Linux Mint Isadora experiment

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This is my first time playing with Linux. At Fred J Usack’s recommendation (thanks Fred) I decided to jump in and play with the “big boys” (Fred will know what this means). I started a new thread so that Fred’s original does not get too cumbersome and long, and too far off topic. Fred, here’s one for you. Thanks for peeking my interest.

I downloaded Linux Mint Isadora, both 32 Bit USA-Japan Distribution (i386) here,and 64 Bit USA-Japan Distribution (amd64) here.I burned both to CD-R. I chose to try to run from the CD, which works just fine, but the boot time is somewhat slowed and things just don’t zip along. At this juncture I decided to jump in “feet first” and install the 64 Bit edition. I inserted the CD into my optical drive and Restarted the PC. Upon reboot the Linux boot loader asks how you want to install Linux Mint. I chose to install alongside my Win 7 Ultimate and slide the slider bar to leave approx 30 GB for Linux Mint. Once chosen, the CD did everything else. A couple of questions and a relatively short time latter I was given an option to reboot which I did. The Linux Grub bootloader now presents the boot options 1) Linux Mint, 2) Linux Mint Recovery, 3) Memtest86, 4) Another version of memtest 5) Windows 7. You choose option 1 or 5 to boot into your OS of choice. (Linux did one thing unexpected at this point. It installed not one, but 2 partitions. The first has the OS the second holds the Linux Swap, which I believe is the Linux version of extra RAM or page file)

When I booted into Linux Mint the first time I had to connect with my wireless network. My network was listed under other networks, and once I inserted my pass code I was connected. Now each time I boot into Linux Mint, my PC connects to my network faster than in Win 7.

Next an icon in the taskbar asks if you want to check for and download updates, which I did. Very easy.

The web browser which comes with Linux Mint is Firefox, which I also use in Win 7 (along with IE) Since I installed the 64 Bit edition of Linux Mint, the 64 Bit edition of FF is installed. Adobe does not yet have a 64 Bit Flash available, but in Fred’s Original ThreadJeremy Davis gives an excellent post on how to get a Flash 64 Bit alternative that works well in 64 Bit Linux Mint. For those of you that choose to install the 32 Bit version of Linux Mint I suspect the 32 Bit version of Adobe Flash will work well.

Since I do not want these posts to get too long each I will stop here and continue in another post. Please make whatever comments you feel appropriate and ask whatever questions you might have. I will attempt to answer all with my limited but ever expanding knowledge base in Linux Mint. Next comes the mouse problems.

Ted

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First problem with my Linux Mint experiment was with my MS Bluetooth Wireless Notebook Mouse 5000. The mouse did not automatically connect and was asking for a pairing code, which I did not have. In connecting in Windows I did not need to provide a pairing code. The bluetooth radio in the PC was enabled as evidenced by the bluetooth icon in the task bar (don’t know if this is the right terminology in Linux Mint). In clicking on the Set Up New device, my mouse was not found. I finally did go the route of pushing the button on the back of the mouse to make it “findable” (the word I’m searching for here escapes me at present – senior moment). I think my biggest problem at this time was not waiting long enough for the mouse to be found. I kept starting over. Even started searching for ways of using the Terminal to help. Tried various ways without success. Finally tried pushing the button again and being a little more patient, and voila, there it was. Allowed software to load and it’s paired. I had to re-pair it in Win7 when I went back, but now it pops up as paired in both OS’s without any further problems.

I was getting somewhat discouraged with this as I am not a touch pad sort of person although I can when necessary it’s not my first choice. The above exercise took a couple of days, but ultimately the answer was easy. I guess the point was to be a little more patient.

Now if I can get accustomed to the interface and customize the OS to my liking, who knows, I may actually like this OS. It does seem faster. The browser seems quicker. I’m having problems installing FoxIt Reader so I still have work to do to learn how to install 3rd party software. That’s all for now.

Ted

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Hi Ted,

Linux Mint already has a pdf viewer installed. It is called Document Viewer 2.30.1. You can open pdf docs with it and can do so from Firefox just like Foxit. However, if you want to install Foxit check this link out for download and install instructions. Ubuntu and therefore Linux Mint are based on the Debian distro of Linux. That is why the article mentions Debian and there is a deb specification in the command line.

Also, if you click the LM Menu, you will see Software Manager and Package Manager above it under System.

The Software Manager has several categories of all kinds of software you can review and select for installation without having to resort to the CLI. You can install with a click, and you can just as easily uninstall if you do not like a program after trying it on.

The Package Manager will allow you to view all software currently installed on your Linux Mint partition, and also see all the software available for installation from the Ubuntu repositories. Installation and uninstalling are almost as effortless as in the Software Manager, but you will find much more available in the Package Manager. You can check out tutorials on the Synaptic Package Manager in the Ubuntu Forums. That is the best avenue for learning how to do things and get help. While there are some similarities to Windows on the surface, Linux is such a different animal. I really miss double clicking an executable file to install software.

The Software and Package Managers make it so much easier to install software, that it is rare to need the command line for program installation. A software package called Wine is also available to enable you to run Windows software. I have not used it and I believe it to be somewhat limited in what it can handle. Check out the Ubuntu Forums for Wine as well.

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Gerald,

Thanks for the info. I was afraid all 3rd party software was going to involve a cumbersome process for installation. I wouldn’t mind learning the process, but having to resort to this would be troublesome to say the least. I scanned over the Software Manager and Program Manager but haven’t had a lot of time to dwell on it. I will make it a point to spend more time. I guess I will go back into Linux to examine FoxIt Reader and the other stuff you mention once I finish here. I’m in Win 7 now and it’s rather impossible to check on this stuff from here. Seems strange to have to switch OS’s to look at something. Oh well that’s part of the fun.

Edit: Gerald, the link supplied for FoxIt Reader is for the 32 Bit version. I can not find the 64 Bit version. Perhaps there is not one. The 32 Bit will not install. Good try though. I will check out the preloaded pdf reader. Thanks.It looks like the default reader will suit my needs as this is not my main OS.

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Well, I have encountered the next problem. I have a Canon Pixma MP620 Wireless Multifunction printer. I have been unable to set this printer up in Linux Mint. I have tried to add a printer and chosen the the printer from the data base list to install the driver. I believe the OS is not seeing the printer on my network. I am connected to the network as evidenced by the fact I’m writing this from within Linux Mint. I am somewhat frustrated again because i believe the problem is my lack of knowlege on how to accomplish this task. I did look through the Linux Mint operating manual but this is just is just a tutorial on using the menu and Software Manager and Package Manager. It does appear the cups and cups printer app is installed. I could use some assistance here, possibly a step by step method to install this printer, or see the printer on the network. I am at a loss here. Thanks.

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For some reason, Ubuntu and Linux Mint do not come completely ready to play well with Windows networks. Samba is already installed, but there are some things to edit to fully integrate with your network. Cups is installed and once LM is configured to see your other devices on your network, it should be easy enough to get your Canon working. Do you use it as a network printer with its own static IP address?

We know the default workgroup name for Windows 7 is “workgroup”, That is true for Linux Mint as well. Unless you have changed your workgroup name there is nothing that needs to be done in this regard. In any case, go to this link for detailed instructions on the edits that need to be made to enable Linux Mint to see all your Windows shares on your home network. This is the guide I used and when I click on Network, I can see every Windows PC and their shared folders/files. Following through Step 3 of the guide enabled me to easily interact with XP, vista, and Windows 7 machines. I have an HP network printer (Ethernet, not wireless) with a static IP address, and LM found it and set it up in just moments when I was ready to get the printer running. I can only assume it will work as well with your Canon printer. The only printer I had difficulty in working with in the three distros I have used was a Lexmark. Unless things have changed, Linux does not have a great offering of Lexmark drivers, and I had to manually install one for my specific printer.

Also, I had no need to bother with any of the steps in this guide beyond Step 3. Hopefully that will be true for you as well. I don’t believe I have left anything out, but I am still not awake good yet. This should go a long way in making LM more enjoyable on your home network.

As to sharing folders/files in LM, you just right click the folder, and select “Properties” and the Share tab, or just right click the folder, and select sharing options.
One thing to note in being fully integrated into your Windows network is that I have heard it is possible for Linux to harbor Windows malware (not clear on specifics), and if you have permissions set to allow more than read only on your shares, there could be some risk of exposure to your Windows machines on the network. Windows malware will not harm Linux, but if it can be a haven for viruses or trojans, it might put your Windows machines at risk. However, it would be better to put some more research into this matter. I have my network set up to accept Linux Mint as a full network partner and have had no troubles yet. I am depending upon safe browsing and email practices as well as my Windows malware apps to shield my Windows machines. I have in the past acutally installed Avast Antivirus for Linux, but never found any malware in two years of use. I do not currently use a/v on LM.

When you resolve the networking aspect, there is some great eye candy you can invoke. Compiz is already installed on LM and it can give you some special effects that even Windows 7 does not come with out of the box. You can have a rotating cube with each side being a virtual screen. This will allow you to have four screens of open files at the same time, rotating to each as needed. Pretty neat.

Hope this helps.

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Two additions to the Experiment:

First: I successfully used Clonezilla to image my Linux Mint partition. See this treadfor the details.

Second: I am still not having any success with the printer. I have gotten the setup so that I see the printer on the network, but cannor as yet mount the printer for use. Still working on this problem. If I do not get the printer working, I can see my Win 7 partition and can put any files to print in a folder there, then reboot into Win 7 to print the files. Rather cumbersome I know, but I do not expect to do a lot of printing from within Linux Mint.

Gerald to answer your question the printer is a network printer with it’s own address. I will work on the problem more later. Any further suggestions would be appreciated. I did try all the steps in the article you referenced.

That’s all for now. Ted

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Gerald, I also posted a question as to the Canon printer in the Linux forums. Perhaps something will spring from there. I know there is an answer to the printer problem. I just can’t seem to find it yet. The other devices on my network are visible including the printer memory although it will not mount. I can access my wife’s laptop over the network from my Linux Mint laptop just by entering her user name and password. Her User folder is set to share and I can open and see it all. I can transfer files to/from my Linux Mint to my Win 7. I’m tired tonight, tomorrow’s another day. Ted

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Gerald, I also posted a question as to the Canon printer in the Linux forums. Perhaps something will spring from there. I know there is an answer to the printer problem. I just can’t seem to find it yet. The other devices on my network are visible including the printer memory although it will not mount. I can access my wife’s laptop over the network from my Linux Mint laptop just by entering her user name and password. Her User folder is set to share and I can open and see it all. I can transfer files to/from my Linux Mint to my Win 7. I’m tired tonight, tomorrow’s another day. Ted

Ted
As soon as I saw the Canon printer I knew that you will have a problem which could be solved by TurboPrint http://www.turboprint.info/ I have an older usb Canon Pixma 6000 which can only be accessed with this software. About 30 euros will do it. Canon is not as friendly to Linux as other companies are so these fixes are necessary.
Johny

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Ted
As soon as I saw the Canon printer I knew that you will have a problem which could be solved by TurboPrint http://www.turboprint.info/ I have an older usb Canon Pixma 6000 which can only be accessed with this software. About 30 euros will do it. Canon is not as friendly to Linux as other companies are so these fixes are necessary.
Johny

Johny, Thanks for the link. Since at this time I have no intention of dumping Win 7, I can work around this printing problem. I do not wish to spend the dollars at this time. Thanks again.

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Ted
As soon as I saw the Canon printer I knew that you will have a problem which could be solved by TurboPrint http://www.turboprint.info/ I have an older usb Canon Pixma 6000 which can only be accessed with this software. About 30 euros will do it. Canon is not as friendly to Linux as other companies are so these fixes are necessary.
Johny

I downloaded the 30 day trial version of TurboPrint. Once I figured out how to find the app (still learning how this Linux Mint works) I was able to add my printer. It found it and loaded the drivers very well. prints well. Is there a way of taking the setup and manually adding it to my setup to save on the dollars. We use Linux Mint to avoid paying for apps as often as possible. Otherwise I will try it and see if it’s worth spending the bucks on.

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I downloaded the 30 day trial version of TurboPrint. Once I figured out how to find the app (still learning how this Linux Mint works) I was able to add my printer. It found it and loaded the drivers very well. prints well. Is there a way of taking the setup and manually adding it to my setup to save on the dollars. We use Linux Mint to avoid paying for apps as often as possible. Otherwise I will try it and see if it’s worth spending the bucks on.

I am with you on cost. However I am an exclusive Linux home user since about 1995 and needed this to work for the excellent Canon to work. This is one of the rare occasions that I had to pay something in the Linux world and I haven’t regretted it. The other times are voluntary like public television. I think it is worth it to make up for the lack of support from Canon. But that is only my opinion. HP is more supportive and the Linux drivers are readily available for them but that doesn’t help if you already have the Canon.
Johny

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Glad to hear, Ted, that you are having success in integrating LM into your home network. Posting in the Ubuntu Forums is a great move. I will be very surprised if someone there does not come up with a solution. Some printers are easier to set up than others. I have been able to learn just enough to get Linux working in my home network, and do basic things users like to do with a computer; there just is not enough time to work in Windows 7 and Linux equally.

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I have been able to learn just enough to get Linux working in my home network, and do basic things users like to do with a computer; there just is not enough time to work in Windows 7 and Linux equally.

Time is the problem we all don’t have enough of. Now the weekend is almost over, time gets even tighter. I’m back in Windows now. Yes Linux Mint does seem somewhat faster in certain things, but I just like the comfort and familiarity of Win 7. The user interface makes most tasks easier for me. I do not see myself switching to Linux for my major computing needs. I’ll continue the experiment to find other things that work for me in Linux Mint. I have not had the opportunity to expore Compiz much yet. I would imagine that eventually I will find some aspect of Linux Mint that works better for me. Perhaps just the opportunity to dig deeper into the inner workings will be enlightening.

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I found Linux Newbie Guidewhich gives a huge amount of info the the new Linux user. I will be spending some time here over the next week.

Another complete installation guide can be found The Perfect Desktop.

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The web browser which comes with Linux Mint is Firefox, which I also use in Win 7 (along with IE) Since I installed the 64 Bit edition of Linux Mint, the 64 Bit edition of FF is installed. Adobe does not yet have a 64 Bit Flash available, but in Fred’s Original ThreadJeremy Davis gives an excellent post on how to get a Flash 64 Bit alternative that works well in 64 Bit Linux Mint. For those of you that choose to install the 32 Bit version of Linux Mint I suspect the 32 Bit version of Adobe Flash will work well.

Hi Ted,

Adobe has been working on a 64-bit Flash Player for a while. The first alpha release was for Linux so you’re in luck. :o)

http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/flashplayer10_64bit.html

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Hi Ted,

Adobe has been working on a 64-bit Flash Player for a while. The first alpha release was for Linux so you’re in luck. :o)

http://labs.adobe.co…er10_64bit.html

The link in Fred’s original thread has worked wonderfully in my 64 Bit FF browser for displaying Flash content. Thanks for the link though.

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Hi Ted,

Adobe has been working on a 64-bit Flash Player for a while. The first alpha release was for Linux so you’re in luck. :o)

http://labs.adobe.co…er10_64bit.html

Unfortunately this has already been pulled so for now Flash 64 Bit is just a dream.

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Something very bad happened and I do not know how. I booted into Linux Mint this evening and tried to open the Package Manager. it would not open and a window opened that stated could not Grab the Mouse, or something like that. It also said there may be a malicious something watching, or some such nonsense. Now mind you I had not booted into Linux Mint since the weekend when everything was working fine. I ended up having to restore from the image I made on Sunday. Thanks to Fred once again for Clonezilla and instructions to make the image. I may never know what happened. Weird!

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Tonight I set up all my e-mail accounts on Linux Mint using Thunderbird. Slightly different interface than I’m accustomed to with Windows Live Mail, but effective just the same. All set up automatically. 2 Time Warner Road Runner accounts and 1 Hotmail account. Very impressive and easy setup.

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Well, the experiment will continue only because at times I want something to do. I guess I like the features of Win 7 too much to really get along with Linux. Yes, it seems somewhat faster, although not as much as I expected. Perhaps this is because I keep Win 7 in top notch form. I just like how Win 7 works and looks better.

Second, it is much more of a problem to load most software. The apps shown in the Software Manager load OK, but if it’s not here, it is a big deal to install S/W. I’m just not a geek and having to manipulate apps to load them is not my idea of fun.

Third, I am not in love with the fact that I have to buy an app to get my Canon wireless printer to work. This is a real let down. I have tried all methods I can find, and the only thing that works is the TurboPrint app, and I just do not want to do this.

So I guess I will keep Linux Mint installed for now in case I want to try something, it will not be my operational OS. I just do not want to change my computing habits enough to switch to Linux Mint. By the way, one question if someone will answer, If I decide to uninstall Linux Mint, do I have to use Gparted to format the Linux partitions since Windows can’t see the ext4 file format? Or is it possible to use Partition Wizard from within Windows to format the Linux partitions and recover these partitions for use with Windows?

Thanks for reading my Linux Mint experiment.

Ted

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Since I do not see myself as a Linux man at this stage, I like Win 7 a whole lot, I do not see myself switching to Linux in the near future, but who knows what the future may bring. I am keeping it installed for now as it is only in a 30 GB partition so I do not miss the space much. I do go back from time to time to see what else is going on, but for now I’m a Win 7 man all the way.

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