Netbook is now Linux

The run with Win10 on the netbook is over.  It was fine, but, I get nervous seeing how many pieces of the system call home for stuff I can't control or turn off.  That and I want to be in control on what gets upgraded and not have it forced on me.  I have been using Linux for years on a variety of machines and it was easy to convert this machine.

The conversion took only an hour and I was up-and-running.  The distro I am using is LUBUNTU and it is quite light on the machine.  I had to make a few changes.  The default word processor and spreadsheet were replaced with LibreOffice.  I prefer it as my Windows laptop runs it and it is easier to work with when I have only one app to keep up-to-date.  Same with GIMP for both machines.  I did remove light-locker and replace it with xscreensaver.  For the system monitor I put on GKRELLM.  To make things work I had to modify the startup via LXSession configuration.  One other quirk was that the touchpad would always start every time I log in and not respect my settings.  That was easy to fix on the start in LXSession.  To do screen captures I had to install Gnome Screenshot as the screen shot key doesn't seem to work.  All of the software is in the Synaptic Package Manager.

Modify startup for my preferences

The best part is it takes about one minute to start up the machine and about 10 seconds to do a complete shutdown.  Windows startup was around 2 minutes and at least a minute for shutdown.

Current screen looks like the image below.

My main screen setup

 Once I got the basics set up I then launched the software updater facility.  It downloaded everything, installed, cleaned up, rebooted and I got the latest version of LUBUNTU.

The only package so far I couldn't find was the driver for my Brother print/scanner.  Upside is that Brother does support Linux and I could download and install the files.  Once there I configured my printer without too much effort.  I had to use the IP address, but, once filled in the printer worked without issue.  The next thing I have to check out is the scanner option.  I also have an Epson Scanner that I want to see if it works on the machine too.  Windows 10 would not support it and I was thinking of buying a new scanner, but, if the netbook recognizes it I can save money by not purchasing a new scanner.

Brother printer/scanner recognized

Has customer service died, or, are businesses that arrogant?

 Sigh, companies are doing less and less for consumers and charging more for what little they keep in stock.  They must think that with limited (in their eyes) competition we have to take what they offer and be grateful for that.

• Tried to buy a scanner, no scanner, but, we do carry muti-function printers with a scanner.  I told them I didn't want a MFP, I wanted a scanner and they pointed me to a competitor up the road!  Smart move Best Buy!
• Tried to buy a replacement drive for a laptop. No we don't carry those, but, we do have inexpensive laptops if you are interested.  They also mentioned the same computer shop up the street from where I live where I could buy a replacement drive. Way to go The-Source!
• Next up, I tried to buy replacement batteries for my wife's watches. "No we can't open up the back and replace the batteries" according to the sales person.  Another win for The-Source!

The-Source used to be Radio Shack until they got bought out by another company. I loved Radio Shack as they carried a great selection of materials and they knew their stuff and were willing to help.  The-Source is carrying less and less items that would be of use to me and the prices tend to be higher than ALL of the competitors. To rephrase what their web page has at the top "They don't have that" or "You can't have that".

This weekend capped off a perfect several weeks where I wanted to purchase an item.  I wanted to get my wife a simple Android phone from Virgin Mobile.  Pay for the phone up front and go pay-as-you-go.  The first place we went to was Best Buy and for five minutes we were ignored by the sales staff, I guess they had more important personal business to do rather than make a sale.  We went across the street to the mall and The-Source.  I was approached by a sales person quickly (yay) and I told him what I wanted.  He told me "They can't do that".  Excuse me?  Last year we got two Virgin Mobile phones, paid up-front and went pay-as-you-go at that same store.

It looks like I will be stopping in at the Virgin Mobile store in the downtown mall and buy a phone there and go pay-as-you-go and Best Buy and The-Source will get $0.00 for their effort and Virgin Mobile gets all of the money.  I like Virgin Mobile as they give good value for the money, very helpful when I call with a question/issue and know what customer service is!

Update 2016/03/15:

I stopped in at the Virgin Mobile store yesterday at lunch in the Rideau Centre here in Ottawa.  As soon as I walked in I was greeted and asked if there was anything he could do.  I explained I was looking for an Android phone on a pay-as-you-go plan.  No problem, he asked any specific model or price range.  I replied max $250.  He had the model in the range and allowed me to check it out.  I liked what I saw and the specs so I told him it was a sale.  A few minutes at the checkout, buying a bit of time so the wife had a few minutes call time to start with.  From the time I entered, paperwork and leaving it was max 20 minutes.  I liked the service and the attitude "How can we help you" and "We can do that".

I brought the phone home and my wife LOVES the phone.  It fits in her right hand easily and is very easy for her to use.  That is very important as she had a stroke and has problems using her left hand.  She was able to phone home and my cell phone without any problems and launched Google calendar for one of her appointments!  This is all that I wanted to get for her and two businesses lost an easy sale!

Thank you Virgin Mobile for making a simple task simple!

Windows 10 & Drivers - What a pain

Last week I wanted to use my scanner to make a copy of my various medical receipts.  The Epson Perfection 1650 worked well in Windows 7, minor tweaks in 8.1.  In Windows 10 it doesn't work at all.  It sees the scanner, but, does not recognize the driver.  This is a major annoyance as this is a fairly recent scanner.  I checked Epson and they don't support it.  The options are to move it to the laptop with Linux (wife's machine so I have to wait until she isn't using it) or buy a new scanner.

I checked a number of stores and most don't stock stand-alone scanners as they prefer multi-function machines.  I understand their reason as they get return business for replacement ink cartridges.  The problem is that I have 2 printers.  One is a color ink-jet and the other is a laser so I don't need a third printer.

Why do manufacturers abandon hardware when a new O/S comes out?  i know it costs a bit of money, but, if you design the driver properly it should be moderately easy to port.  If not why don't they open up the specs so hobbiests have an easier time of writing drivers?