Using Linux

I could almost get everything working perfectly well following the HOWTO from rsnapshot.org (and just copying my old version of the configuration file). I really recommend this little program.

The only part I had difficulty with was getting cron to work properly. Instead of using the directions from the Automation section of the HOWTO, I did a different simple step.

On a Linux Mint 5 system (based on Ubuntu Hardy Heron 8.04) I ran the following from a terminal:

gksudo gedit /etc/cron.d/rsnapshot

Then I simply uncommented the lines for the schedule I wanted for the backups. It worked with no other hassles.

The first software beyond the default included with Linux Mint that I install is always a tough choice. I want to customize and change so many things, but what to do first?

I found that it is really difficult to live without CheckGmail. This little tray application is magnificent. It relies on the Atom feeds from Gmail to present almost the full functionality of the inbox right in the system tray. One can see the list of new messages and previews, open, mark as read, archive, report spam, and delete—right from the floating window it displays.

I also use GnuCash to track my finances, which I needed to install.

Other first pass installations include Unison for file synchronization, Quod Libet for music and tag editing, and VLC for video.

Anyone have any other essential apps?

Next on my list is VirtualBox.

I wanted to view a link to an rtsp:// streaming video and I would get a prompt that totem was the default application to be used. I would click OK but then it failed to launch.

Instead, I wanted to make VLC the player of choice. It wasn’t a preference I could set using the Firefox GUI. So, I searched.

I’m using Feisty, but using modified instructions for Edgy worked. I simply replaced the call for the RealPlayer application with one for VLC.

• Read #How to install VLC Multimedia Player with plug-in for Mozilla Firefox
• Open your firefox.
• Type as url: about:config

Now just right click somewhere into the main window. A little box with options to choose will appear. Choose “new”, then “string”. Then copy the following line into the appearing text field:

network.protocol-handler.app.rtsp

Into the next text field copy this:

/usr/bin/X11/vlc

Now you do the same thing again, but this time you do not choose “string” but “boolean”, and the line to copy is:

network.protocol-handler.external.rtsp

Then set

true

I hope this helps someone.

Rolling out a new OS version every six months is no small task, so I applaud those who work on Ubuntu. I just don’t like how it catches me off guard and causes me to realize how little free time I have.

I want to start fresh. A clean install on a formatted partition. It is the recommended procedure on many forums, and I want to rid myself of Automatix. The problem is, I need to figure out all that I will have to reinstall when I actually do it. A short list so far:

• Opera
• Unison
• whatever I did for scheduling backups

Not the best thing when I start to not remember every little tweak I have made.

Maybe that is a good reason to update it here for myself.

First I must go back and look into separating my /home directory again to its own partition.

I’ve only given GnuCash a week, but I’m afraid that is enough to discourage me.

Quicken is one of those indispensable Windows programs to me. I’ve been using it for about six years and with every transaction entered, my financial history becomes more valuable to me. I really want to find a personal finance program that natively runs in Linux to use instead, but I need the same functionality.

I remember trying GnuCash years ago and it was very barebones software. It has improved, I can tell. The double-entry accounting part of it was not hard to get used to. Instead, the first hint I wouldn’t like it very much was that the reports were not able to be modified on the fly (i.e., changing the date range or accounts to include). I like looking at graphical representations of my data from different angles and through different lenses without much hassle. I have a feeling that I could get all the reports I want if I customize them all ahead of time. I’m not sure I’m willing to step into that learning curve right now.

Today I couldn’t find a way to fix the problem that the General Ledger only scrolls back one month. In Quicken I quite often scroll up to view old transactions because the old transactions are often very similar to current ones. I searched in the Preferences for an option to change this behavior, but I could not find a simple solution.

For now I’ll continue to use Quicken through VMware Server and a virtual Windows XP installation. I have subscribed to the GnuCash feed to keep abreast of changes that could change my mind, though.