various short questions

[monere]

hi everyone,

I have several short questions on various topics and instead of opening multiple threads for such minor issues I thought I'd shoot all the question in one single thread. I hope you will agree with this.

So, here it goes:

1) is there any difference between terminal and terminal emulator? What's the difference, if any?
2) will my partition get deleted (will I lose or damage anything) if I click on "unmount" inside the gparted program?
3) how do I add shortcuts for various things? For example, I would like the MENU button to get activated when I press the Windows key (the one that opes Windows explorer when you press it along with E in Windows XP) or any other key for that matter?
4) I just installed gnome-alsamixer (or something like this) and I don't know where to find it so I can play with the settings and see which setting makes my sound card work (currently there is no sound for my Mint 14 x64 Xfce install). So, the question is where do I find the configuration for gnmoe-alsamixer?
5) what is the difference between Synaptic Package Manager, Update Manager and Software Manager?
6) assuming I want to install 4 or 5 variations of Linux (I am having Mint 13 LXDE, Fedora 18, lubuntu 12.10 and netrunner 12.12.1 in mind) and have them all bootable, how many /boot partitions need I create on the same HDD drive, and how large each of them should be?

This is my PC config, in case you need it to answer my questions:

- Intel Core2 Quad 2,4GHz x64 (this would be the CPU)
- ATI Radeon 4650 1GB RAM memory (this would be the graphics card)
- Asus P5N-E SLI (motherboard)
- 2x1GB 800Mhz Geil RAM memory
- 500GB Seagate Barracude HDD
- Creative Soundblaster Xfi Xtreme Audio (this would be the sound card)

7) how do I enable the numpad on my keyboard? I can't make use of any key of the numpad and this is at least annoying
8 where do I find configuration for my hardware (something like Device Manager in Windows) so I can check how Linux detects my hardware and to install/update necessary drivers
9) which are the most important directories/folders that I should never mess with, especially when I am starting out with Linux? I see a lot of folders (lib dev etc opt var home bin boot root sys) under "File System" drive. Obviously that I will try to avoid even touching all of these ( ) but during the learning process I might come across various commands or programs that will have me make use of one/all of these folders in order to get installed/configured/modified/whatever. Since I am clueless about what each of these folders do I will probably damage them sooner or later and I don't want to lose data and/or irremediably damage something as a result of my testing and learning process.

So, which of these folders is the most important one(s) that I shouldn't dare touch? And speaking of which, how do I hide/protect them from my malicious actions?

10) how do I save the configuration I am making to my desktop so I can retrieve it next time I re-install Linux? Is this even possible btw??

Well, that would be all for now, although I am pretty sure I will have even more questions soon But for now, finding answers to these will allow me to move further with my learning process. So please, try to answer as simple and accurate as you can as I am overwhelemed of so much learning and customization I need to go through in order to give a personal touch to my OS.

Thanks and awaiting for your replies!

[proxima_centauri]

1) is there any difference between terminal and terminal emulator? What's the difference, if any?

Search google for "terminal emulator"

2) will my partition get deleted (will I lose or damage anything) if I click on "unmount" inside the gparted program?

No, essentially unmount means the partition is no longer available to the system to read or write. For instance when you plug in a USB key drive, it will be "mounted" to the system. Typically, before you remove the device, you unmount it to ensure there is no lost data

3) how do I add shortcuts for various things? For example, I would like the MENU button to get activated when I press the Windows key (the one that opes Windows explorer when you press it along with E in Windows XP) or any other key for that matter?

Cinnamon Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard shortcuts.

5) what is the difference between Synaptic Package Manager, Update Manager and Software Manager?

Synaptic Package Manager contains all available packages for installation including software, libraries, and other package dependencies. Update Manager shows you the available packages for update that are installed on your system. Software Manager is similar to Package Manager but contains only user software and does not show all the dependent packages.

6) assuming I want to install 4 or 5 variations of Linux (I am having Mint 13 LXDE, Fedora 18, lubuntu 12.10 and netrunner 12.12.1 in mind) and have them all bootable, how many /boot partitions need I create on the same HDD drive, and how large each of them should be?

You don't need a /boot partition, just enough partitions for each linux installations "/" and one SWAP.

7) how do I enable the numpad on my keyboard? I can't make use of any key of the numpad and this is at least annoying

Try the Num Lk. key. Like CAPS lock it needs to be enabled to work.

8 where do I find configuration for my hardware (something like Device Manager in Windows) so I can check how Linux detects my hardware and to install/update necessary drivers

Type "system information" in the menu.

9) which are the most important directories/folders that I should never mess with, especially when I am starting out with Linux?

Nothing outside of your home folder unless you know what you're doing.

10) how do I save the configuration I am making to my desktop so I can retrieve it next time I re-install Linux? Is this even possible btw??

Create a separate /home partition at installation. Or backup your /home folder before you reinstall if you don't have one.

[monere]

2) will my partition get deleted (will I lose or damage anything) if I click on "unmount" inside the gparted program?

No, essentially unmount means the partition is no longer available to the system to read or write. For instance when you plug in a USB key drive, it will be "mounted" to the system. Typically, before you remove the device, you unmount it to ensure there is no lost data

So if I unmount, restart the computer and then mount again you mean everything will function just as prior to unmounting?

3) how do I add shortcuts for various things? For example, I would like the MENU button to get activated when I press the Windows key (the one that opes Windows explorer when you press it along with E in Windows XP) or any other key for that matter?

Cinnamon Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard shortcuts.

I have Xfce, but I found it anyway The problem, however is that I must enter a command or something. Which command do I need to add? Also what are all those "XF86", "SUPER", and "Primary" things I see in there?
For example, there is a command under commands list that says "xfdesktop --menu" and to the right of it (under the shortcuts list) it says <Primary>Escape. Well, I pressed the Escape key on my keyboard but nothing happened

5) what is the difference between Synaptic Package Manager, Update Manager and Software Manager?

Synaptic Package Manager contains all available packages for installation including software, libraries, and other package dependencies. Update Manager shows you the available packages for update that are installed on your system. Software Manager is similar to Package Manager but contains only user software and does not show all the dependent packages.

Got it!

6) assuming I want to install 4 or 5 variations of Linux (I am having Mint 13 LXDE, Fedora 18, lubuntu 12.10 and netrunner 12.12.1 in mind) and have them all bootable, how many /boot partitions need I create on the same HDD drive, and how large each of them should be?

You don't need a /boot partition, just enough partitions for each linux installations "/" and one SWAP.

Hm, you sure about this one? I read a few Unix/Linux tutorials online these days and almost all of them mentioned how important /boot is to be on its separate partition just in case the system crashes (which will probably happen lots of times and very soon in my case anyway) and I would like to be able to boot my PC after this. Also, you said I only need "enough partitions for each linux installation". What exactly do you mean by "enough"? Currently (and since this is the first Linux install I ever made) I only allocated one partition to everything but reading so much about how important partitioning is under Linux and all this stuff I understood that a proper Linux installation necessitates more partitions to be created on the drive. And I also read somewhere that 15 is the maximum number of partitions Linux allows for each drive. Is this correct? And if it's correct, how many partitions I need for each Linux installation should I go with 3 different distros for example? Also, which folders/directories need to be on their separate partition?

7) how do I enable the numpad on my keyboard? I can't make use of any key of the numpad and this is at least annoying

Try the Num Lk. key. Like CAPS lock it needs to be enabled to work.

I tried it man, that's not the issue. Something more complicated must be guilty of this.

8 where do I find configuration for my hardware (something like Device Manager in Windows) so I can check how Linux detects my hardware and to install/update necessary drivers

Type "system information" in the menu.

I already looked at that section but couldn't find anything related to sound card, sound device, audio device, audio or anything like that. Is there no other place to go to test/customize my sound card/drivers?

9) which are the most important directories/folders that I should never mess with, especially when I am starting out with Linux?

Nothing outside of your home folder unless you know what you're doing.

Believe me that I have NO CLUE what I am doing, at least not for now. That's why I inquired about this. But since you say it's safe to mess with those folders... let the party begin

10) how do I save the configuration I am making to my desktop so I can retrieve it next time I re-install Linux? Is this even possible btw??

Create a separate /home partition at installation. Or backup your /home folder before you reinstall if you don't have one.

Uhm, are you sure about the /home folder? It is completely empty. If anything I should probably back up the other partitions of my HDD, which are full of documents, music, movies and games. Is that /home folder so important??

[cecar]

Uhm, are you sure about the /home folder? It is completely empty. If anything I should probably back up the other partitions of my HDD, which are full of documents, music, movies and games. Is that /home folder so important??

In /home is your user directory where all your personal files and settings are stored.

[proxima_centauri]

2) will my partition get deleted (will I lose or damage anything) if I click on "unmount" inside the gparted program?

No, essentially unmount means the partition is no longer available to the system to read or write. For instance when you plug in a USB key drive, it will be "mounted" to the system. Typically, before you remove the device, you unmount it to ensure there is no lost data

So if I unmount, restart the computer and then mount again you mean everything will function just as prior to unmounting?

That's correct.

3) how do I add shortcuts for various things? For example, I would like the MENU button to get activated when I press the Windows key (the one that opes Windows explorer when you press it along with E in Windows XP) or any other key for that matter?

Cinnamon Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard shortcuts.

I have Xfce, but I found it anyway The problem, however is that I must enter a command or something. Which command do I need to add? Also what are all those "XF86", "SUPER", and "Primary" things I see in there?
For example, there is a command under commands list that says "xfdesktop --menu" and to the right of it (under the shortcuts list) it says <Primary>Escape. Well, I pressed the Escape key on my keyboard but nothing happened

Try googling for an answer.

6) assuming I want to install 4 or 5 variations of Linux (I am having Mint 13 LXDE, Fedora 18, lubuntu 12.10 and netrunner 12.12.1 in mind) and have them all bootable, how many /boot partitions need I create on the same HDD drive, and how large each of them should be?

You don't need a /boot partition, just enough partitions for each linux installations "/" and one SWAP.

Hm, you sure about this one? I read a few Unix/Linux tutorials online these days and almost all of them mentioned how important /boot is to be on its separate partition just in case the system crashes (which will probably happen lots of times and very soon in my case anyway) and I would like to be able to boot my PC after this. Also, you said I only need "enough partitions for each linux installation". What exactly do you mean by "enough"? Currently (and since this is the first Linux install I ever made) I only allocated one partition to everything but reading so much about how important partitioning is under Linux and all this stuff I understood that a proper Linux installation necessitates more partitions to be created on the drive. And I also read somewhere that 15 is the maximum number of partitions Linux allows for each drive. Is this correct? And if it's correct, how many partitions I need for each Linux installation should I go with 3 different distros for example? Also, which folders/directories need to be on their separate partition?

You can make separate /boot partitions if you like. You can only have a max of 4 primary partitions, so you are going to need to make logical partitions instead. Try googling and searching the forum for more information on this as I don't have time to go in depth right now. OR repost this specific question in the Installation & Boot section of the forum for more attention.

8 where do I find configuration for my hardware (something like Device Manager in Windows) so I can check how Linux detects my hardware and to install/update necessary drivers

Type "system information" in the menu.

I already looked at that section but couldn't find anything related to sound card, sound device, audio device, audio or anything like that. Is there no other place to go to test/customize my sound card/drivers?

You can use "inxi -h" in terminal to find a full list of hardware and drivers. The best bet to solve your sound card problem is to google "Ubuntu 12.10 + sound card model" and see if there are any solutions.

10) how do I save the configuration I am making to my desktop so I can retrieve it next time I re-install Linux? Is this even possible btw??

Create a separate /home partition at installation. Or backup your /home folder before you reinstall if you don't have one.

Uhm, are you sure about the /home folder? It is completely empty. If anything I should probably back up the other partitions of my HDD, which are full of documents, music, movies and games. Is that /home folder so important??

[/quote]
Inside your home folder contains all the hidden configuration files. Press Ctrl+H in file browser and you should see all the hidden folders prefixed with a ".".

[monere]

Ah-ha! Now I begin to understand

Thanks!

[usbtux]

You don't need a /boot partition, just enough partitions for each linux installations "/" and one SWAP.

Hm, you sure about this one? I read a few Unix/Linux tutorials online these days and almost all of them mentioned how important /boot is to be on its separate partition just in case the system crashes (which will probably happen lots of times and very soon in my case anyway) and I would like to be able to boot my PC after this. Also, you said I only need "enough partitions for each linux installation". What exactly do you mean by "enough"? Currently (and since this is the first Linux install I ever made) I only allocated one partition to everything but reading so much about how important partitioning is under Linux and all this stuff I understood that a proper Linux installation necessitates more partitions to be created on the drive. And I also read somewhere that 15 is the maximum number of partitions Linux allows for each drive. Is this correct? And if it's correct, how many partitions I need for each Linux installation should I go with 3 different distros for example? Also, which folders/directories need to be on their separate partition?

You dont need a boot partition on ubuntu based distros - despite what others may tell you you dont need any directory's on a separate partition just root and home

Uhm, are you sure about the /home folder? It is completely empty. If anything I should probably back up the other partitions of my HDD, which are full of documents, music, movies and games. Is that /home folder so important??

In /home is your user directory where all your personal files and settings are stored.
Yes you need a home folder ( possibly a partition if you want).

I must admit you could find most of the answers to your questions by simply installing one distro and playing with it - every body mucks it up now and again, you could be realy clever and back up your inital install so that when you do have a major problem you just install the backup.

[monere]

You don't need a /boot partition, just enough partitions for each linux installations "/" and one SWAP.

Hm, you sure about this one? I read a few Unix/Linux tutorials online these days and almost all of them mentioned how important /boot is to be on its separate partition just in case the system crashes (which will probably happen lots of times and very soon in my case anyway) and I would like to be able to boot my PC after this. Also, you said I only need "enough partitions for each linux installation". What exactly do you mean by "enough"? Currently (and since this is the first Linux install I ever made) I only allocated one partition to everything but reading so much about how important partitioning is under Linux and all this stuff I understood that a proper Linux installation necessitates more partitions to be created on the drive. And I also read somewhere that 15 is the maximum number of partitions Linux allows for each drive. Is this correct? And if it's correct, how many partitions I need for each Linux installation should I go with 3 different distros for example? Also, which folders/directories need to be on their separate partition?

You dont need a boot partition on ubuntu based distros - despite what others may tell you you dont need any directory's on a separate partition just root and home

Uhm, are you sure about the /home folder? It is completely empty. If anything I should probably back up the other partitions of my HDD, which are full of documents, music, movies and games. Is that /home folder so important??

In /home is your user directory where all your personal files and settings are stored.
Yes you need a home folder ( possibly a partition if you want).

I must admit you could find most of the answers to your questions by simply installing one distro and playing with it - every body mucks it up now and again, you could be realy clever and back up your inital install so that when you do have a major problem you just install the backup.

Yeah that sounds like a good idea and I am going to do this right now But what do you mean by "back up the install"? How do I do it?? If you mean that I should make a copy, then make a copy of what: the /home folder or?