Going Linux

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

At a listener's suggestion, we describe three new solutions that try to answer the age-old question, 'Why can Linux distributions not agree on how to install and application?' We describe Snap, AppImage and FlatPak. Episode 333 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #333 · One Installation File - Many Linux Distributions 00:15 Introduction 00:47 New Book: Using Ubuntu MATE and Its Applications 01:42 Why can Linux distributions not agree on how to install and application? 03:59 Snaps: Intro 05:31 FlatPaks: Intro 06:14 AppImages: Intro 07:02 Snap 08:58 AppImage 11:06 FlatPak 11:55 More details and how to create packages 12:07 Which should I use? 13:57 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 14:54 End

An excerpt on accessibility on boot from our new book, 'Using Ubuntu MATE and Its Applications.' Feedback on whole disk cloning, passwords, encryption, BleachBit on Linux, restarting after a freeze, and drivers. We also have a 'gone Linux' story from Craig. Episode 332 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #332 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:55 Fun with phones 03:00 Scott: GPartEd for whole disk cloning 05:06 Michael: Which distribution is best for using the Orca screen reader? 19:33 Greg: Linux beta of Password Safe 20:46 Mike: Should I encrypt my backups 27:14 Tom: Recommendations for slide show creation and DVD burning 34:12 John: Bleachbit and autoremove for Linux maintenance 35:58 Paul: Skype alternative and restaring the computer 39:45 Craig: High performance graphics on Linux 45:22 Gone Linux: Craig a 'curiosity' since 1990's has now switched to Linux 49:55 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 51:2

We discuss backup and disaster recovery options that involve cloning your computer's entire hard drive. We discuss five Linux-based options for cloning hard drives. We make our recommendations of which to use, but we don't quite agree. Episode 331 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #331 · Whole Disk Cloning on Linux 00:15 Introduction 00:51 Podcast 'guests' 03:07 Backup Strategies 04:34 Cloning a hard drive on Linux 06:01 G4L 09:06 dd: Native Linux cloning tool 16:10 Partimage 20:09 Partclone 23:31 Clonezilla 27:20 Our recommendations 28:42 Bye bye Skype 29:30 Hello Discord 34:35 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 35:31 End

Our listeners are the BEST! David solves his hard drive issue. Greg wants to know about really old computers. We get show suggestions and questions about such things as secure browsing. Episode 330 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #330 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 01:02 David: Hard drive issue was hardware 07:44 Greg: Really REALLY old computers 14:03 Roger: Telegram? 14:46 Kevin: Advice on maintenence on Linux 19:05 Ken: Some show suggestions 21:00 Sean: Linux game review: Xonotic 21:57 Tom: Comments on the podcast 24:02 Greg: Secure browsing on Linux 29:06 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 30:09 End

If you have a HiDPI screen, like the one on the Dell XPS 13, you may find that it has tiny icons and fonts that make it difficult to use. You can certainly change the resolution on your display to 1920x1080 (1080P) and simply not use its full capabilities but this podcast episode walks you through adjusting the settings to take full advantage of the full resolution of your beautiful 4K display. Episode 329 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #329 · Using 4K Monitors on Linux 00:15 Introduction 00:50 Bill buys the book 02:45 HiDPI (4K) monitors 07:30 Display settings 09:14 Change the font size 10:43 Change the icon size 12:49 Change the pointer size 13:49 Modify the greeter 15:50 Why you might not want to use the 4K settings 17:57 A wish for the future 20:24 Some thoughts on why you might use 4K 24:58 We switch from Skype to Discord 26:35 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 27:32 End

We get feedback on stickers, books and Skype alternatives. We get questions on screen resolution, AppImages, network drives and issues, mouse buttons and more. Episode 328 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #328 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:51 Technology adventures 02:02 Bill's new gaming laptop 05:08 Tony: Needs help with screen resolution 08:13 Roy: Asks about App Images 14:03 SkywardAbyss: System76 Stickers 16:21 Serge: Recommended Skype alternatives 20:13 Nancy: About her new book, and ours, 'Your Data, Your Devices, and You' 24:58 Mike: Creating a network drive 28:22 Bob: Mouse button thanks for the offer to help 29:27 Tony: Where do I contribute pictures for network diagrams? 32:41 David: Hardware? Firmware? Software? Bill wins! 38:25 Troy: Learned something new 44:02 Bob: Here's HOW he solved his mouse configuration problems 46:35 Bob: A strange network problem 55:41 Tips on listening to music while you work 58:35 goinglinux.com, goinglin

This time we talk about several of the common things you may be familiar with in Windows and describe how you do those same things while using Linux. Sometimes the process the same, and sometimes it's different. Click the show notes links to find even more than we can cover in this short episode. Episode 327 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #327 · Things You Can Do In Windows And How To Do Them In Linux 00:15 Introduction 01:53 This topic is revisited and updated 02:32 Co-hosts revisited 06:41 The Super Key defined 08:53 Display system information (graphical) 11:42 Display system information (command line) 15:54 Shut down or reboot 20:09 How to control the drag and drop action 22:07 Use a dialog box to open an application or a URL 23:10 Lock your computer quickly 26:05 Bill tries Netrunner 31:56 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 32:55 End

Larry has published a book: 'Ubuntu MATE: Upgrading from Windows or OSX.' Sebastien solves his problem with the filled-up hard drive. We find out how, and some other things to consider. We find there is no magic key for installing Linux on Apple hardware. Much more! Episode 326 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #326 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:58 Ubuntu MATE: Upgrading from Windows or OSX 02:45 Greg: Servers for home use 06:08 Sebastien: The community found the problem! 07:26 George: "Magic Key" to installing Linux on a Mac 09:00 Orion: Refind 09:34 Steve: Mouse button mapping with Pystromo 10:38 Malte: Backup files created in the future! 11:18 Jim: Problems with Skype 14:02 John: Ethernet unplugged in Virtualbox 15:56 Paul: Where does a command-line installation get its applications? 18:03 David: The steps for clearing a filled hard drive 19:54 Heath: Other filled hard drive possibilities 22:40 Greg: Any update on Thinkpad T420? 24:39 Göran: File s

Inspired by an exchange between our community members in our 'Going Linux Podcast' Google+ community, we discuss how Windows, OSX and Linux all leave stuff behind after an upgrade, and what you can do to minimize or eliminate this on Linux. We provide several points of view on the concpets of Nuke and Pave vs. Rolling Release, and the differences between the 'remove' and 'purge' options for the command 'apt-get'. We also describe how to keep your preferences and settings for all of you Linux applications after an OS upgrade and after a nuke and pave. Episode 325 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #325 · Getting Rid of 'Cruft' After An Upgrade 00:15 Introduction 01:02 It all started innocently enough... 01:34 Rolling release vs. nuke and pave 04:10 Our experiences 16:04 Limitations of upgrades and rolling releases 18:13 Uninstalling applications via the command line 19:03 Remove vs. purge 19:23 man apt-get 21:19 Additional insights 21:39 debOrphan 24:35 Configuration files

We have several suggestions from our listeners for Sebastien on his filled hard drive, a request for a recommendation on a screen recorder for Linux and a story about dual booting. Chard has a recommendation for Bill's next computer. Episode 324 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #324 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:57 New processors have Bill drooling 05:10 Voice Mail: On requirement specs in reviews 13:04 Marian: Use 'du' to find out why hard drive is filling up; Linux isn't always easier 18:39 Miguel: A solute and a suggestion to use 'du' or 'ncdu' 19:32 Eldon: Also suggests 'ncdu' 20:48 Small Box Admin: Another vote for 'du' 22:56 Chris: Screen recorders for Linux 26:37 Richard: You will only boot Windows or else! 29:55 Chard: A suggestion for Bill 32:25 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 33:52 End

Not every Linux distro is the same, but many have very similar features and applications. In today's episode we review Ubuntu MATE from the perspective that it is a typical modern Linux distro for the average user. Episode 323 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #323 · Ubuntu MATE: A Typical Linux Distribution 00:15 Introduction 00:45 Ubutu MATE: A distribution for everyone 02:27 A typical modern Linux distribution 03:35 Modern and full-featured 04:07 Pre-configured, yet flexible 04:32 Security built-in 05:13 An official flavor of Ubuntu 08:26 Applications provided by the MATE desktop 09:00 File browser: Caja 09:34 Text editor: Pluma 10:08 Archive manager: Engrampa 11:08 Image viewer: Eye of MATE 11:30 Document viewer: Atril 11:50 MATE System Monitor 12:08 MATE Terminal 12:31 Control Center 15:45 Applications provided by the Ubuntu MATE distribution 16:11 Ubuntu MATE Welcome 18:51 Web browser: Firefox 19:10 Mail: Thunderbird 20:01 Office suite: Li

Our listeners ask about Wifi issues, Ubuntu's changes, trackball configuration and more. We get comments on a password manager and on installing Linux on an HP Stream. Episode 322 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #322 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:52 Episode Delay 01:43 Harold: Wifi problems 05:43 Greg: Password Safe and Dropbox 07:45 Ambrose: More wifi problems 12:52 Billy: How long will it take Ubuntu to get back on track? 16:27 Bob: The trackball, continued 19:29 Ambrose: Responds 22:36 Sebastien: Needs help 28:51 David: MATE Rocks! 32:19 App pick: Simplenote 34:44 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 35:48 End

Bill has taken the time to review Sabayon Linux once again. He revises his score, gives some specific examples, plus and minus. Episode 321 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #321 · Sabayon Revisited 00:15 Introduction 01:46 Bill needs a new desktop computer: build or buy? 04:57 Larry's upgrade to Ubuntu MATE 17.04 07:36 Sabayon revisited 08:46 System resource usage is quite low 09:57 What is Sabayon? 10:53 Sabayon facts 12:57 Package Manager: Rigo 13:59 Pros and cons 15:30 Rolling release 18:45 System requirements 21:03 Sabayon community 21:59 Rant: KDE! 22:49 Replacing KDE with Cinnamon 23:44 5 Official versions 25:37 Recommendation 28:46 Applications available 31:37 Bill's new rating for Sabayon 33:14 Ubuntu MATE or Linux Mint still better for a new Linux user 36:37 Sabayon should give you a pretty good experience as long as you stay away from KDE 41:58 Ubuntu Gnome vs. MATE 44:00 Recommend a new machine for Bill 45:10 goinglinux.com, go

In this episode we have contributons from listeners on backup software for Linux, and questions on browsing networks, running Wine, setting up extra mouse buttons, buggy wifi, optimal partition sizes, and more. Episode 320 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #320 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 02:36 New computers? 05:23 Mario: Comment on Episode 319 08:30 Nicholai: Browsing a home network 10:56 Paul: Computrace? 15:24 Mike: Remote to Linux from a Surface 17:40 Bob: Using Wine 21:43 Bob: Logitec M570 mouse buttons 24:50 Rainy: Experience with Firefox Ubuntu Gnome 28:10 Daniel: Installing on a USB drive 31:05 Chard: Buggy Ubuntu wifi 34:05 Paul: Optimal home partition size 40:42 Jim: Lucky Backup 41:14 Bill's app pickLibreOffice 43:36 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 44:52 End

Following our recommendations for strategies and methods of backing up your computer, we discuss an old tool, rsync, and it's graphical front-end, grsync. Almost all the options of rsync in a graphical form without the disadvantages of rsync. With the approaching release of the next iteration of Ubuntu and its derivatives, many of us will be looking to upgrade. Before making any major change to your system, a backup is an essential precaution. Episode 319 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #319 · Backups with Grsync 00:15 Introduction 00:45 Bill moves to New Mexico 03:40 Grsync 04:06 Backup before you upgrade 04:58 Backup hardware 07:44 Backup software 08:40 A graphical front-end for rsync 09:28 Grsync is cross-platform 11:35 Almost all the options of rsync in a graphical form... 11:53 ... without the disadvantages of rsync 13:53 University of Aukland NZ 16:08 Piero Orsoni's list of features of grsync 19:00 Why use an old program like grsync rather than the more modern

As always, we receive feedback on previous episodes, but this time we also receive feedback on our feedback on feedback. We have a word of caution for Windows users burning Linux ISO files with ImgBurn, questions on Linux drivers and the differences between distros, suggestions on getting Ubuntu MATE installed and a Gone Linux story. There is much more feedback in the episode than we can list here, so you will just have to listen. We know you will anyway! Episode 318 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #318 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 01:09 David: Feedback on feedback on feedback 02:30 Troy: A word of caution on ImgBurn 04:28 Benjamin: A familiar suggestion 05:08 Charles: Why are there no standard drivers for Linux, like on Windows? 16:32 Paul: Mint 18 or 17.3? 18:48 Mario: Congrats on 10 years! 20:56 Armin: Discovered Linux through BSD 22:29 Michael: What are the real differences between distros? 25:52 Amar: Congrats on 10 years 26:15 Michael: Does Mint MATE come w

At our listeners' requests, we provide a review of some non-Debian Linux distributions. Episode 317 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #317 · Linux Distros Reviewed 00:15 Introduction 00:59 Rain in the desert 02:03 A review of non-Debian Linux distributions 03:01 RPM vs. DEB 07:12 Sabayon 17:51 Scientific Linux 25:20 openSuSE 35:53 Fedora 43:01 PCLinuxOS 50:10 ArchBang 53:52 So... did Bill switch to an RPM distribution? 60:29 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 61:29 End

Bill's frustration with SecureBoot on an Asus netbook nudges him toward a computer with Linux pre-installed. Michael needs help burning a Sonar LiveDVD on Windows. David provides a 3-part email. Tony is burning DVDs. Chandra would like to see more content on RPM distros. Episode 316 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #316 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 01:08 Will Secure Boot drive Bill to System76? 02:34 Cloud-based software enables Linux 04:41 How the cloud helps eliminate license fees for operating systems as well as applications 08:12 How cloud software improves data security 10:29 Michael: Burning a Live DVD in Windows 10 16:24 David: Installing and mounting additional drives 30:50 Tony: Burn YouTube videos to DVD 32:49 Chandra: More on Fedora, SuSE, and RPM-based distros 38:26 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 39:21 End

We celebrate 10 years of the Going Linux podcast, and review some significant happenings for Linux in 2016. Episode 315 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #315 · 10th Anniversary Episode 00:15 Introduction 00:42 10 years in review 01:39 6 years of Computer America 02:57 The year of change for Bill 04:02 Ubuntu includes support for ZFS 04:59 Open source licensing 08:15 Creative Commons licensing 11:44 Linux kernel license 13:52 10 years of co-hosts 20:18 Another pay increase for Bill! 20:51 10 years of Larry 22:55 Notable accomplishments 25:14 2016 Review 25:53 Fedora is first to ship with Wayland 29:42 Firefox OS 31:56 Mythbuntu shuts down 34:00 Microsoft loves Linux 42:04 KDE turns 20 42:45 Linux turns 25 46:47 Bill's favorite Linux 48:30 Larry's favorite Linux 53:38 2016: A good year for Linux 55:19 goinglinux.com, goinglinux@gmail.com, +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe 56:52 End