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41
Software Tools / Re: Experiences, thoughts and rants about using Linux as a newbie after Windows
« Last post by sorveltaja on March 25, 2026, 03:04:16 PM »
I'll admit that I keep ignoring the saying 'if it ain't broken, dont fix it'. There really wasn't any reason to do system update - it was rather a test of how it goes. 

Web browser that I use for banking is about the only app, that actually needs regular updating.

Anyway, to update Brave browser:

Code: [Select]
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade brave-browser
And for Waterfox: Settings --> General --> Waterfox updates --> Check for updates.

So yeah, I have no problem using old versions of apps - have done that in the past, and still do it in Win7.

As I probably have mentioned earlier, Paint shop pro 8 from 2003 is my main graphics app, be it Windows or Linux, using Wine.

Another one is Office 97, that I've used in Windows. Its installer doesn't work anymore, but it doesn't actually need to be installed; Excel and Word work simply by going to folder that includes Office programs, and clicking whatever executable/app is desired.

But lately, I've started also to use Libreoffice, just because its spreadsheet app (Calc) allows more data to be inserted, than '97 Excel, which has a limit of 65535 rows.
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Software Tools / Re: Experiences, thoughts and rants about using Linux as a newbie after Windows
« Last post by vtsteam on March 24, 2026, 08:16:54 PM »
What you describe is one of several causes for my abandoning Ubuntu after finding Puppy linux. I had so many problems during upgrades and updates that I got discouraged by Linux in general. I wanted something that was more stable and wasn't pushing to constantly upgrade. Puppy Linux provided that for me, with an average usage period for any particular version of 3-4 years in my usage.

I think one thing to realize is that the only real need for updating and upgrading an OS generally (once you have a stable system with a full range of usable applications to your preferences) is the browser's and web facing app security requirements -- which are constantly changing with new threats, and language and data form changes.

I don't do a lot of application program updating, since most programs I use, even complex ones like CAD, CAM, and video editors, suit me fine as-is. and sometimes upgrades produce a version I like less than the older one they replace.

A possible alternative scenario for dealing with the continual changes needed by web facing apps is to isolate or even containerize them within the operating system. This is an approach taken by EasyOS. If you are then satisfied with the performance of your other apps and the version you have of the OS, continual OS and application updates are not necessary -- unless you are interested in the relatively experimental side of the operating system. But it is possible to, and many have in both Puppy and EasyOS, work continually with a single operating system version for years, without upgrades.
43
Software Tools / Re: Experiences, thoughts and rants about using Linux as a newbie after Windows
« Last post by sorveltaja on March 24, 2026, 02:44:42 PM »
Yesterday, when I updated my Debian 13 installation, using commands 'sudo apt update' and 'sudo apt upgrade', it went well without errors.

But when I rebooted the system - it booted only to tty(no gui, command line mode).

It appears that the new kernel 6.12.74+deb13+1-amd64 might have  caused this issue.

But in the boot screen, when selecting advanced options, one can see what kernels are installed. In this case I chose the older one, 6.12.73+deb13-amd64, and it booted just fine, as it used to previously.

So, one option to get back to the OS, is to set the old kernel as a default, when booting, instead of new one.

I'm not quite sure, if this is the only way to do so, but anyway, I edited grub: 
 
Code: [Select]
GRUB_DEFAULT=saved -- previously that value was 0
GRUB_SAVEDEFAULT=true -- this line is a new addition

Now, when selecting that old kernel when booting, it *should* stay that way. At least it seems to do so in my case.

It's bugger when things like that happen - of course there is an option to use the installation media to access recovery mode, but I find it to be cryptic, especially when I had no idea, that the issue wasn't necessarily about existing hardware drivers, but possibly about new kernel conflicting with some of them.

In the end, I tried several things from different sources to fix the failed, updated kernel, but meh, I rather keep on using the old one.

What kind of precautions there might be, just in case that this happens again, when trying to update the system? Make a backup every time before attempting such? 
44
The Water Cooler / Re: Frost Heaves
« Last post by vtsteam on March 23, 2026, 03:28:07 PM »
I loved my 3 months living in UK back during winter 1969, and can confirm it is a good place to live!  :beer:
45
The Water Cooler / Re: Frost Heaves
« Last post by awemawson on March 23, 2026, 01:20:59 PM »
This just confirms my belief that despite the current political chanigans the UK remains basically a good place to live. No major climate excursions or geophysical extremes such as you describe. I listen to my sons stories of extreme heat in Houston and constant air conditioning running and sit back and enjoy what I have. Spring is just begining - first lawn cut today - and the birds are chirping away. Calendar says our lambs are due starting tomorrow and the cycle of life keeps turning.

I hope that you get sorted Steve.
46
The Water Cooler / Re: Frost Heaves
« Last post by vtsteam on March 23, 2026, 01:12:21 PM »
Heh, Ade, you know it! We actually just got back from a family vacation to New Orleans. Ate seafood, heard jazz, fished, and canoed. Saw alligator, ibises, etc. Back to the frozen mud was kind of a letdown. But two weeks from now and the ice and snow will all be just memory.  :beer:
47
The Water Cooler / Re: help from MEM Mods
« Last post by ozzie46 on March 23, 2026, 06:22:30 AM »
Probably. :D :D :D  The way everything is hacked anymore, you never know!

Ron
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The Water Cooler / Re: Frost Heaves
« Last post by AdeV on March 23, 2026, 05:39:01 AM »
At times like this, I guess Florida starts to look attractive as a place to live...
49
The Water Cooler / Re: help from MEM Mods
« Last post by AdeV on March 23, 2026, 05:36:00 AM »
Quote from: ozzie46 on March 20, 2026, 04:36:24 PM
I figured it out. There was a setting in my browser that was causing the issue . reset everything to default and all is well with the world and MEM access!!!

Thanks for the help

No worries Ron!

Was it the "Kim Jong Un" switch?
50
The Water Cooler / Frost Heaves
« Last post by vtsteam on March 22, 2026, 06:56:15 PM »
We often get frost heaves here in early spring. The expanding thawing earth moves into ridges and sometimes sinkholes while last winter's snow melts. This can run overground or under a heaved layer of ice as deep as 4 feet. The water doesn't absorb into the ground but stays on or near the surface, on top of a lower layer of ice, creating lots of mud. We call this time of year Mud season.

Unfortunately, this year the height of my shop's concrete floor is below the recently heaved earth around it, so the spring snow runoff has entered, flooded the concrete floor and alternately freezes on cold nights and thaws during the day. March rains have added even more water.

This should all subside once truly warm weather gets here and the base ice in the earth thaws. At which point the shop floor will again be above the normal ground level. But for now, my shop is unusable.

Just waiting for warm weather.... :(
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