Sore with SUSE...

I decided last night that I wanted to check out OpenSUSE gnome on my desktop computer. The reason for this was that I wanted to play around with the gnome extensions web-site, and create a really custom UI(user-interface). I have the gnome 3 UI on Linux Mint 12 working perfectly, but I cannot install extensions directly from the web-site. The web-site tells me that I need an updated version of gnome.

I honestly did not know what to expect from OpenSUSE. I have read some recent reviews that had pointed to openSUSE in a positive light, and I wanted to give it a try.

The First thing that blew me away was that it had a really cool graphical Holiday boot menu.

I thought this was a good sign, and that I would be able to install , and test the newest version of gnome 3 shell without a hitch. The problem is that I was wrong.
There was also another shocker that came with this install, and that was having to agree to a software agreement. I haven't had to do that since the last time that I installed an OEM version of Microsoft.

There were two main problems with OpenSUSE. For starters I was unable to boot into the gnome 3 shell, and was forced to boot into a gnome 2.3.+ fall back mode. My computer is by no means ready for retirement. I have an Nvidia mobo chipset, 2gb RAM, dual core ATI 64  bit CPU(although I chose to install the 32-bit version, because I only have 2gb RAM), and an Nvidia Geforce 210 1gb DDR3 GFX memory graphics card. I am taking this to mean that gnome 3 is not ready for all the hardware out there. I am doubting there is much I can do about this, except for be patient; and wait for the Linux community to code better gnome 3 hardware support.

Also when the install had finished I was greeted with only one Operating system, and that was the Non-working OpenSUSE. I have a half dozen other Linux distribution's installed on this PC, for various purposes. So what I chose to do was to re-install peppermint OS, because I had decided to try btrfs on it, but was not given the option to boot from it. I had assumed this was because Linux Mint 12 was unable to see the peppermintOS btrfs file-system.

I have not given up on NovellSUSE, but I am going to do more research, before I attempt to do another install. Perhapse I will try a KDE install next time. The only KDE OS I am running currently is Kubuntu on my net-book, which is working out quite well.

Drivers, drivers, Drivers

What I have found in my technology driven life is that Drivers are an on-going issue in any Operating system. A Hardware Driver is a piece of software that is in charge of controlling a piece of Hardware. For example a Wireless network card. Many times this is because the old saying is true that:”People who make good hardware make bad software, and people who make good software make bad hardware”

Windows approach is that for every device there will be a download, that will need to be installed. Usually these drivers come from the Hardware Mfg.(Manufacturer). For example Dell, HP, Asus, Logitech, MS, apple...etc. Windows often over-complicates the process by adding on-line lookup of drivers. Which could slow down the system depending on hardware power. Keeping all of your Hardware up to date to keep your system stable is a holy pain in the rear end. Ever heard of a BSOD? It means Blue Screen Of Death. When Windows has a driver issue is gives a blue screen w/ white writing to say OH efF we have a problem. A while back I was taking the “T”(subway red-line through Cambridge, MA), and I saw a BSOD at the train station.

Microsoft in recent years has made strides to make sure that only Microsoft signed drivers get used on Windows operating systems. The testing process for a driver to pass WHQL(Windows Hardware Quality Labs)certification is quite a slow process.

Linux on the other hand, has backwards engineered most of the drivers needed to run a system right into the tiny little kernel. I would say in the last two years of my running Linux 98% of my drivers worked right out of the box. No need to click anything. No need to search the Internet. No need to pay for driver update programs. No BSOD. USB drives just work. My Clear-wire hot-Spot which took an hour for vista to find the drivers for on-line, instantly works even before chrome web browser finished loading. When I say hardware works within seconds, I mean literally within a few seconds(3-5.)

The only exception to this for me have been: Nvidia, ATI, and broadcom wireless. Usually with Nvidia & ATI graphics drivers(and some bcml) all you have to do is click activate driver in “restricted drivers” , then reboot and all is right in the world. Once have I had to use NDISwrapper to install windows drivers in Linux. That was recently, and I will explain that another time. That was on my friend's Dell laptop.

How to enable dual-screen monitor in Linux w/ Nvidia X server config.

I have shown in an earlier post that dual-monitor works great on Linux Mint 12. Dual monitor is great if you are coding, and like doing a ton of things at the same time. Although there are times when dual-monitor can be a pain in your brain.

enhanced productivity, or distraction.
The choice is yours.

Like for example when I tried to play the incredible game ZAZ"Zaz aint zaz" full-screen, it tried to take up both monitors. Although this is one of the funest games I have played in a long time. In theory you should be able to play your favorite game, in one window while browsing or chatting in another. But your mileage may seriously vary.

I often use Fire-fox in one window, and chrome in another. Or you may need to have a file browser open on one window, and a web-browser handy in another.

So here is how it is done.

STEP ONE: Install your most video drivers.

type:  "super key"

type: "additional"

hit the enter key to open the additional drivers program.

This will box will show up briefly,
while your hardware is being checked.

In this screen-shot I had already highlighted the recommended driver, and clicked activate. After which you will be prompted to enter your password, provided you are an administrator.

After you have entered your password, the installation of the Nvidia drivers will happen. The reason my screen-shot says it is not currently in use, is you will need to reboot after the installation is complete.


STEP TWO: Configure the Nvidia X server.

Do a search for the word "nvidia", just like you did with additional. Then strike enter to open the Nvidia X server configuration tool.

In the Left hand box make sure to check the "server Display configuration option".

You may or may not see your secondary monitor in the layout box, like mine does. When I first opened up this box, there was only my Dell monitor showing. I had to Left-click/HOLD the monitor icon, and drag it from on top of my other monitor until they were directly side by side.

Notice the Monitor icon on the Left is highlighted, showing that it is selected. Notice that the selected monitor, is the same as the controls in the Display box.

In the resolution drop-down menu, you will need to set the resolution to auto. Also you will want to choose the monitor on the right to have the "Make this the primary display for the X screen" checked.

You may wish to choose the position of the main monitor, to the position "Left of" as the screen-shot below shows.

After you click apply you have 15 seconds to hit the OK button to keep the settings.

Notice Cancel is highlighted.
Press enter to cancel emmediately.
Press Left, then Enter to keep settings.

 You could even choose to have your monitors in a stacked array if you wish, although that would be confusing if your monitors are not physically stacked.

There is one final thing that you must do, in order to make your changes permanent.  You must click "Save to X configuration file."

After you select save, you will be prompted to enter your password. This is due to the fact that you are changing a system configuration file. Any changes to configuration files, must be done by an administrator. Once you have done that your configuration will be permanent.

PRO-tip: If you want to know the current operating temperature of your GPU(GFX Processing Unit), you may click on "Thermal Settings". Although that is a bit misleading, because there is nothing to set, only a chart of your current temperature as shown below.

Once this is done you will be able to move the cursor freely from one display to another. You could drag a running program to your secondary monitor, for ease of reference if you wish.

With these simple instructions you can easily double your productivity. Good luck to all of you curious geeks out there. Although don't blame me if your games don't work perfectly in dual-screen mode.