I am beginning to like this Linux stuff

[mick]

Pan is now working how I want it to. I am still learning new things the more I use it.

Evolution is brilliant, so far it is as good as Outlook. Multiple mail accounts were very easy to set up,
all delivered to one Inbox then sorted by rules (filters) to folders as emails are downloaded. It actually
works better than Outlook on that.

Those two programs are keepers so Thunderbird can go, a program I have never liked.

Krusader IMO is much better than Worker. Very configurable but will take time to get it configure how I
need it.

In the past I have just dabbled with Linux, looked at programs and thought they were all a bit basic
and sort of dismissed them, but having stuck with it a few hours and played around with them I am
finding there is far more under the skin than some windows equivalents. Windows software probably
tends to be more in your face at the outset which can seem daunting sometimes, whereas with Linux
it looks more basic and you have to search around for the 'pro' bits. Makes it more fun to learn :-)

I have been using an old spare Compaq desktop with 17 inch monitor that I had put Mint on. Today I
hooked up to one of my 23 inch monitors and it has just took everything up another level, so much
more real estate to play with which makes it all come alive. Well pleased so far.

[DaveG]

Today I hooked up to one of my 23 inch monitors and it has just took
everything up another level, so much more real estate to play with which
makes it all come alive.

Have you for multiple virtual desktops set up too? It;s usually the
default on most Linux desktops.

I sometimes find duel 19" screens are not enough and don't want to keep
minimising/restoring app windows.

[mick]

Post by DaveG

Today I hooked up to one of my 23 inch monitors and it has just took
everything up another level, so much more real estate to play with which
makes it all come alive.

Have you for multiple virtual desktops set up too? It;s usually the
default on most Linux desktops.

No, not yet, I'm still at walk pace ;-)

Post by DaveG
I sometimes find duel 19" screens are not enough and don't want to keep
minimising/restoring app windows.

I like just one screen, 23 inch is nice which gives A4 portrait size in
height. 24 inch perhaps but any more and I think it would get
uncomfortable to be in front of for a long time. Just measured from eye
to screen, 22/24 inches LOL , sad or what!
Though I had a 19 inch in the garage which would do for the Linux
machine. Just been and measured it and its only a 15 inch :-(
Might get a KVM switch and have the two boxes feeding one monitor,
although I kept typing on the keyboard in front of the monitor today
which was the wrong one for the linux box which sits ninety degrees to
my right. :-)

[DaveG]

Post by mick

Post by DaveG

Today I hooked up to one of my 23 inch monitors and it has just took
everything up another level, so much more real estate to play with
which makes it all come alive.

Have you for multiple virtual desktops set up too? It;s usually the
default on most Linux desktops.

No, not yet, I'm still at walk pace ;-)

Look on the task bar. If it's set already for more than one you'll see a
"blank" area showing two boxes side by side or box divided into
quarters. It's "active" in that any open windows on a desktop will show
in teeny tiny micro form on the weeny little desktops.

On Xubuntu you can change it in Settings --> Settings Manager -->
Workspaces. I'd imagine it's similar in whatever desktop you are using.

Once you get the hang of it, you use compiz/special effects stuff and set
it so moving the mouse to a "hot spot", eg a screen corner or top/bottom/
side middle, or even a mouse button to get an OpenGL 3D cude you can
rotate/click to select which desktop you want. I tend not to use that
with two screens though. It looks a bit weird on dual screens!

Post by mick

Post by DaveG
I sometimes find duel 19" screens are not enough and don't want to keep
minimising/restoring app windows.

I like just one screen, 23 inch is nice which gives A4 portrait size in
height. 24 inch perhaps but any more and I think it would get
uncomfortable to be in front of for a long time. Just measured from eye
to screen, 22/24 inches LOL , sad or what!
Though I had a 19 inch in the garage which would do for the Linux
machine. Just been and measured it and its only a 15 inch :-(
Might get a KVM switch and have the two boxes feeding one monitor,
although I kept typing on the keyboard in front of the monitor today
which was the wrong one for the linux box which sits ninety degrees to
my right. :-)

So plug the k/b via the KVN too! :-)

To some extent I understand what you mean about one big screen instead of
two or more screens. The upside of two screens from my point of view is
that I can maximise a window and take up one screen, not the whole of my
one and only screen. Likewise, the task bar etc appears on the primary
screen and not the other screen(s) which has my background widgets etc on
it.

As I type here on the laptop, I'm upgrading all four PCs using four xterm
windows on the second virtual desktop and have Pan and Firefox open on
the first virtual desktop. It helps keep the task bar manageable since
that's 1/3rd used by the desktop switcher, time/date, live weather,
volume, battery charge and network status info and it's easier to switch
between meta-tasks if I keep similar tasks on separate virtual desktops
:-)

[mick]

Post by DaveG

Post by mick

Post by DaveG

Today I hooked up to one of my 23 inch monitors and it has just took
everything up another level, so much more real estate to play with
which makes it all come alive.

Have you for multiple virtual desktops set up too? It;s usually the
default on most Linux desktops.

No, not yet, I'm still at walk pace ;-)

Look on the task bar. If it's set already for more than one you'll see a
"blank" area showing two boxes side by side or box divided into
quarters. It's "active" in that any open windows on a desktop will show
in teeny tiny micro form on the weeny little desktops.
On Xubuntu you can change it in Settings --> Settings Manager -->
Workspaces. I'd imagine it's similar in whatever desktop you are using.
Once you get the hang of it, you use compiz/special effects stuff and set
it so moving the mouse to a "hot spot", eg a screen corner or top/bottom/
side middle, or even a mouse button to get an OpenGL 3D cude you can
rotate/click to select which desktop you want. I tend not to use that
with two screens though. It looks a bit weird on dual screens!

I'll have a look at that when I come down to earth, still on a high
from getting Pan and Evolution working well.

Post by DaveG

Post by mick

Post by DaveG
I sometimes find duel 19" screens are not enough and don't want to keep
minimising/restoring app windows.

I like just one screen, 23 inch is nice which gives A4 portrait size in
height. 24 inch perhaps but any more and I think it would get
uncomfortable to be in front of for a long time. Just measured from eye
to screen, 22/24 inches LOL , sad or what!
Though I had a 19 inch in the garage which would do for the Linux
machine. Just been and measured it and its only a 15 inch :-(
Might get a KVM switch and have the two boxes feeding one monitor,
although I kept typing on the keyboard in front of the monitor today
which was the wrong one for the linux box which sits ninety degrees to
my right. :-)

So plug the k/b via the KVN too! :-)

Yes, its nice to have dual computers though, windows on one and linux
on the other. I just swivel the chair around without moving my feet.
Might think about getting another box and larger monitor. Nearly
bought a replacement laptop last week but I couldn't really justify the
use I'd get out of it. More experimenting first.

Post by DaveG
To some extent I understand what you mean about one big screen instead of
two or more screens. The upside of two screens from my point of view is
that I can maximise a window and take up one screen, not the whole of my
one and only screen. Likewise, the task bar etc appears on the primary
screen and not the other screen(s) which has my background widgets etc on
it.
As I type here on the laptop, I'm upgrading all four PCs using four xterm
windows on the second virtual desktop and have Pan and Firefox open on
the first virtual desktop. It helps keep the task bar manageable since
that's 1/3rd used by the desktop switcher, time/date, live weather,
volume, battery charge and network status info and it's easier to switch
between meta-tasks if I keep similar tasks on separate virtual desktops
:-)