Grub Customizer
Updated 03-Aug-2025 This is a fantastic tool: sudo apt install grub-customizer grub-customizer A nice little GUI.
Software
LMDE to Xfce desktop environment
Updated 03-Aug-2025 I've been having trouble with the sleep cycle of a new monitor, such that causes problems with the LXDE lxpanel app. Basically the panel unloads when the monitor sleeps (or awakes). Since lxpanel is more or less frozen, I've looked to other desktop distributions to remedy this. Though I am generally satisfied with ... Read more
Removable Disk Volume Name
Updated 03-Aug-2025 To change the volume name of a removable disk (USB / SD), in Debian (or other Linux): Open up > Accessories > Disks Click on device Click on gears icon (Additional partition options) Edit Filesystem Enter partition name
Can I use PPAs on Debian?
Updated 03-Aug-2025 PPAs are personal package archives that allow people to distribute application packages to Ubuntu distributions. Since Ubuntu is based on Debian, and PPA packages are in the .deb format, they can theoretically be used in Debian. However, there are several complications that need to be understood: Why PPAs are not recommended for use ... Read more
useradd vs. adduser on Debian
Updated 03-Aug-2025 adduser is a more friendly interactive tool that asks to create a password, while useradd simply adds a user with or without a password.
Subversion
Updated 03-Aug-2025 Subversion is a legacy source code control system. It is run by the Apache foundation. > Subversion exists to be universally recognized and adopted as an open-source, centralized version control system characterized by its reliability as a safe haven for valuable data; the simplicity of its model and usage; and its ability to ... Read more
MuseScore
Updated 03-Aug-2025 MuseScore is a free and open source music notation application. Is MuseScore 4 a Sibelius killer? Installing MuseScore on Linux MuseScore 3 is available through standard software channels such as apt in Debian. MuseScore 4 (a substantial upgrade) is distributed as an appimage (as of March 2023, and may be available in Debian ... Read more
Samba on Linux
Updated 03-Aug-2025 Note: to be honest I'm a bit lost with my configuration. I've had a bit of trouble but it looks like it is ultimately due to the USB interface I'm using to connect HDDs and sharing them. In any case, Samba is working, but I'm not too sure about what kind of mapping ... Read more
Calibre Ebook Library, De-DRM, Conversion
Updated 03-Aug-2025 See also Ebooks and where to buy them which discusses DRM from each ebook seller. Kindle and other Ebook Readers Calibre Ebook Library, De-DRM, Conversion Jailbreak Kindle KO Reader open source ebook reader NOTE: Calibre is pronounced Caliber, for US English speakers. Calibre document library system Calibre is an ebook management tool. It ... Read more
The Fediverse
Updated 03-Aug-2025 The Fediverse is a disparate set of social media services across many implementations, with two core elements: They use open protocols to communicate across services and instances, creating a federation of users and uses. They are primarily distributed and decentralized. This decentralization (and federation) is not in the sense of a blockchain with ... Read more
Mastodon, Pixelfed, Fediverse
Updated 03-Aug-2025 Fuck Elon Musk. So, Mastodon. I'd created accounts back when it first got started in 2016, so I'm @jeffmcneill@mastodon.social. The server feels a bit slow, so it may be useful to move to another server, and there is a migration path for users in that case. The main thing is to find other ... Read more
Zotero
Updated 03-Aug-2025 Install a repository to manage Zotero via apt. Install Chrome Zotero connector
Google Fonts
Updated 03-Aug-2025 In January, 2022, a German Court Fined a Website Owner for Violating the GDPR by Using Google-Hosted Fonts. The fine was 100 Euros, but could be much higher, based on German law. The lesson here is to self-host all content (including Google Fonts), and/or stop using Google Fonts.
Learning to Type / Keyboarding
Updated 17-Sep-2025 Typing in English Typing Club The key to this is to not register, and then use the basic instructions. My then-7 year old became quite proficient only using this site, and then transitioning to copywork typing and dictation typing. Typing in Thai Typing in Thai (Lanna Innovation) provides information on sites and such. ... Read more
Windows NT, VMS, and Unix
Updated 03-Aug-2025 Windows NT and VMS: The Rest of the Story
Linux and Debian Trademarks
Updated 03-Aug-2025 The Linux Mark The Linux Mark is a protected (reserved) mark and beyond fair use, requires a sublicense for its use. The Debian Logo and Trademark The Debian Logo and Debian trademark are protected (reserved) and require licenses (or may not be used) in certain ways.
Balena Etcher OS Flash Tool
Updated 03-Aug-2025 Balena Etcher is software to flash Operating System images to USB drives and SD cards. It works well. Normally it is offered as an AppImage, but it is also possible to add the Balena Etcher github repository and install as a .deb file from there. Installing Balena Etcher on Debian with apt Debian ... Read more
Window Managers
Updated 03-Aug-2025 Beneath every window-based Desktop Environment (DE) there is a windows manager. And beneath the windows manager, is a display server protocol such as X.org, Mir, and Wayland. When choosing a Desktop Environment, one can simply choose a windows manager and then add various other utilities such as menus, panels, search interfaces, configuration interfaces, ... Read more
Gutenprint printer drivers
Updated 03-Aug-2025 Previously named Gimp Print, Gutenprint is a high quality package of printer drivers for CUPS on Linux, Macintosh OS X, and other POSIX-compliant operating systems. This project also maintains an enhanced Print plug-in for GIMP 2.x from the same code base. Gutenprint includes a large number of printer drivers for Canon, Epson, Lexmark, ... Read more
How to move a window that is offscreen?
Updated 03-Aug-2025 In Linux, a standard shortcut is to use Alt + F7 and then drag the window back onscreen. Obviously some small bit of the window needs to be visible, but that is almost always the case. This works with Openbox and LXDE.