Ubuntu Linux questions

THEBERBSTER · 03-29-17, 04:58 AM

General quarters > General quarters > Send for Rockin Robbins

Peter

Rockin Robbins · 03-29-17, 12:45 PM

Hello there! Whenever you start a software that can install software you are prompted for your password before you are given administrator privileges, even if you are logged into an administrator level account. This is the same password you use to log into the system on startup.

Ubuntu Software, Synaptic Package Manager and gdebi, along with the command prompt apt programs all require this password. You are asked when you start the program and then until you log off the program your credentials are good.

For instance, if I were to install Krusader from the command prompt I would type "sudo apt-get install Krusader" The system would respond with "Administrator password: " and I would have to enter my password, even though my account has administrator privileges.

Sudo means "supervisor do," apt-get is the name of the program that installs software (even the gui is using this routine), install is what you want apt-get to do and you want it to install Krusader.

I'll check out Krusader when I get home to see if I encounter anything strange there.

Reece · 03-29-17, 07:10 PM

I don't have a password to log in to Ubuntu at the start but if the computer sits for too long it turns partly off and moving the mouse starts it up again. I am prompted with a password and I enter it and all is going again, this password will not work when I try to install Krusader via "Ubuntu Software".

I still have a lot of reading and learning to do yet, the book pointed to this button and thought I'd give it a try on something I want to install.

Thanks.

Rockin Robbins · 03-29-17, 07:49 PM

So you're looking at this screen?

Now if Ubuntu starts without a password one of two things is happening:

You didn't set up a password. In this case just hit enter when it asks for your password and you're off to the races.
You set up a password but told Ubuntu to automatically log you in. In that case you must remember your administrator password used when you first set up Ubuntu and type it in. Ubuntu passwords are case sensitive. Bob and bob are two entirely different words.

Reece · 03-29-17, 10:30 PM

If I put in my password and enter I get "Your authentication attempt was unsuccessful, Please try again." The same thing if I leave it blank and hit enter.

I tried changing the password that was only 6 characters long and it wouldn't let me unless it had a minimum of 8, so maybe that was the problem, the new longer password worked or seemed to. The icon for Krusader is on the left bar, pointing to it displays "waiting to install" after 15 minutes nothing has changed, if I right click on it it shows "Krusader - root mode", what ever that is!!

Edit:
It seems this is a bug!!! Typical the first thing I try fails!!

Seems "Ubuntu Software Center" is useless, I now have to try an app called GDebi, now it is one thing to download it but how do I install it, and where?
I then have to open a terminal (haven't learned how to do that yet), and enter the following: "sudo apt-get install gdebi" or does this download it and install it????

I will try to read up on this!!

Edit:
Well I managed to get the updater going and updated 191mb of stuff, the Ubuntu Software Center is working now but ever so slow!! Not sure if updating actually fixed it but it is done. The book is definitely out dated and will have to pay the extra $$ to get a copy that covers this version.
I can't seem to find a list/menu of installed applications, the only way I can find them is through Ubuntu Software Center, there must be an easier way!!
The IT person that installed this selected 16.04 LTE, should I stick to this or update it?

This is a screenshot of the desktop:

Reece · 03-30-17, 05:55 AM

Can't seem to find any applications!!

I made a new folder on the desktop and want to place some shortcuts to applications here and although there are many applications installed I can't find even one!!! Help!!!

Skybird · 03-30-17, 07:02 AM

Reece, do you know why they have developed Linux Mint (which bases heavily on Ubuntu, as far as I understand)? Because it is meant to make migration from Windows to Mint easier than any other Linux distribution. That is its big advantage.

As long as you are no deep-digging computer insider, you simply do not need the additional options that ubuntu may offer, while being able to use many of the Ubuntu-apps nevertheless - as I said Ubuntu and Mint are very close.

Before you frustrate yourself any longer and then turn into one of those voices telling the world that Linux is so difficult and so unkind

, I would consider to get myself an introductory book on Ubuntu, or Mint, and then start from scratch. I do not know Ubuntu, but Mint a little bit now, as long as no technical problems show up indeed is easy handling. Linux becomes more difficult to handle once there are problems, because one needs to have far more technical background knowledge on commands and syntax rules than you need under Windows until W7, due to the need to use the command line interpreter then. Could a Windows user all of a sudden get along when needing to use MSDOS? Hardly. That is the one bad news with Linux: you reach this critical point earlier than you use to reach it under W7. The good news is that once running, Linux is more problem-free than Windows, and more reliable, and faster. Also, those knowing the mentioned text interface and its syntax, can repair problems under Linux that in a windows environment are more difficult to solve.

Go to the library or bookshop, and find one of these Linux-for-Dummies book or something like that. A beginner book. Nothing bad in that - i did like that myself, too! Read for an afternoon, and then when you feel prepared well enough and have inhaled some of the basics and differences that indeed also exist, compared to Windows, install new - and do it yourself. What I mean is: be prepared.

Consider Mint over Ubuntu. Robbins will disagree, but he has a far more elaborated perspective and probably can make use of the differences between Ubuntu and Mint, has a need for it. I could not, and have no need for these diferences - and I assume you would not have that need, too. There is a reason why today Mint has overtaken Ubuntu in user numbers. It is the most popular of all the Linux distrubutions.

What I mean, is this: from your descriptions I cannot even form an image of what your situation is, that confusing it is for me.

If you stick with your current Ubuntu, search for the one dominant Ubuntu community forum that must be out there somewhere, to get input on your problems. I know the according Mint communties, and I am certain Ubuntu has pendants to that. Then ask them and describe your status in as much linear clarity (I mean the exact sequence of your actions) and detail as you can. If these guys are like those I met in the Mint forum, they will not stop helping you until they got you set on your right course - and they will react fast.

Good luck!

03-29-17, 04:58 AM	#1
THEBERBSTER Growing Old Disgracefully Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hythe - Southampton Posts: 9,609 Downloads: 1133 Uploads: 0	General quarters > General quarters > Send for Rockin Robbins Peter __________________ LSH3-2015 <> TUTORIALS <> ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW <> ALL IN ONE PLACE SH4 <> TUTORIALS <> HOW TO DO IT <> INFORMATION <> DOWNLOAD LINKS SH5 <> TUTORIALS <> HOW TO DO IT <> INFORMATION <> DOWNLOAD LINKS Always Here To Help A Fellow 'Subber' \| Need An Answer to A Question Just Send Me A PM

03-29-17, 12:45 PM	#2
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	Hello there! Whenever you start a software that can install software you are prompted for your password before you are given administrator privileges, even if you are logged into an administrator level account. This is the same password you use to log into the system on startup. Ubuntu Software, Synaptic Package Manager and gdebi, along with the command prompt apt programs all require this password. You are asked when you start the program and then until you log off the program your credentials are good. For instance, if I were to install Krusader from the command prompt I would type "sudo apt-get install Krusader" The system would respond with "Administrator password: " and I would have to enter my password, even though my account has administrator privileges. Sudo means "supervisor do," apt-get is the name of the program that installs software (even the gui is using this routine), install is what you want apt-get to do and you want it to install Krusader. I'll check out Krusader when I get home to see if I encounter anything strange there. __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS Last edited by Rockin Robbins; 03-29-17 at 01:10 PM.

03-29-17, 07:10 PM	#3
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,720 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	I don't have a password to log in to Ubuntu at the start but if the computer sits for too long it turns partly off and moving the mouse starts it up again. I am prompted with a password and I enter it and all is going again, this password will not work when I try to install Krusader via "Ubuntu Software". I still have a lot of reading and learning to do yet, the book pointed to this button and thought I'd give it a try on something I want to install. Thanks. __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

03-29-17, 07:49 PM	#4
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	So you're looking at this screen? Now if Ubuntu starts without a password one of two things is happening: You didn't set up a password. In this case just hit enter when it asks for your password and you're off to the races. You set up a password but told Ubuntu to automatically log you in. In that case you must remember your administrator password used when you first set up Ubuntu and type it in. Ubuntu passwords are case sensitive. Bob and bob are two entirely different words. __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

03-29-17, 10:30 PM	#5
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,720 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	If I put in my password and enter I get "Your authentication attempt was unsuccessful, Please try again." The same thing if I leave it blank and hit enter. I tried changing the password that was only 6 characters long and it wouldn't let me unless it had a minimum of 8, so maybe that was the problem, the new longer password worked or seemed to. The icon for Krusader is on the left bar, pointing to it displays "waiting to install" after 15 minutes nothing has changed, if I right click on it it shows "Krusader - root mode", what ever that is!! Edit: It seems this is a bug!!! Typical the first thing I try fails!! Seems "Ubuntu Software Center" is useless, I now have to try an app called GDebi, now it is one thing to download it but how do I install it, and where? I then have to open a terminal (haven't learned how to do that yet), and enter the following: "sudo apt-get install gdebi" or does this download it and install it???? I will try to read up on this!! Edit: Well I managed to get the updater going and updated 191mb of stuff, the Ubuntu Software Center is working now but ever so slow!! Not sure if updating actually fixed it but it is done. The book is definitely out dated and will have to pay the extra $$ to get a copy that covers this version. I can't seem to find a list/menu of installed applications, the only way I can find them is through Ubuntu Software Center, there must be an easier way!! The IT person that installed this selected 16.04 LTE, should I stick to this or update it? This is a screenshot of the desktop: __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!* Last edited by Reece; 03-30-17 at 02:30 AM.

03-30-17, 05:55 AM	#6
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,720 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	Can't seem to find any applications!! I made a new folder on the desktop and want to place some shortcuts to applications here and although there are many applications installed I can't find even one!!! Help!!! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

03-30-17, 07:02 AM	#7
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,637 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Reece, do you know why they have developed Linux Mint (which bases heavily on Ubuntu, as far as I understand)? Because it is meant to make migration from Windows to Mint easier than any other Linux distribution. That is its big advantage. As long as you are no deep-digging computer insider, you simply do not need the additional options that ubuntu may offer, while being able to use many of the Ubuntu-apps nevertheless - as I said Ubuntu and Mint are very close. Before you frustrate yourself any longer and then turn into one of those voices telling the world that Linux is so difficult and so unkind , I would consider to get myself an introductory book on Ubuntu, or Mint, and then start from scratch. I do not know Ubuntu, but Mint a little bit now, as long as no technical problems show up indeed is easy handling. Linux becomes more difficult to handle once there are problems, because one needs to have far more technical background knowledge on commands and syntax rules than you need under Windows until W7, due to the need to use the command line interpreter then. Could a Windows user all of a sudden get along when needing to use MSDOS? Hardly. That is the one bad news with Linux: you reach this critical point earlier than you use to reach it under W7. The good news is that once running, Linux is more problem-free than Windows, and more reliable, and faster. Also, those knowing the mentioned text interface and its syntax, can repair problems under Linux that in a windows environment are more difficult to solve. Go to the library or bookshop, and find one of these Linux-for-Dummies book or something like that. A beginner book. Nothing bad in that - i did like that myself, too! Read for an afternoon, and then when you feel prepared well enough and have inhaled some of the basics and differences that indeed also exist, compared to Windows, install new - and do it yourself. What I mean is: be prepared. Consider Mint over Ubuntu. Robbins will disagree, but he has a far more elaborated perspective and probably can make use of the differences between Ubuntu and Mint, has a need for it. I could not, and have no need for these diferences - and I assume you would not have that need, too. There is a reason why today Mint has overtaken Ubuntu in user numbers. It is the most popular of all the Linux distrubutions. What I mean, is this: from your descriptions I cannot even form an image of what your situation is, that confusing it is for me. If you stick with your current Ubuntu, search for the one dominant Ubuntu community forum that must be out there somewhere, to get input on your problems. I know the according Mint communties, and I am certain Ubuntu has pendants to that. Then ask them and describe your status in as much linear clarity (I mean the exact sequence of your actions) and detail as you can. If these guys are like those I met in the Mint forum, they will not stop helping you until they got you set on your right course - and they will react fast. Good luck! __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.