[Digikam-users] Some linux questions

[Willem Ferguson]

On 28/09/2011 05:05, Paul Verizzo wrote:
>
> I know this isn't about digiKam, but the fact is that I look on the 
> folks in this list serve as being good, intelligent sources on linux 
> matters.  Instead of posting to some generic Linux site and getting 
> all kinds of answers from idiotic to disdaining and occasionally 
> helpful, I'd like to ask your thoughts on the following questions.  
> Please respond back channel paulv (you know what) paulv.net
>
> Thanks!
>
> The questions are,
>
> 1.  If I have a hard drive with a working linux distro on it, and I 
> want the hd to have other distros in addition, do I need to have 
> separate partitions for each distro?  What about the swap partition?
Should be fairly safe if you use a single separate partition for swap 
space among different OS's.
>
> 2.  I been using Thunderbird since forever and Netscape mail before 
> that.  I have YEARS of archived emails based on Netscape/Thunderbird 
> file types.  However, I have kept my TB version at like 2.6 because of 
> the newer layouts wasting monitor space.  Redundant functions.  I'm 
> willing to poke around and look at email alternatives within Linux 
> clients.  Ideally, easy to import Contacts and super--ideally, able to 
> open Netscape/Tbird archived files.
Thunderbird is still one of the most versatile, adaptable and 
user-friendly email client systems around. Dunno why you are considering 
Outlook.
> 3.  What about my Nokia phone?  I've been using the Nokia SW for 
> years, changing with the phones over the years.  I'm presently using 
> the Nokia E90 Communicator and I prefer the Nokia PC Suite over their 
> monster Ovi for connecting the phone to my computer.  Once upon a time 
> (Nokia 9000 series) recognized Outlook, Lotus Notes, and other PIMS, 
> but it's down to Outlook.  All my contact info is in Outlook.  I know 
> that I can pay $40 to get Outlook ported to Linux, and I'm willing to 
> do that if I can have the non-Outlook functions that PC Suite gives 
> me, i.e., managing images, making my phone a modem, etc. Thoughts?
>
> 3.b.  Related to the Outlook issue, I see I can get Outlook for Linux 
> from Codeweavers for a nominal $40.  Any experiences?  Poking around 
> the intertubes, I see there is the Virtual Box alternative, too.
>
> 4.  What about my Canon printers?  I have an iP4300 doing office type 
> printing duty and from what I've dabbled, CUPS is fine for that.  But 
> so many of the color/quality types of settings aren't available 
> (unless I just didn't see the possibilities). I also have a Canon 9000 
> MK II wide format "pro" photo printer.  That one, I need full control 
> of. I've seen some Canon Linux drivers on searches, but it looks like 
> another morass (swamp) of distro availability, compiling, etc.  Please 
> don't advise buying different printers!
I suggest buying a CUPS handbook. There are several excellent 
fully-featured handbooks available for CUPS. (My philosophy for survival 
in the Linux world is to have a complete set of handbooks to which I can 
refer for help). Cups is extremely adaptable, and (as with most open 
source software), you can achieve magic if you are prepared to put the 
time into it. I have CUPS: Common UNIX Printing System 
<http://www.amazon.com/CUPS-Common-UNIX-Printing-System/dp/0672321963/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317189300&sr=1-1> 
by Michael Sweet 
<http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Sweet/e/B001ITPITA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1317189300&sr=1-1> 
(Sep 7, 2001). As you can see, the book is 10 years old, but it has 
helped me to overcome many problems. If you feel industrious it even 
shows you how to write your own printer driver - the ability of the 
printer is the only limitation.
>
> For those of you following my foray into Linux, here is my conclusion: 
> All OS's suck.  In one way or another.  I just had to reinstall 
> Windows 7 onto my netbook because of fatal burps despite not much 
> use.  But when I try to install EasyPeasy Linux, designed for 
> netbooks, issues.  Won't install. Sigh.  Jus' saying.
I  only have experience of a small range of Linux variants (initially 
SUSE, then Redhat, now Ubuntu), but Debian and its derivatives 
(especially Ubuntu) install almost effortlessly. Gone are the days that 
Linux has a learning curve like a sky scraper. Biggest decision is about 
GUI/Windowing system (Gnome or KDE). For Windows users, the important 
thing is NOT to assume that the approach and methods of doing things in 
Linux is identical to that of Windows.
>
> Paul
>
>
>
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