====== Workshop 03 - Productivity and System Tools ======
==== ====
Operating systems are only as useful as their compatible software.
Let's identify/install compatible Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), and ensure document/file compatibility between systems.
===== FOSS Software Alternatives =====
There are many software alternatives - examples below (non-FOSS software is __underlined__):
==== ====
^ Software ^ MS Windows/Apple OSX ^ Linux ^
| Office | __MS Office__ | Libreoffice |
| Email | __Outlook__ | Thunderbird |
| Voicechat | __Skype__ | __Skype__ |
| Video playback | __Windows Media Player/Quicktime__ | VLC |
| Web browser | __Microsoft Edge/Safari__ | __Chrome__, Firefox |
| DVD/Video tool | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Publishing | __pagemaker__ | Scribus |
| Vector graphics | __Adobe Illustrator__ | Inkscape |
| Audio Editing | Audacity | Audacity |
\\
===== Xubuntu Software Installation =====
Most Xubuntu software is provided as //packages// (programs) in the Ubuntu repository.
Easy installation methods include:
- Ubuntu Software Centre
- Using .deb files
We can also install with the Terminal.
Advanced options include installing from scripts and compiling from source. [[https://help.ubuntu.com/community/CompilingEasyHowTo|View a guide for those methods]].
===== Software =====
==== ====
Access new software under 'Software':
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Find/install from here.
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Search for video player, VLC:
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Select and install. It will prompt you to enter your password.
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Now find it under 'Multimedia'. Right click to add to favourites.
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Launch VLC and enable network access.
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Done!
===== .deb Files =====
Software can be installed from .deb files.
Install only from **trusted sources** to avoid malicious software. If in doubt, [[https://ubuntuforums.org/search.php?search_type=1|search]] the [[https://ubuntuforums.org/ubuntu|user]] forums.
Let's run an installer for [[https://www.clementine-player.org|clementine]]:
- Download .deb from clementine.org [[https://www.clementine-player.org/downloads|downloads]]. (Choose 64bit)
- Double-click to open.
- Install as with VLC.
===== Package Management =====
Xubuntu uses a //package management system// (PMS) to find, install, update and upgrade software packages.
Use the Terminal to enter commands such as ''dpkg'' to install and ''apt-get'' to search/download from repositories. Try this:
- Open a terminal emulator from the whisker menu, or with ctrl+alt_t.
- Type ''apt-get -h''
- This displays the help for apt-get and gives a simple explanation of what it does.
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:apt-get-h.png?nolink&600 |Help menu for apt-get}}
=== ===
With new installations we usually update/upgrade so we have the most recent packages in our sources. We've already done this with Software Updater, but try it anyway:
- Type ''$ sudo apt-get update ''
- Enter your password when prompted.
- Apt-get will search through its list of software available and provide output.
- Type ''$ sudo apt-get upgrade''
- Apt-get will upgrade the packages found in its update (if not already completed).
===== The Terminal =====
The terminal is text only or //Command Line Interface (CLI)//. Combined with a shell (to interpret commands), it is the most powerful and direct way to use a computer.
Some symbols are used often. Eg, Open Terminal and you will see:
sdlw@sdlw-server:~$
It indicates:
* Who I am (sdlw)
* What computer I'm on (sdlw-server)
* Where I am in that computer (the home directory (~ is a home directory shortcut))
* My user type (standard user ($))
=== ===
Navigate using commands:
* Forward slash (/) shows your current directory (folder).
* Single forward slash (/) is the 'root directory' (it contains all other directories)
* Tilde (~) indicates your home directory. If you are user, then the tilde (~) stands for '/home/user' (where 'user' is your username).
=== ===
''pwd'' shows your current directory (pwd = "print working directory").
sdlw@sdlw-server:~$ pwd
/home/sdlw
=== ===
''ls'' or //list// shows files in your current directory. Commands can show sizes, dates and permissions of files.
* Try ''ls -al'' - to show files in the current directory, with information on type and permissions.
=== ===
''cd'' changes directories. Eg:
* For root directory, use ''cd /''
* For home directory, use ''cd'' or ''cd ~''
* Go up one level with ''cd ..''
* Go to the previous directory with ''cd -''
Change multiple directories by describing the path, separating directory names with ''/''.
Eg, ''cd /var/www'' goes to the ''/www'' subdirectory of ''/var/''.
**Try to use cd and ~ to get to your desktop!**
=== ===
Many commands need ''sudo'' at the start. This 'elevates privileges to the root-user administrative level temporarily' so you can work with directories/files not owned by your account.
Eg, try running ''apt-get install'' without sudo:
$ apt-get install vlc
It shows an error:
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:apt_get_fail.png?nolink&600 |apt-get error message}}
=== ===
Try again with:
$ sudo apt-get install vlc
Enter password, and apt-get will function.
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:sudo_apt_get.png?nolink&600 |request for password}}
Learn more with //linux Command Line// by William Shotts. Download [[http://linuxcommand.org/tlcl.php|here]].
====== Install Additional Software ======
Install remaining software (such as Libre Office) via Ubuntu Software Centre, .deb files, or with the terminal.
====== Cross-platform Compatibility ======
There are a number of formats we can use to transfer easily between systems. These include:
* FAT - disk limit of 4GB (Xubuntu/Windows/OSX).
* FAT32 - disk limit of 1000GB, file limit of 4GB (Xubuntu/Windows/OSX).
* NTFS - Large disk/file limits (Xubuntu/Windows. OSX can read with additional software, but cannot write to this format).
* exFAT - Large disk/file limits (Windows/OSX. Xubuntu requires additional setup.)
* HFS and HFS+ (OSX. Xubuntu requires additional setup)
To use exFAT on Xubuntu, install via Terminal:
sudo apt-get install exfat-fuse exfat-utils
To read HFS/HFS+ and write to HFS, install via Terminal:
sudo apt-get install hfsprogs
Writing to HFS+ requires additional setup. Consider using ExFAT instead if possible.
==== Formatting External/Internal Disks ====
Xubuntu itself can't format drives/removable media, so install Gnome-Disk-Utility:
sudo apt-get install gnome-disk-utility
Once installed, open 'Disks' from the whisker menu.
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It shows your internal hard drive and any other available drives.
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Insert your USB:
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To wipe, choose format and name.
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Use [[https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_allocation_table#FAT32|FAT32]] for cross-platform compatibility.
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Confirm.
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:disks_011.png?nolink&600 |}}
=== Libre Office ===
LibreOffice (a FOSS office productivity) uses the Open Document Format. For Microsoft Office compatibility, let's change default file formats.
Open LibreOffice:
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:libreoffice_15.png?nolink&600 |Open Libreoffice}}
Go to 'Tools', then 'Options'. Select 'Load/Save', then 'General'. Select document type 'Text Document', and change type to 'Microsoft Word 2007 - 365 *.docx'
INSERT PICTURE HERE.
You can do the same for other file types, eg, spreadsheets. Click 'OK' to confirm.
======Backups=====
//Backups// copy your data so you can //recover// or //restore// if needed. For safety, backups should be stored externally (external drive, USB or other computer) and checked to ensure they work. Try these options.
==== Copy Your Files ====
The home directory stores your personal files. Try copying it to USB via File Manager.
==== ====
Open File Manager:
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==== ====
Select your home directory from the sidebar (Here it's 'sdlw'):
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==== ====
Go up one level to see the home directory folder:
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==== ====
Right click and copy.
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==== ====
Select your USB:
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==== ====
And paste.
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==== ====
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Once complete, check your copied files.
=== Archiving ===
Files too large to fit on your storage? We can compress them to [[https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZIP_%28file_format%29|zip]].
==== ====
Check your folder's size (Right click, select 'Properties'):
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:make-an-archive-02.png?direct&600 |}}
==== ====
Now right click and choose 'create archive':
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:make-an-archive-03.png?direct&600 |}}
==== ====
Name it, select //zip//, and save to USB:
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:make-an-archive-04.png?direct&600 |}}
==== ===
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:make-an-archive-05.png?direct&600 |}}
==== ====
Check the archive size - it should be smaller now.
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:make-an-archive-06.png?direct&600 |}}
==== ====
Remember: check that your copied files work.
===== Cronopete ======
Cronopete is backup software with a GUI interface. Use it to automate backups and restore files easily.
Download and install Cronopete from https://rastersoft.com/programas/cronopete.html.
==== Configuration ====
Select 'backup settings' from the Whisker Menu:
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:cronopete-29png.png?nolink&400 |}}
Prepare backup location - select 'Configure now', then 'Change Backup Destination'. Select USB and click 'OK':
INSERT PICTURE
Confirm drive format - **this will erase its contents**:
INSERT PICTURE
Choose content to back up. Click on 'Folders to Back Up':
INSERT PICTURE
Add folders needed.
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:cronopete-09.png?nolink&400 |}}
Eg:
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:cronopete-15.png?nolink&400 |}}
Decide how often to back up:
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:cronopete-12.png?nolink&400 |}}
==== Run backup ====
Turn cronopete on - check the menu bar.
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Open:
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:selection_010.png?nolink&300 |}}
Select 'backup now'.
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:cronopete-04.png?nolink&300 |}}
The backup will start immediately.
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:cronopete-18.png?nolink&400 |}}
==== Let's test it ====
See the backed-up folder:
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:cronopete-21.png?nolink&400 |}}
'Accidentally' delete it, create a new one, and run backup.
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:cronopete-14.png?nolink&400 |}}
The original files are 'lost'. Lets restore them!
==== Backup Restoration ====
Open from the menu bar.
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Select 'Restore Files'.
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:cronopete-05.png?nolink&300 |}}
Backups appear from newest to oldest.
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Click 'back' for older backups.
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Select and restore.
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It restores and renames the restored files.
{{ :engagement:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:workshops:siganto_digital_learning_workshops:cronopete-27.png?nolink&500 |}}
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