linux

[Chocolate coated jackboot]

If anyone wants to try Linux without risking messing up their current OS, I would suggest running a distro from a usb drive. All you need is YUMI and whatever distros you want to try. You can put multiple distros on the same drive then pick which one you want to boot.  I have a thumb drive with Lucid puppy(a fast, tiny distro that works even on ancient computers) and Bitdefender Rescue(for viruses) lying around just in case windows poops the bed.

Then you have to find out how to get your BIOS to boot from the thumb drive first(not that difficult) and you're good to go

[wr250]

convert a movie (.mp4,mpg,.avi,etc) to a gif

Code: [Select]

ffgif() { p="fps=10,scale=${4:-320}:-1:flags=lanczos"; ffmpeg -y -ss ${2:-0} -t ${3:-0} -i "$1" -vf ${p},palettegen .p.png && ffmpeg -ss ${2:-0} -t ${3:-0} -i "$1" -i .p.png -filter_complex "${p}[x];[x][1:v]paletteuse" "${1%.*}".gif && rm .p.png; }
add to the bottom of your .bashrc file
logout and log back in , or type source .bashrc (reloads this file)
open a terminal
type

Code: [Select]

ffgif movie.avi
and a gif named the same as the movie will be produced.

[crankshaft]

If anyone wants to try Linux without risking messing up their current OS, I would suggest running a distro from a usb drive. All you need is YUMI and whatever distros you want to try. You can put multiple distros on the same drive then pick which one you want to boot.  I have a thumb drive with Lucid puppy(a fast, tiny distro that works even on ancient computers) and Bitdefender Rescue(for viruses) lying around just in case windows poops the bed.

Then you have to find out how to get your BIOS to boot from the thumb drive first(not that difficult) and you're good to go

Yep. I have puppy versions running on some old compaq armada m300 laptops. They were made back in 1999.

[wr250]

Yep. I have puppy versions running on some old compaq armada m300 laptops. They were made back in 1999.

linux is extremely versatile. it runs alot of stuff you wouldnt think, like tivo's , security cams (the cams themselves, not just the software on the recording device), android, chromebooks, clothes washers, refrigerators, and many other embedded devices. 


unfortunately much of this stuff is not updated ,ever. thus as exploits are found, these devices can become exploitable. i would firewall these off from the internet (if they are not update able for whatever reason ,aka the manufacturer wont update it any more), and if i had to have access (security cams) i could use a vpn solution for that, hosted locally on the firewall. this way the internet never sees these devices.

[JUAN]

The updating is why I tend to think BSD is a better way to go. It has a long history of updates.

MVW advocated buying a built machine from Dell or HP or someone, saying they could buy components more cheaply than the individual. I see several computers on Amazon that are much cheaper - even with Win10 included - than what the individual components would cost. here's one
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072KZP1FN?pf_rd_p=d1f45e03-8b73-4c9a-9beb-4819111bef9a&pf_rd_r=PR04CECM91G214977MTG

Perhaps something like this would be the way to begin implementing a non-Microsoft computer system.

Also, perhaps someone experienced in Linux could give step by step instructions as to how to get a Windows program to run under WINE. I find instructions on the net, but they assume a level of knowledge not possessed by me. I really want a computer to do work with - not to learn all the complexities of UNIX, though that may be a necessity.

[wr250]

The updating is why I tend to think BSD is a better way to go. It has a long history of updates.

MVW advocated buying a built machine from Dell or HP or someone, saying they could buy components more cheaply than the individual. I see several computers on Amazon that are much cheaper - even with Win10 included - than what the individual components would cost. here's one
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072KZP1FN?pf_rd_p=d1f45e03-8b73-4c9a-9beb-4819111bef9a&pf_rd_r=PR04CECM91G214977MTG
Perhaps something like this would be the way to begin implementing a non-Microsoft computer system.

yes that is for used computers. that particular one would be more than fast enough to most users.

Also, perhaps someone experienced in Linux could give step by step instructions as to how to get a Windows program to run under WINE. I find instructions on the net, but they assume a level of knowledge not possessed by me. I really want a computer to do work with - not to learn all the complexities of UNIX, though that may be a necessity.

i can do that. not sure if wine is in the bsd repositories though. if not it would require compiling and maintenance will need to be done manually.
in linux its as easy as open the software center (different distros call it different names).install wine or wine development (if available). be sure its the 64 bit version if your running a 64 bit host os.
once thats installed you can install windows programs as normal on windows. note that some programs will not work on wine, or may not even install.
windows malware will usually run though.
there are helper programs that will :
allow different wine versions to co-exist
give a GUI to install/remove programs or wine versions
list installed programs, with the ability to run directly from the gui
install known working (freeware) windows programs and games
and more

[Moosie]

The updating is why I tend to think BSD is a better way to go. It has a long history of updates.

MVW advocated buying a built machine from Dell or HP or someone, saying they could buy components more cheaply than the individual. I see several computers on Amazon that are much cheaper - even with Win10 included - than what the individual components would cost. here's one
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072KZP1FN?pf_rd_p=d1f45e03-8b73-4c9a-9beb-4819111bef9a&pf_rd_r=PR04CECM91G214977MTG

Perhaps something like this would be the way to begin implementing a non-Microsoft computer system.

Also, perhaps someone experienced in Linux could give step by step instructions as to how to get a Windows program to run under WINE. I find instructions on the net, but they assume a level of knowledge not possessed by me. I really want a computer to do work with - not to learn all the complexities of UNIX, though that may be a necessity.

Fedora updates fairly aggressively.

[Walks_At_Night]

Fedora updates fairly aggressively.

Now there's an understatement.................   

[Moosie]

Now there's an understatement.................   

Linus's redhaired step-child

[wr250]

interesting article
https://itsfoss.com/why-use-bsd/

[Moosie]

interesting article
https://itsfoss.com/why-use-bsd/

I'm right in the middle of rolling a new F28 server   

[Lob Bazare]

interesting article
https://itsfoss.com/why-use-bsd/

Within the last month I've tried Mint, Ubuntu (many of the flavors - Budgie is my favorite) & Manjaro. FreeBSD is next on the list (unless you can recommend a better one for a mid range laptop that is a few years old and that is still going to look somewhat pleasing).

[wr250]

Within the last month I've tried Mint, Ubuntu (many of the flavors - Budgie is my favorite) & Manjaro. FreeBSD is next on the list (unless you can recommend a better one for a mid range laptop that is a few years old and that is still going to look somewhat pleasing).

Try trueos (might be pcos now).  Freebsd doesn't come with a window manager.  Those do.

[JUAN]

TrueOS is in the process of changing. It will deal with servers iirc in the future but is branching off the desktop version to trident-project.org at some point in the near future. You’ll be able to upgrade when the change comes.

I bought a new hard drive for my desktop and plan to install it dual boot as soon as I get a chance.

[Whistler]

Right on! Glad to see a Linux section. Thanks wr250, I'm sure I can learn something from here.
I'm new to Linux. Tried most of the Ubuntu flavors of Bionic Beaver. XUbuntu worked best on my slow laptop. Kind of liked Budgie the best, but it was a bit slower than X. Been on a PC since the Vic-20 and I got tired of fighting with Windows. Loving Linux and there is no going back. I have actually been using Termux on an old Android tablet so I had a wee bit of experience before trying Linux. I'm using Tasker to trigger a script in Termux to run FFMPEG and record a few streaming shows. They then get uploaded to my cloud and downloaded automatically on my phone every morning. Works great when I'm travelling. The old tablet uses less power than keeping a PC on all the time and lasts longer in the event of a power outage. My favorite script is:

mitddate=$(date +"%a %b %d")

curl -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X POST -d '{"value1":"Recording Midnight in the Desert"}' https://maker.ifttt.com/trigger/{"id10t"}/with/key/XXXXXXXXXX

ffmpeg -i http://live2.darkmatterdigitalnetwork.com:10133/stream -metadata title="MITD $mitddate" -metadata album="Midnight in the Desert" -metadata artist="Darkness Dave" -f mp3 -acodec libmp3lame -ab 64k -ar 22050 -t 10800 "MITD $mitddate.mp3"

Hi Lob. 
If you have an old lappy or Desktop and you're worried about power usage - especially RAM usage - I would recommend checking out the 'Devuan' distro's.
I kind of favor MiyoLinux, and VuuDo.
You seem to me to be a quick learner, with intermediate  - to advanced Linux capability.
My VuuDo system cranks an entire 320 Megabytes of RAM usage w/ a browser. 3 terminals, and gimp (fully loaded with all addons) being actively used - I run 4 virtual desktops w/ an additional auxiliary monitor.).
She idles at around 95 - 120 Megs of RAM. (That's on a 2004 lappy) , but when you need the juice, for heavy apps, she's got it. Memory management is awesome.
(For Gods sake, don't Google it - startpage, duckduckgo, or searx.me - it.
Devuan - @ Distrowatch

You won't find MiyoLinux on Distrowatch - so head on over to archive. org.   

HOLY BALLS ON CRUTCHES BATMAN ! ! !   They WIPED IT ! ! !
It's no longer available.

I Have the ISO if you guys want it.   (and to you Retarded Libs -' guys' is a figure of speech, so FUCK- OFF)
(  I have no reservations on your gender, quit being wimps and pull the damn thing already.)     

This ROYALLY PISSES Me OFF ! ! !

Hang on  -   Gotta check VuuDo...


Okay, VuuDo is still there...      Shew...                       https://sourceforge.net/projects/vuu-do/