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Fedora 16 – First Impressions – Not Positive

May 8th, 2012 | Add a Comment

UPDATED 11-May-2012 I have discovered that the problem with Software Updates and Add/Remove Software noted below was caused by VirtualBox Guest Additions not being correctly installed. This happened because the Linux kernel header files are not installed, GCC (a compiler) is not installed, make (a tool for GCC) is not installed. Installing gcc and make was not a problem. Installing the Linux kernel header files was. For some reason, kernel-devel-3.1.0-7.fc16.i686.PAE is not available (I am sure if I hunt around some more, I will find it, but that is beside the point, I am interested in install, test, use not install and fiddle around until I get some semblance of a usable system. Notwithstanding the problems it has with VirtualBox Guest Additions, I still find it hard to like or recommend Fedora 16: (1) The Software and … Read entire article »

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Ubuntu 12.04 – Virtualbox Guest Additions Stop Working after Update

These instructions are for Ubuntu 12.04, with the Unity interface, running under VirtualBox 4.1.12_77218. They should be the same or similar for other version combinations, but no guarantee is made. Sometimes, when Ubuntu updates are applied to your system, the VirtualBox Guest Additions stop working. Symptoms may include: (1) screen resolution reverts back to the default setting, (2) shared folders no longer work. Trying to fix it by selecting Install Guest Additions… does nothing (and it won’t because Guest Additions are already installed). The fix is to rerun the Guest Additions installation program. There are three ways to do this. Method 1 I think this is the easiest and fastest way. 1) Locate the VBOXADDITIONS disk icon (it is probably the … Read entire article »

How to Deal with Content Theft

If you produce good content, at some point someone will steal that content and post it on their own site. This article offers some tips on dealing with that. The first time someone ripped my content I had two reactions. The first was, “Yeah! My content is good enough for someone to want to steal!” The second was anger – I work hard to produce content and to have someone rip it, repost it and not credit me hurts. The Two Types of Pirate The Shameless Pirate This one knows they are stealing your content, feels no remorse and usually does it to either increase traffic (and revenue) on their site or increase their (perceived) credibility / expertise. Some do … Read entire article »

Ubuntu 12.04 – Installing the Cinnamon Desktop

These instructions are for installing the Cinnamon Desktop v.1.4 on Ubuntu 12.04 running the Unity interface. Installation instructions may be the same or similar for other version combinations or for other Linux distros, but no guarantee is made. The latest information about the Cinnamon Desktop can be found here. The Cinnamon Desktop is one of the desktops provided with Linux Mint. Linux Mint is derived from Ubuntu and it is possible to install Cinnamon under Ubuntu instead of installing Linux Mint. This is the closest we come to being able to upgrade from one distro of Linux to another. The Cinnamon desktop is similar to the traditional Windows type of desktop, with a Start menu in the lower left hand … Read entire article »

Ubuntu 12.04 – How to Install the MATE Desktop

These instructions are for installing the MATE Desktop v.1.2 on Ubuntu 12.04 running the Unity interface. Installation instructions may be the same or similar for other versions of Ubuntu or for other Linux distros, but no guarantee is made. The MATE website provides installation instructions for six different Linux distros (including Ubuntu). Installing MATE Desktop is very much like going back to the original GNOME 2 desktop that was part of earlier version of Ubuntu. GNOME 2 is now obsolete and had been replaced by GNOME 3. Not everyone was happy with this (including Canonical). Canonical (the makers of Ubuntu) decided to create a new desktop called Unity. A developer named Perberos decided to fork GNOME 2 (i.e. create a … Read entire article »

Ubuntu 12.04 – Failed to download package files

This tutorial is for Ubuntu 12.04 in which the following error appears when trying to install a package using the Ubuntu Software Center: This might work for other Ubuntu versions, or other Linux distros based on Ubuntu, but no guarantee is made. Assumes you know how to open a terminal. Instructions can be found here. Possible Cause The error message Failed to download package files Check your Internet connection. when attempting to install software using the Ubuntu Software Center may occur if the package repository lists are out of date. Updating the Repositories 1) Open a terminal: 2) Type the following command and then press the Enter key: sudo apt-get update 3) Type your password and then press the Enter key: Note: when you type your password, it … Read entire article »

Ubuntu 12.04 – How to Install the Xubuntu Desktop

These instructions are for installing the Xubuntu Desktop in Ubuntu 12.04 running the Unity Desktop. Installation instructions may be the same or similar for other versions of Ubuntu or for other Linux distros, but no guarantee is made. Installing Xubuntu Desktop is like having installed Xubuntu originally. It will install the desktop and all the applications that make up Xubuntu. It does not remove any applications that are part of Ubuntu. This means you will have new applications that perform the same or similar functions as applications already installed with Ubuntu 12.04. (For example, the word processor AbiWord). This can lead to bloat on your system. The Xubuntu Desktop is a custom configured version of the Xfce Desktop. Xfce is much … Read entire article »

Ubuntu 12.04 – How to Install the Xfce Desktop

These instructions are for installing the Xfce Desktop in Ubuntu 12.04 running the Unity Desktop. Installation instructions may be the same or similar for other versions of Ubuntu or for other Linux distros, but no guarantee is made. An alternative to Xfce is Xubuntu Desktop. Xubuntu Desktop is Ubuntu with a customized Xfce desktop. It also installs a number of applications. Some of these applications duplicate the functionality of applications already installed in Ubuntu 12.04. Installation instructions can be found here. An article listing alternative desktops for Ubuntu 12.04 can be found here. If you are changing desktops because you are totally lost / confused by Unity, I suggest reading this tutorial and giving Unity a chance. Of course, if … Read entire article »

Ubuntu 12.04 – How to Install the Lubuntu Desktop

These instructions are for installing the Lubuntu Desktop in Ubuntu 12.04 running the Unity Desktop. Installation instructions may be the same or similar for other versions of Ubuntu or for other Linux distros, but no guarantee is made. Installing Lubuntu Desktop is like having installed Lubuntu originally. It will install the desktop and all the applications that make up Lubuntu. It does not remove any applications that are part of Ubuntu. This means you will have new applications that perform the same or similar functions as applications already installed with Ubuntu 12.04. (For example, the word processor AbiWord). This can lead to bloat on your system. The Lubuntu Desktop is a custom configured version of the LXDE Desktop. To install a … Read entire article »

Ubuntu 12.04 – How to Install the LXDE Desktop

These instructions are for installing the Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment (LXDE) in Ubuntu 12.04 running the Unity Desktop. Installation instructions may be the same or similar for other versions of Ubuntu or for other Linux distros, but no guarantee is made. LXDE includes the desktop environment as well as a number of applications. Some of these applications perform the same or similar functions as applications already installed with Ubuntu 12.04. To install just the desktop without additional applications, I recommend installing the LXDE Core desktop. Installation instructions can be found here. For a complete “Ubuntu” experience using the LXDE desktop consider installing the Lubuntu Desktop. This is the core Ubuntu system configured to use LXDE as its desktop. It … Read entire article »

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