Storm OS Installation

I got Blender, Audacity, GIMP, VLC and AbiWord all installed.

Trial and Error but al under Terminal.

Tried to Install GNOME Desktop but it would not boot without DGM3.

Anyway, I got to know the working environment of STORM LINUX.

There would be an entry in my book.

STORM OS says, EFI partition should be 2048 and I thoight 1024 was enough and I have used that for ages.

If I did try to change it would have corrupted the /root partition of my main distribution Debian GNOME.

I dare not.

Please do not confuse with Steam OS, which I hate.

This is ARCH based Linux Distribution.

Image size is 3.6GB. Thankfully, fits in with a 4GB USB stick.

Direct download was bit difficult for KDE Image.

The torrent file is available for XFCE.

Password for Live Session, if asked is liveuser.

Installation is quick and took only 15 minutes.

Did not boot.

GRUB and EFI were faulty.

I think I got the Intel Graphic configuration wrong.

I would sort that out soon.

I had the same problem 2 years ago.

Second time round I got it right and GRUB was established.

However, I got Blender installation wrong using the Terminal.

It has graphic Installer and I am going to get it right on the 3rd Time.

Even after the 4th attempt I have some problems. The /root folder get chockerblock. I may have to consider reducing game Software.

I am going to give it 2GB more and install.

Otherwise, it is OK.

It says it for intermediate and advanced users. I am still in the intermediate zone.

At least I have got 4 ARCH based and NOID. I had to ERASE Emmabantus with XFCE. 

KDE does not have a Software Center except Didcover.

However, like REBORN OS it has a Graphic Onstaller in addition.

I won't recommend it to a newbie.

Installation is standard but it takes about 45 minutes.

Installing extra application is a big pain.

Only AbiWord installed briskly.

Audacity installation took 2 hours and I would not try Blender.

This is the 7th and last attemt to install it with only AbiWord added.

It removed 6 Package.

Added only one.

Earlier occasions with all software included it added 32 or 36 package.

This time 24 new packages.

Problem with AUR software Repository is it has many versioon for the same application.

I believe STORM OS is for Developers and not a Tester like me.

I am glad I tried it.

There are good, bad and ugly ARCH derivatives.

That's it.

With Add/Remove Graphic installer no problem with installing applications.

I had 5GB spare space and after installing applcations I have 2.0GB left. Blender took 2.GB space but it is not available. I do not know how to clean up the junk Blender created.

MODICA Media Center

This  OS is operative from 1998, and has GiGi AI to help without the brower involvement.

My Survey for an alternative Distribution ended up finding an excellent Italian Distribution called MODICIA.

Its image is 5.5.

I had some problems with downloads with multiple instances downloading and choking the download folder with only 10GB capacity. I sorted it out after half an hour of struggle.

Its Desktop is CINNAMON and I had a time finding the installer within the administration folder.

Installer is brand new Calamara.

I am timing the installation.

It started at 12.01PM Australian Time.

Finished installation at 12.19PM taking only 18 minutes.

It is using only 2.4GB of my 8GB RAM.

It had almost all the package including Synaptic Package Manager, GParted and STACER.

I have no hesitation recommending it.

Italian are Music Lovers and my first Linux 32 bit CD image was produced by Denis ROGO and rest of the guys have followed his Linux footsteps.

THANK You to all Italians.

There is GiGi AI Assistant.

Password for Live Session is live in simple letters.

I am booting it now and Hope my GRUB is intact.

It did not boot. I sorted out the GRUB and since I get confused with CINNAMON Desktop, I installed GNOME on top without any problem. Only problem was there is two panels for each application.

It has host of Audio and Video applications some of which I have never heard of. I have only 800MB left but added AbiWord, Bluefis and Catfish.

STACER is already in the system.

I am glad I installed this before finishing my book on LINUX.

Android Studio

 I was getting addicted to Androids fromJelly Beans toKit Kat and I had 10 or more Android phones and tablets to play with.

The next stage was to go for Android Studio.      

I downloaded Android Studio with a capacity of1.2GB but never tested the Studio on Ubuntu. 

By default, Android Studio has a maximum heap size of 1,280 MB. 

I was looking for a book (preferably with a DVD) with Code in Ceylon for over 4 years and I could not find. Here, now I am in Australia and I could not find a book on Android Studio. 

Android keeps the Code to themselves. 

I begin to hate Google. 

When I found it is all Java Script, I was disappointed and that the Code has bugs and bugs. Now the Code Stuff may have doubled and gone up to2.5GB. 

My gut feeling of its Heap Size is 4GB and that is why it is asking for 4 to 8GB RAM. 

Please do not confuse with RAM and Heap Size.

It is getting bigger and bigger and buggier and buggier.

 

If you look at the Android base, it has the Linux Kernel, GUI and a Browser.

 

Little mention on Steam and Steam Deck. 

If you look at Steam, it is stuck there for ages at Steam 3. 

It is a Game Console, and a basic browser on top. 

The games one has to purchase.

Steam OS is a big failure of the Linux Freedom Concept.

They promised to release a new Linux Distribution for the desktop but never kept that promise.

Steam Deck and drive is over 350 US dollars and I can buy 3 basic NUCs for that price. 

Of course, I need to spend on RAM and I have enough SSDs (not the expensive NVMes).

Nice Story

I got an inkling that I was appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. 

I waited for the postman but the letter was not in the mail. I had two other letters but they were not official. 

I walked into the Department of Patholgy and Miss Ugugama hand delivered the letter. I refused to accept it saying it violate the protocol.

Then I walked into the V.C.'s office to see that he did not have a minute for me. 

He was attemding to a private affair of a child of another academic member. 

I withhold both of their names.

But, I told him that I am sick and I cannot accept the post by hand delivery of a letter. It has to come through proper channels.

Then I had a casual look at the old office of the Dean and realized it was converted into a makeshift store with cupboards and books hanging around.

Then I peeped through the new Dean's office. It was a rat infested derelict dungeon.

I went back to the Senate to report sick officially. 

Then there was a plot to kill me by pushing to a dark whole in the Arts Faculty Students Auditorium. 

I survived hanging on to a ridge but sustained paella break. I walked into the VC Office limpinh and told Vice Chancellor that I broke my patella and there was an attempt to kill me.

He said that it is a disqualification. 

I told him we had a Dean with a limp.

He did  not want to entertain my disability.

I woke up but nevertheless made an ENTRY at the Peradeniya Police Station, that there was an attempt at my life knowing very well they do not take action on Campus Disputes.

NOID GNU Linux GNOME installed in 5 minutes

Password for NOID on a Live Session is noidlinux.

NOID put me in panic mode after installation.

Not only it did not read my GRUB it also failed to boot from a USB.

Went back to BIOS and fiddle a bit to get the system booting from a USB.

This rately happened to me.

Usually Linux Distributions do not fiddle with the BIOS and EFI as a routine.

Noid is runit based and does not integrate with SystemD init. But it goes into shell mode and then to runit to boot. 

It does not have a GRUB Boot Loader.

This form of segrehation and integration is News to me.

I thought the Debian's integration is the best choice.

I installed CachyOS last of all to restore my GRUB.

All  well, ends well, Shakespeare says.

Yes, NOID it took only 5 minutes to install but did not get my GRUB Boot Loader right. It boots to runit.

It took 5.2GB.

I am installing AbiWord and Xournal via Flatpak.

Now 7.5GB remaining of 18.4/root partition.

I got Blender, added.

8.7 remaining out of 18.4GB 

After UPDATES 6.8GB left.

It has Neovim instead of Vi and VIM.

Thank You noidGNU Linux developer guys and girls.

I say Small is Beautiful.

KDE Desktop is a Beautiful Monster

Yes, KDE is Beautiful Monster, something like GARUDA.

If I cannot install Blender which is very versatile Linux Graphic and Video Utility due to /root partition taking space due to glamorous looking KDE is an antithesis.

This is what I have found with most beautiful BlueStar LINUX.

It FROZE during Updates and could not install Blender.

I am sorting it out by giving 30GB and no more. Added a /boot partition, too.

I got everything added including Blender and all due to lack of space.

I got 1.3GB left.

I am going to try noidgnome now.

With all these I could not try VOID Linux GNOME Edtion.

It looks OK on Box Utility but I want to know it let me install AbiWord on top of GNOME for me to use it as a  Daily Driver.

3 Hours with Russian Redhat ROSA-FAILURE

Yes, 3 hours with Redhat based ROSA was a total Failure.

1. It did not figuure out my Partition Table.

2. Annoyed I removed the Partition where BlueStar LINUX was installed.

3. Allocated /boot and /root partition.

No OK for Installation.

4. Annoyed deleted SWAP partition and reallocated again.

5. Repeat this 3 times.

Gave up.

Never use Redhat or FEDORA.

That was my Resolution for over 20 years.

I am going to write these in my book Linux Essentials under Redhat. I did not have an entry for SuSe and Redhat by conviction and convention.

6. I was smart enough not to touch EFI Boot Loader and transfer BlueStar Image to /download folder of CachyOS.

7. I am writing the BlueStar image.

It had few problems with Clearing the cash junk and UPDATES.

This time it has its own /boot partitiom of 800MB.

I would get those sorted out.

I have now figured out the problem.

BlueStar Linux being a KDE Desktop needs at least 30GB if I want to install Blender which takes about 4.5GB.

UPDATES also hang up if no space available. Problem is it does not tell me the problem in its Terminal.

Trial and Error approach taught me the lessons.

Giving a /boot partition eased it UPDATES.

KDE is a Monster at all costs.

By the way, OCTOPI Cash Cleaner is the only ARCH Linux I know of cleaning up thr less after installation.

In Debian GNOME these things are done as rouutine and no junk file left. DEBIAN takes a long time to install. That is because before booting all these are done by compulsion. 

I got UPDATED to Image 7.0.4+ today.

That is the latest kernel.

8. Still UPDATING and it does not say that it finished the job but goes in an ENDLESS Cycle.

9. I look at the upload and download speed to see any activity and close the dialog box when it is zero download.

Thank YOU Debin for 7.0.4.14+plus

THANK You Debian, you UPDATING my Forky Installation few minuted ago.I may be one of the fitst to try the New Kernel.

Not that Forky was faulty but I could not get Blender installed. I could install Blender with Trixie.

Why I avoided Linux MINT but choose arcOS?

Instead of arcOS, I decidee to install AlienOS which has only 1 out of 10 rating by uses.

It is based on MX Linux and Debian and had a desktop called Regolith.

It comes from Germany and is 4.9GB which is not to my liking of 4GB.

By the way, Russian ROSA distribution has released a GNOME image.

I avoided Linux MINT due to many reasons. The TOP Reason being, its Desktop consumes the over 1.2GB.

I believe in LINUX Principle of Small is Beautiful. 

For completeness sake I decided to install Cinnamon Derivative called arcOS which is new coming from USA.

This is only for USB Persistence Use.

16GB USB stick needed but 64GB is better.

GPS connectivity is essential and I do not have.

ARC= Amateur Radio Community.

I hope it could be installed in a Cellphone.

Androids do not let Linux being installed on its platform freely.

Reason being if I am lost in a deep jungle and I have no way of communication with the outside world, I should use this device with the RADIO Utility.

RADIO communication was the basis from which we migrated to High Technology.

We must not forget our BASICS.

I do not mind arcOS charging for the cellphone services.

Linux Programming Languages

 

Linux Programming Languages

1. Vi was my beginning but later went to Vim.

2. PHP MyAdmin was my Samba and Server friend but I do not want to touch it in my old age.

3. Perl was my attraction

Being a Writer this was an attraction and quickly settle down on 28MB Abiword.

4. Lyx and Gambas (no more Latex now buts it's derivatives)

5. Abiword

Is a word processor and a command line functionality.

It is now over 300MB and it is my work horse and it has its development package but very few has time for it. Debian 12.10- - - dropped it so, I will stick with 12.9--

 

Summary

1. C

Linux is written in C and this where I started coding.

 

2. C++

I did not waste time on C++

 

3. Python

Python was the one which attracted to me on Linux in the book “Joy of Linux”.

It is versatile but so long I gave up.

 

4. Java I really liked when it had Java phones which one could manipulate.

One cannot find a Java phone now.

 

5. JavaScript I hate because it is cross platform.

 

6. Bash/Shell is unique. 

I still read Linux Bible when I decide to look at a shell script for fun

 

7.  Perl was my attraction until I settled down in Abiword.

 

8. Go of Google.

I collected its package in Ubuntu which was 1.2GB when it became 2.4GB I have it up. It has gone above that and at which level I stopped counting.

Go is Linux based and bulky.

 

9. Ruby

Ruby on rails was Web Development Language which I had a flash when I first developed my first Private Web Page with WordProcess.com (not .og organization which has gone commercial now) long before Google was born. I still have it and I have forgotten my password for Yahoo Mail to open it.

I am going to activate it when I am ready with my 5 books.

It is in slow progress.

Linux Essentials is reaching 450 pages. It has gone above 600 pages, now.

I wanted to keep it as it is and I do not want to delete it. It is active but one needs to go searching for my web site’s name.

 

10. Rust is new and I have no knowledge except Ubuntu trying to Reinvent Linux.

It is going to be a either flash in the pan or making money which was not the intention of Ubuntu Master Guru.

 

11. Swift

It is macOS which I have no interest.

 

13.  Haskell and compiz compositor is supposed to be Research Work with very little Fat in its Core.

It is on a black terminal.

Until it comes with a simple graphic front,  I won’t try it.

 

14. R is the only statistical package for Linux.

It comes as Octave and is very large package.

I think it was developed in New Zealand.

Not when I was roaming in South Island.

 

15. PHP

Server side scripting language which has become plump and may become a pest and may take over your system.

Why Google Androids HATE AbiWord?

Why Google Androids HATE AbiWord? 

 Me telling, Good Bye to Internet after 20 years is easy.

IT protocols were not owned by big companies, in the beginning and the Internet blossomed as an educational platform.

BSD from California Berkeley did a yeoman service in the beginnings for services to be available in the Universities Worldwide.

It has gone through the full circle and back to big companies. 

Now money only speaks and big companies have a stranglehold on millions of minions.

That is called development.

In Ceylon, the software is used by army to snooping on us.

I have nicknamed this type of software as the proboscis the mosquito use it to suck living blood.

USB Pendrives, Portability and Python

To me small is beautiful.

Virtual not physical portability is innovative and a blessings.

Python is long and is longer than an anaconda.

But a very small script of Python is stable and reliable and one cannot erase it. 

That is the virtue of Python unlike other programming languages.                  

I am looking for a Python instruction book for the last five years but did not find one.

The idea is to fiddle with Python in my free time, instead of trying  gaming on a Linux environment.

I wanted to carry my Linux Operating System in a USB stick long time ago, when USB sticks hit the market.

It was a difficult preposition.

Then, the Pendrive Linux site changed my outlook completely.

It had a Python script that one can download and add seamlessly any supported Linux distribution to boot from a USB stick.

This was difficult with Debian.

Debian is not light weight to fit a SFS file.

Debian is meant for installing.

However, Live DVDs in GNOME, KDE and XFCE4 are now available.

Before that only Puppy Linux could do that in extremely small scale, with less than 100MB.       

Knoppix could do that in a big scale with persistent volume.

It has gone dormant.

I still have several of those primitive USB sticks booting on Legacy BIOS devices or old PCs.

I have left them in Ceylon to avoid overloading my suitcase.

I decided to organize my numerous USB sticks and erase duplicates except that contained bootable USB with bootable sfs files made by MutliSystem utility. 

It is a French utility based on Ubuntu but has gone dormant.

Only one USB could not be erased and it contained the one Python script, an expanded file, the MultiSystem Linux file and a few of my text files written in Abiword. 

Python takes over the booting mechanism of the USB stick and all my attempt to erase or clean the stick was not possible.

I even tried FATPup and failed.

I get an error message stating, only readable not writable.

So beware!

Be careful with Python.

I hate bulky Word Process utilities, especially Microsoft and do my work only with AbiWord.              

It is tiny compatible with Windows.

It is essentially a programs interface with only 28MB capacity but it has expanded to about 300MB. 

It can be shared in the Internet and it make tiny text files.

AbiWord is a free, Open Source word processor renowned for its lightweight design, speed and cross platform compatibility.

However, Google is scared of AbiWord and does not support it.

It serves as a streamlined alternative to heavier programs like Microsoft Word, making it ideal for everyday text editing, drafting documents and running smoothly on older or low resource hardware.

Lightweight and Fast:

It requires minimal disk space and memory, resulting in very quick startup times compared to full office suites.

Cross Platform except Google Android:

The software supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux distributions. 

Debian old editions did not support it and only Emmabantus supported it in the beginning. On that reason alone I used Emmabantus. 

I have a copy of Emmbantus in my NUC.

Format Compatibility:

It reads and writes to dozens of industry standard file formats, including Microsoft Word (.doc / .docx), Rich Text Format (.rtf), OpenDocument (.odt), and HTML.

Document Creation:

It handles basic layout and formatting beautifully, including table creation, image insertion, bulleted lists, and styles.

Extensibility:

Users can add customizable plugins to integrate advanced features such as translation tools and specialized export functions.

Beginners and Minimalists:

People who want a distraction free typing environment without navigating complex menus.

Low Power Hardware:

Users with older computers or embedded systems where resource usage is a priority.

While AbiWord excels at everyday tasks, it does lack some of the advanced formatting options, macros, and deep multimedia capabilities found in robust proprietary programs. It is officially maintained and available for download via the SourceForge AbiWord Project Page or the AbiSource Download Center.

The strength of AbiWord is it can remove Macros coming from Microsoft. I did that with my Theses to confirm to University of Peradeniya, specifications.

It one needs a particular, Macro all what one has to do is to open the Abi File in LibreOffice and do the additions and save it on both .odt and .abi file formats. One does not need Microsoft Words.

All these I have done and AbiWord is second nature to me.

While US English is the default setting for the software, it supports over 30 different languages for spell checking and proofing.

AbiWord handles proofing (like spelling and synonyms) via its modular plugin system.

Spell Checkers:

The program uses pre-installed, Open Source dictionaries, allowing one to easily check spelling in languages other than English.

Thesaurus:

The thesaurus feature in AbiWord is powered by Aiksaurus, the Open Source thesaurus engine.

Thesaurus Support:

While Aiksaurus includes support for several languages, depending on the type of OS and how AbiWord was installed, one need to download additional language plugin packs to access and use synonyms in languages other than English.

How to Install Additional Languages

In Linux:

Open your terminal and install the specific language dictionaries using your distribution's package manager (e.g., for Debian/Ubuntu, search for and install packages like aspell for your specific language code).

In my case all books written by me for publication were made in AbiWord.

Thank YOU.

LibreOffice, again coming from France, I used to add only a few features to the ported AbiWord file, ready for publishing in a book format.

Problem with Microsoft Macros is they are bulky and their page format cannot be resized to Thesis Specifications of University of Peradeniya.

In other words Microsoft Macro are not compatible with each other but sits on top of another making it a very bulky end product.

I used AbiWord for my thesis,too.

All self learning which I have perfected from childhood.

Now, Python for heavy work and AbiWotd in program mode for tiny work like writing a book not a leaflet or brochure.

There is bulky T Text for working on mainframe computers.

WPS is a good alternative in an Android environment with classic and light weight downloads with lot of features.

Linux is always a text file easy to handle.

Mind you I could not format one MicroSD locally purchased. 

All the others SD cards are in my cellphones or mounted on a USB compatible mounters.

Pure Linux is a Text File

This blog site was created due to pure frustration with Microsoft Windows.

I hated Visual Basic.

I am a medical teacher and keeping medical records safe and secure was my original intention.

Way back in my Linux history, I wanted to train  100 Ceylonese guys (no girls by choice) or introduce Linux and Free Software to 100 guys.

It was a total failure.

The exception for girls is due to one girl who was recruited to do my work. She typed only one letter during her stay with our Department. She was allowed tp attend the Linux Seminar that was limited for only 50. She scooted to Canada. I got to know her plan and said, please do not put me as a Referee. You have deprived a Ceylonese guy who deserved it better and I am going to state that fact. I did not see her again.

My attempt in a open public meeting was scuttled by Microsoft by bribing the guy who organized the bonanza for Microsoft.

Me the vagabond, went into overdrive,   here I am still promoting Linux.

That little incident Microsoft should regret.

I became Linux addict and Linux advocate.

A lawful act of benevolence.

Please note that I have used the words that follows, to test the digital dictionary. I hate the cellphone keyboard and tried using many but none satisfy my needs. 

I love the touch of keys of a standard keyboard and cut and paste of Microsoft, I despise.

I always use simple instructional English.

I call it academic English.

The computer language bores me to death and one finger typing on a digital keyboard is painful to my index finger digit.

The stated comments about Microsoft, I have repeated over thousand times.

I do not hate  Window users but I only pity, them.

Satire is in my genes and that genomic piece in my genetic code has kept my head above water for so long.

Lot of American and British guys, lately Ukrainians do not have backbone to resist subtle and deliberate insinuation by USA/CIA.

Freedom, I value and Linux gave me that freedom.

I am glad after many years in the doldrums Linux has woken up to take Windows head on and Windows guys have found Linux Python utility as an escape route.

This piece is to make the statement that YouTube is useful for advertisement and it increases the coffers to Google.

Text book and text file is the sure way of learning Linux. 

All Linux is a grand text file and python 3 plus integrates it.

By the way, some of these utilities are coming from Free BSD. 

The best server utility, if you care to learn is BSD. 

Decade ago I promoted BSD one always need an Internet connection to use BSD.

No text books.

 

T.C.P. and I.P.

 T.C.P. and I.P.

When I wrote a book about Internet  many moons ago it had 6 (SIX) or so Engineering protocols and it looks like they are merging some of them and making 4 layers.

1. Data Link Layer with uniform standards or protocols.

2. T.C.P. or the Transfer protocol.

3. I.P. or the dedicated IP address protocol

4. System or hardware based Application protocols providing services.

What happened to the topmost layers?

Most likely Eaten Up by the Cloud servers or the D.O.D (Department of Defense) protocols of the Facebook and  the Twitter.

I think the CIA has outsourced top two layers  of its services to Facebook and Twitter and both earn money in the process.

What a profitable plan?

I always never believed in their strategy.

That is why I stopped using both long time ago.

One Drive, Google Drive and Dropbox are putting restrictions on users and are waiting to suck in dollars and pounds.

Me telling, Good Bye to Internet after 20 years is easy.

IT protocols were not owned by big companies, in the beginning and the Internet blossomed as an educational platform.

BSD from California Berkeley did a yeoman service in the beginnings for services to be available in the Universities Worldwide.

It has gone through the full circle and back to big companies. Now money only speaks and big companies have a stranglehold on millions of minions.

That is called development.

In Ceylon, the software is used by army to snooping on us.

I have nicknamed this type of software as the proboscis the mosquito use it to suck living blood.

My OEM Laptop Hijacked by Microsoft

My OEM Laptop Hijacked by Microsoft

You have to put up with this piece which is technical but I will put it in simple English but mixed with a few jargon words of computer science.

I wanted to call, "a stop" to my Internet activities and its protocols but still, many guys  visit my blog space. I decided to continue it bit longer but it will come to a stop eventually, like the dramatic divorce case of Bill Gate but still simmering for a few years before the final stop but his hopeless operating system in the name Windows would limp around for many more years, just as well irritating the gullible Windows user

The machines do not have emotions or brains but are dedicated to doing a particular process,          like vending machines distributing soft drinks.               It is software or a dedicated program in computer science terminology.

Now my laptop has no operating system running since, I accidentally erased my BSD dedicated ESP boot plan.

I was bored due to Coronavirus incarceration and decided to boot Ubuntu 20 version as a supplementary version to Debian. It reverted back my laptop to Microsoft pirated U.E.F.I. mode and it says there is no operating system, in spite me installing two distributions, Debian 9 and Debian10.

Even Debian finds shy of touching U.E.F.I.

Why?

I do not know.

Is it litigation by Bill Gate cronies?

But TrueOS a BSD version does take over the hard disk and the operating system, in a flash.

It takes over my computer under its umbrella.

TrueOS is totally destructive in the hands of a newbie. To complicate the matter when I pulled out the Ethernet wire I damaged it in several places. I have a few broken parts now. Sadly, I do not have a crimpler to connect the working lengths.

I decided to go WiFi and I pulled the Ethernet  wire of the router.

My bed room is 80 feet away from the router. Ethernet wire distance away and Pulling a costly Ethernet wire 80 feet long on the roof is not a healthy pastime at my age,

Besides, there are thunderstorms day and night.

TCP/IP and router protocol will be at the end of this piece.

I used my Dialog data in a few hours downloading Knoppix which stopped exactly at 30% of the download,  not once but twice due to our Internet Master, Ad-Monster (I do not call him administrator) interfering with my download well pass midnight.       He may have had a paranoia that I was downloading pornographs.

Now coming to BSD and TrueOS are actually Internet Protocol dedicated Operating Systems and one need an active Internet Connection for installing them live. It was five years ago, I boot loaded the laptop with BSD using Ethernet connection (wire) but now I can do that by WiFi and it detected all my carriers but with the data blocked by the Dialog service provider.

I have to eat the humble pie.

Dialog wants nothing but money and there is no proper service. They supercharge on temporary extensions.

Mind you, our Water Bill is more than the Internet Bill with a broken pipe leaking for one month or so without our notice. Thankfully, they did not disconnect the water unlike Telecom.

Mind you, I have stopped answering the land phone or giving any calls. Only, news of Coronavirus and I say the Coronavirus comes through the telephone wire.

Now to the technical stuff.

BSD is platform independent unlike Unix and is a Internet Protocol dedicated system.

If internet is out it is out of service.

1. BSD is platform or computer independent.

It does not matter what operating system you use, an expensive Apple or inexpensive supercharged Linux.

2. It is Internet protocol dedicated.

3. It uses Virtual Memory handsomely.

4. Its software programs are super fast unlike Microsoft.

5. But its learning curve is deep if you are using the black terminal.

6. It has a graphic Vi Editor for Ex terminal editor of Unix.

I hate black terminals.

Graphic terminal is soothing to the eye.

Linux has soothing Desktops and Plasma is my current favourite.

BSD has only one Lumina Desktop which is a  bad start for me.

7. Its handling of ESP is pretty good and it erases the UEFI of Microsoft's (OEM Ploy) in seconds without any fear or favour.

8. Its software bundle is lean and fits into a CD not.a DVD.

The rest of the software is in the Internet, now popularly and affectionately known as the cloud.

9. Its server version is slim.

10. It is FREE or free to distribute.

No copyright charges like Apple.

11. It is Unix variant and not Linux variant.

It has teething problems with Linux.

12. It has all the big programming languages like Perl, Ruby, and the  anaconda version, Venerable Python.

I am still looking for a Python. programming book for the last three years.

I will stop at this. the next number is my favourite mathematical number 13.

Like Java Beans the operating system should be platform independent.

Hardware manufacturers should not have roadblocks.

It is OK for Apple, since it supervises its own hardware.

Microsoft does not put money on O.E.M. or hardware development but secretly insinuate U.E.F.I.

Its Surface Tab is a failure in front of Androids.

MX Linux beta Testing

For completeness sake, I decided to install 25.2 Testing image.

It is 3.6GB 300MB bigger than the Stable Image. I am happy it is within 4GB USB stick. I am stil writing it to a USB. 

There would be a Running Commentary.

It is a good distribution but I did not likes it upfront Desktop Appearance of its KDE.

Currently, KDE Desktop is getting fancy look. MX Linux KDE has its own look.

Its booting is fast but still has the old familliar look.

Familliar selection.

Language

Time Zone 

Sysvinit

SystemD

Welcome Screen 

MX Package Installer lists packages according to category and Synaptic Package Manager is Under Utility Category.

Installer goes into Image checking mode.

I do not hit ESC button.

I resize the Installer graphic frame to my liking. It has help and live logging.

There system information and user manual.

Check the keyboard.

I choose custom disk lay out.

There is Option for Replacing the system.

Do not choose that option. No way to go back.

I select ESP, SWAP and /root.

I forgot WiFi but Time Zone Location is not available.

Paused for required Operator Input.

Time Zone Australia 

Language US English 

User name and passed 

Root Password 

Thank you froom MX Team.

Finalzing GRUB.

Could not time the Installation time but it is over half an hour, mostly due to delay in my Inputs.

It is finished.

Booted at 11.22AM.

AbiWord installed.

Installalling GNOME and XFCE and GDM 3 for Plymouth.

UPDATES are available.

4.2GB free from 15GB.

Clicking it at 11.43AM.

20 UPDATES of 655.6MB.

UPDATES finished at 11.45PM.

Running with GNOME.

THANK YOU MX Team.

No mishaps at all.

Installing Audacity.

Brave added

Palemoon 40MB

Librewolf 438MB.

BlueFish is not in the list.

Installing Synaptic Package Manager.

Getting BlueFish through Synaptic.

Added Stacer and misding components of AbiWord. Add dillo, too.

Frozen Bubble, Epiphany and the browser added.

Still I have 2.5GB left to add Opera, Vivaldi and Falkon.

I have 1.2GB left and my bottom line is 1.GB.

Strangely, CachyOS that had problem with booting does boot with MX Linux Boot Menu. It looks like the Generic Graphic, Driver for my NUC is dull and off colour.

I know how to sort it out.

I have no hesitation recommending MX Linux 25.2 Testing Image.

BlueStar LINUX UPDATE

Yes, I got the Latest 7.0.1 image from Linuxtracker and installed it.

Well, it is the most beautiful KDE Desktop and it has Octapi Installer from which I learned how to install additional applications. 

I had it Installed in my NUC but with an old image I could not get AbiWord installed. 

If any distribution does not support AbiWord I would not use it. 

That is the bottom line.

I knew it was a simple problem and by installing the new version I could sort out the problems which I did.

It had few problems with configuring WiFi on Live Session in the past. It is sorted out now.

The major problem was UPDATING. It has sorted out that problem, too.

It has amazing collection of SOFTWARE already installed and I have no hesitation of recommending it to a newbie who wants an elegant KDE Desktop.

Well, I am GNOME Desktop guy.

To begin with it does not support GNOME.

The Octopi has lot of Desktops to install but after installation it does not Support SDDM Plymouth to mount them. Does not make am entry.

It takes lot of space and I could not install Blender due to lack of space. This I have solved by giving more space in another partition.

I got AbiWord installed and it is running smoothly.

Only downside is it used dark themes and the boot up Plymouth is so dark, I find it difficult to select the distribution I wish to mount.

But my favourite is CachyOS OS.

It has its own Application Store which is Huge. If you are comfortable that is the one to try. It is the best ARCH distribution and is on top of www.distrowatch.com.

It had problems with GRUB and that is sorted out.

However, if you are one who is like me who has several distributions already installed,  CachyOS should be installed last. 

Since, I do not like the SDDM of BlueStar Linux, I am Installing CachyOS now. It has no problem with Debian GNOME.

By the way, if you are very new to ARCH my Recommendation is REBORN OS.

Everything is Graphical and one need not bother about the Terminal.

Its GRUB is very beautiful.

I have all three in my NUC with 3 instances of Debian GNOME. One is on 50GB /root partition. I have all the Iso Images saved there. That saves space for my regular Debian Instance.

By the way, I have Ultimate ARCH distribution which is dedicated to games. I could not install Dolphin File Manager to store DATA.

Some reflections on Early Computer DATA

Some reflections on Early Computer DATA 

Some reflection, on Binary System and early computer environment is worth mentioning. I started with Live Linux CDs, that is after having being fully fed up with Microsoft Windows. I had to run 42 Floppies to get Windows 95 running on an IBM Computer with 512MB RAM and 4 MB Video RAM.   I still have it in Ceylon but not in working order.    

When we were building our house, I used to give the Mason Bass,the old metal gadgets for our indoor steps’ alignment in 90 degrees, as a form of concrete reinforcement. One of them was Commodore 64 Computer. 

I would have give even our first computer for similar reinforcement of concrete but my son did not agree. 

That is why it is still surviving and unlike the desktops of today, they were heavy and metal framed. The motherboard was huge unlike a motherboard of a NUC with an integrated Graphic Card. They consumed lot of electricity and needed lot of ventilation fans to keep them cool.

Installation Floppy Disks

Coming back to installation floppies, the most common 3.5-inch floppy disk can hold only 1.44 MB of data, while the earlier 5.25-inch disks commonly held 360 KB or 1.2 MB. These, along with 8-inch disks (initially 80 KB), were the standards, respectively, the 1990s, 1980s, and 1970s, before being replaced by higher capacity media like CDs and USB drives.

Installation Floppy for Windows System were;

Windows 3.0/3.1:

6–11 disks (3.5" or 5.25")

Windows 95:

13 Distribution Media Format (DMF) disks

or 26–28 standard 3.5" disks.

Windows 98:

39 DMF disks.

Windows NT 3.1:

22 disks

Data

Computing technology is based on data, its storage and data access when necessary and performing useful functions using a st of data. All these need to be addressed briefly here.

Data storage in computing is the retention of digital information using technology like magnetic, optical or Solid State Media to record binary data (0s and 1s). It acts as the long term memory for computers, storing files, applications and operating systems, allowing for future retrieval.

The key types of storage media include HDD, SSD and USB. Primary storage (e.g., RAM) is fast, volatile and used for active tasks, while secondary storage (e.g., SSDs, HDDs) is slower, non volatile and used for long term retention in drives and the cloud.   The ability to retain data even when the device is powered off, which is a defining feature of storage devices.

Binary Data

All data is stored in a binary format, composed of bits and bytes, which allows computers to interpret information efficiently.

SSD

Offer high speed, reliable and non volatile storage, often using flash memory, suitable for fast boot times and application loading.

HDD

Use magnetic storage to store large amounts of data cheaply, often found in traditional computers and servers.

USB and Memory Cards

Portable storage solutions ideal for transferring small to medium amounts of data

Optical Storage

CD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs are still used, often for long term archiving.

Cloud Storage

Data stored on remote servers accessed via the internet, often relying on data centers and managed by cloud providers

RAM

Random Access Memory

ROM

Read-Only Memory

RAM and ROM are essential computer storage types. RAM is volatile, fast, temporary memory for active applications, erasing on shutdown of the computer. ROM is non volatile, permanent storage for firmware, retaining data without power.

Think of RAM as a desk for working, and ROM as a bookshelf.

What is important is all the work is done only in RAM memory and it is the single most important factor. More RAM the computer has more workload the computer can handle. RAM is volatile (loses data when power is off) while ROM is non volatile (retains data).

RAM stores data for active applications and immediate CPU access. ROM stores crucial boot up instructions (BIOS) and system code.

RAM is significantly faster than ROM.

Data can be read from and written to RAM quickly. ROM is primarily read only or rewritten infrequently and slowly.

Storage Capacity

Typical modern devices have larger ROM (128GB+) for storage and smaller RAM (8GB-16GB+) for processing.

I hated floppy disk with limited data capacity.

My work started with CD and transitioned to DVD. I used to get a set of DVDs with Linux Journal, I subscribed while I was employed but stopped subscribing after retirement due to high price. I would not have written this book if not for reading those journals on a regular basis. Still later, there were journals published by individual distributions. Ubuntu was one of them.

CD (Compact Disc) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) are optical storage devices that use laser technology to read and write digital data, such as audio, video and software. While CDs generally store about 700MB of data (mainly for audio/data), DVDs hold much more, typically 4.7GB or more, making them better for high quality video and larger files.

 

Note: 

It is hard to find a DVD to record some music if not computer software.

CD

Developed for audio,it holds approximately 80 minutes of music or 700MB of data.

DVD

A higher-capacity format designed for movies and large data storage, offering around 4.7GB to 17GB.

Both use a laser to read tiny bumps (pits) on the disc surface, but DVD pits are smaller and closer together, allowing higher density.

Most DVD players can play CDs but CD players cannot read DVDs.

Both come in read only (ROM), recordable (CD-R/DVD-R) and rewritable (CD-RW/DVD-RW) formats.

CD

Music albums, software installation, data backups.

DVD

Movies, high capacity data storage, large software applications.

While largely replaced by streaming and USB drives, they remain useful for physical media collections and secure, offline backups.