Complete Utter Beginner

LinuxVirgin · 2017-12-24 01:50

Hi Folks.
Sorry if you feel like I maybe wasting time, but I really need help getting my head around the Q4OS system. Currently I am at the stage where I need to add a few programmes/addons/etc to make my life on my pc bearable again.

Firstly, I have been trying to get Channel 4 OD to play its videos on demand and keeps asking for updates of adobe. I have tried to read around the subject here and downloaded what I hoped would be the files to do the job. Now I don't know how to execute the files to get them running.

Secondly, I have tried to install the bittorrent package via Synaptic. Synaptic has said the files have been downloaded and changes made, however, I can't see any evidence of it, I have no idea how to start up the programme if it has been made available.

Please help someone, and please bear in mind that I really am new to linux, I've managed to do all kinds of things on Windows XP until it got to a point that the machine ran very slow and XP has now out lived its use. Rather than continuing down the windows road, I thought I'd try something new.... but this is so different I need some training.... slow step by step training.....

I hope someone has the patience

Kenny

crosscourt · 2017-12-24 02:40

Welcome to the forum!

Lets start with bittorrent first. If you installed bittorrent alone that gives access only when in a console/terminal. Youll need to install bittorrent-gui so can access it from within the Q4OS gui.

Flash is a complicated issue as Adobe isnt supporting it very well in Linux and many apps that require the latest version wont work in Linux. If you look in our developers forum youll see a thread where thats being looked at presently by two of our members. Flash has to be installed manually (as the plugin-installer isnt being maintained). Take a look here, www.q4os.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1925

Heres more info,

users manual www.q4os.org/dqa007.html

FAQ www.q4os.org/dqa011.html

Info site run by one of our members- www.dsbnet.tk

Last edited by crosscourt (2017-12-24 03:38)

jackdanielsesq · 2017-12-24 05:40

Kenny

Why dont you simply tell us what you want to achieve, what programs you wish to install ..

Flash has been a no-no for decades - virusville

Simply install/use VLC to play movies/music files

How old are you?

Enjoy the experience - remember all the big boys - Google, Apple, Fakebook et al - all use 'open-sauce'

Regards

Jack

LinuxVirgin wrote:

Hi Folks.
Sorry if you feel like I maybe wasting time ..... but I really need help getting to make my life on my pc bearable again.
Kenny

crosscourt · 2017-12-24 06:56

Not sure why channel4.com doesnt support HTML5, most sites do now, as I havent had any issues for quite awhile.

bin · 2017-12-24 08:11

Sadly there are all sorts of places where Flash is still required. For example I use a local FujiFilm shop to print photos when needed. The web site runs in Flash - no Flash - no processing. Some bits of the BBC still require Flash too....

Adobe releases updates to the Linux version at the same time as the Windows version so is now back in step after a number of years neglecting Flash for Linux.

So, how to get it and keep it up to date. The first part requires a bit of fiddling - after that it's a doddle to maintain - this looks a whole lot worse than it actually is

Assuming a 64 bit system you need the 64bit .tar.gz file from Adobe.
https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/download/?installer=FP_28.0_for_Linux_64-bit_%28.tar.gz%29_-_NPAPI&sType=7790&standalone=1

You'll also need the equivalent of winzip to extract it - .tar.gz is just one of the many compressed file formats that you'll come across with linux. Open Synaptic, search for and install xarchiver. At the same time please also search fro and install lynx which is part of the process used to maintain flash this way.

Assuming you've saved the Flash installer to your Downloads folder, in Downloads create a folder called flash
Once you've done that right click on the file you downloaded from Adobe and use Open with xarchiver.
Do not select anything, just click Action>Extract
You'll see a path dialogue at the top of the box, click the folder at the end of that and select the flash folder you just created and then click Open - you'll see /flash is now added to the path.
Click 'Extract'

The files provided by Adobe give some useful instructions - here's what you need to do.
1. Open the folder called flash that you created earlier. In there you'll see a folder called LGPL, a folder called usr and 3 files.
2. Right click on some blank space in the flash folder and select 'Open terminal here'
3. sudo cp -r usr/* /usr (if prompted just enter your password)
4. Assuming you have got Firefox installed - open another file manger window and select Home Folder
5. Click View>Show hidden files.
6. Open .mozilla - the dot is important as that is what makes it hidden.
7. In .mozilla create a folder called plugins
8. From the flash folder copy libflashplayer.so and paste it into the plugins folder you just created.

Job done.

Next download the attached file autoflash4 which will automate the process in future.

Right click on the file and got to Open With > Kwrite
You'll see 2 different lines where the path to your .mozilla/plugins folder is mentioned.
Where I've put /your user name/ you need to put - well, your user name exactly as it shows in Konqueror after /home/

Save the file. Right click on it and go down to Properties>Permissions Make sure the box 'Is Executable' is checked.

In the Download folder right click and 'Open Terminal here'

sudo cp autoflash4 /etc/cron.daily/ (if prompted just enter your password)

That's it. You can always check your Flash version by going to https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/about/

You can test the updater method by opening a terminal and entering:-

sudo run-parts -v /etc/cron.daily

Give it a few moments and under the line autoflash4 you should see it says it is the latest version.

Last edited by bin (2017-12-24 08:14)

Attachments:

autoflash4, Size: 946 B, Downloads: 805

LinuxVirgin · 2017-12-24 13:04

Thank you all and Merry Christmas. What you have given me is excellent. I now hope that I can work this all out..... I maybe sometime. I'll work on the bittorent exercise first as this should afford some early success. I must read the all the links provided and translate it into something I can relate to and learn all the new terminology. However, my family may have some say in when I can sit down and do all of this!!
JD. I'm 55 and hopefully not quite at the end of my learning curve.
Goodwill to you all and I'll let you know how it's going very soon after the hangover. Laters.... Ken

crosscourt · 2017-12-24 18:12

Thanks for your help bin!
If it will make you feel better Ken, Im 64 and the learning curve never ends with tech. Happy Holidays!

witloof · 2017-12-26 02:06

64 ?
Still a youngster , neh ?

crosscourt · 2017-12-26 05:06

How old are you witloof?

LinuxVirgin · 2017-12-27 21:33

Re Installation and running of bittorrent. Have downloaed from synaptic the 2 bittorrent files. I have found the files on my computer. I cannot seem to get the app to work! What must I do next. I have read most of the guidance but maybe I'am at a knowledge point that is not covered in them. I'm missing some routine functions that I must do. Or am I missing some other softwares that need to be installed? Need next move. Please help. All I want to do with most things is to see a shortcut on the desktop/applications list and click and go! Ken

tlmiller76 · 2017-12-27 21:44

What 2 files did you "download" with synaptic?

If you used synaptic, they should already be installed. The easiest interface to install IMO is ktorrent-trinity since it integrates well with the Trinity desktop that q4os defaults to.

Run this in a root console:

apt list --installed | grep -i torrent

crosscourt · 2017-12-27 23:21

He did bittorrent and bittorrent- GUI I believe.

witloof · 2017-12-29 08:16

@crosscourt
<<How old are you witloof?>>
Not telling you :-) , but my great-grand-son is 3 next month

LinuxVirgin · 2017-12-29 12:43

Progress report... Have installed KTorrent (and removed Bittorrent) and now have a console to work from. However, it is not connecting properly to Chrome or Firefox. Each time I click for a magnet file the following message reads "Could not start process Unable to create io-slave:
tdelauncher said: Unknown protocol 'magnet'." I have looked at settings within KTorrent, I have looked at a couple of solutions online which have asked me to run commands and edit this and that without knowing if this is the correct fix or wondering if I can reverse any damage I may do. Is this a quick easy fix or is there another piece of software that will work after installation? Ken
BTW - thanks for all the guidance so far...... I am learning, it is rubbing off, slowly, lol

crosscourt · 2017-12-29 23:18

Did you install ktorrent-trinity or ktorrent?

LinuxVirgin · 2017-12-31 12:58

Hi Crosscourt. BOTH....

crosscourt · 2017-12-31 21:46

Remove ktorrent as you only need ktorrent-trinity as its specifically for Trinity/TDE which Q4OS runs with.

Rademes · 2018-01-01 14:55

Hello, crosscourt!
Actually I have been trying many torrent applications, and as I figured out, qbittorrent is the best! I have been using it for three years already (but to tell the truth, I do not download many torrents).
https://www.qbittorrent.org/
It can be easy installed using Synaptic.

crosscourt · 2018-01-01 17:54

Rademes nice to see you! I also use qbittorrent as I dont download torrents very often.

LinuxVirgin · 2018-01-01 18:22

Cont... I have removed ktorrent and re-installed ktorrent-trinity just in case. The same control panel comes up okay. I go to a torrent site, select the magnet icon and a message reads "Could not start process. Unable to create io-slave: tde launcher said:Unknown protocol 'magnet'." It seems like it's looking for the right application to launch to. I have a "Choose other Application" option and can't find that required application. When looking at the settings in ktorrent, I found the php executable path had a red light. I connected it to "/opt/trinity/bin/ktorrent", and I be blowed I got a green light!! Is this the correct path to choose. I feel I'm so close! I soooo hope other applications will become more straight forward to install. I have got "freeciv" to work.... I think.... I await... Ken

crosscourt · 2018-01-01 19:25

Just installed ktorrent-trinity and went over to a site to download a live cd by torrent. Clicked on download it asked me what app to use, indicated ktorrent, and I was off and running, no issues.

This is all I use torrent apps for so cant comment on issues with other uses.

LinuxVirgin · 2018-01-01 19:50

My inkling is that it is a set up issue either via firefox or in ktorrent. I'll keep exploring..... KTorrent is not coming up as a choice of app to use, and when I browse for an app, I cannot locate it? That's why I feel I'm close and it must be something simple, if you know what the simple thing is... Ken

crosscourt · 2018-01-01 19:57

Typically when I click on torrents I get a screen that asks if I want to save it or use a specific app. I click on use an app and it says cant find an app, so I browse my system and down the list of apps till I reach ktorrent as they typically are in alphabetical order. Click on ktorrent and Im off an running.

Is ktorrent available in your menu, can you see it? I used Firefox to download with no issue so not sure whats going on.

If all else fails remove ktorrent-trinity and give qbittorrent a try.

tlmiller76 · 2018-01-01 23:47

not on my q4os machine to check, but you might check the file association in Trinity to see if something's set for magnet links, and if so, remove it and try again.

crosscourt · 2018-01-02 02:07

I dont use torrents much at all(Im no expert) but so far I cant recreate his issue. Tried adding ktorrent on top of ktorrent-trinity, then removed, no issues. Settings are fine and it works without issue.

Q4OS Forum

#1 2017-12-24 01:50

Complete Utter Beginner

#2 2017-12-24 02:40

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#3 2017-12-24 05:40

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#4 2017-12-24 06:56

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#5 2017-12-24 08:11

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#6 2017-12-24 13:04

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#7 2017-12-24 18:12

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#8 2017-12-26 02:06

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#9 2017-12-26 05:06

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#10 2017-12-27 21:33

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#11 2017-12-27 21:44

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#12 2017-12-27 23:21

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#13 2017-12-29 08:16

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#14 2017-12-29 12:43

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#15 2017-12-29 23:18

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#16 2017-12-31 12:58

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#17 2017-12-31 21:46

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#18 2018-01-01 14:55

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#19 2018-01-01 17:54

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#20 2018-01-01 18:22

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#21 2018-01-01 19:25

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#22 2018-01-01 19:50

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#23 2018-01-01 19:57

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#24 2018-01-01 23:47

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

#25 2018-01-02 02:07

Re: Complete Utter Beginner

Board footer