COMPUTERS, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY

[Steven Chorkley]

What does everyone make of the new LTS Ubuntu release?

[Stanley]

Over to Pluggy, I haven't the faintest idea what it is.

[Big Kev]

14.04?

[Pluggy]

I've put 14.04 on my main machine after trialling it on a secondary machine. Its slightly more polished than 12.04 and better if you're installing it on a new machine because the drivers are more up to date. Some of the appliations have been 'dumbed down' so I prefer 12.04 in some respects. Nautilus (files) is a lot less capable now, apparently the Linux Mint community have had a lot to do with that (many on Ubuntu upped and went to Linux Mint when they changed the Gnome interface about 3 years back. Linux Mint is very popular with those who like windows, so maybe they want the file manager to be as incapable as Windows explorer.

No real reason to upgrade IMO. Its recognisably Ubuntu.

[Stanley]

I work on the principle if it ain't bent don't fix it.... Quite satisfied with what I have got. I'll make a change when Plugs tells me to.....

[plaques]

After almost being out smarted by our new Smart TV. I see that there are "Smart" recorders on the market with built in WiFi. Would this connection allow BBC Iplayer to be recorded? All in all, I'm not sure what the advantages are of "Smart" recorders over the standard twin tuner type. I know these things are not pure computers but they are getting very near.

[Big Kev]

Upgraded the laptop to 14.04 today, all fairly straightforward and it still works . All is good.

[Stanley]

What a brave man!

[Pluggy]

I broke the habit of a lifetime and upgraded (rather than wiped and started again) my laptop (aformentioned 'secondary machine') it worked fine. I have a split SSD/HDD setup on my main machine and I didn't trust the update, so I unhooked the HDD which has most of my stuff on and did a fresh install onto the SSD, and patched the untouched HDD back in afterwards. Both work fine. 12.04 has 3 years of life left in it, if you're happy, stay put is my advice. There isn't that much different in 14.04.

[Pluggy]

After almost being out smarted by our new Smart TV. I see that there are "Smart" recorders on the market with built in WiFi. Would this connection allow BBC Iplayer to be recorded? All in all, I'm not sure what the advantages are of "Smart" recorders over the standard twin tuner type. I know these things are not pure computers but they are getting very near.

They are computers in all but name, somebody somewhere will be running Linux on one. (Many of them are running cut down customised Linux in any case). Hacking set top boxes to make them do stuff they were never envisaged to do is entertainment for some people.

[Stanley]

Funnily enough my old Sony HDD recorder went AWOL last night. Usual tests on supply and remake the connections and after a brief interval it rebooted itself. But eventually I shall have to have a rethink on my TV setup.....

[Big Kev]

Funnily enough my old Sony HDD recorder went AWOL last night. Usual tests on supply and remake the connections and after a brief interval it rebooted itself. But eventually I shall have to have a rethink on my TV setup.....

The new generation Freesat recorders have caught my interest. A 7 day catch up on 22 of the channels and BBC, ITV, 4 and 5 iplayers. I do need to jusify it really though which is difficult as my 5 year old Freesat recorder is still going strong...

[David Whipp]

Second (or third TV) Kev...

[Big Kev]

Second (or third TV) Kev...

It's an idea but could I be bothered to run the cable from the dish? The 2nd TV gets the Freeview signal from the Marton tower, for the amount of time we use it (BBC News while eating breakfast) I don't think I'd want to make a mess of the decor

[Stanley]

I have the same problem Kev, my old Freesat HD box was one of the first in Barlick and a lot of the channels don't work on it now. I think the driver will be when something packs up.....
Oh and before anyone asks if I have upgraded the programme on it I don't know how to do that......

[Big Kev]

Oh and before anyone asks if I have upgraded the programme on it I don't know how to do that......

You want me to have a look?

[Stanley]

If you had time that would be great Kev. Call before 10AM, I ignore the phone after that, they are all cold calls.

[Big Kev]

If you had time that would be great Kev. Call before 10AM, I ignore the phone after that, they are all cold calls.

I'll wander round in a bit. Give me 20 minutes...

[Stanley]

At 10AM yesterday the light levels dropped in the kitchen as Kev loomed up in the yard. (He's BIG!) Within ten minutes he had sorted my Freesat upgrade by forcing a new install, he knew the dummy code to enter 0000. He agreed with me that the reason I was not getting good reception and some weak signal stations being AWOL was because signal strength was down and my dish needed looking at. On his advice at 11AM I called in at Garry's on Rainhall Road (Bumping into him again as I did it). At half past one James the aerial fitter arrived, popped his ladders up and found the fault immediately. The bracket holding the sensor was loose and it was out of alignment so he re-fixed it and checked the alignment with his signal meter. That was it, a complete cure, I now have perfect reception again on all 207 channels and when I asked him how much he said £20. I told him that wasn't enough and gave him £30 because you can't do a call out and 45 minutes work for less.
Thanks to Kev, James and OG! (Isn't this site wonderful...)

[Big Kev]

Great news, glad it's all sorted.

[Stanley]

Yes, but it took you and your advice to trigger the action that has got us here. Really enjoyed the better reception and all the 207 channels are now working. You were right in that it was my systems inability to pick up the weaker signals, due as it turned out, to a misalignment of the gizmo on the dish. A result, and it happened because you took notice of a cry for help. That's how the world ought to work.....

[Steven Chorkley]

Playing with Ubuntu 13 I just dont seem to grasp the OS at all..... I can manage most things, i'm just too used to Debian!

Got a rMac Pro 15" top model and loving it! Can handle VM's without blinking!

[Stanley]

What is a VM?

[Big Kev]

What is a VM?

Virtual Machine

[Stanley]

Thanks Kev.....