Thanks for the baby steps.

Post #312,315 by Another Scott 8/8/09 3:30:02 PM Reply	Thanks for the baby steps. I'm still feeling my way along in the dark in much of this stuff, unfortunately... 1) No "Touchpad" app is in System -> Preferences -> Startup Applications. I'd read about gsynaptics-init on doing a Google search earlier. Its sourceforge page - http://gsynaptics.sourceforge.jp/ - says use GPointing-Device-Settings (which is the thing I was trying to think of in the earlier post. http://live.gnome.or...ingDeviceSettings I couldn't figure out how to install it from the .tar.gz, so I used apt-get to install it. It shows the config dialog, but doesn't enable clicking or double-clicking on the pad area. Should I try gsynaptics-init instead? 2) Network Manager is installed in S->P->SA. My e/n/interfaces is: # The loopback network interface auto lo iface lo inet loopback # The primary network interface allow-hotplug wlan0 iface wlan0 inet dhcp # wireless-* options are implemented by the wireless-tools package wireless-mode managed wireless-essid myessid wireless-key1 mykey The last 4 lines are indented by a tab stop. I've seen this in other text config files too. It's incorrect, isn't it? Could that be causing problems? Another stupid newbie question: What do I need to use to be able to edit and overwrite config files that are owned by root? I see a "root terminal" app under the GUI menu, but I'd like to be able to easily do it from a GUI file manager and GUI editor. I understand that I don't have permission to change root files, but I know there are ways to have the system prompt for root passwords - I just can't seem to ever remember the hocus-pocus to make that happen. The kernel I have been booting is the latest that gets installed (though in one case I had to use the previous from the boot menu): vmlinuz-2.6.30-1-686 (I can't find the linux-image... filename at the moment.) 3) Video: VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon RV250 [Mobility FireGL 9000] (rev 02) Xorg: There are about 2 dozen drivers listed for various chipsets and VESA, etc. The ATI-specific line is: ii xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.12.2-3 X.Org X server -- ATI display driver wrapper (The Radeon line has the same version number.) Iceweasel: Debian-3.0.12-1 I can't seem to find flashplugin-nonfree. The Shockwave Flash version is 10.0.r32 Perhaps it's the ATI driver that's causing the Flash/100% CPU problems? Thanks again. Cheers, Scott.
Post #312,316 by mvitale 8/8/09 4:20:25 PM Reply	Re: Thanks for the baby steps. The last 4 lines are indented by a tab stop. I've seen this in other text config files too. It's incorrect, isn't it? Could that be causing problems? No, that will not cause problems. They're probably indented (as mine are on my Linux server) to make each different interface stand out by being "undented." What do I need to use to be able to edit and overwrite config files that are owned by root? I see a "root terminal" app under the GUI menu, but I'd like to be able to easily do it from a GUI file manager and GUI editor. I understand that I don't have permission to change root files, but I know there are ways to have the system prompt for root passwords - I just can't seem to ever remember the hocus-pocus to make that happen. Instead of using the command `vi /etc/network/interfaces`, you want to `sudo vi /etc/network/interfaces` (or whatever root-owned file you're interested in.) You'll then be prompted for a password; this is your password, not root's. You really shouldn't even know what root's password is. Everything you need to do to root-owned files, you can do through sudo. -Mike "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin, 1759 Historical Review of Pennsylvania
Post #312,317 by Another Scott 8/8/09 4:42:36 PM Reply	Thanks Mike!
Post #312,319 by folkert 8/8/09 5:58:46 PM Reply	The only real reason... not to have those in the network interfaces is... auto-managed rather than specified. Mike does things that way as he'll never change. The reason you have the "root terminal" desktop short cut is that you are running SID. Sid assumes a lot. I just ignore it.

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