'good-mail' addresses ('good' IP addresses and ranges) - someday? IP addresses (ranges) TO ALLOW (white-list candidates) - someday? IP addresses (ranges) TO DENY (black-list candidates) - someday? It would help if the organizations that assign internet addresses would assign a range/block of addresses to each country, in proportion to their population. (It may be too late for IPv4 addresses, but this should be done with the newer IPv6 addresses.) This would make it much, much easier for people/banks/governments/DNS/routers to block entire countries --- either temporarily (in case of emergency) or permanently (if no contact is needed/wanted with a country).

MICROSOFT (ugh) Notes : INITIAL SETUP of a Windows10-HP desktop computer (as performed in 2020 March & April. Notes describing Win10-prompts, HP-prompts, Metro-Interface-Removal, Start-Menu-Cleanup, Taskbar-Config, Userid-Setup-Separate-From-An-Admin-Userid, Some-3rd-Party-App-Installs.) Microsoft Windows 10 SETTINGS NOTES (as recorded in 2020 March and 2021 June. Notes describing about 100-plus settings in the Windows 10 operating system for a desktop, or laptop, computer.) Windows7-Dell to Windows10-HP DATA MIGRATION NOTES (as recorded in 2021 June. Notes describing migration of Thunderbird-Mail, SeaMonkey-Bookmarks, Desktop-Documents-Pictures files, and settings for Thunderbird-Mail & web browsers like SeaMonkey, Firefox, & MicrosoftEdge.) Turbotax 2020 INSTALL on MS Windows 10 - in 2021 March (Notes describing installation-and-use of TurboTax 2020 on a Windows 10 computer after installing-and-using 2019 TurboTax - see below - on the same computer.) Turbotax 2019 INSTALL on MS Windows 10 - in 2020 April (Notes describing installation-and-use of TurboTax 2019 on a Windows 10 computer after moving 2018 TurboTax data from an old Windows 7 computer.) TurboTax 2017 & 2018 INSTALL on MS Windows 7 - in 2018 & 2019 (Notes for reference in installing-and-using TurboTax on Microsoft Windows computers --- in future years. See more recent TurboTax install notes just above.) NOTE: TurboTax is the only piece of software that keeps me using a Microsoft Windows operating system. For all other computing needs --- software development, web site development, web browsing, email --- I use Linux. MS Windows 10 BLOATWARE CLEANUP - 2017 Apr (Windows10 un-install of unwanted 'apps' and interface icons --- on a new laptop PC --- Acer brand) MS Windows XP to Windows 7 UPGRADE - 2011 Nov (Windows 7 configuration --- and data migration --- during a computer upgrade after a motherboard fried) How to Deactivate ANNOYING Microsoft XP POPUPS - 2009 Oct (four annoying popups) Microsoft Apps E-Docs - pre-2007 (some guides to Microsoft Windows apps --- mostly 1999-2000 guides)

ANDROID Notes : Apple Photos Texted to Android Devices --- Won't-Download-PROBLEM and WORKAROUND (a problem that has existed from 2017 to 2023-plus) Suggested Settings in Android-11 (as used on a Samsung S6 Lite Tablet) (coming someday?) Suggested Settings in Android-?? (as used on a Samsung Galaxy A12 cellphone) (coming someday?)

Computer HARDWARE notes : Netbooks - Testimonials (that exhibit 'Netbook Love') Computer Bargains - a menu page for sources of sub-$300 netbooks, laptops, desktops --- with CPU benchmark info (Also bargains on USB 'sticks', USB hard-drives, and monitors.) Disk Drives - External (makes, models, features --- especially file backup features --- including info on nuisance backup 'crapware' on drives) Info on UEFI and BIOS 'firmware' computer bootup systems (with special attention to handling the 'secure boot' feature when doing installs of Linux distributions) Printer and Scanner Info (esp. for Epson and HP printers) (also some CUPS documentation) Computer Mice for Text Pasting (esp. with additional, programmable top-buttons) Logitech t400 'Zone Touch' Mouse (2012) (with comments from people looking for a mouse with an 'old style' middle button) Motherboard - ASUS M4A78LT-M info (2012) Digital Cameras: Samsung PL120 Digital Camera info (2012) (digital cameras are like an extension to my computers) Fuji Finepix S1000fd Digital Camera info (2012) Smart Phones: TracFone phone info (especially for Samsung Galaxy phones) (Mobile 'smart' phones are micro-computers.) TV-Video-Audio alternatives to cable TV: Roku 'box' info to help access video and audio content via the internet --- and TRY to avoid cable-TV-channel commercials that are growing like cancer. (The Roku 'box' is a micro-computer.) Network devices: Print Server - D-Link DP-301P+ info (2012) Print Server - Trendnet TE100 series info (2012) Network Switch - Netgear GS605 5-port Gigabit Ethernet Switch info (2012) Network Switch - Dynex DX-ESW8 8-port Fast Ethernet Switch info (2012) Router - Netgear WNDR3700 info Router - DLink DI604 info Home Network Config examples

Some OPEN SOURCE CODE pages : Freedom Environment software --- at freedomenv.com ('feNautilusScripts', 'xpg', 'feAppMenus', 'tkGooies') Open Code Archive (to provide access to some code that was once available on the internet but may be hard to find now)

Some pages of external links related to
about ten different computer-topics are
here on the home page of this site.

Bottom of this Computer Info Menu --- a 'Reference-Info' page. To return to a previously visited web page location, click on the Back button of your web browser, a sufficient number of times. OR, use the History-list option of your web browser. OR .... < Go to Table of Contents, above. > < Go to Top of this page, above. > Or, simply scroll up this page. Page history: Page was created 2007 Feb 12. --- various changes from 2007 to 2017 --- Page was changed 2017 Apr 14. (Added 'Windows10 Bloatware Removal' link.) Page was changed 2017 May 26. (Added 'When Gnome2-Nautilus Fails to Start' link.) Page was changed 2017 Jun 02. (Added 'Disk Partition Checking/Recovery with 'fsck'.) Page was changed 2017 Sep 09. (Changed a fonts page link.) Page was changed 2017 Sep 18. (Changed a handy-scripts link.) Page was changed 2018 Jun 30. (Added 'JavaScript Examples' link.) Page was changed 2018 Jul 02. (Added meta info for this page.) Page was changed 2018 Jul 12. (Added 'JavaScript Queries on ...' link.) Page was changed 2018 Jul 29. (Added 'Screen DPI ...' link.) Page was changed 2018 Aug 22. (Added css and javascript to try to handle text-size for smartphones, esp. in portrait orientation.) Page was changed 2018 Aug 26. (Added the Overview/Menu of Linux Installs.) Page was changed 2018 Nov 03. (Added 'Bookmarklet Examples' link.) Page was changed 2019 Feb 13. (Changed 'Computer Bargains' link.) Page was changed 2019 Mar 26. (Added a 'TurboTax INSTALL on Windows7' link.) Page was changed 2019 Mar 27. (Added a 'Linux Web Browsers and Protocols and AppImage' link.) Page was changed 2019 Nov 25. (Added a '2019 GRUB quiet splash' link. Added some year-of-posting notes.) Page was changed 2021 May 26. (Added an 'Ubuntu-MATE' Wikipedia link. Changed several Wikipedia links to open in a separate window.) Page was changed 2021 Jun 20. (Added a link to a newer 'Backup Scripts with Rsync' page.) Page was changed 2021 Jul 24. (Changed directory and HTML-filename of TurboTax-Install-on-MSwindows7 link to include the '7' indicator.) Page was changed 2021 Jul 26. (Added a 'TurboTax 2019 INSTALL on Windows10' link.) Page was changed 2021 Jul 30. (Added a 'TurboTax 2020 INSTALL on Windows10' link.) Page was changed 2021 Aug 02. (Added a 'Microsoft Windows 10 SETTINGS NOTES' link.) Page was changed 2021 Aug 06. (Added an 'INITIAL SETUP of an HP-Windows10 desktop computer' link.) Page was changed 2021 Aug 17. (Added a 'Win7-Dell to Win10-HP DATA MIGRATION NOTES' link.) Page was changed 2021 Nov 14. (Added a 'Slide Scanning with an Epson Scanner' link.) Page was changed 2022 Nov 20. (Added a 'Linux Web Browers - Install and/or Update Notes' option. Changed links to most other web pages so they startup in a separate window or tab, so that this menu page remains available.) Page was changed 2023 Nov 15. (Added a link to a how-to-reclaim-ISO-USBsticks web page, to the Linux-SpecialTopics section.) Page was changed 2023 Nov 20. (Added a link to a how-to-print-&-scan-with-a-Brother-printer web page, to the Linux-SpecialTopics section. Also added a link to a TommyThompson-UbuntuMATE-YouTube-Videos web page, to the Linux-Notes/Guides section.) Page was changed 2023 Dec 10. (Added a link to a Zenity-script-examples web page, to the Linux-Notes/Guides section. Also added a new ANDROID section to this page, with a link to an Apple Images-Texted-To-Android Problem-&-Workaround page.)