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<!DOCTYPE html>
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<title>Install and Configure Mint-19 Linux</title>
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<h1 id="Install & Configure Linux-Mint19">Install & Configure Linux-Mint19
<a href="Figures/Pdfs/Install and Configure Mint-19 Linux on PC.pdf" download>
<img src="Figures/acroread.png" alt="pdf" style="zoom: 80%;">
</a></h1>
<div class="row">
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body">
<h2 class="card-title">Preparation</h2>
<p class="card-text"></p>
<ol>
<li>It's best to do a complete clean install.</li>
<li>Don't us dual boot. Not because it doesn't work but because of speed and it's always going to be a half-hearted solution.</li>
<li>If installing Linux Mint on an exiting PC, make sure to update everything important onto an external drive because the installation procedure requires to (re-)partition the drive where Linus Mint is going to be installed.
<strong>(re-)Partitioning a drive destroys all data on that drive</strong>.
</li>
<li>To continue you need two USB drives.</li>
<li>It is assumed that the OS is going to be installed Dell laptop and on a UEFI system.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body">
<h2 class="card-title">Software</h2>
<p class="card-text"></p>
<ol>
<li>Download the newest Mint version from <a href="https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php" title="Mint">here</a>.</li>
<ol>
<li>I've downloaded the Cinnamon - 64-bit version (what looks today the most obvious for any PC.)</li>
</ol>
<li>If you're on Windows, use a tool to create a bootable USB drive from the downloaded ISO.<br>
If your on Linux, use a build in bootable USB disk creator or use these command lines in a terminal:
</li>
<ol>
<li>Plug in the USB drive and determine the device it's mounted on with the command:
<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo fdisk -l</i></span>
<br>
Example: it was /dev/sdc1 for me, so I'll use that as my example.
</li>
<li>Umount the device
<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>umount /dev/sdc1</i></span>
<br>
</li>
<li>Not sure if necessary but I formatted the drive in FAT32, just in case
<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo mkdosfs -n <Label-for-USB-drive> -I /dev/sdc -F 32</i></span>
<br>
</li>
<li>If the ISO is using isolinux and not syslinux call the isohybrid command, which allows for an ISO to be recognized by the BIOS from a hard drive.
Find out more about the command
<a href="http://www.syslinux.org/wiki/index.php/Doc/isolinux#HYBRID_CD-ROM.2FHARD_DISK_MODE">here</a>.
<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>isohybrid filename.iso</i></span>
<br>
</li>
<li>Next step is to copy and uncompress the ISO onto the USB disk.
<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo dd if=<ISO-Filename>.iso of=/dev/sdc bs=4k status=progress</i></span>
<br>
Then do the following before unplugging the device:
<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sync <br>sudo eject /dev/sdc</i></span>
<br>
</li>
</ol>
<li>Preparations to be able to install Mint are done.
Continue to make the PC ready for the Linux Mint installation therefore download
<a href="https://gparted.org/download.php">Gparted</a>.
Download the
<em>gparted-live-<version>-amd64.iso</em> for newer (>2010) computers with UEFI instead of legacy BIOS try this one.
</li>
<li>Create a bootable USB drive from the Gparted ISO.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body">
<h2 class="card-title">Hard Disk</h2>
<p class="card-text">We could do what most people do, plug the USB drive in to PC.
Boot it or reboot it in single boot mode. Select the USB-drive to boot from. Boot and start a Linux Mint installation.
This will perfectly work but I learned that then after install the system is as slow at startup and functionality as Windows is.
So we can do better with a small amount of extra work. That’s why we created the Gparted USB-drive.</p>
<p>Insert the Gparted USB-drive and boot or reboot the PC.
Enable the BIOS menu(s) (press F12 at boot for a Dell PC) and set the PC to boot from the USB-drive.
Save and close the settings and let the PC boot in Gparted mode.</p>
<p>When Gparted started, make the Gparted view/window as big as possible (get a good overview).</p>
<p> </p>
<ol>
<li>Select the drive, [Gparted]-[Devices], that's going to be the boot drive.</li>
<ul>
<li>On a PC with a single hard drive, there can only one drive to be the boot drive.</li>
<li>On a PC with multiple hard drives we will need to choose what drive to use as boot device.</li>
</ul>
<li>Select the chosen drive and delete, [Partition]-[Delete], all partitions on that drive. When the delete option is grayed out,
it might be possible that the drive is mount. unmounted, [Partition]-[Unmount], it first.</li>
<li>To use UEFI, a UEFI partition must be created on the drive first. Then other partitions can be created.</li>
<ol>
<li>Have a GPT partition table on the hard drive you want to install to. Check, [View]-[Device Information], and if needed
change the partition table type.<br>
<img alt="Figure 5" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_5.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:80%""></p>
<p>If the partition table attribute reads <code>msdos</code> instead of <code>gpt</code>, then it's wrong and need
to be changed. Select the disk of which you want to change the partition, then select [Device]-[Create Partition Table]
from the menu. A warning about destroying all data will pop up. The warning contains the current type of the partition <code>msdos</code> what is the old format. Click <code>msdos</code> and select in the presented list <code>gpt</code>.
All other options are for other operating systems or architectures.</p>
<img alt="Figure 6" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_6.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:80%""></p>
<p><strong>REMARK 1:</strong> If a warning displays that the device contains active partitions, unmount these first (2).
Note that you cannot unmount partitions of your currently running operating system.</p>
<p><strong>REMARK 2:</strong> Unfortunately creating/changing a new partition table destroys the existing one and all data on the disk.</p>
</li>
<li>Create a EFI system partition. This partition type is `ef00` and usually contains a FAT32 file system.<br>
Do this as:
</li>
<ul>
<li>[Partition]-[New].<br>
<img alt="Figure 7" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_7.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:80%""></p>
</li>
<li>In the pop up screen enter:</li>
<ul>
<li>New size (MiB): 600</li>
<li>Partition Name: EFI System Partition</li>
<ul>
<li>File System: fat32</li>
<li>Label: EFI Boot</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li>Click [Add] and then tick the <img alt="Tick" src="Figures/Mint19/Tick.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)"></p> tab in the main window.<br>
<img alt="Figure 8" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_8.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)"" style="width:80%""></p>
</li>
<li>A new pop up will appear, click [Apply] to proceed and apply all changes. When all changes are applied click [Close].</li>
<li>Make the EFI partition bootable.<br>
Select the partition and right click it.<br>
In the fall down menu select [Manage Flags]<br>
The tick the voting box in front of <i>boot</i>, automatically a vote will be displayed for <i>esp</i>.<br>
As showed in the figure below.<br>
<img alt="Figure 9" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_9.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:80%""></p>
</li>
</ul>
<li>Create now the other partition or partitions.</li>
<ul>
<li>Assume Linux Mint is installed on a single partition, letting Mint decided how to divide the partition.<br>
Then do:
</li>
<ul>
<li>Click the remaining unallocated space.</li>
<li>Right click it and select in the menu [New]</li>
<li>Enter or check following parameters:</li>
<ul>
<li>Create as, must be: Primary Partition</li>
<li>File System, this must be: ext4</li>
<li>Label, enter a label, or not if you don’t want.</li>
</ul>
<li>Click [Add]</li>
<li>Tick the <img alt="Tick" src="Figures/Mint19/Tick.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)">
tab in the main window.</li>
<li>Click [Apply] and when everything is finished, click [Close]</li>
<li>Close Gparted.</li>
</ul>
<li>If Mint needs to be installed on a manual partitioned drive, go to <strong>Partition a Drive</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<li>Assumed is that the drive has a small UEFI boot partition an a large user partition where Linux Mint can be installed.</li>
<li>Before starting the Linux Mint installation some settings in the BIOS need to be done to allow a quick boot and obtain a fast system.</li>
<li>Boot into the BIOS, check it and change some boot settings.</li>
<ul>
<li>Shut down the PC if it was running.</li>
<li>Press the power button to turn the PC on.</li>
<li>Press as soon as the power button is released and before the Dell logo appears the [F12] key on the keyboard.</li>
<li>The PC will now boot in BIOS mode showing something like below menu.</li>
<li><img alt="Figure 10" src="Figures/Mint19/FrstBootMenu.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:60%""></p></li>
<li>Select, using the up and down keys, under *OTHER OPTIONS, BIOS Setup*.</li>
<li>This will show a menu structure as showed below:</li>
<li><img alt="Figure 11" src="Figures/Mint19/BootSequence.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:60%""></p></li>
<li>Use the up/down arrow key or the mouse to select *Boot Sequence* and tap [Enter].</li>
<li>The menu as displayed below is now popping up.<br>
<img alt="Figure 12" src="Figures/Mint19/BootSettings.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:60%""></p>
In the figure above two devices are visible in the *Boot Sequence* part of the screen. It is possible that there are
multiple items listed and that seems to slow down the boot speed of the PC enormously. Let us remove everything from
that list and add only the necessary boot devices.
</li>
<ul>
<li>Click in the *Boot List Option* the [Delete Boot Option] button to remove boot devices from the boot sequence list.<br>
Do this till the list is empty.
</li>
<li>Click then [Add Boot Option] and in the pop up menu:</li>
<ul>
<li>Select the hard disk designated as boot device in the [File System List].<br>
This is the disk were an UEFI partition has been created. View the figure below.<br>
<img alt="Figure 13" src="Figures/Mint19/BootOption.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:60%""></p>
</li>
</ul>
<li>Enter a [Boot Option Name] like Mint or Ubuntu or …</li>
</ul>
<li>Click [Add]</li>
</ul>
</ol>
<p><strong>REMARK:</strong> When installing on other PC brands, similar options as discussed above are available in the BIOS. Sometimes a extra option
need to be set in order to make the PC boot in UEFI configuration before loading other drivers. Make sure to set this option.</p>
<ol>
<li>Plug the Mint bootable USB drive in a USB slot.</li>
<li>Save and Exit the BIOS and let the PC reboot.</li>
<li>before the Dell logo appear push the F12 key. Thus as soon as the PC attempts to start boot, push the key a couple of times.</li>
<li>The PC will show the BIOS Boot Menu.</li>
<ol>
<li>The USB drive will, when everything went well, under the UEFI BOOT option.</li>
<li>Select it using the up/down arrow keys and press [Enter].</li>
</ol>
<li>The PC will boot from the Mint USB disk.<br>
Probably you will need to select to start Mint 64-bit in a grub menu.<br>
After boot there is a full functional Mint version at your disposal while it is running from the USB disk.
</li>
<li>Click the [Install Linux Mint] icon.</li>
<li>A menu setup will ask:</li>
<ol>
<li>Select the language and press [Continue].</li>
<li>Select the keyboard setup and press [Continue].<br>
Test the special keys of the keyboard in the provided test line.
</li>
<li>Tick the box to install third party software.</li>
<li>Tick the first option to install a fresh Mint option.<br>
I’m leaving the partitioning job of the hard disk over to the installer.<br>
If one wants a particular partitioning then select that options in the installation menu and provide the partition scheme you want.
</li>
<li>Follow all menus and answer all questions asked.</li>
<li>Let Mint install on the PC and at the end remove the USB drive and press [Enter] to let the PC reboot.</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<p></p>
<p>You should have now a very fast booting Linux Mint PC.</p>
<p>Be aware that after the first reboot the OS will want to install a big amount of updates!<br>
Allow this to happen.</p>
<ul>
<li>The Update manager will pop up and present a long list of software that needs to be updated or upgraded.</li>
<li>Make sure all packages have a green tick-mark and then click [Install Updates].</li>
<li>Enter your password and let the OS update itself.<br>
Probably it will need a reboot after this large update session.<br>
After the reboot it’s possible that a new set op updates pops up, allow these to happen.
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>REMARK:</strong> The first time the software updater starts it will ask to setup system snapshots.<br>
Follow the procure to do this. System snapshots will be taken from that moment on regularly base and can save you life later on.</p>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body">
<h2 class="card-title">Customize the Base Installation</h2>
<p class="card-text">This is something everybody needs to do following his/her own taste and colors.
The chapter below only provides a set of basic customisation making the use of Mint more enjoyable.</p>
<ol>
<li>Install missing proprietary graphic and communication drivers.
When the PC is equipped with an Nvidia or other graphics card or the Ethernet card uses specific,
such as Broadcom, devices it might be interesting to install the drivers for those specific devices.</p>
Installing the latest graphics and other dedicated drivers is one of the first things you should do after installing Mint or any other Linux distributions.</p>
To get the most out of graphic cards like Nvidia use the provided proprietary/restricted drivers supplied by the manufacturer of the graphics card in favour
of the general drivers supplied by the Linux distribution. The same applies for other dedicated hardware.
</li>
<ul>
<li>Start the <u>Driver Manager</u> from the start menu.</li>
<li>Enter your password.</li>
<li>After updating of the cache the tool presents options for the hardware that can benefit from proprietary drivers.</li>
<li>Install the recommended driver(s).</li>
<li>Restart the PC after the driver installation.<br>
<img alt="Figure 14" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_10.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:80%""></p>
</li>
<li>These are the proprietary drivers default in the Linux Mint repositories.
Nvidia for instance outputs on regularly base new drivers for their video cards.
First for Microsoft but soon after also for Linux. Thus lets find out if there is not a more recent video driver for the Nvidia card in the PC.
Add Nvidia repositories to the software sources in order to find new drivers, at the same time the presence of the repositories will make sure
that when new video drivers are available they are installed when performing a software update.
</li>
<li>Add the graphics drivers repository of Ubuntu to the machines repository list.
<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa</i></span><br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo apt-get update</i></span>
<br>
</li>
<li>Open the Software Sources manager and check if the graphics drivers repository is indeed add to the list.
There should be under the [PPAs] tab a new repository, probably the only one now, showing <strong>Graphics-Drivers</strong> and <strong>Graphics-Drivers (Sources)</strong>.
While under [Authentication Keys] a line showing *Launchpad PPA for Graphics-Drivers* should appear.<br>
If that's the case do next.
</li>
<li>Start <i>System Settings</i> and click the <i>Driver Manager</i> icon in the bottom of the window.<br>
When its window pops up a list of available graphic drivers should show.<br>
But what driver to install, well:
</li>
<li>Open a terminal and type: <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>ubuntu-drivers devices</i></span><br>
That will present a list of all available drivers and tell what the best driver is for the system. Style:<br>
<img alt="Figure 22" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_22.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:80%""></p>
</li>
<li>Go back to the <i>Driver Manager</i> and tick the voting bullet left of the driver listed as recommended in the terminal output. In this case it's <i>nvidia-driver-418</i>.</li>
<li>Wait until it's installed and hit the [reboot] button.</li>
</ul>
<li>Optimize the SWAP space usage.</li>
<ul>
<li>Check the current swap setting.</li>
<li>Open a terminal and type at the command line: <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>cat /proc/sys/vm/swappiness</i></span><br>
If it reports 60 or a different number than 10, set it to 10.
</li>
<li>Do this in the open terminal, type <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo xed /etc/sysctl.conf</i></span> on the command line.</li>
<li>Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter there:<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i># Decrease swap usage to a more reasonable level<br>
vm.swappiness=10</i></span>
</li>
<li>Save the file, restart the PC and check the swappiness again.</li>
</ul>
<li>Improve battery life by installing TLP for Linux<br>
<p><strong>TLP</strong> is a great command line tool for improving the battery performance for your laptop running Linux mint 19.
This advanced power management tool comes with automated background tasks which can help you get the most out of your battery.</p>
<p>To install TLP in Linux Mint 19,
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo add-apt-repository ppa:linrunner/tlp<br>
sudo apt update<br>
sudo apt install tlp tlp-rdw<br>
sudo tlp start
</i></span></p>
<p>Most noteworthy is that the default settings would be the recommended one and that it is safe to assume that it would do well enough.
</li>
<li>On a laptop (desktop too) with full keyboard (keyboard with side numeric keypad) it is handy when the keypad is on from boot. To obtain this effect do:</li>
<ul>
<li>Install numlockx: <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo apt install numlockx</i></span></li>
<li>Open the *Login Window* application and select the <i>Settings</i> tab.</li>
<li>Activate numlock.</li>
<li><img alt="Figure 16" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_16.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:80%""></li>
</ul>
<li>Most, if not all, laptops are equipped with <strong>Bluetooth</strong>.
To make Bluetooth reliably work remove the default installed software and install BlueMan Bluetooth software.<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo apt remove blueberry<br>
sudo apt install blueman
</i></span><br>
Above terminal commands install the Blueman package from the Ubunutu/Mint repositories.
As with all packages in the repositories, it is very likely that there is a newer version available elsewhere.
Below describes how to install the latest version of Blueman.
But: <strong>Below description might make Blueman unusable!</strong>
Test it, when Blueman afterwards no longer works, remove the entire Blueman package and take Blueman from the Mint repositories.
The repository provided below are pointing to git storage with the most up to date version of Blueman.
This new version often depends from other new packages not yet available for Linux Mint.
</li>
<ul>
<li>In order to get the Bluetooth manager software updated automatically setup the PPA site.</li>
<li>Start a terminal.</li>
<li>Add the public key to apt by typing or copying below line.<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo curl https://cschramm.eu/blueman/debian/blueman.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -</i></span><br>
<li>Next, add the PPA sources to <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>/etc/apt/sources.list.d</i></span> directory.<br>
Pick the right Python version depending on your distribution. For Mint 19 this is:
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>deb https://cschramm.eu/blueman/debian/ python3.6 main<br>
deb-src https://cschramm.eu/blueman/debian/ python3.6 main</i></span>
</li>
<li>Go to the above mentioned directory and launch an editor. Copy the above given lines into the document and save it as <i>blueman-repositories.list</i>.</li>
<li>In a terminal type: <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo apt update</i></span> in order to integrate the newly add repositories into the system.</li>
<li>Above instructions can also be found on:<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>https://github.com/blueman-project/blueman/wiki/Packaged-versions</i></span>
</li>
</li> <strong>REMARK:</strong> The described issue in the text below is not required anymore after upgrading or installation of Linux-Mint.20.4! <br>
I leave in the text because it can be usefull on other hardware, with other Ubuntu based distros or ... <br>
A new install or an upgrade updates at the same time the Blueman tools to the newest version. <br>
In fact, if Ofono is installed, remove it! <br>
With Ofono installed the ssytem log fiiles showed that a Bluetooth driver called bluetoothctl was crashing and also reported spurious responces from something <br>
called snd_hda_intel. These crashes did not affect the functioning of the PC nor the Bluetooth stuff but it created a lot of lines in the system log files.
</li>
<li>After reboot of the PC, a Linux Log file reported: "[pulseaudio] backend-ofono.c: Failed to register as a handsfree audio ...... ..." .<br>
This was Bluetooth related and installing ofono solved the issue.
</li>
<li>Open a terminal and enter: <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo apt install ofono</i></span><br>
When done, enter <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>systemctl enable ofono</i></span>.
</li>
<li><strong>A final REMARK:</strong> When after an upgrade to Linux-Mint.20.4 Bluetooth does seems stuck or no longer working, try this:
<li>After a boot or restart Blueman should start automatically and show an ativity icon in the toolbar. </li>
<li>Open Blueman and remove all installed/connected devices from the showed list. </li>
<li>Turn Bluetooth off and reboot.</li>
<li>After the reboot Blueman will be running again, open it.</li>
<li>Let it discover all Bluetooth devices and install them again.</li>
<li> Everything should work as before.</li>
</li>
</ul>
<li>Install codecs to be able to play movies and music.<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo apt install mint-meta-codecs</i></span>
</li>
<li>Install Microsoft fonts.<br>
You can use the Linux Software Manager or the Synaptic package manager to do so.<br>
</li>
<ul>
<li>Launch the Software Manager and type in the search entry: <strong>ttf-mscorefonts-installer</strong></li>
<li>Click install.</li>
</ul>
<li>Setup a firewall. Setting up a firewall can be a complicated business and hence Linux Mint comes pre-installed with UFw (Uncomplicated Firewall).
Just search for the Firewall icon in the *System Settings* window and enable it at least for the Home or Public mode.
</li>
<li>While having <u>System Settings</u> open. make use of it to set and configure all other kind of things, keyboard, mouse, display, background, window behavior, and etcetera.<br>
Some hints:
</li>
<ol>
<li>To change the size and inter-icon distance of the on desktop icons, right click somewhere in empty desktop space. Select from the fall-down menu [Customize]
In the pop up window select the **icon size** by clicking the button at the right.<br>
Select the vertical and horizontal icon inter-distance by moving the vertical and/or horizontal slides at the right side and bottom of the window.
</li>
<li>Change the size of the panel (bottom) and icons in it by opening the [System Settings] - [Panel]. Move the slide [Panel hight] and set a fix size
for the different zones in the panel.<br>
Set there also the panel action, always visible or hide (two options).
</li>
<li>To rearrange the applets on the Panel, first right-click on a blank spot on the panel, and then enable *Panel Edit Mode* from the menu that appears.
The blank areas on the panel will turn pale green once *Panel Edit Mode*. Left-click on the applet you want to move, hold down the left button,
and then drag the applet to its new location on the panel. Turn the *Panel Edit Mode* off afterward.
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body">
<h2 class="card-title">Install Necessary Software</h2>
<h3 class="card-subtitle">VPN</h3>
<p class="card-text">A must have these days in my opinion.<br>
Install openVPN and subscribe to a VPN provider as NordVPN.</p>
<ul>
<li>Subscribing to a VPN service delivers you a password and user ID necessary to use the VPN bridges.</li>
<ul>
<li>Once subscribed, download the list with VPN access points and their configuration.<br>
Change to a directory where the downloaded file can be saved, example: <i>/Downloads</i><br>
Download the configuration and access files.<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo wget https://downloads.nordcdn.com/configs/archives/servers/ovpn.zip</i></span><br>
</li>
<li>Unzip the downloaded <i></i>ovpn.zip</li> file.<br>
The result is two directories *ovpn_udp* and <i>ovpn_tcp</i>.<br>
Each directory contains the settings for connection protocol severs you can use.<br>
<strong>REMARK:</strong> It seems that the <i>.ovpn</i> files are no longer available as <i>.zip</i> file.<br>
But need to be downloaded as individual file(s) per VPN accesspoint.
</li>
<li><strong>REMARK:</strong> When while downloading an error pops up, download ca-certificates <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo apt-get install ca-certificates</i></span> and start again.</li>
<li> <strong>REMARK:</strong> There is a new and better protocol calle WIREGUARD available.<br>
To use that protocol one must install the application NordVPN provides and I guess it is the same for other VPN providers.
</li>
</ul>
<li>Setup openVPN:</li>
<ul>
<li>Start a terminal window (CTRL+ALT+T).</li>
<li>Install openVPN by typing: <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo apt-get install openvpn</i></span></li>
<li><strong>REMARK:</strong> It is very well possible that openVPN is already installed. When it’s the most recent version the terminal will reply with:<br>
<pre>
<code>
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
openvpn is already the newest version (2.4.4-2ubuntu1.3).
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
</code>
</pre>
</li>
<li>Copy/move the two protocol access directories to the openVPN setup.<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>cd /etc/openvpn/client</i></span><br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo mv /home/<you>/Downloads/ovpn_* </i></span>
</li>
<li>To test the installation, pick a server form one of the directories.<br>
The files in the ovpn_udp and ovpn_tcp directories have following format: <i><county><number>.nordvpn.com.<protocol>.ovpn</i><br>
Example: <i>us349.nordvpn.com.udp.ovpn</i> This is a US access point running the UDP protocol.<br>
The other way to pick a access point is to go to: <https://nordvpn.com/servers/tools/> and pick the server you want form there.<br>
Select the country of the server you want to access and the tool provides you the best option for that moment.
</li>
<li>In the terminal window start *openVPN* and access the server of choice.</li>
<li>Examples:<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo openvpn us349.nordvpn.com.udp.ovpn</i></span> or<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo openvpn /etc/openvpn/client/ovpn_udp/us349.nordvpn.com.udp.ovpn</i></span>.
</li>
<li>Enter your NordVPN account details (username and password).</li>
<li>After a login process, displaying text in the terminal screen you should see a successful login.</li>
<li>To disconnect type: CTRL+C</li>
</ul>
<li>OpenVPN per Network Manager.<br>
It is not very handy to need to use VPN via the terminal window, therefore it is possible to use a graphical setup. Above proved that openVPN
is working. We can use the network manager of Mint to do the same, with a mouse click, as what was typed in the terminal. To make that
happening do:
</li>
<ul>
<li>Click the network icon in the right-bottom of the screen and select [Network Settings].<br>
<img alt="Figure 11" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_11.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:30%"">
</li>
<li>Click the ”<strong>+</strong>“ in the left bottom of the popped up screen.</li>
<li>Select in the Add VPN pop up <i>Import from File…</i></li>
<li>Enter your NordVPN User name and Password.</li>
<li>Browse to <i>/etc/openvpn/client/ovpn_udp</i> and select the configuration file of the server/access point to be used, like: <i>us349.nordvpn.com.udp.ovpn</i></li>
<li>Click [Add], and close the Network window.</li>
<li>Clicking now the network icon in the right-bottom will show a new selection, the VPN access point/sever that’s just add.<br>
<img alt="Figure 12" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_12.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:30%"">
</li>
<li>To test the VPN connection click the just added VPN link.<br>
When everything works well, the normal network icon in the task-bar will change into a key-lock and a short pop up shows that you are now on VPN.
<img alt="Figure 13" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_13.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:5%"">)
</li>
</ul>
<p class="tab">This is a lot handier than running a VPN connection from the terminal.</p>
<p class="tab"></p>
<p class="tab">Advantages:</p>
<ul>
<li>The VPN connection can be terminated using the slider switch in the network pop up.</li>
<li>A list of VPN access points can be add so that each time or when necessary another server/access point can be chosen.</li>
</ul>
<p class="tab">As easy as it is now to start a VPN session, it is required to each time perform the manual operation to start the VPN service. If you forget to do it, you are vulnerable.</p>
<li>Auto start VPN at boot.</li>
<ul>
<li>Click the network icon, possibly changed into a lock when using VPN, and select in the pop up menu [Network Connections].</li>
<li>Select in the pop up window the wired or wireless connection used to access the network/internet and clock the little wheel, right of + and -, in the left bottom<br>
<img alt="Figure 14" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_14.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:30%"">
</li>
<li>Click the [General] tab</li>
<li>Tick the square voting box in front of ‘Automatically connect to VPN when using this connection’.<br>
Select in the box the server/access point that needs to be used as VPN access point.
</li>
<li><strong>REMARK:</strong> before doing this, add first one or more VPN connections as described in <strong>OpenVPN per Network Manager</strong></li>
<li>[Save] and close the window.</li>
</ul>
<p class="tab">When rebooting or booting the PC a VPN connection is automatically established and internet connection is always secure.
It is also still possible to switch or close the VPN connection using the Network Manager in the bottom right of the screen</p>
</ul>
<h3 class="card-subtitle">NFS</h3>
<p class="card-text">Having a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device for storing backups, photos, music, movies and lots of other things is no longer a luxury. Those NAS devices are most of the time equipped with dual harddisks providing a very safe way to store all kinds of data that cannot be lost.
NAS devices can be accessed different ways; some have a web/browser interface but all support SMB (samba) and/or NFS (Network File System) access.</p>
<p>Years ago I’ve been told NFS was difficult to setup and not user friendly and … thus I’ve used for a long time samba to access my NAS devices. Accessing the NAS that way turned very often into issues/problems of folders not wanting to mount, NAS not found, and ….
Therefore I decided to try NFS and surprisingly its relative easy to setup, supported in all Linux distributions and access and transfer speed are fast. So, I’m thus setting up on every Linux PC in house a NFS connection to the NAS.</p>
<p><strong>Static NFS mounts</strong></p>
<p>Since the NAS is always running, I setup static NFS mounts, this way:</p>
<ul>
<li>Start a terminal</li>
<li>Install the necessary software packages: <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo apt install nfs-common</i></span></li>
<li>Type in the terminal <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>showmount -e <servername or server IP></i></span>.<br>
The response in the terminal will be something like:
</li>
<pre>
<code>
user@hostname:~$ showmount -e 192.100.1.1
Export list for 192.100.1.1:
/volume1/PublicMedia 192.100.1.1/255.255.255.192
/volume1/Family 192.100.1.1/255.255.255.192
/volume1/Josephine 192.100.1.1/255.255.255.192
/volume1/Marcel 192.100.1.1/255.255.255.192
</code>
</pre>
<li>Create the mount point main directory on the client (PC): <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo mkdir -p /mnt/DiskStation</i></span><br>
Directory name <i>DiskStation</i> can be any possible name (Example: Use the name of the NAS station.). Create the mount point in <i>/mnt</i>. Since <i>/mnt</i> is
a directory of the operating system root/sudo access is required in order to create new sub-directories. Sub-directories created as root/sudo get the permissions
of root/sudo and when leaving those it possible access issues pop up when trying to access the mount points as normal user.<br>
<p>Explained with an example:</p>
</li>
<ul>
<li>Assume the mount point for the NAS top level is going to be created in */mnt* and will get the name of the NAS drive, <i>Testarossa</i>.</li>
<li>Create the mount point thus as: <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo mkdir -p /mnt/Testarossa</i></span></li>
<li>The permissions of the Testarossa directory will be: <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>drwxr-xr-x 3 root root <size> <date> Testarossa</i></span><br>
As expected, the just created directory is owned by root and by the group of root.
</li>
<li>Before doing anything else, change the permissions of the top share into those of the user of the system.<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo chown <usersname> Testarossa</i></span><br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>chgrp <usersname> Testarossa</i></span><br>
Check the changes: ` ls -la /mnt` should report something like:<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>drwxr-xr-x 3 <usersname> <usersname> <size> <date> Testarossa</i></span>
</li>
</ul>
<li>Create under <i>Testarossa</i> directories with the names of the shared/exported file names of the NAS. In this case, as the earlier given <i>showmount</i> command
revealed: <i>Marcel</i>, <i>Josephine</i>, <i>Family</i> and <i>PublicMedia</i>.
</li>
<li>Make sure the NAS and shared directories are mount at boot, change the <i>/etc/fstab</i> file.</li>
<li>Add a mount command line to the <i>fstab</i> file. That line needs to tell what folder of the NAS to mount for what folder on the client. In a lot of cases it needs
some tuning with nfs options.<br>
For the options consult the documentation and blogs on the WWW.
</li>
<li>Edit <span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>sudo xed /etc/fstab</i></span> and add lines like that below to the <i>fstab</i> file;<br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i># NFS mounts on Testarossa (Synology NAS)</i></span><br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>NAS.IP.Address:/volume1/ShareDirName /mnt/Testarossa/ShareDirName nfs noauto,x-systemd.automount 0 0</i></span><br>
<span style="background-color: rgb(238, 231, 231)"><i>NAS.IP.Address:/volume1/PublicMedia /mnt/Testarossa/PublicMedia nfs noauto,x-systemd.automount 0 0</i></span>
</li>
<li>Save, logout or reboot and log back in.</li>
<li>Open the file browser (Nemo) and go to <i>/mnt/Testarossa</i>.</li>
<li>Double click on each of the directories in Testarossa and view the sub-directories and files of these directories on the NAS.</li>
<li>While in <i>/mnt/Testarossa</i> single click (select) one of the sub-directories and click then in the menu top bar [Bookmarks] [Add Bookmark].</li>
<li>This will create a bookmark in the left pane of Nemo called: <i>Testarossa</i></li>
<li>When clicking the bookmark, the NAS sub-directories are shown and ready to be used.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="card">
<div class="card-body">
<h2 class="card-title">Install programs</h2>
<p class="card-text">Here is the list of programs and tools installed on my computer but depending on what you use the computer for you might need other tools.</p>
<h3 class="card-subtitle">Rhytmbox</h3>
<p class="card-text"><strong>What is it:</strong></p>
<p>Rhythmbox is a music playing application for GNOME and gnome oriented desktop environments as Cinnamon.</p>
<p><strong>Installation:</strong>
<p>Rhytmbox itself is pre-installed with Mint/Ubuntu. When the earlier given instructions for enabling of Bluetooth are followed, Rhytmbox can be used with Bluetooth
speakers, headphones or other. The only thing missing is a good equalizer tool to adjust sound to your mood.</p>
<p>When searching the web for install instructions, sometimes the instruction to install "rhytmbox-plugin-complete" is given. THIS IS WRONG! Follow below instructions.</p>
<pre>
<code>
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:fossfreedom/rhythmbox-plugins
sudo apt update
sudo apt install rhythmbox-plugin-equalizer
</code>
</pre>
<h3 class="card-subtitle">Synaptic</h3>
<p class="card-text"><strong>What is it:</strong></p>
<p>Synaptic is a graphical package Manager for <strong>apt (apt-get)</strong>. Allows to install, remove packages (programs) in the system, and perform other actions
associated with managing packages.</p>
<p><strong>Installation:</strong>
<ul>
<li>Software manager tool.</li>
<li><strong>Normally pre-installed with Linux-Mint, just use it!</strong></li>
<li>If it's not sure it's pre-installed or if it's not pre-installed at all do:</li>
<ul>
<li>Start the graphical <i>Software manager</i></li>
<li>Enter in the search box <i>synaptic</i><br>
While typing the synaptic package install line will raise to the top of the selection.
</li>
<li>A green sign right of the name of the tool indicates it's installed and the Software Manager can e closed.</li>
<li>When nothing is indicated right of the tools name, click to select the tool and in the new window click the green [Install] button.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<h3 id="gdebi">Gdebi</h3>
<h4 id="what-is-it-">What is it:</h4>
<p>According to the utility's official documentation: "GDebi lets you install local deb packages resolving and installing its dependencies. apt does the same,
but only for remote (http, ftp) located packages."</p>
<h4 id="installation-">Installation:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Simple tool to view and install DEB files.</li>
<li><strong>Normally it is pre-installed with Linux-Mint, just use it</strong>. When double clicking a downloaded file with .deb extension, gdebi will
start and let you install the new software.
</li>
<li>When for one reason or another gdebi is not installed, act like for the <em>Synaptic</em> tool above</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="gparted">Gparted</h3>
<h4 id="what-is-it-">What is it:</h4>
<ul>
<li>GNOME partition editor (Hard- Disk management tool). This tool can help managing portable disks and USB drives.</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="installation-">Installation:</h4>
<ul>
<li><strong>Normally it is pre-installed with Linux-Mint, just use it</strong>. if not, launch the Software Manager and type gparted in the search box.
While typing the application raises to the top of the window. Click the gparted line and click the [Install] button.
</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="dconf-editor">dconf-editor</h4>
<h4 id="what-is-it-">What is it:</h4>
<p>Starting with GNOME 3.0, for storing system settings uses the <strong>GSettings</strong> framework, based on the file format <strong>dconf</strong>.
<strong>GSettings</strong> is used to store environment settings and applications and track their changes. For the user and the applications they are
represented as a single "<strong>tree</strong>" of options, like the <a href="https://mintguide.org/tools/537-crossover-run-any-windows-programs-on-linux-mint.html">Windows</a>
registry. In addition, GSettings allows system administrators to limit the change of those or other settings, making them mandatory for users.
<a href="https://mintguide.org/engine/dude/index/leech_out.php?a%3AaHR0cHM6Ly93aWtpLmdub21lLm9yZy9hY3Rpb24vc2hvdy9Qcm9qZWN0cy9kY29uZj9hY3Rpb249c2hvdyZyZWRpcmVjdD1kY29uZg%3D%3D">
<strong>dconf</strong></a> is a low-level configuration system, the configuration system is based on keys, which stores the settings for most applications. The configuration keys
are in the unstructured database (keys are logically interconnected grouped into categories), the key database is stored in a binary file located:
</p>
<h4 id="installation-">Installation:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Launch the Software Manager and type dconf in the search box. While typing the application raises to the top of the window.
Click the Dconf-editor line and click the [Install] button.
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="bleachbit">Bleachbit</h3>
<h4 id="what-is-it-">What is it:</h4>
<p>Clean Your System and Free Disk Space.
When your computer is getting full, BleachBit quickly frees disk space. When your information is only your business, BleachBit guards your privacy.
With BleachBit you can free cache, delete cookies, clear Internet history, shred temporary files, delete logs, and discard junk you didn't know was there.
Designed for Linux and Windows systems, it wipes clean thousands of applications including Firefox, Internet Explorer, Adobe Flash, Google Chrome, Opera,
Safari,and <a href="https://www.bleachbit.org/features">more</a>. Beyond simply deleting files, BleachBit includes advanced features such as shredding files
to prevent recovery, wiping free disk space to hide traces of files deleted by other applications, and vacuuming Firefox to make it faster. Better than free,
BleachBit is open source.
</p>
<h4 id="installation-">Installation:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Launch the Software Manager and type Bleachbit in the search box. While typing the application raises to the top of the window. Click the Bleachbit line and
click the [Install] button.
</li>
<li>When launching Bleachbit from the main Mint menu (Type bleachbit in the top search area. While typing the tool will pop up in the list) and ticking the voting
box “Check periodically for software ….” under [Edit] [Preferences] the tool will nearly immediately tell there is an update.</li>
<li>Click to get the update/upgrade and from the web page download the version for Mint 19.
</li>
<li>A .deb file will be downloaded and saved on the system. By default in /Downloads.</li>
<li>If not done already, close the running Bleachbit tool.</li>
<li>Open with Nemo (file browser) the /Downloads directory and double click the <em>bleachbit_x.x_all_ubuntu1804.deb</em> file. The previous installed Gdebi tool
will start and from here the new version of Bleachbit can be installed [Install Package].
</li>
<li>The Gdebi tool will announce that and older version is available, just answer by clicking [Close] and let to tool install the new version.</li>
<li>Restart Bleachbit as user and when down again as administrator.
<ul>
<li>When Bleachbit starts it shows again the <em>Preferences</em> window as pop up.</li>
<li>Tick:
<ul>
<li>Hide irrelevance cleaners</li>
<li>Overwrite contents of files to prevent recovery (safety option)</li>
<li>Exit after cleaning</li>
<li>Confirm before delete</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Click [Close]</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Select in the left pane of the main menu the options that need to be cleaned out.
This will probably be different in normal and administrator mode.
</li>
<li>Run a clean operation.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="dropbox">dropbox</h3>
<h4 id="what-is-it-">What is it:</h4>
<p>Keep everything organized without breaking your flow.
Dropbox brings your files together, in one central place. They’re easy to find and safely synced across all your devices—so you can access them
anytime, anywhere. No more wasting the day tracking down work.
</p>
<h4 id="installation-">Installation:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Open a web browser and go to <a href="http://www.dropbox.com">http://www.dropbox.com</a></li>
<li>Click the [Download] button</li>
<li>Download the 64-bit .deb file and save it (default in /Downloads).</li>
<li>Close the web browser, open Nemo and go to where the dropbox .deb file is saved.</li>
<li>Double click the deb file and let gdebi install the tool.
It is possible that with the installation some extra files need to be installed, allow it.
</li>
<li>When gdebi has finished installing, close it and start dropbox from the main menu.</li>
<li>This will install more stuff and finally open the dropbox web site asking for credentials.</li>
<li>If you have a dropbox account, log in else create an account and log in. Continue and finalize the installation.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="oracle-java">Oracle Java</h3>
<h4 id="what-is-it-">What is it:</h4>
<p>Java is a programming language and computing platform first released by Sun Microsystems in 1995. There are lots of applications and websites that will
not work unless you have Java installed, and more are created every day. Java is fast, secure, and reliable. From laptops to datacenters, game
consoles to scientific supercomputers, cell phones to the Internet, Java is everywhere!
The Java slogan of Oracle: Java Powers Our Digital World
</p>
<h4 id="installation-">Installation:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Start a web browser and go to the <a href="https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html">Oracle Java download page</a></li>
<li>Click on the download icon (It says now, Jul 2019, Java Platform (JDK) 12 but might show an newer version) in the middle of the page
Agree to the license terms and download the .DEB file for 64-bit.<img src="./Figures/Figure_20.png" alt="Figure 20">
</li>
<li>The downloaded file is by default save in the /Download directory.</li>
<li>Double click the .deb file or right click the .deb file and select open with gdebi.</li>
<li>When gdebi is ready to install the application and <strong>before installing</strong> click the [Include File] tab.<br>
Search in the long list of file for <em><some_path>/bin/java</em> and <em><some_path>/bin/java</em>c<em>.<br>
In my case the path to </em>java<em> looked like; <code>/usr/lib/jvm/jdk-12.0.2/bin/java</code><br>
Write the </em><some_path>* down for later use.
</li>
<li>Click the [Install Package] button and let gdebi install the tool.</li>
<li>When installed close gdebi and open a terminal.</li>
<li>In the terminal enter following commands:<br>
<pre>
<code>
sudo <span class="hljs-keyword">update</span>-alternatives --install <span class="hljs-string">"/usr/bin/java"</span> <span class="hljs-string">"java"</span> <span class="hljs-string">"<some_path>/bin/java"</span> <span class="hljs-number">1500</span>
sudo <span class="hljs-keyword">update</span>-alternatives --install <span class="hljs-string">"/usr/bin/javac"</span> <span class="hljs-string">"javac"</span> <span class="hljs-string">"<some_path>/bin/javac"</span> <span class="hljs-number">1500</span>
The <span class="hljs-symbol"><some_path></span> <span class="hljs-keyword">is</span> the retained path discovered in gdebi.
</code>
</pre>
</li>
<li>Run now following command in the terminal: <code>sudo update-alternatives --config java</code><br>
This will pop up in the terminal following text<br>
<pre>
<code>
here are <span class="hljs-number">2</span> choices <span class="hljs-keyword">for</span> the alternative java (providing /usr/bin/java).
Selection Path Priority Status
------------------------------------------------------------
* <span class="hljs-number">0</span> /usr/<span class="hljs-class"><span class="hljs-keyword">lib</span>/<span class="hljs-title">jvm</span>/<span class="hljs-title">jdk</span>-12.0.1/<span class="hljs-title">bin</span>/<span class="hljs-title">java</span> 1500 <span class="hljs-title">auto</span> <span class="hljs-title">mode</span></span>
<span class="hljs-number">1</span> /usr/<span class="hljs-class"><span class="hljs-keyword">lib</span>/<span class="hljs-title">jvm</span>/<span class="hljs-title">java</span>-11-<span class="hljs-title">openjdk</span>-<span class="hljs-title">amd64</span>/<span class="hljs-title">bin</span>/<span class="hljs-title">java</span> 1101 <span class="hljs-title">manual</span> <span class="hljs-title">mode</span></span>
<span class="hljs-number">2</span> /usr/<span class="hljs-class"><span class="hljs-keyword">lib</span>/<span class="hljs-title">jvm</span>/<span class="hljs-title">jdk</span>-12.0.1/<span class="hljs-title">bin</span>/<span class="hljs-title">java</span> 1500 <span class="hljs-title">manual</span> <span class="hljs-title">mode</span></span>
Press <enter> to keep the current choice[*], or <span class="hljs-keyword">type</span> selection <span class="hljs-symbol">number:</span> ^C
</code>
</pre>
</li>
<li>Do what is asked, press enter to keep the * choice or provide a value and press enter.</li>
<li>Add a JAVA_HOME to the environment. Do this to allow programs using Java to know where to go and what to use. In the alternatives menu the path of each install Java version
is displayed. Copy the path of the Java install setup as default version.
</li>
<li>Open and edit <em>/home/<user>/.bash_aliases</em> or <em>/home/<user>/.bash</em> and add JAVA_HOME to the environments. Add below lines to one of the files:</li>
<li>
<pre>
<code>
<span class="hljs-comment"># Oracle Java</span>
JAVA_HOME=<span class="hljs-regexp">/usr/</span>lib<span class="hljs-regexp">/jvm/</span>jdk-<span class="hljs-number">12.0</span>.<span class="hljs-number">1</span><span class="hljs-regexp">/bin/</span>java
</code>
</pre>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="remark-">Remark:</h3>
<ul>
<li>This is an in-between the installation of software item.</li>
<li>At the end of all messages after running <code>sudo apt update</code> a message as below can be displayed
<pre>
<code>
Reading <span class="hljs-keyword">state</span> information... Done
<span class="hljs-number">2</span> packages can be upgraded. Run 'apt list --upgradable' <span class="hljs-keyword">to</span> see them.
</code>
</pre>
It is possible to run apt with suggested options in order to get the packages updated/upgraded but it is possibly easier to do the graphical way.
After doing this regularly checking the icon in the taskbar keeps the machine up to date with the latest packages.
<ul>
<li>Check the taskbar for the icon of figure 19. When the taskbar is at the bottom of the screen, it will be displayed at the right side.
<ul>
<li>If the icons is displayed as in figure 19, updates to software are available.</li>
<li>Click the icon and tick [Install Updates]</li>
<li>The the icon will change into the icon as showed in figure 20.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<img alt="Figure 19" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_19.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:5%"">
     
<img alt="Figure 21" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_21.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:5%""><br>
Figure 19 Figure 20
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="eid-electronic-id-belgium-">Eid (Electronic ID Belgium)</h3>
<h4 id="what-is-it-">What is it:</h4>
<p>The Belgian <strong>eID</strong> <strong>is</strong> an essential element in the chain of trust that provides a framework for safe digital exchanges. By its virtue of certifying the
identity of the person doing the exchange and protecting access to citizens' data, the Belgian <strong>eID</strong> card actively participates in the success of e-Government policy.</p>
<h4 id="installation-">Installation:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Go to: <a href="https://eid.belgium.be/en">https://eid.belgium.be/en</a></li>
<li>Click the link: <a href="https://eid.belgium.be/en/block/18/popup?width=970&height=570&top=10">Download eID software for another operating system</a></li>
<li>In the new window that pops up, browse down to the button [Download for Linux], click on it.</li>
<li>Click the button: [Download eid-archive.deb]</li>
<li>Click [Accept and download] and save it into <em>/Downloads</em>
This does not close or do anything else, the windows stays open what can cause confusion.
</li>
<li>Browse using Nemo to the <em>/Downloads</em> directory.</li>
<li>Double click the downloaded <em>eid-archive_<year>.<version>.deb</em></li>
<li>Allow gdebi to install the repositories and security keys (that is what the .deb file is).</li>
<li>open a terminal</li>
<li>Type:
<pre>
<code>
sudo apt <span class="hljs-keyword">update</span> (the terminal <span class="hljs-keyword">output</span> should <span class="hljs-keyword">include</span> repositories <span class="hljs-keyword">for</span> Eid)
sudo apt <span class="hljs-keyword">install</span> eid-mw
sudo apt <span class="hljs-keyword">install</span> eid-viewer
</code>
</pre>
</li>
<li>Attach a card reader or use the build in card reader.</li>
<li>Restart the computer.</li>
<li>Go to the main menu and start the eid-viewer.</li>
<li>Plug your eid card into the reader.</li>
<li>Normally, when everything is working the eid-viewer should show the data on the eid card.</li>
<li>Leave the card in the reader.</li>
<li>Browse to this web page: <a href="http://test.eid.belgium.be/">http://test.eid.belgium.be/</a>
<ul>
<li>Wait a couple of seconds (10) while the card is read.</li>
<li>Password will be asked.</li>
<li>Click on [Start de test]</li>
<li>Normally the test should end by popping up into a new page telling the test is successful.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Finally go to this site: <a href="https://iamapps.belgium.be/tma/?lang=en">https://iamapps.belgium.be/tma/?lang=en</a>
<ul>
<li>Hit [Start test]</li>
<li>Hit [Log in]</li>
<li>Click [OK] for the user certificate</li>
<li>Provide the passcode</li>
<li>Wait for "Log in Successful"</li>
<li>Click the [Sign Out] button and close the web browser.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="cheese">Cheese</h3>
<h4 id="what-is-it-">What is it:</h4>
<p>Cheese for Linux uses your webcam to take photos and videos, applies fancy special effects, and lets you share the fun with others. Under the hood, Cheese uses GStreamer to apply fancy effects to photos and
videos. With Cheese it is easy to take photos of you, your friends, pets, or whatever you want and share them with others.</p>
<h4 id="installation-">Installation:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Start the Software Manager</li>
<li>Type in the search box: cheese</li>
<li>While typing the line with the Cheese tool will raise to the top of the window.
<img alt="Figure 23" src="Figures/Mint19/Figure_23.png?lastModify=1591601290" onerror="onImageErrorFunc(event)" onload="onLoadedFuncForQuickAction(event)" style="width:80%"">
<li>Click the selection and in the new popping up window click [Install]</li>
<li>Possibly extra tools need to be installed, allow this by clicking the [Continue] button.</li>
<li>When installed, test Cheese by clicking the [Launch] button.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="deluge">Deluge</h3>
<h4 id="what-is-it-">What is it:</h4>
<p><a href="http://deluge-torrent.org/">Deluge</a> is one of the most used <strong>torrent</strong> downloaders. It’s stable and easier to use as any other torrent client but the team makes it more stable by providing fix updates.</p>
<h4 id="installation-">Installation:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Open a terminal and type one line after the other:<br>
<pre>
<code>
sudo<span class="hljs-built_in"> add-apt-repository </span>ppa:deluge-team/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install deluge
</code>
</pre>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Although the default settings work pretty well, it might be useful to tune <em>Deluge</em> for a faster, better download experience. Possibly you can then use <a href="https://www.techsupportalert.com/optimizing-deluge-speed">this</a> web site. To make Deluge use a VPN connection and that VPN connection only, go <a href="https://forum.deluge-torrent.org/viewtopic.php?t=49883">here</a> for instructions. With this script installed when there is no VPN running <em>Deluge</em> is killed.</p>
<h3 id="vokoscreen">VokoScreen</h3>
<h4 id="what-is-it-">What is it:</h4>
<p>A screencasting tool for Linux.
<a href="http://www.kohaupt-online.de">Vokoscreen</a> is a new application that helps you to record your Linux desktop. It’s very simple and it uses a minimalistic GUI.</p>
<h4 id="installation-">Installation:</h4>
<ul>
<li>To install it, launch the Software Manager and type in the search box: vokoscreen</li>
<li>While typing the line with vokoscreen will raise to the top of the window.</li>
<li>Double click the line and hit the [Install] button.<br>
OR
</li>
<li>To install it open a terminal and type:
<pre>
<code>
sudo<span class="hljs-built_in"> add-apt-repository </span>ppa:vokoscreen-dev/vokoscreen
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install vokoscreen
</code>
</pre>
</li>
<li>Find here everything about <a href="http://www.kohaupt-online.de">Vokoscreen</a></li>
</ul>
<h3 id="darktable">Darktable</h3>
<h4 id="what-is-it-">What is it:</h4>
Darktable is an open source photography workflow application and raw developer. A virtual lighttable and darkroom for photographers. It manages your digital negatives in a database, lets you view them through a zoom-able lighttable and enables you to develop raw images and enhance
them.
<h4 id="installation-">Installation:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Open a terminal and type one line after the other:
<pre>
<code>
sudo<span class="hljs-built_in"> add-apt-repository </span>ppa:pmjdebruijn/darktable-release
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt install darktable
</code>
</pre>
</li>
<li>Find darktable stuff <a href="https://www.darktable.org/">here</a></li>
</ul>
<h3 id="pinegrow">Pinegrow</h3>
<h4 id="what-is-it-">What is it:</h4>
<p>Pinegrow is a <strong>non-free</strong> web editor that lets you build responsive websites faster with live multi-page editing, CSS & SASS styling, CSS Grid editor and smart components for Bootstrap, Foundation and
WordPress.</p>
<h4 id="installation-">Installation:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Download it and run the free trial or buy a license. Go for the Pinegrow-Pro version (normally its about $90 but regularly there are sales and then its possible to get up to 25% off).
</li>
<li>Download the zip file.
</li>
<li>Open a terminal and do following to get Pinegrow running.
<ul>
<li>First check this: Since Pinegrow 4.2, In case Pinegrow doesn't start on Linux, this is probably because the <em>libnss</em> system library needs to be updated
</li>
<li>Use <em>Synaptic Package Manager</em> to check if <em>libnss3</em> is installed.
If it is nothing needs to be done, else
Launch a terminal ans install <em>libnss</em> as showed below.
<pre><code> sudo apt-<span class="hljs-built_in">get</span> <span class="hljs-keyword">update</span>
sudo apt-<span class="hljs-built_in">get</span> install libnss3
</code></pre></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Remember that tools are installed in Unix/Linux systems in the <em>/opt</em> directory owned by root. Thus In the terminal change directory to <em>/opt</em>.
</li>
<li>Make a directory for <em>Pinegrow</em> and call it for easiness <em>Pinegrow</em>.
</li>
<li><pre><code> <span class="hljs-keyword">cd</span> /<span class="hljs-keyword">opt</span>
sudo <span class="hljs-built_in">mkdir</span> Pinegrow
<span class="hljs-keyword">cd</span> Pinegrow