Background Articles

• Mobile Computing and Communication - of interest to those seeking freedom.
• Open Source, Free and Cross-Platform Software - This is a new page which is still under development coming out of our experiences with Ubuntu Linux. It addresses the issues of Open Source, Free and Cross-Platform Software. It is targeted at making the transition between operating systems, keeping options open for such a transition or just obtaining the enhanced security of Open Source software. It may even save you money as well!

Linux Mint (Cinnamon Flavour) and Ubuntu "Howto" Articles

These articles were started when we used Ubuntu Linux but are still appropriate to Linux Mint which is based on Ubuntu. We now use Linux Mint with the Cinnamon Desktop on all our machines.

• Fun with Linux Mint and Ubuntu - Actually a serious look at migration from Windows to Linux: this page served as my documentation and work in progress. It was updated to cover changes up to the last LTS version Trusty and sections specific to versions which are no longer supported have been removed. The original which includes Ubuntu 6.06 Dapper Drake remains here. The version covering Hardy, Jaunty and Karmic remains here and Lucid to Oneiric Ocelot here . The Unity Desktop and its features are covered in Ubuntu Unity - Evolution or Revolution. Originally written for Ubuntu but appropriate to Linux Mint.
• Fun with Lubuntu - An introduction to Lubuntu which is based on Ubuntu but using the LXDE desktop environment. Ideally for older less powerful hardware.
• Linux Mint and Ubuntu on the Lookout - covers installing and setting up the main programs which interact with the outside world through the Internet, namely Browsers, Email, Contacts, Calendars and Tasks. There are details of sharing and synchronising Email, Contacts, Calendars and Tasks etc., between between a number of computers and mobile devices.
• Linux Mint and Ubuntu All Together - Sharing, Networking, Backup, Synchronisation and Encryption - Mounting Drives, File Sharing between Computers running both Linux and Windows and secure access to remote machines which are all prerequisites for the main topics of Backup and Synchronisation.
• Linux Mint and Ubuntu on the Move - covers global communications via mobile phones, PDAs and mobile broadband USB dongles etc., with some coverage of specific software and techniques to minimise data costs.
• Linux Mint and Ubuntu on the Take - covers how to handle all the pictures we take in the Digital Camera era using Ubuntu Linux - it is currently being extended to include capturing video, editing video and authoring DVDs.
• Linux Mint and Ubuntu making Music - Transcribing music from CDs, cassette tape and LPs into digital format, adding and editing metadata and playing
• Ubuntu Unity - Evolution or Revolution - An introduction to the Unity Desktop including bug fixes and enhancements. A development which drove me to Linux Mint! A legacy article.
  
  
• Major Update - Adding Spice - The Cinnamon Desktop Manager and Linux Mint - Cinnamon is the Desktop Manager developed for Linux Mint and can replace Unity in Ubuntu and is now an alternative for many other distributions. It provides a very sophisticated conventional desktop which has been very well received. We have now shifted all our more powerful machines to Linux Mint with Cinnamon and the older machines to Lubuntu.
• More Spices for Cinnamon - Applet Development for Cinnamon- I have developed a number of Applets including NUMA - a Network Usage Monitor with Alerts, BAMS - a Battery Applet with Monitoring and Shutdown, a Stopwatch and BAND - a Bumblebee And NVidia Display applet for monitoring Optimus dual graphics laptops.
  
  
• The Road to Freedom - A progressive migration from Windows to Linux for Safety, Security and Savings in Home Computing is in two parts and marks the transition from a how I did it story to a how you should do it guide. It aims , in five dedicated evenings to take a normal Windows user through all the steps to improve, secure and backup their Windows system and then, in Part Two - Base Camp, to make the transition to a dual booted Windows and Ubuntu Linux System and configure Ubuntu to have capabilities similar or better than a typical pre-installed Windows system and much more secure.
  
• The MSI Wind U100 Netbook for Global Communications and Computing - how we brought all our other work together to provide the ultimate in mobile communications. It is so successful we have bought a second one! Another full guide.
• Guidance for the use of Solid State Drives in Linux systems Currently extracted from the Helios Ultrabook document but will be extended to cover more complex systems
• Updated - The Chillblast Defiant Optimus Mini Laptop and Linux - a guide to getting the latest Core i7 machines with Optimus NVidia dual Graphics laptops working under Linux Mint 19 (Tara) - light enough for travel - powerful enough for editing Full HD video. Now with an SSD added.
• Updated - The Chillblast Helios Ultrabook and Linux - a guide to getting a Core i5 machine with Skylake Architecture and a Solid State Drives (SSDs) working under Linux Mint 18.1. The Helios has a 13.3 inch full HD screen but is very light for travel and with up to 7.5 hours battery life.
• Recent - The Lafite Ultrabook - a lightweight and long battery life Ultrabook with Core i5 8250U Kaby Lake architecture processor with 4 cores 8 threads, a Samsung 970 EVO 250 Gbyte SSD and 2 Tbyte hard drive working under Linux Mint 19
  
• New - Gemini - a small, quiet and economic micro-computer from Chillblast based on a Celeron J4105 Gemini Lake CPU, 4 Cores, 1.5 - 2.5 GHz processor, 4 Gbyte RAM and an extra Crucial 1 Tbyte MX500 SDD and dual booted with Windows 10 Pro and Linux Mint 20.
• New - A Linux Grab Bag - a completely new page looking at the minimum one needs for a re-build, in terms of hardware, software, configuration information and data. It fully details the associated backup philosophy and procedures which are required to enable disaster recovery anywhere on any machine. It has been developed and tested using the initial setting up of Gemini.
  
• Updated - An Introduction to Git - Applications in Cinnamon Applet Development - An introduction to Git and its use in keeping Applet development under configuration control.
• Using Git for Software Development - Building and Patching Linux Kernels and Cinnamon - an introduction to building and patching and a Linux Kernel, initially required for my Helios Ultrabook, and of Cinnamon mainly for testing patches during development.
• Open Source, Free and Cross-Platform Software - This is still under development coming out of our experiences with Ubuntu Linux. It addresses the issues of Open Source, Free and Cross-Platform Software. It is targeted at making the transition between operating systems, keeping options open for such a transition or just obtaining the enhanced security of Open Source software. It may even save you money as well!
• Setting up a Linux Server for testing PHP Scripts An introduction to PHP directed at form handling and encryption setting up tested on an Ubuntu Linux Server.

General "Howto" Articles

• Web Site Design
  • Updated -How to create your first web site - Tips and hints for the novice on how to create and upload a simple web site in a couple of evenings now updated to HTML 5 standards and introducing Cascading Style sheets.
  • Using Cookies in Web pages - fundamental to giving a 'memory' to web sites with useful JavaScript snippets.
  • HTML Forms - a guide to adding a Form to your web site
    • Form Validation - How to validate important fields to check they filled in and that an email address is valid, before the the form is submited
  • PHP Scripts and setting up a Ubuntu Linux Server An introduction to PHP directed at form handling and encryption tested on an Ubuntu Linux Server.
  • JavaScript for Hiding and Expanding Blocks of Text - a technique used on my web site.
  • JavaScript Popup Windows for Images - Open larger images in a single new window of the correct size when one or more thumbnails are clicked - the original basic article.
    • Advanced Popup Windows for Images One of the techniques used on my web site.
  • Updated - Using Lightbox Style Overlays to Display Web Images an alternative technique to Popup Images which is better for touch sensitive screens and mobile devices.
  • Updated - Mobile Friendly Responsive Web Site Design - this is the most important of the pages on Web Site Design and draws on many of the previous articles which describe techniques in more detail.
  • Recent - Using Media Queries instead of event driven Reloads - a major change which will avoid frequent page reloads when size and orientation changes take place on mobile devices and enables other significant improvents.
  • New - An introduction to Fonts in Linux and on the Web - A new page bringing together some existing material on fonts in geneal, adding extra fonts to Linux systems and using fonts on Web sites including downloaded 'Google' fonts. WIP (Work In Progress: May change on a daily basis)
    
    
• Communication and Computing on the Move
  • Mobile Computing and Communication - of interest to those seeking freedom.
  • Howto Send Email from Anywhere - Various ways to get round the restrictions of many ISPs including using Authenticated Email Servers.
  • The XDA Executive Pocket PC an important tool in the search for lightweight global communications and computing.
  • The Palm Treo 750 Smartphone/Pocket PC a competitor in the search for lightweight global communications and computing.
  • The Blackberry Bold 9700 - the latest of my tools for lightweight global communications and computing and the most practical overall.
  • Android Phones and Tablets another set of very versatile tools as part of a package of solutions. Also includes media players for completeness.
    
    
• Writing and Publishing
  • Draft - Open Secrets - Publish with Style using OpenSource Software - This was written to assist Pauline when she was writing her book and a close friend who was also writing a book. The friend died and his book and this document was never published, polished or updated but that does not detract from the utility of much of its content.
    
    
• Narrowboat Electrical Systems and Solar Power
  • Reecent - Upgrading Corinna's Electrical Systems - a lot about adding Solar Power to our narrowboat and other power saving changes - of interest to the wider off-grid community.
  • New - The Raspberry Pi using the Venus OS - the addition of a Gateway to allow remote monitoring of our Victron hardware using a Raspberry Pi 3B+ and tethered phone.
  • New - The Extension to Venus OS Large with Node-RED - to allow the addition of a dedicated Dashboard and additional Smart management. [WIP]

Howto Articles appropriate to OU Students and Tutors

• Open Teaching - How to Maximise the Use of Open Source Software for Open University Tutoring - Our experiences using a Dual Booted Linux Laptop for Tutoring round the world.
• The OU Virtual Learning Environment - Efficient use of Forums and Email by Students and Tutors - first experiences with the new OU VLE and how we are setting up for use away from broadband. It includes important information on how to fix problems such as now to cut and paste into VLE Forum Postings when using Firefox.
• Guidance on Preparation of TMAs for Electronic Marking for Students - This is essential reading before submitting e-TMAs especially now there are many more tools and matching bear traps.
• Guidance on Electronic Marking of TMAs for Tutors - This contains a lot of useful information for marking e-TMAs - the OU has now included much of the original material in their guidance notes but it now contains information on setting up modern Word Processors, includng OpenOffice for easy marking and a lot of new tips and tricks.
• Accessing a Microsoft Exchange Server from Linux - The OU uses a Microsoft Exchange Server - mainly for Tutors.

Older OU Articles for reference only

These are not in HTML5 and were not designed to be Responsive or Mobile Friendly

• Guide to FirstClass - including Offline use with "Personal" and a new section covering use under Ubuntu Linux - now redundant with the introduction of the VLE.
• Dolphin Smalltalk 98 - an initial assessment
• How to add Learning Books to LearningWorks Smalltalk - for OU Tutors and Students.

Howto Articles appropriate for Older Systems, Reference and Legacy Articles

These are not in HTML5 and were not designed to be Responsive or Mobile Friendly

• The Original Pages:
  • Our Computer System - Rationale and Specification- of interest to those purchasing or upgrading and provides a reference on our hardware and software for the other articles. A blast from the past - our state of play in 2006!
  • Thoughts on Communications - of interest to those setting up systems. One of the first pages, now in serious need of updating but the philosophy holds
  • Thoughts on Backup and Archiving - of interest to those seeking robust systems. In need of updating but the philosophy holds
• Essential Windows System, Application and Utility Software - of interest to those seeking efficiency. Again our state of play before we converted to Linux from Windows XP and Vista.
• A Guide to Painless Networks - A guide to setting up a simple and cheap network for home or a small firm. Another very early series of articles which time has largely passed by.
  • Networking with Mixed Windows XP and 9X systems - what to do when you have to add Windows XP machines to an old network. From the days when XP was New!
  • ADSL Broadband - considerations and practicalities of Broadband access. Stillhas a lot of relevant information.
  • Internet Connection Sharing - a cheap way to get all machines online when you go Broadband
  • ADSL Wi-Fi Router Firewalls - a better way to share broadband and add Wi-Fi Wireless access to your network. This still has some good stuff on fault finding.
• Search Engines and Directories - How to get a listing, a crucial page rewritten for the small firms section.
• Internet Security - How to make sure you are protected against Hacking mainly when using Windows
• Web Page Counters - how to add a Hit Counter to your web page
• How to Handle the Output from Forms - Script files, cgi, PERL, FormMail and iHTML and now PHP using Freeserve and Fasthosts as examples. - This has been superceeded by PHP Scripts and setting up a Ubuntu Linux Server for our site but has some interesting information on problems with forms.
• Arachnophilia - a simple Free (CareWare) Linux compatible HTML Editor
• Guide to Selecting an ISP
  • Freezone - where this site is hosted with both free Services, a number of good value hosting packages and free email virus checking. The Freezone servers are now part of Vidahost.
  • Fasthosts - A comprehensive, good value host - one of the biggest in the UK claiming it hosts over 100,000 business sites.
• Recovering from Internet and Email Disasters - what you need to do to restore contact (uses Freezone and Fasthosts as examples). (Established Page)
  • Howto Backup Email messages, Address books and Dictionaries originally for small firms where ones address list and email messages are of vital importance.
  • Remote Access to POP mailboxes - access POP mailboxs on the server to delete virus infected files.
• Using NetMeeting for Tutoring - an initial assessment of possibilities
• Embedding Video in Web pages with many useful JavaScript snippets - for those with Internet Explorer 5+ and/or some experience of Java.
• Publishing PowerPoint Presentations on the Web
  • Using Microsoft Power Point ActiveX Presentations
• Virus Checkers - Configuration and Testing - including validation of correct operation/detection using the EICAR standard test virus.
• How to save money on the Internet - Tips and hints to speed up access and minimise time online (parts now out of date, others still very relevant!).
• Using Multiple ISPs - how to add and utilise a new ISP such as Freeserve
• Maximise Modem Performance for the Internet
• File Types and Associations in Windows - what you should know before installing any software. Written for Windows 95/98 but still relevant.
• Zipped files, archives and the use of Winzip
• Update Modems with Flash Memory - speed up access by upgrading your modem to the latest standards
• Install or Rebuild a Windows XP System - older systems are covered in a Install or Rebuild a Windows 95/98 System
• Install or Rebuild a Windows 95/98 System - still relevant for the many Windows 98 SE systems in use.
• Install Widows 95 upgrades - Service pack 1 , Windows Messaging and Internet Mail and Newsreader - a legacy document
• Loading Windows 95 Service Release 2 (OSR2)
• Create a Dial Up Network PPP Connection - includes details for older systems using Windows 95
• Real life Internet Access Rates
• Publishing PowerPoint Presentations on the Web
  • Using Microsoft Power Point ActiveX Presentations
• Transfer of Programs and Data to and from a Laptop
  • Installing Windows 95 Direct Cable Connection software
• Install a Modem under Windows 95/98
• Create a Dial Up Network PPP Connection - includes details for systems using the original releases of Windows 95 Adding HTML capabilities to Microsoft Office 4.2 and 95 - Internet Assistants
• CompuServe POP3/SMTP server - a comparison to csmail, how to convert Personal Address Book (.PAB) files and using Remote Mail.
• The Free Agent Offline Newsgroup Reader - Installation and configuration
• Howto install the Microsoft Fax Service in Windows 98 - handle all your faxes along with your other mail in Outlook.
• Experiences with Internet Explorer 4
• Experience with Pipex
• The Hauppauge WIN/TV PCI Video Card - inputing pictures from a video camera.
• Guide to Freeserve - A free ISP service with Email Newsgroups and Web space
• Guide to Telinco - free ISP service from a major telecoms firm. Needs updating to reflect changes after takeover by Tiscali and now only open to existing subscribers.
• Guide to Genie - BT Cellnet's Free ISP services with advantages for overseas use and services for mobile telephone users - now replaced by O2 which does not offer Internet Access yet.

Legacy Articles appropriate for Small Businesses

These are mostly not in HTML5 and were not designed to be Responsive or Mobile Friendly

• Internet Requirements of a Small Business
• Domain Names and their Registration
• Choosing an ISP to host a commercial site and provide email
  • Freezone - where this site is hosted with both free services and a number of good value business hosting packages. Claims to host over 12000 business sites.
  • Fasthosts - A comprehensive, good value host - one of the biggest in the UK claiming it hosts over 100,000 business sites.
• Web Site Tutorial - Tips and hints on how to quickly create and upload a simple web site without expensive software (appropriate to a small firm, club or home). A well established and much visited page.
• Search Engines and Directories - what you need to do to get visitors to a business site. Essential reading before starting to design a site.
• Secrets of successful web site design part 1 - covers the priorities, strategy and techniques required for creating a small business site with impact.
• HTML Forms - a guide to adding a Form to your web site
  • How to Handle the Output from Forms - Script files, cgi, PERL, FormMail and iHTML and now PHP using Freeserve and Fasthosts as examples.
  • Form Validation - How to validate important fields to check they filled in and that an email address is valid, before the the form is submited
  • PHP Scripts An introduction to PHP directed at form handling and encryption with notes on setting up a Ubuntu Linux Server
• Secure Transactions - SSL and all that
• Web Page Counters - how to add a Hit Counter to your web page to measure your success.
• JavaScript Popup Windows for Images - Open larger images in a single new window of the correct size when one or more thumbnails are clicked.
• Recovering from Internet and Email Disasters - what you need to do to restore contact with your customers (uses Freeserve, Freezone and Fasthosts as examples).
  • Howto Backup Email messages, Address books and Dictionaries - The address list and email messages are of vital importance.
• A Guide to Painless Networks - A guide to setting up a simple and cheap network for home or a small firm.
  • ADSL Broadband - considerations and practicalities of Broadband access.
  • ADSL Wi-Fi Router Firewalls - a better way to share broadband and add Wi-Fi Wireless access to your network.
• Secure Storage and Email - Pretty Good Privacy, OpenPGP, GNUGP and Truecrypt - strong encryption for everyone who needs Secure Storage or Email under Windows. Now also covers Linux, Pocket PCs and Securing Form Output using PHP on servers - almost a new page.
• Virus Checkers - Configuration and Testing - including validation of correct operation/detection using the EICAR standard test virus.
• Internet Security - How to make sure you are protected against Hacking
• Consultancy Support - Options to provide a helping hand when you start and a safety net if disaster strikes