[Digikam-users] Some linux questions

Wed Sep 28 17:07:40 BST 2011

*I am answering #1 and #4 made a desktop comment.*

On Wed, Sep 28, 2011 at 1:00 AM, Willem Ferguson <
willemferguson at zoology.up.ac.za> wrote:

> **
> 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.
>

*A separate Partition for each operating system/distribution is the best way
to do it. It is called Dual Booting.
Swap space can be shared between all the linux based distributions.*

>
> 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.
>

*Canon does not support Linux drivers for my Canon i990 printer and I also
have have trouble with colors.  I am not buying another Canon printer.  I
believe EPSON supports Linux and there are more that support Linux.  Just
Google it.*

>
> 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.
>
>
*Ubuntu installation is very easy and does everything I want. I installed
and use the Gnome desktop because it is faster.  I also installed KDE
desktop files so I can run all the KDE programs like Digikam.  I tried using
just KDE desktop but it slowed down my computer severely.  This way I have
the best of both desktops*

>  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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>
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>

-- 
James Austin
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