Showing posts with label fedora. Show all posts

Saturday, 11 April 2026

Desktop Icons on GNOME

GNOME has traditionally always been one to prefer the benefits of a clean Desktop.

But I'm not one for traditions.

GNOME Extensions

There's an GNOME extention available called Desktop Icons NG (DIN)¹.

If you have installed it, you can see if you properly have it by "gnome-extensions show ding@rastersoft.com".

Once you install it, you can query to see if it is enabled using "gnome-extensions list --enabled", it should contain at least ding@rastersoft.com

Enabling it would probably help: "gnome-extensions enable ding@rastersoft.com" if it's not there.

You're likely to have to logout and log back in, to load extensions.

Extra steps

What I needed to do was:

copy the application file (thingy.desktop) from /usr/share/applications somewhere and then drag it onto my Desktop.
Make it Executable
Set it to "Allow launching"

References

[1] Desktop Icons NG (DING) by rastersoft: https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/2087/desktop-icons-ng-ding/

Thursday, 14 October 2021

My Printer's Gone!

I was missing my printer. Turns out I could just add it in the Printer Settings in Linux.

I don't know why it was suddenly missing, though.

Perhaps it happened during an upgrade of Fedora Core.

I know I installed all the required drivers some time ago.

Oh well. I thought it was something serious. It's nice to be disappointed.

References

MyBlog - Installing Printer Driver in Fedora for Epson ET-3750: https://randomthoughtsonjavaprogramming.blogspot.com/2021/03/installing-printer-driver-in-fedora-for.html

Thursday, 4 March 2021

Installing Printer Driver in Fedora for Epson ET-3750

Just some information in case I need to reinstall the drivers sometime in the future.

The following is in my log:

[ 650.114340] usb 2-1.8: new high-speed USB device number 5 using ehci-pci
[ 650.196888] usb 2-1.8: New USB device found, idVendor=04b8, idProduct=1130, bcdDevice= 1.00
[ 650.196896] usb 2-1.8: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[ 650.196900] usb 2-1.8: Product: ET-3750 Series
[ 650.196903] usb 2-1.8: Manufacturer: EPSON
[ 650.196907] usb 2-1.8: SerialNumber: 583445553036353185
[ 650.245866] usblp 2-1.8:1.1: usblp0: USB Bidirectional printer dev 5 if 1 alt 0 proto 2 vid 0x04B8 pid 0x1130
[ 650.245915] usbcore: registered new interface driver usblp

I found some information at [1].

[root@mrbear Downloads]# dnf install lsb

Lsb is required, or it starts complaining when trying to install the rpm packages.

rpm -i epson-inkjet-printer-escpr2-1.1.25-1lsb3.2.x86_64.rpm
rpm -i epson-printer-utility-1.1.1-1lsb3.2.x86_64.rpm

Via LPADMIN

# lpadmin -p [PRINTER_NAME] -v [DEVICE_URI] -P [PPD_FILE] -E

# lpadmin -p et3750 -v "usb://EPSON/ET-3750%20Series?serial=583445553036353185&interface=1" -P /opt/epson-stuff-this-and-that-en.ppd.gz -E

Via Webbrowser

This works if you have attached the printer via USB cable.

You can access CUPS via a webbrowser at http://localhost:631.

As administrator ask for "Add printer".

The list shows EPSON ET-3750 Series (EPSON ET-3750 Series).

Name: EPSON_ET-3750_Series
Description: EPSON ET-3750 Series
Location:
Connection: usb://EPSON/ET-3750%20Series?serial=583445553036353185&interface=1
Sharing: Do Not Share This Printer
Make: Epson
Model: (lsb/usr/epson-inkjet-printer-escpr2/Epson/Epson-ET-3750_Series-epson-inkjet-printer-escpr2.ppd.gz)
Epson ET-3750 Series - epson-inkjet-printer-escpr2 1.1.25-1lsb3.2 (Seiko Epson Corporation LSB 3.2) (en, nl, fr, de, it, ja, pt, es, ko, ru, zh_TW, zh_CN)
Or Provide a PPD File:

References

[1] Epson - Epson ET-3750: https://epson.com/Support/Printers/All-In-Ones/ET-Series/Epson-ET-3750/s/SPT_C11CG20201?review-filter=Linux

Wednesday, 29 April 2020

Upgrading Fedora Core

There's an article [1] here. I thought I'd bookmark it, for easy reference.

Reference

[1] Fedora Magazine - Upgrading Fedora 31 to Fedora 32: https://fedoramagazine.org/upgrading-fedora-31-to-fedora-32/

Thursday, 19 December 2019

Java Alternatives in Fedora Core - Followup

This is a followup of the blogpost Java Alternatives in Fedora Core.

The instructions in the blogpost also hold for Java 13.

[root@localhost ~]# dnf install java-13-openjdk
[root@localhost ~]# dnf install java-13-openjdk-devel

Unfortunately, there was a snag with Maven, so I thought I'd document it here.

Maven

Maven stubbornly remained firmly pointing to java 8, whatever alternative I picked in my Fedora Core.

[mrbear@localhost ~]$ mvn -version
Apache Maven 3.5.4 (Red Hat 3.5.4-5)
Maven home: /usr/share/maven
Java version: 1.8.0_232, vendor: Oracle Corporation, runtime: /usr/lib/jvm/java-1.8.0-openjdk-1.8.0.232.b09-0.fc30.x86_64/jre
Default locale: en_US, platform encoding: UTF-8
OS name: "linux", version: "5.3.11-200.fc30.x86_64", arch: "amd64", family: "unix"

Well, trying to compile a java application with version 13 in the pom.xml, is NOT going to work when your Maven is using openjdk 8.

Really no surprise there.

You get:

[ERROR] Failed to execute goal org.apache.maven.plugins:maven-compiler-plugin:3.8.0:compile (default-compile) on project mrbearapp: Fatal error compiling: invalid target release: 13 -> [Help 1]

It turns out I really need to set JAVA_HOME?

Editing .bashrc to add the following:

export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-13

Now I get:

[mrbear@localhost ~]$ mvn -version
Apache Maven 3.5.4 (Red Hat 3.5.4-5)
Maven home: /usr/share/maven
Java version: 13.0.1, vendor: N/A, runtime: /usr/lib/jvm/java-13-openjdk-13.0.1.9-2.rolling.fc30.x86_64
Default locale: en_US, platform encoding: UTF-8
OS name: "linux", version: "5.3.11-200.fc30.x86_64", arch: "amd64", family: "unix"

All is as it should be, and we are merrily on our way.

Thursday, 13 December 2018

Making your labtop battery last longer in Linux

So I went to Devoxx in Belgium, and I took my labtop along. Of course, it's in a Cinema, so there's no electrical sockets in the rooms.

I was looking to prolong the use of my labtop, so I was looking for extend the battery life.

There were several good articles about it (see below in the references.)

I choose to install the Xfce Desktop Environment, and I was pleasantly surprised my labtop managed to hold together for a lot longer.

Fedora has some notes on how to install it, it's basically running the package manager properly, and it's done.

It can be selected from the dropdown menu on the login screen.

I shall put the command line down here, so I do not forget:

sudo dnf install tlp tlp-rdw
sudo systemctl enable tlp

References

FOSS Post - 7 Tips to Reduce Battery Usage on Linux: https://fosspost.org/tutorials/7-tips-to-reduce-battery-usage-on-linux
Xfce Desktop Environment: https://www.xfce.org/
LXDE Desktop Environment for All: https://lxde.org/
Openbox - minimalistic window manager: http://openbox.org/wiki/Main_Page
Xfce In Fedora: https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Xfce

Thursday, 29 November 2018

Java Alternatives in Fedora Core

Installing Java 11

[root@localhost ~]# dnf install java-11-openjdk
[root@localhost ~]# dnf install java-11-openjdk-devel

Last metadata expiration check: 3:26:53 ago on Mon 12 Nov 2018 09:47:59 AM CET.
Dependencies resolved.
================================================================================
Package                   Arch       Version                 Repository   Size
================================================================================
Installing:
java-11-openjdk-devel     x86_64     1:11.0.1.13-1.fc28      updates     3.4 M

Transaction Summary
================================================================================
Install  1 Package

Total download size: 3.4 M
Installed size: 5.1 M
Is this ok [y/N]: y
Downloading Packages:
java-11-openjdk-devel-11.0.1.13-1.fc28.x86_64.rpm                                                                                                                                                75 kB/s | 3.4 MB     00:45
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                     72 kB/s | 3.4 MB     00:47
Running transaction check
Transaction check succeeded.
Running transaction test
Transaction test succeeded.
Running transaction
  Preparing                                       1/1
  Installing       : java-11-openjdk-devel-1:11.0.1.13-1.fc28.x86_64                                        1/1
  Running scriptlet: java-11-openjdk-devel-1:11.0.1.13-1.fc28.x86_64                                        1/1
                                               1/1
  Verifying        : java-11-openjdk-devel-1:11.0.1.13-1.fc28.x86_64                                                         1/1

Installed:
  java-11-openjdk-devel.x86_64 1:11.0.1.13-1.fc28

Complete!

Switching to another Java version

[mrbear@localhost ~]$ sudo alternatives --config java
[mrbear@localhost ~]$ sudo alternatives --config javac

There are 2 programs which provide 'javac'.

  Selection    Command
-----------------------------------------------
*  1           java-1.8.0-openjdk.x86_64 (/usr/lib/jvm/java-1.8.0-openjdk-1.8.0.181.b15-6.fc28.x86_64/bin/javac)
+ 2           java-11-openjdk.x86_64 (/usr/lib/jvm/java-11-openjdk-11.0.1.13-1.fc28.x86_64/bin/javac)

Enter to keep the current selection[+], or type selection number:

Of course my IntelliJ automatically detects the different Java versions installed on the system, when I tell it to add a new version of Java.

Nice.

References

Using alternative utils with JRE & JDK: https://robbinespu.github.io/eng/2018/03/21/Updating_java_with_alternative.html
Superhero Ninja - Easily switch between java versions using alternatives in Linux: https://superhero.ninja/2015/02/07/easily-switch-between-java-versions-using-alternatives-in-linux/

Monday, 5 November 2018

I use Fedora

In due time, when I was little, I got started with the Redhat Linux distribution. It was a great step in the direction of getting a Linux operating system up and running with very little tweaking. Of course, I still had to compile the kernel, and configure XWindows and all sorts of other things.

Eventually, Fedora came into my life, and I have been using it ever since.

It's my Operating System of Choice both at home and at work.

References

Fedora Magazine - Say thanks during Fedora Appreciation Week (Nov. 5-11): https://fedoramagazine.org/say-thanks-appreciation-week-2018/

Thursday, 26 July 2018

Remove splash screen in Fedora Core

Just a reminder of mine on how to remove the Splash screen from Fedora Core to make it more obvious if something is going wrong.

Edit /etc/default/grub and replace

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="rhgb quiet"

with

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""

After that, we need to run grub2-mkconfig:

[root@localhost ~]# grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg

Yes, that's right, I'm still using BIOS instead of UEFI. One of these days (years, decades), I'm going to have to upgrade my machine.

References

Re: What is "rhgb" on the grub, kernel line?: https://www.redhat.com/archives/rhl-list/2004-May/msg07775.html
Fedora Official Docs - Working with the GRUB 2 Boot Loader: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/f28/system-administrators-guide/kernel-module-driver-configuration/Working_with_the_GRUB_2_Boot_Loader.html

Sunday, 8 October 2017

Automatic updates with dnf-automatic

I have installed the package dnf-automatic, to allow for automatic updates to be installed.

dnf -y install dnf-automatic

There's only one configuration file available in /etc/dnf/automatic.conf.

I have set it to:

apply_updates = yes
download_updates = yes
upgrade_type = security

It shows that the timer is active:

[root@ ~]#systemctl status dnf-automatic.timer
● dnf-automatic.timer - dnf-automatic timer
Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/dnf-automatic.timer; enabled; vendor preset: disabled)
Active: active (waiting) since Tue 2017-09-19 07:27:51 CEST; 2 weeks 4 days ago

Warning: Journal has been rotated since unit was started. Log output is incomplete or unavailable.

[root@ ~]# systemctl list-timers *dnf-automatic* --all
NEXT LEFT LAST PASSED UNIT ACTIVATES
Sun 2017-10-08 08:28:05 CEST 5h 8min left Sat 2017-10-07 08:28:05 CEST 18h ago dnf-automatic.timer dnf-automatic.service

1 timers listed.

References

major.io - Automatic package updates with dnf: https://major.io/2015/05/11/automatic-package-updates-with-dnf/
Linux Audit - Automatic Security Updates with DNF: https://linux-audit.com/automatic-security-updates-with-dnf/

Thursday, 20 July 2017

mount: unknown filesystem type 'exfat'

When attempting to mount a USB drive, I encountered the following error regarding the filesystem exFAT¹:

mount: unknown filesystem type 'exfat'

I had to install fuse-exfat as detailed according to [2].

# yum install fuse-exfat
Redirecting to '/usr/bin/dnf install fuse-exfat' (see 'man yum2dnf')

Last metadata expiration check: 0:00:02 ago on Fri May 12 07:06:52 2017.
Dependencies resolved.
================================================================================
Package        Arch       Version             Repository                  Size
================================================================================
Installing:
fuse-exfat     x86_64     1.2.5-1.fc25        rpmfusion-free-updates      40 k

Transaction Summary
================================================================================
Install  1 Package

Total download size: 40 k
Installed size: 71 k
Is this ok [y/N]: Y
Downloading Packages:
fuse-exfat-1.2.5-1.fc25.x86_64.rpm              335 kB/s |  40 kB     00:00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                           118 kB/s |  40 kB     00:00
Running transaction check
Transaction check succeeded.
Running transaction test
Transaction test succeeded.
Running transaction
Installing  : fuse-exfat-1.2.5-1.fc25.x86_64                              1/1

Mounting after that worked flawlessly.

# mount /dev/sdb1 mydrive
FUSE exfat 1.2.5

References

[1] Wikipedia - exFAT: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExFAT
[2] Mounting EXFAT formatted pendrives in fedora linux: https://coderwall.com/p/nvwgea/mounting-exfat-formatted-pendrives-in-fedora-linux

Sunday, 23 April 2017

Problems with Resolution and My Monitor in Fedora Core 25

Well, my monitor always has been a bit of a problem child, but it worked, so I didn't mind.

I let it bounce once on the floor, but besides some slight discolouring in the lower-right corner, it was fine.

It reports EDID settings that are completely crap, but I got used to ignoring those, using xrandr.

XRandr settings that work for me

The following settings work:

xrandr --newmode "1920x1440" 339.50  1920 2072 2280 2640  1440 1443 1447 1514 -
xrandr --addmode VGA-0 1920x1440
xrandr --newmode "1600x1200" 235.00  1600 1728 1896 2192  1200 1203 1207 1262 -
xrandr --addmode VGA-0 1600x1200
xrandr --newmode "1280x1024"  159.50  1280 1376 1512 1744  1024 1027 1034 1078
xrandr --addmode VGA-0 1280x1024
xrandr --output VGA-0 --mode 1920x1440

Problem

Then I upgraded to Fedora Core 25, and my monitor showed me a handsome 1024x768, which was a disappointment to say the least. (I'm used to 1920x1440.)

Using xrandr gave me the cryptic error message:

bash-4.3$ xrandr --output XWAYLAND0 --mode "1920x1440"
xrandr: Configure crtc 0 failed

After some research I noticed that Fedora Core 25 is the first one to use Wayland¹ as the default.

Solution

Switching back to the old Xorg² fixed my problem.

Checking graphics card

bash-4.3$  lspci -nnk |grep -A 3 -i vga
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Juniper XT [Radeon HD 5770] [1002:68b8]
        Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:0344]
        Kernel driver in use: radeon
        Kernel modules: radeon

References

[1] Wayland Desktop: https://wayland.freedesktop.org/
[2] Fedora Project - Switching back to Xorg: https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/WaylandByDefault
Fedoraforum.org - how to install amd/ati driver on fedora 25?: http://forums.fedoraforum.org/showthread.php?t=312919
AskFedora - How to add a custom resolution to Weyland Fedora 25?: https://ask.fedoraproject.org/en/question/99867/how-to-add-a-custom-resolution-to-weyland-fedora-25/
ArchLinux - Forcing modes and EDID: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Kernel_mode_setting#Forcing_modes_and_EDID
Bugzilla Redhat - My Bugreport: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1443761

Thursday, 21 January 2016

Yum replaced by DNF - Followup

Well, recently came into the problem that I had some configuration that requires porting, I think. I wanted to get into the DNF scene, whilst Centos 7 still uses yum by default.

From Yum to DNF

I installed dnf, simply using.

yum install dnf

The packages yum, yum-plugin-fastestmirror, yum-utils are now no longer needed. Your original configuration file can then be found in yum.conf.rpmsave.

I installed "dnf-yum", to be able to use yum as a automatic redirect to dnf.

Yum.conf

The /etc/yum.conf shall have been replaced with /etc/dnf/dnf.conf.

Yum cron jobs

In DNF, this is replaced by the package "dnf-automatic"³. The configuration of which is in /etc/dnf/automatic.conf.

Removed package yum-cron as it is no longer needed.

To get started:

systemctl enable dnf-automatic.timer && systemctl start dnf-automatic.timer

To list the timers set:

systemctl list-timers *dnf-* -all

Excluding packages

I have added the java* packages to the exclude directive in yum.conf¹.

Of course, I do wish to manually install the java updates along with all the other updates². To do this I can use the command line:

yum --disableexcludes=all update

These switches in the commandline and changes in the config file of yum are ported identically over to dnf. So that's not a problem.

Yum Repos

Apparently, DNF still uses all the repositories defined under /etc/yum.repos.d. So that's a relief.

References

[1] Redhat - How do I exclude kernel or other packages from getting updated in Red Hat Enterprise Linux while updating system via yum?: https://access.redhat.com/solutions/10185
[2] nixCraft - Force yum update Command To Exclude Certain Packages: http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/redhat-centos-linux-yum-update-exclude-packages/
[3] Fedora Project - AutoUpdates: https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/AutoUpdates

Thursday, 6 August 2015

Yum replaced by DNF

Apparently, after I have upgraded Fedora Core to version 22, it appears the package manager of Fedora Core has been changed from Yum to DNF.

That is going to take some getting used to.

For more information, see the references.

References

Fedoraproject Wiki - DNF: https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Features/DNF
Will DNF Replace Yum? - Behind the Scenes at Fedora’s Future Package Manager: http://www.linux-magazine.com/Online/Features/Will-DNF-Replace-Yum
FedoraMagazine - Managing packages Fedora DNF: http://fedoramagazine.org/managing-packages-fedora-dnf/

Tuesday, 14 January 2014

Installing JDK in Fedora Core

Seems to work fine. I am writing it down here, because I do not do it often, and I keep forgetting the steps.

Installing java

I have switched over to using openjdk. It seems to be pretty stable and standard in Fedora Core.

The openjdk-7-jre package contains just the Java Runtime Environment

yum install java-1.7.0-openjdk

The actual Java Development Kit can be installed as below.

yum install java-1.8.0-openjdk-devel

Call me weird, but I find it confusing to name both packages "openjdk", but then, that's the name of the thing.

Switching javac

If I try "alternatives --config javac", I get.

There are 2 programs which provide 'javac'.

  Selection    Command
-----------------------------------------------
*  1           /usr/lib/jvm/java-1.7.0-openjdk-1.7.0.75-2.5.4.2.fc20.x86_64/bin/javac
 + 2           /usr/lib/jvm/java-1.8.0-openjdk.x86_64/bin/javac

Enter to keep the current selection[+], or type selection number:

Switching java

If I try "alternatives --config java", I get.

There is 1 program that provides 'java'.

  Selection    Command
-----------------------------------------------
*+ 1           /usr/lib/jvm/jre-1.7.0-openjdk.x86_64/bin/java

Enter to keep the current selection[+], or type selection number:

I need to install the Oracle JDK, that is as simple as downloading the rpm and installing it with "rpm i jdk-7u13-linux-x64.rpm".

Then, I am required to set a symbolic link using the 'alternatives --install' commandline. See [1] for more information on that.

Then, I can set the default using "alternatives --config java" again.

[root@localhost Downloads]#  alternatives --config java

There are 3 programs which provide 'java'.

  Selection    Command
-----------------------------------------------
   1           /usr/lib/jvm/jre-1.6.0-openjdk.x86_64/bin/java
   2           /usr/lib/jvm/jre-1.5.0-gcj/bin/java
*+ 3           /usr/java/jre1.7.0_45/bin/java

Enter to keep the current selection[+], or type selection number:

Updated 22 April 2014: added OpenJDK, removed specifics regarding Oracle

References

[1] Installing Sun Oracle Java JDK on Fedora, Centos, Redhat and RHel: http://www.if-not-true-then-false.com/2010/install-sun-oracle-java-jdk-jre-7-on-fedora-centos-red-hat-rhel/
Java - FedoraProject: http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Java
OpenJDK: http://openjdk.java.net/install/

Sunday, 17 February 2013

systemd

Back in the old days, when I needed to run a script upon boot, I could always put it into the /etc/rc.d/rc.local. Apparently all this changed with Fedora Core 14. Fedora Core being my Operating System of choice. The file in question is nowhere to be found.

Granted, this hasn't been an issue, until my gateway decided to quit.

systemd

systemd is the new initialisation system used since Fedora Core 14. It replaces the System V style system of an init process that serially starts all daemons and the like.

We can use "systemctl" and "systemctl status" to display what services started and which failed.

The command "systemctl enable [service]" will enable the service upon startup. It does nothing more, as far as I can tell, than create a symbolic link in the appropriate directory. For example "ln -s '/usr/lib/systemd/system/glassfish3.service' '/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/glassfish3.service'".

MySQL Server Script

A MySQL Server systemd service script in Fedora Core 18 is available here.

Installing mysqld on startup of the system is not automatically done in Fedora Core 18. ^[3]

The old way

Run "/etc/init.d/mysqld start". Use "restart" after an update. What should also work is "service mysqld start".
Run "chkconfig --levels 235 mysqld on" to enable the mysql-server on startup.

The new way

Run "systemctl start mysqld.service" to start mysql-server. Use "restart" after an update.
Run "systemctl enable mysqld.service" to enable the mysql-server on startup.

rc.local is back!

Systemd comes automatically with an rc-local.service, It is installed without being enabled. It is available at /usr/lib/systemd/system/rc-local.service.

Here are my steps:

create file /etc/rc.d/rc.local (add, for instance, two lines "#!/bin/sh" and "echo Profit!")
run "chmod u+x /etc/rc.d/rc.local"
run "systemctl enable rc-local.service"
run "systemctl start rc-local.service"

The command "systemctl status rc-local.service" should show:

Note

Systemd is in control on which deamons are started when, in what order, etc. This means that forking of your daemon is a bad idea, as it means systemd willl lose control of the process. For example, the process id is no longer known.

References

[1] systemd: http://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/systemd
[2] systemd for Administrators, Part 1: http://0pointer.de/blog/projects/systemd-for-admins-1.html
[3] Install MySQL 5.5.30 on Fedora 18/17, CentOS/Red Hat (RHEL) 6.3/5.9: http://www.if-not-true-then-false.com/2010/install-mysql-on-fedora-centos-red-hat-rhel/
[4] System does not run /etc/rc.local: http://superuser.com/questions/278396/systemd-does-not-run-etc-rc-local