Floss (Free Libre Open Source Software)

What is Open Source?

Not an easy question to answer at least not for me, in 1983 Richard Stallman announced a plan for the GNU operating system which comprised of 100% free software, between this and 1991 most of the components for the GNU operating system were developed, the kernel however kept being delayed until 1991 when Linus Torvalds released his kernel providing the first free Linux operating system on an unsuspecting world, and changing the GNU General Public License in the process in 1992 forever.

Removing Deleted Files from your Trash

Have you ever deleted files to your "Recycle Bin" or if you prefer "Trash" only to find you cannot use "Empty Deleted Items" observing that permissions prevent you from deleting all the files or folders your bin contains.

 

Useful Infos For Novices (and many long-time users alike)

OK, so here's a small list of knowledge i have obtained over the years in the world of Linux (Ubuntu and Debian specifically):

Pronounciation: "Ubuntu" is properly pronounced oo-boon-too, not oo-bunt-oo. Just a pet peeve but still important :)

Specific Programs and Services:

Wiki Structure and Navigation

Navigation

First off you do not need to register to view anything on this site, nothing is blocked from your view all pages created are available for public scrutiny. Registration is only required if you wish to contribute to the wiki itself and want others to comment on your experiences and techniques.

This page represents an attempt to answer all the common questions we get asked. I hope it helps. If you have any more questions you want answered, please add them to the comments section and one of us will do our best to provide an answer. Please keep in mind, the questions should be of a general nature applicable to everyone and ''not specific technical queries.''

Introduction

From time to time, in fact whenever I'm asked, I try and help people transition to Linux. I've lost count of the times so many fall at the first hurdle - burning the iso. At first, I was puzzled why such a simple procedure should be causing so much grief, but then it (sort of) came to me. Almost all the people I've been involved with helping, have come from a Microsoft Windows® (MSWin) background and for many, it's their first experience with an iso file. Like everything else in life, if it's never been explained, of course it will be a mystery! So this page is devoted to explaining how to go about this simple procedure.

Spam Email Yes You Can Do Something

When spam equates to ten or so this is what we call manageable, when it numbers 100 or so a day it's time to get out the thinking caps and find a way to reduce this unwanted and hated menace. If your email inbox or junk folder swelling lately out of all proportion, well your not alone so is ours and we are so sick and tired of it we thought we do something about it and proceeded to show you what you can do about reducing the spam that hits yours and our email accounts.

Introduction.

There are some circumstances where somebody wants to install Ubuntu (or similar), but cannot access the CD drive as a boot medium. This is particularly relevant to older computers, where the BIOS ''does not'' have a ''first boot'' option, to enable the CD drive as the ''first boot device.''

The Smart Boot Manager offered on a Ubuntu CD, can (sometimes) overcome this limitation.

Introduction.

Following on from my page on resetting your wallpaper, I though it may be appropriate to look at some simple tweaks to modify your desktop further, to begin to customise it just how you want it. I'm using a Gnome desktop here, but KDE based systems will be similar.

Introduction.

Often when speaking to new (often enthusiastic) Linux users, they are anxious to personalise their computers as quickly as possible. After all, they've heard all about how Linux is so configurable and they want some of it.

For many, this means a different background is their very first choice and the aim of this page, is to show novices just how easy it is.

In order to demonstrate the procedure, I'll change my Debian computers wallpaper from the standard background, to a picture taken at random from the Internet.