[cpd2009]

Good news about that QFX Android box. I ran Malwarebytes, and it reports no malware is present on the device. I will also run AVG and another trusted Android AV app to make sure though.

I also may need to run the box off an ethernet cable. Even though it's not even 12 feet or so away from my Wifi router, it still seems to have connection issues. It can connect to the web via an ethernet cable, and it can also use this ethernet port to turn the box into a Wifi hotspot.

[huckleberrypie]

Good news about that QFX Android box. I ran Malwarebytes, and it reports no malware is present on the device. I will also run AVG and another trusted Android AV app to make sure though.

I also may need to run the box off an ethernet cable. Even though it's not even 12 feet or so away from my Wifi router, it still seems to have connection issues. It can connect to the web via an ethernet cable, and it can also use this ethernet port to turn the box into a Wifi hotspot.

That's reassuring. Glad there weren't any glaring instances of malware, but as always, caveat emptor.

That sure reminds me of the time when I had to set up a couple or so computers at my dad's field office. Walls were getting in the way and we were unable to get the internet reception up regardless of what we do short of buying a new repeater box. So we elected to snake a long LAN cable to the other room instead.

[cpd2009]

Ubuntu Linux is attractive as of recent. I don't have problems with Windows 10, but the main reason Ubuntu is more appealing as of late is Snaps, or pre-compiled Linux applications that are entirely self contained. No dependencies are needed. Ubuntu supports these Snap packages and they include popular apps like Spotify, Skype (important), and VLC. I'm also aware that Nvidia and AMD drivers are becoming quite stable now.

And my interest in pinball sims has waned considerably. It doesn't help the rights holders of the Williams tables didn't renew the rights with FarSight Studios, so all the Williams/Bally tables are no longer available for purchasing in Pinball Arcade. You still have the Williams/Bally tables you purchased previously, of course, but now the tables available for purchase are just Stern or Gottlieb brands.

Thus, this weekend, I will give Ubuntu Linux a try, or at least a derivative of it like Kubuntu or Ubuntu MATE. Maybe this time, things will be permanent?

[huckleberrypie]

Ubuntu Linux is attractive as of recent. I don't have problems with Windows 10, but the main reason Ubuntu is more appealing as of late is Snaps, or pre-compiled Linux applications that are entirely self contained. No dependencies are needed. Ubuntu supports these Snap packages and they include popular apps like Spotify, Skype (important), and VLC. I'm also aware that Nvidia and AMD drivers are becoming quite stable now.

And my interest in pinball sims has waned considerably. It doesn't help the rights holders of the Williams tables didn't renew the rights with FarSight Studios, so all the Williams/Bally tables are no longer available for purchasing in Pinball Arcade. You still have the Williams/Bally tables you purchased previously, of course, but now the tables available for purchase are just Stern or Gottlieb brands.

Thus, this weekend, I will give Ubuntu Linux a try, or at least a derivative of it like Kubuntu or Ubuntu MATE. Maybe this time, things will be permanent?

I've always been reluctant to go all-Linux considering my relatives who are largely unacquainted with it. Though ironically enough, most of them have a Linux kernel-powered device on their hands.

In other news, Microsoft has issued KB4340917 which, amongst other things, fixes that dreaded OpenType printing issue where Word documents and other such things that use OTF fonts would outright refuse to be printed for whatever reason.

[cpd2009]

To be completely safe, I will try Ubuntu with old Greta first to ensure the current release has software equivalents that I can use to replace my current Windows software. I will also be able to test the quality of the proprietary graphics drivers.

As for the particular flavor of Ubuntu, I will try the standard 18.04 release first and see how well Gnome 3 works. Failing that, I will give Kubuntu a go.

[huckleberrypie]

To be completely safe, I will try Ubuntu with old Greta first to ensure the current release has software equivalents that I can use to replace my current Windows software. I will also be able to test the quality of the proprietary graphics drivers.

As for the particular flavor of Ubuntu, I will try the standard 18.04 release first and see how well Gnome 3 works. Failing that, I will give Kubuntu a go.

Let me know how it goes then.

[cpd2009]

After a minor login bug, I can now post my Linux ramblings.

It appears that Kubuntu is the best option going forward. It has been very stable on Pearl so far and it detects Greta's Nvidia Optimus setup properly. I haven't encountered any show-stopping bugs yet, but since Kubuntu 18.04 is an LTS release, I don't have to worry about upgrading to a new distro every so often. LTS support continues until 2021.

I do like KDE Plasma 5, which is what KDE has currently evolved into. It retains a lot of the classic desktop influence that Gnome 3 has abandoned. I also like how customizeable it is compared to Windows and macOS.

Since initial configuration is done on Pearl, I will get Kubuntu ready to go on Greta and begin the more thorough test phase. I plan on testing audio recording capability along with video capture. I also plan on testing various open source video editors like KDEnlive.

I'm starting to learn the command line as well. One neat trick is "dd", which is a tool that you can use to make bootable USB flash drives from ISO files. I have many spare low capacity SD cards and flash drives, and using these for making live USBs of Linux is a more economical option than having to buy recordable DVDs. The speed may not be as fast depending on what kind of USB or SD card you are using.

[cpd2009]

I can confirm that Skype works beautifully under Linux. Skype compatibility is important since I do use it to communicate with family. In the 'Buntu family, Skype is available as a "Snap" package, and it installed perfectly fine. Skype actually seems to perform video calls a lot better under Linux than Windows 10!

[huckleberrypie]

I can confirm that Skype works beautifully under Linux. Skype compatibility is important since I do use it to communicate with family. In the 'Buntu family, Skype is available as a "Snap" package, and it installed perfectly fine. Skype actually seems to perform video calls a lot better under Linux than Windows 10!

My beef with Skype right now is that dozens and dozens of compromised accounts are spamming me with what appears to be invites to some sleazy cam whore site or something along the lines. I complained to Microsoft about it who couldn't seem to do anything about this issue. :/

[cpd2009]

According to Nintendo's online repair tracker, my Gamepad has been serviced and is on it's way back to me. It could be the same one with a new touch screen, or a refurb. Either way, it will be good to actually toy around with Super Mario Maker again.

As for Skype, I only open it when I chat with family. After it's done, I immediately exit, and make sure the system tray icon is closed. That could be why I haven't been inundated with spam messages myself.... yet.