MX Linux Forum

Hey all,

Thanks a ton for having me!
I'm new to Linux and to the forum.
I received a 'New2Me" Laptop from a Library help program and it's OS is MX Linux.
I'm ready to become a MX Linux Master and begin a journey into IT.
With some help and luck I can be the person helping to solve others' posts.

Before I make my first focused post I had a few questions.
1) Will any of the info in 'Quick System Info' identify me or my machine? I don't want to make myself vulnerable or give away any IDs.
-also a couple presses of 'up' on the directional pad while I was in the terminal showed as something that brought up system info. Is that like 'Quick System Info'?
2) I am technically competent and like reading but MX LInux has allot of hype. I'd love to read through the User Manual (ALT+F1) but is it worth all the hype?
-alot of times a noob isn't ready for all the info so what sections of the UM should I focus on in the beginning?

Thanks again for having me and thank you for anything you have to teach me!!

Welcome in!

So, QSI will not post any information that will identify or point to you. It cleans and provides only information about your machine, the linux load, and the repos you have setup. (ie no ID's)

You can run QSI and look through it all off line and check it out.

If you have any experience with XFCE then you can walk into MX knowing a lot. If not, then it would be good to learn a bit. And if your a little Linux savvy, then I would suggest looking at the MX "difference" . ie the MX tools. (And this is probably the most important part of the manual.. imo . )

Getting to know and use things like snapshot, timeshift and a few others will help save you if you get into trouble and backing up and understanding that is, again imo, the best thing you can start with :-)

And then this forum is a great place to check out! Tips and tricks, and a lot of things you can pick up by reading, checking, etc.

Have fun and talk later :-)

Maybe take the tour and follow the links.
As per CharlesV, MX tools, maybe Lucky Backup, Deju Dup, File Sync or others for DATA backup.
MX Cleanup, Timeshift, MX Snapshot - preferably in that order, and MX-Live-USB-Maker, can make it writeable with either persistence (many types) and/or MX-RemasterCC.

Use MX Package Installer first, MXPI, or Synaptic Package Manager.
Check MXPI before installing from outside sources, can often be done OK.
MX isn't Ubuntu, or pure Debian, don't add Ubuntu PPAs.
Don't permanently enable some repos, MXPI Testing & Backports Repo temporarily enables their repo to install the package, then disables it to avoid dependency problems.
If installing and AHS kernel, you can go "whole-hog" as D.O. put it, and enable the AHS repo permanently, but it's not really necessary, but mayb preferable if using an AHS kernel. The AHS kernels also temporarily enables the AHS repo while installing. AHS kernels, Testing, Backport repos, and I believe flatpaks packages must be updated manually, i.e. open MXPI and install the newer package. Frequently check MXPI>Popular Apps>Kernels for new AHS kernels, this is different than other distros. LTS, or "regular" kernels do autoupgrade withing MX Updater (green box).

Install:
thunar-media-plugin
++EDIT++ thunar-media-tags-plugin But it doesn't appear to be providing the additional audio tab, likely due to the 4.18 Xfce upgrade.
gtk-hash (they may have it installed by default)
appimagelauncher if you intend on installing appimages.
MXPI>Enabled Repos>user-installed-packages install before installing MX-23
This creates a file in your home folder, with most of your personally installed packages, except Flatpaks, Snaps, AppImages, etc. titled: manually_installed_pkgs
Snaps only works if you use systemd, not SysVinit (in QSI>Info), can be changed in MX-Boot Options.
QSI can save the file to home folder titled sysinfo.txt but it if changed it's incorrect, e.g. newer kernel, enabled a new repo.


Maybe install:
indicator-sound-switcher
MasterPDF fill in pdf files, not sure which one.
MX Tweak>Panel - - Backup current panel configuration.

Most of this is accurate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO7yd5yWN7c

I like the firejail, firetools, fire profiles, and L,R,U,D & UIJK window placement, I forget others.

Again, MX Tweak, Boot Options

One biased suggestion: MX Tweak>Theme:
Matcha-dark-aliz, mx-comfort-dark-thick-border, Paprius-mxblue-dark
Choose a thick border one because, the windows are very hard to grab otherwise - small pixel selection area.

Welcome and Good luck

Welcome. Since this is a Pre-owned computer, the first step is to provide QSI.

An older version of MX may not have some of the newer tools mentioned by MXRobo above. And it may already be end-of-life.

Older hardware may mean different advice on what newer version of mx to install (if necessary).

asqwerth wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 12:08 am Welcome. Since this is a Pre-owned computer, the first step is to provide QSI.

An older version of MX may not have some of the newer tools mentioned by MXRobo above. And it may already be end-of-life.

I interpreted the OP's opening post differently, that is, I came to the (overly optimistic?) conclusion that the library had installed MX Linux on a donated, used laptop. My reasoning is that the library would want to wipe the hard drive before sending out the computer. Using Linux would allow the library to install an OS without a license # and free of charge. That the library chose MX is cool! ... Of course this impression could be totally wrong.

In answer to a couple of the OP @SmilesOnFaces questions:
* neofetch - yes, neofetch is another way of bring up information about the system. You can read more about neofetch by opening the terminal and typing in "man" is a way of invoking the Linux manual pages (not the MX Manual).

MX Quick System Info (QSI) uses inxi, another set of commands to provide system information. I think the command is Reading the MX Manual is a good idea.

@Antediluvian the inxi -Fxxxrza result while providing mostly the same info as QSI, not all private information is filtered out.

CharlesV wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 6:23 pm @Antediluvian the inxi -Fxxxrza result while providing mostly the same info as QSI, not all private information is filtered out.

Thanks for that clarification.
Note: I also deleted the link to a YouTube video I provided. Not the best for MX I think. Too much systemd.

Welcome,

you'll have to decide for yourself about any "hype". Use the system and ask questions about what you see, like, don't like, in the forums. Bear in mind there are three officially supported "flavors" in MX. The flagship flavor is XFCE (my favorite) and there is also KDE and Fluxbox versions.

Yes, I would recommend you read the manuals in full. And browse the forum often to see what others are doing and learning about MX. I would say it will be worth it.

Seaken64

Thanks a ton everyone.
@CharlesV for Timeshift and Snapshot
@MXRobo I didn't know there was a tour. Still looking for it hahaha, And the utoob link as well as the software suggestions and especially the custom theme info.
@asqwerth
@Antediluvian for teaching me 'man' though I might stay away from posting 'inxi -fxxxrza' but I def saw allot of good info in the output.
@seaken64 for all the diff MX flavors

preesh all your info and look forward to digging into all of it.
I think I'll start with customizing my theme and the colors in the command line (that'lll be a fun post).
@CharlesV @Antediluvian
I noticed that when I bring up QSI in the start menu it lists inxi FxxxRZA right under it, as if that's what it is....is QSI inxi Fxxxrza

SmilesOnFaces wrote: ↑Mon May 29, 2023 4:11 pm Thanks a ton everyone.
@CharlesV for Timeshift and Snapshot
@MXRobo I didn't know there was a tour. Still looking for it hahaha, And the utoob link as well as the software suggestions and especially the custom theme info.
@asqwerth
@Antediluvian for teaching me 'man' though I might stay away from posting 'inxi -fxxxrza' but I def saw allot of good info in the output.
@seaken64 for all the diff MX flavors

preesh all your info and look forward to digging into all of it.
I think I'll start with customizing my theme and the colors in the command line (that'lll be a fun post).
@CharlesV @Antediluvian
I noticed that when I bring up QSI in the start menu it lists inxi FxxxRZA right under it, as if that's what it is....is QSI inxi Fxxxrza

Your we;come. QSI is using inxi with the security filters in place ( z ) so its cleaned of your specific private data.

CharlesV wrote: ↑Mon May 29, 2023 4:41 pm Your we;come. QSI is using inxi with the security filters in place ( z ) so its cleaned of your specific private data.

Oh, ok! I get it now.