Beginer questions from a Mac user

Quick to answer questions about finding your way around Linux Mint as a new user.
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proxima_centauri

Re: Beginer questions from a Mac user

Post by proxima_centauri »

Hi there,

1) Firefox 3.5 can be found in Synaptic Package Manager [the Package Manager under Software Manager in the mintMenu].

2) No this is a bug and is documented elsewhere, try searching the forums. Like here -> http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.p ... e.#p105386
You can right-click the mintMenu > Preferences, then Remove the button text to leave just the icon.

3) Try going to Keyboard Preferemces -> Layout tab, choose the correct Apple layout.

4) Yes there is if you use Compiz, in the CompizConfig Settings Manager, Under Window Management, you can use the "Scale" for an expose like effect of scalling and showing all open windows on the screen at once.

5) With Compiz you can move virtual desktops with Ctrl+Alt+Left/Right Arrow key. YOu can also hold Ctrl+Alt+Down and then move side to side seeing all desktops. If you have the "Expo" compiz plugin enabled you can press Super+E to show all 4 desktops and from there you can drag windows from one desktop to another.

6) You should be able to accomplish this in the CompizConfig Settings Manager.

7) Don't know, check this out -> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=443348

8 ) Gnome-do

9) Avant-Window-Navigator, cairo, Docky (part of Gnome-do).

10) Yes, try Screenlets, there is also google gadgets.

11) Not sure

12) Open a terminal, type

Code: Select all

gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
Add that line to the bottom, deb http://apt.boxee.tv jaunty main, save and close. Run in terminal

Code: Select all

apt update && apt install boxee
By default Mint does not come with "Software Sources" if you really want to do it the other way, look here for installing -> http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.p ... re+sources

13) Not sure.
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
DrHu

Re: Beginer questions from a Mac user

Post by DrHu »

LinFu wrote:Thanks for all the other info. I'll check into that later
I can reply now...

One reason distributions might have for preventing an update from within the application (Firefox Help>Check for Updates) is to prevent damage to the OS, due to system changes/requirements; so as to not interrupt the user's desktop experience..

That function in Firefox Help>Check for Updates won't be grayed out if you install it from outside the distribution's package management system (synaptic, apt or aptitude), that is you install it manually from source files..
--I think you find that on a MAC, when there might be (for some users) an interminable wait for their preferred applications or games or other, like upgrades to the OS itself..

Firefox 3.5 is the updated version of Firefox 3,0 packaged by Ubuntu, if it is alpha/beta or otherwise, this is dependent on Firefox versions extant
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/up ... tomization
--people were asking, so now it is in the repository and you don't have to manually upgrade the applications..
LinFu wrote:How do I remove Firefox 3.0.11
After completely removing the application via synaptic, you can use mint menu>control center>system>Computer Janitor

You can also install an application named bleachbit
--it will help clean out temporary, history and other residue from the system..
DrHu

Re: Beginer questions from a Mac user

Post by DrHu »

LinFu wrote:Why can't I simply upgrade from within 3.0 like I can on every other single operating system
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Upg ... x+3%C2%B75
  • Firefox 3.5 is the latest version of Mozilla Firefox which was released on June 30th 2009 PDT.
The obvious answer, you can't, that'sa why..
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/28770
http://community.livejournal.com/mozilla/
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009
4:06 pm[dandelion]
Updates to Firefox
I have Firefox in Windows XP, Ubuntu and OS X on this computer. In Windows and Ubuntu, Firefox updates properly and is version 3.0.8. In OS X, Firefox is 3.0.6 and does not see any updates, even when clicking check for updates. It just tells me there are no updates available, when clearly there are; it doesn't seem to believe 3.0.7 or 3.0.8 exist.
--it also affects other platforms; everybody is different c'est pas

Not on a lot of Linux distributions
--might be due to Debian re-branding some apps (browsers), email packages is an issue; I don't know when/why it changed, but previously some Linux distributions had the built in Firefox help>Check for updates working..

Now the latest versions are available on all platforms, either directly from Firefox or however it is provided by the OS's package managers (Linux, windows, mac)

This method works..
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Che ... s+disabled
Permissions
Firefox may disable software updates if the user you're running Firefox as doesn't have permission to change the Firefox installation directory. To get Firefox updated, log in to your computer as a user with sufficient permissions, for example an administrative account. Check for Updates... should then be enabled. To make Check for Updates... enabled permanently, change the permissions on the Firefox installation directory.
If you start it as root, you will see the help>check for Upgrades enabled..
--or fix the permissions on Firefox directory for the user to enable that option (rw)
Last edited by DrHu on Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:52 am, edited 4 times in total.
Fred

Re: Beginer questions from a Mac user

Post by Fred »

LinFu,

Let me point out something here. I am sure you have heard the comment, "Linux is not Windows." Well Linux isn't Mac either. If you are starting off with the attitude that everything needs to work like a Mac to be "right," you are in for a short, rough ride my friend.

Welcome to the Linux Mint forum. I wish you well. :-)

Fred
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Re: Beginer questions from a Mac user

Post by altair4 »

I believe part of the confusion is you don't quite get the Mint mindset concerning software downloads. Mint differentiates between downloading a particular package, updates, and upgrades. There are 3 different method to download software:

mintUpdate: It scans only the versions of your current installed package list and sees if there are any updates.
mintInstall: I see it as a cross between mintUpdate and Synaptic with user reviews
Synaptic: The full repository of packages available to Mint users.

Firefox 3.5 is in Synaptic:
proxima_centauri wrote:Hi there,
1) Firefox 3.5 can be found in Synaptic Package Manager [the Package Manager under Software Manager in the mintMenu].
Why isn't Firefox 3.5 in mintInstall or mintUpdate? Because it's considered an upgrade not an update. Certain addons will no longer work in 3.5 as they did in 3.x. Mint strives for stability. That's why you won't find kernel updates in mintUpdate but will find it in Synaptic.
Please add a [SOLVED] at the end of your original subject header if your question has been answered and solved.
pluraldave

Re: Beginer questions from a Mac user

Post by pluraldave »

With respect to Firefox 3.5 please read the Linux Mint blog post on the subject that is pretty clearly visible on the Mint home page you get when starting Firefox.

http://www.linuxmint.com/blog/?p=958

To summarise: For whatever reason Ubuntu (an upstream distribution) decided to keep Firefox 3 as default instead of upgrading everyone to 3.5. To get around having 2 firefox's listed they left 3.5 with the "Shiretoko" beta name. Even though the label still says beta it's actually the stable version of 3.5 you have. If you want you can edit the old firefox 3 menu to launch 3.5 and delete the 3.5 ("beta") entry.

Also I echo Fred's sentiments. Linux is Linux, Mac is Mac. Rather than expecting Linux to do everything like your Mac does (and being dissapointed when things don't work exactly the same) approach it with an open mind and see what Linux can do.
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