Linux making me feel like a boomer
Posted by ImOnTheBus@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 169 comments
Haven't used linux in about 20 years, but recently decided to install so I know how to use it.
Figured out how to boot Ubuntu or Windows on the same PC, took a few tries. Figured out how to install Thunderbird on both and make both instances refer to the same profile. Took a few tries.
Had to use different version of Thunderbird than the one Ubuntu installs by default in order to use the same profile as Windows. Trying to make a shortcut to Thunderbird on either the desktop or taskbar.... WHAT THE FUCK? Have watched like 45 minutes of Indian people explaining how to do it and cannot figure out how to make a simple shortcut!
Not asking for help, I'll figure it out, but it made me more sympathetic to my mother and boss and older people in general when they have no clue about how to do simple things on a computer.
Professional-Cod2060@reddit
"45 minutes of Indian people explaining how to do it" - this is so not based. don't get cursed by lakshmi-Bash and spicy curries.
d3daiM@reddit
Lol. But we've all been there you know exactly where the man's coming from
Professional-Cod2060@reddit
actually, Im a text based learner, so video tutorials generally don't work for me. I rather read blogs and man pages. when I started my linux journey, video tutorials didn't exist. I *do* however understand his frustration
d3daiM@reddit
Yeah they are usually the impetus to go read some man pages :P
zoharel@reddit
Ok, but which part of all that made you hate immigrants and think trade wars are a good idea? Do you think that forcing your neighbors to get divorced is "freedom of religion" yet?
Annual-Advisor-7916@reddit
Well, that's your problem. That's a 2min read from the reputable sites. Forget videos - read official wikis and recent forum entries.
_zenith@reddit
Do the needful, friend
Healthy-Form4057@reddit
STOP SAYING THAT!
PJBonoVox@reddit
I find the results of a search for a 'guide' results in a slew of videos more and more as time goes on. Starting to wonder if anyone reads anymore.
melluuh@reddit
Why do you want to use the same profile for thunderbird? That's just asking for issues. Most e-mail providers use imap anyway, so mails you receive on either system will also be received on the other.
As for desktop shortcuts, Gnome hasn't had desktop icons for ages, you'll need a plugin for that. Ubuntu does have its own plugin that's enabled by default, but it doesn't allow you to easily make desktop shortcuts. What you can do is rightclick any app in the app launcher and click "pin to dash" or something along those lines, putting it on the dock (on the left by default).
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the tips! The pin to dash isn't an option for some reason, but I guess its not really necessary
melluuh@reddit
And it's not already pinned?
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
no, I can pin the one that you can install through the app menu or whatever it is, but I had to download an older version and it opens without an icon and there's no option to pin.
melluuh@reddit
May I ask in what way you installed it? If you install either the snap (default), flatpak or using the deb file it will create a desktop entry, meaning it should show up in the app launcher. As you had to install an older version I think you used the deb installer?
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
My mail box is almost full so I want to keep them locally and delete them from IMAP
nonesense_user@reddit
Okay. Everything is fine, if you stop doing what you’re doing :)
Your problem is this:
“Figured out how to install Thunderbird on both and make both instances refer to the same profile. Took a few tries.”
You do not want this! You want E-Mails!
You want to use IMAP to keep your mails in sync. That’s the task of the protocol programmers have created decades ago.
What you want is to use IMAP properly setup on both systems, so that the mail directories are properly synced between the mail program and the server. And this will - if you sync all directories - keep the mail programs in sync. That’s what servers are for ;)
Steps: 1. Install whatever mail client you want 2. Select IMAP 3. Ensure that all directories are synced, often only INBOX is synced. 4. Repeat on other system.
And to be sure. You especially don’t want to use POP3. Are very old “pull” only protocol which should been removed.
Good luck!
PPS: You want to create a desktop entry file, “shortcuts” are weird windows thing:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Desktop_entries
Distribution doesn’t matter. GUI doesn’t matter. They all implement that standard.
Its called “desktop” ignoring the fact that GNOME removed that “Desktop Metaphor” 14 years ago. Arranging icons on a desktop wasn’t “helpful” mildly expressed. GNOME removed it, replaced by the GNOME-She’ll with the Overview and Dash (the thing at the bottom in the overview). The KDE people still have something like a Desktop.
I consider myself everyday lucky that I don’t have to use a “Desktop” and “SystemTray” anymore :)
[1] Reminder. Knowledge about Linux or Windows isn’t knowing computers. Especially knowing mail protocols. Is something different.
gobtron@reddit
And I took that personally.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
I have the email programs working in windows and linux as intended, I just can't figure out how to open Thunderbird in linux with a shortcut
dessmond@reddit
You could have replied “thanks for your elaborate explanation to solve my issue”.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
true, that was pretty rude of me...
sebf@reddit
What do you mean « a shortcut »? Do you mean a shortcut on the desktop? Ubuntu does no have this by default. It use a dock like Mac OS X or a launcher, nor like mobile OSes.
There are Gnome extensions for doing what you want (have an actual desktop with files that can be seen on it), but again, this is not how Ubuntu work. Shortcuts are just applications pinned in the dock.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
Being on the dock is fine. Just want to be able to easily startup Thunderbird without navigating into it. I'll figure it out but gave up for today
Rufus_Fish@reddit
Do you want it to auto start when you login to your system?
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
Not really, but I suppose that would work too.
blubberland01@reddit
What people are trying to say is, they don't know what you mean with "shortcut". It's an ambigous term. It could either be a combination of keys pressed or an ivon on your desktop. The latter is not possible in Gnome without an additional extension.
codeasm@reddit
From windows perspective, a desktop icon, aka a shortcut, .Desktop file on the desktop. Click it, it opens the program. Dunno why people down vote OP, they are willing to give linux a go again.
The imap suggestions are great tho, pop3 is ok, but for this instance, imap is better.
nonesense_user@reddit
https://help.gnome.org/users/gnome-help/stable/keyboard-shortcuts-set.html.en
The manual should help.
The main way of opening applications or switching windows, which I recommend:
Alt-F1 + ${Program} -> Enter Superkey + ${Program} -> Enter
GNOME is, as Linux, very effective to use with the keyboard. This opens the program or switch to its window. Using CTRL+Enter enforces opening a new program instance.
${Program} represents the necessary minimum of letters to distinguish an program. For Thunderbird it should be enough to type “Thu” in most cases. Or “Email”. Or the name of a person you want to send an E-Mail.
I used the overview (keyboard arrows or mouse) and tab-shortcut a lot in the past. I’ve usually have a lot programs open, so let the computer find it is faster. And I don’t need to care if the program is already open or not.
Beautiful_Crab6670@reddit
That is how I felt when I first interacted with the Linux CLI: "cd to change directory...? Huh, where's my soundblaster drivers?"
d3daiM@reddit
soundblaster 🤣
srivasta@reddit
As an Indian cracks like this make me less inclined to help.
Thank God people like the op start mostly away from the distribution I contribute to.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
Apologies, bud. Did not intend to be insulting to Indians.
MrLewGin@reddit
Don't apologise, if anything you were complimenting how indians all know shit that you don't.
srivasta@reddit
othering people is rarely complimentary.
MrLewGin@reddit
I agree, in this case however it was.
d3daiM@reddit
But you've seen how many vids there are. We all know what the OP is saying.
Indian tech training vids are like a meme at this point. A dime a dozen. More normal that other'ed....
srivasta@reddit
I would suggest that the intent needs to be better converted, because to this member of the target demographic it did not come across as complementary.
I am tired of the model minority stem poster child stereotype. We are just people.
There is a lot of negative sentiment towards Brown skin immigrants in general, and Indians in particular in tech and stem, that any othering and model minority framing feed the anti brown immigrant narrative.
MrLewGin@reddit
In this particular case, there was nothing offensive, the OP has also confirmed there was no intent to cause offense. Being part of a demographic doesn't mean you can reframe the discourse.
The gentleman wrote he had spent 45 minutes watching videos of Indian people successfully doing it, but that he couldn't work out how to do it himself, there is nothing offensive there. If you personally found that offensive, that's something you need to address. I wish you all the best.
srivasta@reddit
It is not particularly offensive, per se. It just puts Indians in a class by themselves. There is nothing about being from the subcontinent that makes Indians more likely to be excited in Linux. I think it others "Indians" as different from the rest of the crowd. Do you see that nuance?
"Those people" are the ones that can handle Linux, but for the rest of us ...
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
exactly
srivasta@reddit
DARVO.
srivasta@reddit
It was all a joke, eh? Typical.
srivasta@reddit
Indian and boomer hate is live here. I expect this post to also be downloaded to all heck.
I am a binder. Became a Debian developer in November '95.
Insults all become "jokes" when people are called out for it.
I guess this is indeed the MAGA era.
Hosereel@reddit
Been using Linux for 20+ years. What's a shortcut? Curious to know.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
lol, it's not for you to know.
Hosereel@reddit
I did some research. Seems like it's just a symbolic link to a file. A shortcut is probably a concept in windows. You shouldn't bring the windows world into the Linux world and hope it's compatible. Similarly, if I were to switch over to windows from Linux, I wouldn't bring my prior knowledge in Linux and expect it to work in windows.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
I thought you were joking, my bad.
painefultruth76@reddit
If you know Linux, Windows looks like a speak and spell.
edparadox@reddit
Why don't use the documentation instead of watching videos, which are all about keeping you watching?
jEG550tm@reddit
That is such a crass overgeneralisation... Spoken like someone whose experience of youtube has only been the trending tab
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
Tried that first, but I don't understand the most simple of references. Like it says "go to activities" and I don't even know what that is. But again: wasn't asking for help, I'll figure it out eventually.
Jealous_Response_492@reddit
Try Kubuntu, KDE vs GNOME is a long standing issue on Linux, I'm gonna upset many here, but GNOME has a very particular way of doing things, that indeed has a work flow that works for many, but for those who it doesn't it's very frustrating. KDE on the other-hand is more consistent with desktop computing interfaces, & highly customisable to any workflow.
admiraljkb@reddit
KDE also uses very little in resources, in spite of being fully featured. I stay on KDE where possible since it's lightweight, powerful, and highly customizable. Gnome is kinda like Apple products. It's nice, pretty, and all, so long as you stay within the bumpers.
OptimalMain@reddit
KDE has come a long way but 6 months ago it still had no way to configure touchpad gestures.
And all the crashes I experienced over the months I tried it was probably because of the shift to Qt6, but I am back on gnome :(
Tons of stuff to like about it though, I get why many prefer it.
admiraljkb@reddit
So I'm not using the touchpad features, so your situation is different. I can tell you back in the day almost 20 years ago when Plasma 4 was new?!? Holy @$!$@%@. It was so beautiful compared to all the primitive interfaces out there at the time, but it was also a serious hot mess. It wasn't until 4.8 that things stabilized to use a daily driver, right in time for the Gnome3 transition, which was the new hot mess for a while. Ever since, when one of them has an issue, the other is stable luckily. KDE is the one I keep coming back to, but it's been a journey. 😆
Anyway, on Kubuntu 24.10 (which picked up Plasma 6.1), I enabled the kubuntu and kubuntu-backports PPA's and didn't have a lot of issues with Wayland enabled. First time I'd successfully enabled Wayland with KDE too. KDE with Wayland resolved a lot of input and monitor issues for me by moving off X. Wayland support before that was getting there, but not stable. Multi-monitor support has been great with less manual adjustments, my mouse stutter stopped, and it was fun seeing what HDR support did on some new monitors I just got. Upgraded to 25.04 beta now, and it is pretty solid so far with Plasma 6.3. Also Nvidia proprietary drivers starting with 565 finally smoothed out things with Wayland as well.
Jealous_Response_492@reddit
oh yeah, KDE 4.0 was included on formally stable distros, which probs should have kept shipping KDE 3.x for a year longer than they did, the launch of Plasma was a buggy mess missing a many if not most common pre-existing KDE features of KDE 2x twas great KDE 5+ is great.
Character-Note6795@reddit
I don't understand references like that either, so I mostly avoid GUI stuff. Still rocking the command lune like an 80s guy.
MrHighStreetRoad@reddit
Activities is the overview you get by hit the command key.
Niarbeht@reddit
The top left. Activities is the top left.
Forrest_ND-86@reddit
"So first enable the source repositories..."
Sloyment@reddit
The first three problems can be easily solved by ditching Windows.
sam_the_beagle@reddit
Boomer here. We laugh at the younger generation who think they know all about computers. My father is 94 and used to be a programmer for CP/M. I learned with DOS 3, and early versions of Red Hat linux. Don't lump all old people in the same category. And get off my lawn.
Shikadi297@reddit
No you get off my lawn!! (I'm a millennial)
blackcain@reddit
Do people even know what it means? I remember being a kid in the late 70s/early 80s and old retired folks will always be yelling at us to get off their lawns. lol.
johncate73@reddit
Whatever dude. (I'm GenX)
Jealous_Response_492@reddit
Lawn‽ Let the wild flowers grow
Shikadi297@reddit
Honestly good point, been meaning to convert my lawn to native plants for years
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
hah, fair enough! Definitely true that the old timers who are into it know their shit.
MrLewGin@reddit
Have you tried Linux Mint? I felt like I was tearing my hair out and losing my mind last year when I switched to Linux (Ubuntu). I then installed Mint and it felt like home, everything worked and did what I expected. A year later and it's exactly the same.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
I have not, but have read about it. Would prefer to keep this one, but might try that instead because I still can't figure out how to make a shortcut to a program.
Starblursd@reddit
Gnome doesn't really let you until you install the extension for gtk desktop icons
MrLewGin@reddit
lol! That was pretty much my experience with Ubuntu. For what it's worth, in Mint, you simply drag the installed application from the application menu to the desktop and it creates it. It's that simple. If you want a system that just works and is intuitive, you can't go wrong with Mint. It seems to be widely regarded as the most user friendly. Good luck!
CLM1919@reddit
I feel your pain on "doing simple things" being frustrating when the methods we recall change or don't work the way we recall.
A simple reminder, blame not the DISTRO when having frustrations with the GUI desktop environment - there are many desktops to choose from - maybe try out another DE, you might find things more to your liking.
Explore and stay curious 🤨🤔😉❤️
If you want to play around with some DE's here's a link with over half a dozen live USB images with different desktop to play with.
https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/
If you like one install the DE onto your existing system
OptimalMain@reddit
Rarely does a distro ship a vanilla DE. Often it is a problem caused by a specific distro
thebadslime@reddit
a shotcut is a .Desktop file you can find 100s of tutorials on making one, it goes in /usr/share/applications/ ( not sure on the capitalization of that).
What dock are you using, dash to dock or plank or something else?
77slevin@reddit
Gen X here, love your user name, I bet you were the one licking the windows.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
I'm on the short bus
jr735@reddit
Don't forget that, for the most part, Gen X is tech support for their parents and their children. :)
sam_the_beagle@reddit
I''m the oldest in my office (boomer) and I'm tech support for everyone else. When I hear someone say, "oh, my son is so great at computers" it usually means they can make videos. I also find the younger generation just wants to buy something newer to fix any problems. I also speak linux, apple, android, ios, windows, and kindle.
jr735@reddit
My Windows knowledge is sorely out of date. The last Apple hardware I actually worked on was an Apple II. I gave up on proprietary software many years ago.
You're quite right about them wanting to just buy something else to fix their problems. I've also been introduced to young people that are "so great at computers." Being able to play Roblox is not a computer skill. I'd say, let me know when you can configure neomutt. Then you might actually be a user.
Jealous_Response_492@reddit
Sorry, we know you Boomer's were the pioneers of computers, well a few of of you at least, the majority though couldn't fathom how to program their VCR's
JoeB-@reddit
Oh yeah! Get off my Instaface.
sam_the_beagle@reddit
You young punks with your tic tac videos.
Jealous_Response_492@reddit
You're Instawhat??? ;)
JoeB-@reddit
Bill Belichick, former coach of the New England Patriots (American professional football team if you are unfamiliar) and notorious boomer luddite, once confused Instagram and Facebook in an interview and called it Instaface.
I use "Get off my Instaface" as a substitute for "Get off my lawn".
Bemused_Weeb@reddit
You ever need a face that you can just whip up real quick? Can't spare the time or effort to make a face from scratch?
Jealous_Response_492@reddit
Ah, all the time ;)
wortelbrood@reddit
I consider "boomer" as hatespeech.
Fading-Ghost@reddit
I loved CP/M, it was a real operating system. The early days of DOS flip-flopped between IBM releases and Microsoft releases, I used to stick with IBM until Microsoft took over.
Fond memories
Infected_hamster@reddit
DR-DOS was awesome!
Kazer67@reddit
Honestly, making shortcut on Linux shouldn't be that god damn hard.
I know it's easy on some distro but not all and while I know how to make them with a search, I should not have to open a text editor and do it by hand while just a right click > create shortcut would do the trick.
Linux came a long way, enough that my parents are on Pop!_OS since a few years but shotcut is still an hassle from an user standpoint (even when you know how to make them, it's still to much manipulation)
HankOfClanMardukas@reddit
Most Linux I deal with is CLI only and yes there is a large learning curve. Is it rough? Yep.
I dunno, I’m biased, was using 1.44 floppies in the beginning when I was young, I mean ‘96.
Really depends on your level of desired proficiency. If you’re a hobbyist programmer or tinkerer, I say learn cmdline.
If you just want to run and figure it out as you go, hit Mint up for desktop.
MaNbEaRpIgSlAyA@reddit
To be fair, you picked the most frustrating distro available.
caotic@reddit
For customizations yeah, I think you missed that.
MaNbEaRpIgSlAyA@reddit
Just period. Ubuntu tries get in the way between me and my computer way more than I’d like. It’s rarely a recommended distribution anymore for a reason.
aliendude5300@reddit
Hard disagree there. Ubuntu is perfectly fine.
Shikadi297@reddit
Hard disagree there. Ubuntu is frustrating af
Nando9246@reddit
Mild disagree there. Ubuntu is really mid
Shikadi297@reddit
Mild agree there, we were being hyperbolic
chemistryGull@reddit
Hard agree there, i smell cosh(x) = (e^x + e^-x)/2
DisketteKitchen@reddit
Feels very telling that you’ve all got arch flairs
Shikadi297@reddit
Honestly I thought about that for every comment I made in this thread
aliendude5300@reddit
Other than some questionable choices like using snaps instead of distribution, packages or flatpaks, there's very little to complain about. It's a solid distribution with very good support from third-party software vendors.
Shikadi297@reddit
I have plenty to complain about, biggest complaints are that the repos have old package versions, getting the one you actually need is always hacky and fragile, and OS upgrades always break. Snaps are a bandaid to having outdated repos.
rlinED@reddit
Idk, never had an OS upgrade break.
Shikadi297@reddit
Lucky, I've only had one succeed. Even at my current job, IT recommends a clean install because their upgrade script rarely works. I bet if you don't deviate from the defaults everything works fine, and that's probably why so many people use it
gtrash81@reddit
Gnome does not allow shortcuts any more since 2015~ .
Stumbled across the same problem some days ago.
puxx12@reddit
Ubuntu uses the Gnome desktop by default.
pkop@reddit
It's a myth that tech or computers are something everyone can use or should be expected to be able to use. Part of the "iOS-ification" and enshitification of software, user interfaces, what tech companies spend time and money catering to etc is due to this expansion of target market to masses vs tech enthusiast and hard core users.
That being said, desktop linux is a meme. It can be a fun meme, and it can be an enjoyable hobby like working on cars, but if one wants a computer to "just work" so that they can do other things they find more important like using the computer as a tool to produce output they care about more than constantly tweaking and configuring...probably Windows is a better choice. You don't *have* to learn Linux if you don't want to.
Hindigo@reddit
I have been casually run Linux (alongside Windows) for \~15 years, and I still don't know how to do the very basic things some times. To this day, I still can't figure out how to install programs from tarballs.
Amidst the inexperienced user seeking help, most people on Linux forums are abstruse Linux wizards who seem to know the intricacies of everything Linux related. I'm exaggerating, of course, but the over representation of the savvy type in these spaces may make us feel out of touch. Make no mistake, most Linux users are casual and don't know much about the system they run beyond the problems they personally had to solve.
BranchLatter4294@reddit
When you start Thunderbird, it will show up in the dock. Then just right-click and select pin. Then you can just launch it from the icon.
If you want an icon on the desktop, it's not hard. https://itsfoss.com/ubuntu-desktop-shortcut/
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
that definitely doesn't work with the dock for me.
Right click shows: all windows, new window, compose new message, contacts, quit
BranchLatter4294@reddit
It looks like you are clicking on the default Thunderbird icon (the snap version installed by default instead of the other one you installed). Try looking for the other Thunderbird icon.
klementineQt@reddit
These are system tray options, it sounds like, not necessarily the wrong launcher shortcut, but maybe a tray icon. I'm not sure how that works in Gnome, is it like Android where there's a way the launcher icon can also show those options?
FrazzledHack@reddit
That makes my head hurt. Why doesn't the snap Thunderbird icon allow pinning?
BranchLatter4294@reddit
It's pinned by default. But you can pin or unpin it at will. Not sure why you think you can can't pin?
FrazzledHack@reddit
OP states:
No mention of unpinning. I don't have an Ubuntu installation to hand right now, so I can't confirm.
BranchLatter4294@reddit
This is the expected behavior from the default Thunderbird installation (not the additional one they installed), which was my point. Thanks for confirming my point.
FrazzledHack@reddit
Now I'm even more confused. Above you stated "you can pin or unpin it at will". But it appears that unpinning is not available to OP.
Niarbeht@reddit
Because Canonical.
Excellent_Evidence61@reddit
As an 18 year old running Linux. I felt nostalgia while reading your post.
GreenSouth3@reddit
side note > XFCE lets you add any menu item to the desktop as a shortcut link
meagainpansy@reddit
Re: the videos. There is a lot of low quality content like this where people are throwing around words but have no idea what they're talking about.
ChatGPT is great for problems like this. It's like having a buddy that will "Google that" for you, and it has gotten pretty freakin good here lately.
BananaUniverse@reddit
By the way, linux distros allow you to select different desktop environments, which like styles for the desktop. I'm guessing you're using something called GNOME, which comes with default ubuntu and is more similar to MacOS. It uses app trays like a phone, and doesn't really expect users to use shortcuts, which is why it's so difficult.
You could also try different Ubuntu flavours like Kubuntu or Ubuntu cinnamon, which comes with a more familiar windows-ish style. Shortcuts on the desktop will function exactly as you expect, down to the keyboard shortcuts.
It's linux, everything can be changed! If you're willing to try a new workflow, GNOME can work great too. If you prefer the windows style workflow, you might want to switch. It's all a matter of preference.
Keely369@reddit
I've a nasty feeling sharing that profile will come back to bight you at some stage.
Swap Ubuntu out for KUbuntu. Thank me later.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
might do that, just installed it so nothing to lose
Adnubb@reddit
I personally have a much better time with KDE. It's much more analogous to how the Windows UI works compared to Gnome. Had to tweak a few settings in the settings menu, but nothing crazy.
If you're struggling with Ubuntu, I'd definitely give Kubuntu a shot.
caotic@reddit
Yeah Ubuntu shitty ui is frustrating AF. I have been using Linux for 20+ years.
Wanted to add a command as an icon to their shitty task bar. Embarrassing amount of time spent for mediocre results.
It reminds me of the quote: "be wary of wizards everything they do for you, they do you."
Which if I understand correctly in this case means, every help Ubuntu gives you will weigh you down when you don't need it
MrHighStreetRoad@reddit
Launch Thunderbird. Right click icon Pin to dash
The Gnome desktop does not allow desktop shortcuts.. it is against the design philosophy. Ubuntu ships an extension to allow them. The point is that the desktop is designed to be fully functional without desktop shortcuts. And it is. You start apps by Command key to show the launcher and searching for app, or using the pinned icon.
It's a change. If you don't like, and plenty of people of all ages don't, there are buckets of choices. KDE or Mint for example. But the gnome way. It's different but it definitely not designed by idiots. It's a good workflow.
TPIRocks@reddit
I'm a boomer, started using Linux in 1994, but I feel you. I knew Linux inside out back then. Set up a whole www,ftp,DNS,sendmail,DHCP,samba,lpd etc server using how to documents. Later, I was able to get xfree86 working with opengl acceleration. Created custom modelines and even got sound working.
Some stupid truck include, modifying sendmail.cf to rewrite the destination address for incoming mail so that the outside world could send email to our domain, without having to add the hostname: user@domain.com instead of user@pentium.domain.com. Yes, the hostname was Pentium, as it was the only Pentium in our company. Also hacked a few device drivers to load on unsupported (but quite similar) hardware by changing the driver source.
Nowadays, I carry around a kali USB with persistence to work on Windows computers for customers. I have no serious clue as to how it all works in detail, simply because absolutely everything has changed over the last 30 years. If something breaks, it's just as difficult for me to fix as it was 30 years ago, except I'm not as sharp as I was 30 years ago.
Phydoux@reddit
Yeah, I started using Linux in 1994 as well. Bought a floppy version of it and put it on a spare PC and played around with it from time to time. Tried many different distros over the years.
Finally made the full time switch on 2018. Windows 10 ran like crap on my 8 year old computer. It took forever to load anything. And Windows 7 ran beautifully on that same computer.
So, I installed Linux Mint Cinnamon and ran that for about a year and a half. Then I switched to Arch which I've been using since February 2020. I love it and with a Tiling Window Manager, it's the best!
Psychological-Sir226@reddit
You should download Ubuntu server, install it and go through the installation and put IPv4 on dhcp.
After installation set the ip adress to a static ipv4. Disae ipv6 and see if you can get it to work. This exercise would already give you a better understanding of how Linux programs are mostly configured with a terminal.
Also some other good exercises, update the system and upgrade it by terminal.
Next create a alias for inside your .bashrc file to make your own commands in the terminal.
These are fun and useful exercises.
tomscharbach@reddit
I'm 78. Keep in mind that boomers probably taught you your somewhat limited coping skills and respect for elders. Enough said.
Thank you for talking about the issue, which is missed, ignored or glossed over by the "I wanna install Linux for my gramma -- Arch of Void?" crowd.
As you are finding out, Linux still requires a level of knowledge and patience that is not needed for "consumer" operating systems like Android, ChromeOS, iOS, macOS and Windows.
I mention this issue because a number of my friends (all in their 70's or 80's) migrated from Windows to Chromebooks at the suggestion of their grandchildren, who grew up with Chromebooks in school. All made the transition quickly and painlessly with a bit of coaching from their grandchildren.
All are delighted to have done so. ChromeOS is almost intuitive, stable, secure and almost impossible for a user to screw up.
I wish more younger people understood the nature of Linux and were as honest as you are.
My best and good luck.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
fair enough! Mostly joking, I love you old fuckers, your generation made the best music.
tomscharbach@reddit
That's because we were getting it on a regular basis.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
hah, I take that back now that I think about it, was the generation before the boomers that made the best music. Dylan and Garcia and those guys. Silent Generation?
JoeB-@reddit
Dylan and Garcia are/were boomers. The “Silent Generation” are/were the WW2 veterans.
Dangerous-Safe-4336@reddit
The Silent Generation were those born during the Depression and WWII. Too young to have been in the war. Some fought in Korea, though. The WWII generation is sometimes called the "Greatest Generation" or the "GI generation."
dlakelan@reddit
Nah, Dylan born 1941 and Jerry Garcia 1942 both are considered Silent Generation. Baby boomers started 1946 as soon as the war finished.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
well shit, Boomers are even older than I thought they were!
pikecat@reddit
Never hold the mindset that something is too difficult or that you can't figure it out. This, in itself, holds you back.
When you start something new, you will be confused and bewildered, but stick at it, and it will start making sense. Just calmly hold the .mindset that you'll get there, eventually.
I learned at an early age that you can figure out anything that you set your mind to, and I've held that attitude ever since.
In fact, figuring out difficult things is a skill in itself that you learn. The investigating, trial and error, and problem solving process.
The main limiting factor is your belief in yourself. If you decide that you can't, you never will.
OldGroan@reddit
Look up "create launcher".
Shortcut is Windows speak
Launchers is Linux speak.
I found creating panels with an array of launchers was better than just loose on the desktop. You can make them hide when nto in use. I use XFCE though.
sinfaen@reddit
I use KUbuntu on my desktop because I like KDE and if professional software is going to support Linux, they typically will only test on Ubuntu or Fedora
At least with KDE, if you have an application open you can right click on the icon and save it to the taskbar. not sure what's up with GNOME
As for more help, there are various sources
hazyPixels@reddit
>it made me more sympathetic to my mother and boss and older people in general when they have no clue about how to do simple things on a computer.
As a boomer, I take solace when I see threads like the one a day or 2 ago where it was mentioned several times that kids these days don't know what a file is.
But seriously, I don't get where this stereotype comes from. I've been coding on Unix and Unix-like systems since the mid '80s. IMO it has little to do with age, but rather with one's technical background and computer use during their life. If your mother was a software engineer, there's not much of an excuse available to her compared to if she was a homemaker. And keep in mind that young people may consider themselves "more tech savvy" because they know how to use social media apps on their iPhones, even if they don't know what a file is.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
Was mostly joking. I have boomer coworkers who know way more about computers than I ever will, down into the nitty gritty. However: the older folks who aren't into it seem almost willfully clueless, like refusing to remember the simplest thing.
bstamour@reddit
> [...] refusing to remember the simplest thing.
Keep in mind also that old folks' memory also ain't what it used to be. I'm a software engineer, approaching 40 -- so not even "old" yet. I try to keep my mind sharp, but I'll admit my memory just isn't as good as it was even ten years ago.
Miserable-Decision81@reddit
Same same..
BUT: while I keep missing details I improve on understanding relations and principles...
hazyPixels@reddit
I gave my mother an old computer of mine when she was 85. Put a fresh install of XP on it, updates and all. Taught her how to use the keyboard, mouse, how to turn it on and off. She didn't seem interested at all until I showed her how to use email and Firefox. After that I couldn't get her away from it.
When she hit 91 or so her dementia was getting pretty bad, but I wanted to get rid of XP. I gave her a laptop with Windows 10, set it to automatically log in and start Firefox when it was turned on, but she couldn't adapt and lost interest. I pondered putting some flavor of Linux on it but didn't want to make a drastic change for her. At her age at the time she wasn't too capable of adapting to change.
bojangles-AOK@reddit
#ln -s TARGET SHORTCUTNAME
Simple_Anteater_5825@reddit
That's why Mint Cinnamon is always recommended for Linux intros
AVonGauss@reddit
Some people still can do a bit of math and solve basic logic problems, you’re not exactly a youngster yourself if you’re talking about using Linux 20 or so years ago.
kudlitan@reddit
What's so hard? Right click on the file and select Create Shortcut. Then move the shortcut to the desired location and rename.
Everything on Ubuntu is done via the GUI. Don't believe those Indians who tell you to open a command line.
JoeB-@reddit
Dylan and Garcia are/were boomers. The “Silent Generation” are/were the WW2 veterans.
TheRealEkimsnomlas@reddit
Except most people have had some Windows exposure since Windows for Workgroups took over so many offices in the early 90s. It's opposite for linux.
alexforencich@reddit
The problem in this case isn't Linux, it's gnome. Gnome doesn't do desktop icons anymore. Personally I can't stand gnome, or any of the apps that force the gnome CSD title bar thing even on other DEs. I run xfce on all of my machines, and it's straightforward to install that on Ubuntu, even if you didn't install xubuntu initially.
KnowZeroX@reddit
Linux has multiple different desktop environments, Ubuntu by default comes with Gnome. And Gnome is like Mac, you do it their way or the highway. A lot of people are frustrated with Gnome, others love it. If you want a DE which is easier for those coming from Windows, opt for KDE or Cinnamon.
Trying to make windows and linux use the same profile for thunderbird is asking for issues, it may be better off to use an older version of thunderbird which had Thunderbird sync on both. In 2025 Q2, Thunderbird sync is supposedly coming back and you can upgrade then.
krum@reddit
AI will give you more clear answers faster than people on YT.
Serializedrequests@reddit
Well, for some reason desktop shortcuts and the like have been absolutely impossible in every DE for years. 🤷♂️
FaithlessnessOwn7960@reddit
just an experience, note down what commands you have used for your customization. maybe use gist or some note app. it will come in handy when something gone wrong.
Synthetic451@reddit
Pretty sure you just drag apps from the launcher into your panel. Also, by default Gnome doesn't do desktop icons. It's a weird choice by the Gnome devs. You might have a much easier time with something like KDE.
ThomasBelvin@reddit
I haven’t found YouTube to be that helpful for solving problems because it’s mostly geared for entertainment. I’ve mostly found the previous personal experiences of other Linux users in message boards and blog posts to be helpful. Discord seems to be the new platform to ask questions.
Snow_Hill_Penguin@reddit
Ignorance has no age. Nothing personal.
I know plenty of shit and also get frustrated by simple things, so I can feel for you.
Those distros people call Linux aren't for everyone. Same applies for Windows, MAC, etc.
Known-Watercress7296@reddit
is it maybe gnome you are not vibing with?
trivial to install kde and give it a spin
ericek111@reddit
Just drag and drop Thunderbird from the app drawer onto desktop, does that not work in GNOME? Most file managers render .application files as clickable icons.
Pixelfudger_Official@reddit
Use MenuLibre to create custom shortcuts.
It's available on Flathub.
TONKAHANAH@reddit
trying to make stuff work and play nice between linux and windows is possible but its a constant battle.
its easier when you're just worrying about making the one linux system work.
ImOnTheBus@reddit (OP)
I got that part working, both the windows and linux Thunderbird are using the same profile, just haven't figured out how to launch Thunderbird from Ubuntu desktop, have to navigate into it.
MaleBearMilker@reddit
Me too, I ended up with KDE hotspot and Fcitx ibus input problems. After that I back to Windows+MacOS crying with my data.
Tribble_Slayer@reddit
Used Ubuntu as my only desktop OS for about 1 year a few years back after using Windows my whole life. I stuck with it but it pissed me off to no end and eventually went all in on the Apple ecosystem. Recently just put Fedora on an old 11” MacBook Air I acquired and that has been a far better experience. I suppose I also use Steam OS/Bazzite on my handheld gaming pcs too. Things tend to work a lot more smoothly on those distros than Ubuntu IME
ZestycloseAd6683@reddit
I can make it easier just find the GNOME extension for desktop shortcuts.