Going Linux

We look at switching from Windows to Linux in this first of two parts. Episode 353 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #353 · Moving from Windows to Linux - Part 1 00:15 Introduction 02:21 Extensive show notes links 08:11 Why would I want to ditch Windows if it's working for me? 28:19 Things to look at before you ditch Windows. 34:16 What do you do after you've selected a distribution of Linux to instal...

We start with a critical voice mail from Lester. We also have comments on our review of Linux Mint, discussions of Lexmark's lack of support for its printers on Linux, how to provide remote support, increasing swap and boot partitions and more. Episode 352 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #352 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 0:20 Lester: Pinguy review was too critical 07:05 Cogoman: Mint 19 ex...

We review Pinguy Linux, release 18.04. Episode 351 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #351 · Review of Pinguy 18.04 00:15 Introduction 00:55 The Windows update prevents Bill's machine from booting into Linux, delays our recording 02:38 Guild Wars 2 on Linux 05:21 Pinguy review 09:15 Website looks nice but 'help' section needs a bit of updating 10:03 The developer is responsive 13:01 The 3.2GB ISO image...

Bill has not yet switched from Linux Mint. The eBook version of 'Using Ubuntu MATE and Its Applications- Ubuntu MATE 18.04 Edition' is now available. In this episode, Tom can now suspend, Dan reveals how on-site repair really works, James has a paperweight, and much more. Episode 350 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #350 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:54 Bill is still using Linux Mint 04:1...

Bill reviews Linux Mint 19 and discusses the Good the Bad and the Ugly. Well, there's really no Ugly. We compare it with Ubuntu MATE 18.04 and render a final verdict on which we'd recommend. Episode 349 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #349 · Linux Mint 19 Tara 00:15 Introduction 11:21 Linux Mint 19 13:10 Working around Alienware problems 17:01 The Good 17:27 Update Center 23:02 Welcome screen 24:01...

We receive feedback on previous Listener Feedback episodes, including feedback for Bill on his issues with his Alienware computer. Joe wants to relive his childhood. Episode 348 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #348 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 01:46 Bill has a 32bit vs. 64bit battle 05:31 Larry's Dell support call goes horribly wrong 06:55 Paul: Recording Discord 09:23 Daniel: Bad news 11:...

Much of what we discussed in our last user experience episode used the terminal. This episode covers some of the basics of using the terminal. It's not as intimidating as it might seem at first. Episode 347 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #347 · Using the Terminal 00:15 Introduction 00:43 Terminal basics 02:00 The terminal 04:49 Installing applications 08:17 lshw to display your system info 09:43 in...

Bill needs some help! Listeners share tips and help for other listeners. George asks for a book. Daniel has problems writing to disk. Episode 346 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #346 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 01:21 Bill asks the minions for help 10:51 Another reason users switch from Windows to Linux! 13:22 Daniel: Discord is not accessible 15:46 George: May I please have a book? 24:04...

In Linux there are methods of installing software, from source code by compiling and installing, or through software packages and package managers. There are newer forms of installing software, for example using portable app installers like Appimage, Snap or Flatpak. In this episode we describe the common methods of installing applications on Debian-based distributions. Episode 345 Time Stamps 00:...

We have feedback on the Discord package, the Linux In The Hamshack Podcast, Linux hardware, Linux maintenance, file permissions, and more!. Episode 344 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #344 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 02:02 We've remembered how to record! 02:45 Ubuntu MATE Guide for release 18.04 05:45 David: Update from a year ago 07:59 Michael: Comment on Discord 09:46 Ken: LIHS Podcast...

Support for high-resolution computer displays (HiDPI or 4K displays) is still being perfected. Not all Linux distributions provide settings that behave well in high-resolution mode -- and most are somewhat clunky. With the 18.04 release, the Ubuntu MATE team is releasing a utility for the MATE desktop that automatically can detect your 4K display and set the appropriate screen scaling for you. Epi...

Serge provides multiple suggestions for replacing Skype. Jim describes some mobile AntennaPod issues, Greg discusses powering off by force, Norm suggests Mail-In-A-Box, Emilio asks about a portable VeraCrypt for Linux, Simohamed offers a suggestion and Jack describes how he has Gone Linux. Episode 342 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #342 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:59 Serge: Multiple s...

Bill takes on a top secret special project. Jeremy recommends a backup solution, Greg removes cruft, George recommends Synology, Daniel asks about our Skype replacement, and more! Episode 341 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #341 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:54 Internet problems resolved (we hope) 02:06 Jeremy: Backups recommendation 04:44 Greg: Autoremoving cruft 06:19 Greg: That's not...

We discuss security on Linux and provide basic Linux security guidelines. We discuss in more detail, backups, automated software updates and upgrades, and the uncomplicated firewall. Episode 340 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #340 · Security on Linux 00:15 Introduction 00:45 Just you and me 02:04 Overview 03:55 Basic Linux security guidelines 05:39 Backups 07:45 What and where to back-up 11:20 Auto...

In this episode, we have a lot of interest in Internet filtering and wiping hard drives for privacy. Also, we answer questions about the Linux screen reader, Orca, make recommendations on hardware, and discuss a multiple screen issue. Episode 339 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #339 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:56 Welcome to the podcast, Bear! 02:14 Daniel: Is Orca included with Linux M...

Although you can do some basic tweaking out of the box with other operating systems, Linux is infinitely more configurable than macOS or Windows. Sure you can get add-on software to personalize your Windows desktop quite a bit, but most Linux distributions provide the customization tools built right in, with additional utilities just a few clicks away in the software repositories. This episode giv...

At the request of our listeners, we provide a few recommendations on various subjects ranging from distributions for a low-powered computer to software to wipe a hard drive. Episode 337 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #337 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 01:41 Mike: Comparing files 06:08 Paul: Why the ThinkPad Wifi was not working 08:17 Paul: Wiping a hard drive 10:31 Craig: Recommendation fo...

In the Going Linux holiday tradition, Bill and Larry review some of the significant happenings during the past year. Episode 336 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #336 · 2017 Year End Review 00:15 Introduction 02:01 Highlights of 2017 02:57 Ubuntu MATE: Two books and a guide within the distribution. 10:19 Goodbye net neutrality 19:32 The Minion Network begins 22:58 Linux takes over the world! 24:33 Go...

The minion network grows! After our break for US Thanksgiving, we get more feedback on popular topics like progress when using the dd command, disk cloning, snap packages, and backups. In addition we get a suggestion on using info, and an alternative link to grsync instructions. Episode 335 Time Stamps 00:00 Going Linux #335 · Listener Feedback 00:15 Introduction 00:59 Holiday break 01:24 How to j...

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 0...

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 ca...

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 dis...

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...

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...

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. Ep...