Gregg's Nearly Interminable Adventures in Linux Land

[eschwartz]

Unison sounds like a decent Dropbox alternative similar to ownCloud, assuming you keep in mind -- the idea is to run your own server to hold the master version.

The advantage of using cloud storage providers is that they do all the management, they run the servers.
The advantage of do-it-yourself solutions is that you have unlimited storage (just buy a bigger hard drive) at the cost of, well, doing it yourself.

That being said, if you want to you can. It should actually be pretty easy to use, but you need to have a computer that will always be on.

[Dngrsone]

I am having fun trying to sync two different versions of Pocket via Dropbox... doesn't help that I don't have the Dropbox daemon always running.

On an unrelated note, I am considering buying a new HP Envy 15; making for another adventure in dual-booting an UEFI machine with Secure-boot.

[eschwartz]

Dual-booting UEFI, what fun.

I suggest reinstalling Windows... well, no duh , but specifically, because you can reinstall it in legacy BIOS mode (assuming the PC has legacy BIOS mode).
Alternatively, dual-boot a linux distro that has the appropriate UEFI shim and follow extensive directions similar to the ones here when things go wrong... on second thought, gag me.

[Dngrsone]

Actually, I like UEFI-- one can have as many primary partitions on the disk as they want, as opposed to the restriction found in legacy BIOS. Four primary partitions only.

The big issue with UEFI is the Secure Boot feature required by Microsoft. rEFInd is my bootloader of choice and the website has a fount of information pertaining to UEFI.

[eschwartz]

I don't consider that to be a limitation in practice but I do feel rather ticked off by the movement toward making preboot needlessly complicated.

I suppose I should reserve my right to an opinion until I own a machine that actually uses UEFI.

[Glorfindel]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

[...]Next Linux question: Now I've got Copy and Dropbox. Can I put my Dropbox folder in my Copy folder? That way I could start with a file in Dropbox and it will be in both Dropbox's and Copy's cloud and my computer.[...]

I have my copy folder in Onedrive folder, thus far I have been unsuccessful in moving my dropbox folder, however.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by avantman42

The Ubuntu Software Centre, apt-get, and Synaptic all use the same repositories, they're just different user interfaces. I install from one of those unless there's a good reason not to, because then I get updates automatically.

Calibre is one of the few programs I install separately, because it's updated so often that the repositories can't keep up



I use Unison, and it works well. I also use Dropbox and Copy.

To use Unison, you'd need somewhere to synchronise your files to, like a NAS or an external hard drive. Whether or not you should depends on what the advantages/disadvantages are for you. Did your friend say why you should use Unison instead of Dropbox and/or Copy?

Thanks Russ. You know, I'd probably use Unison too if I had your level of computer knowledge. As it is (and for what I need) I think it's overkill. I mean, I've got Dropbox, Copy, Google Drive (LOL), two computers with the data on it and it's backed up to a flashdrive. And all just for my stories! (I obviously border on the neurotically grandiose.)

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Dngrsone

It sounds like the ereader wasn't done transferring (or the umount was not completed) when you disconnected it. I wouldn't discount a driver issue, though, especially with Linux and a lesser-known device.

Thanks Dngrsone. I never thought of that. In fact, I was in a big hurry doing it. But I pasted the file into the folder with the other books and it showed up properly. I thought if it showed up it was a done deal. Should I be waiting in the future? And if so, how long? (I mean, I know you don't know but what do you think?) Thanks.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Unison sounds like a decent Dropbox alternative similar to ownCloud, assuming you keep in mind -- the idea is to run your own server to hold the master version.

The advantage of using cloud storage providers is that they do all the management, they run the servers.
The advantage of do-it-yourself solutions is that you have unlimited storage (just buy a bigger hard drive) at the cost of, well, doing it yourself.

That being said, if you want to you can. It should actually be pretty easy to use, but you need to have a computer that will always be on.

Thanks eschwartz. Yeah, it's overkill for me. And I'd never want to have a computer on all the time. I think green.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Glorfindel

I have my copy folder in Onedrive folder, thus far I have been unsuccessful in moving my dropbox folder, however.

I wonder why. It's just a file, right?

[Gregg Bell]

Hey not to be greedy but to be greedy, I just got a "new" computer. Hence I don't have Copy or Dropbox on it (I have both on my other computer). Can I use one of the 'bonus for referral' links for this computer even though I have Copy and Dropbox accounts already?

[eschwartz]

Not unless you use it for a band-new account in which case they won't exactly sync together....

Storage hog that I am, I just stick my referral link where you saw it I do post a lot, like, everywhere, so I get good visibility.
It seems to be working, I have 16GB now thanks to referrals.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Not unless you use it for a band-new account in which case they won't exactly sync together....

Storage hog that I am, I just stick my referral link where you saw it I do post a lot, like, everywhere, so I get good visibility.
It seems to be working, I have 16GB now thanks to referrals.

Thanks man

[Glorfindel]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

I wonder why. It's just a file, right?

It is a folder that the dropbox program upload and downloads from, so the program needs to know that it was moved to a new location. Dropbox refuses to be moved to the location that I specify as it is offline. I know what it needs changed, I believe.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Glorfindel

It is a folder that the dropbox program upload and downloads from, so the program needs to know that it was moved to a new location. Dropbox refuses to be moved to the location that I specify as it is offline. I know what it needs changed, I believe.

Well, please report your results because I'd be interested in doing the same thing.