MiniME 2012 advice..

[dsonyay]

I've been running PCLOS (KDE) on my laptop since 2007 and for the past year on the family's main desktop PC.  We sure love PCLOS! 

I do believe the latest PCLOS I'm running is from 2011.

I was looking at the latest PCLOS (2012) and I'll need a DVD to run the Live CD for testing.  Which is no problem.

I don't use very much of the software that comes with the full load and figured I'd run Minime instead and use Synaptic to grab the programs I really need.

For the most part, those programs are LibreOffice, Firefox, Amarok, Gimp, CD/DVD burning software, Adobe Reader (Ocular?) and something to watch videos.  Maybe a few more, but that's the basics.

What are the programs that actually come with MiniMe?  Is there anything missing from Minime that would make it a pain to use for a typical user?

It can't be that difficult to add what I need can it?  It's as simple as using Synaptic, correct?  I've read MiniMe is more for the advanced users and I'm not sure if that means I need to be a programmer type, or simply someone who's got a lot of experience using PCLOS.

If I want to use the full KDE package, is it a simple upgrade through Synaptic as well?

I've search a bit through the forum but have yet to find a list of programs in MiniMe.  The full load is getting too big for me.  We use only a minimal amount of program at home.  Basic webmail, web surfing, and LibreOffice stuff.  Thanks!!

David

[T6]

"I've read MiniMe is more for the advanced users and I'm not sure if that means I need to be a programmer type, or simply someone who's got a lot of experience using PCLOS."

i have probably the same amount of experience with pclinux as you do and last time i tried minime, i couldn't do anything with it and had to install the normal version

i wouldn't install fullmonty because it has too much, but minime would ask me to add everything

minime is basically kde4 and a kernel with other very basic tools but nothing big to remain under the size of a 700mb cd, possibly it doesn't come with multimedia apps and other basic tools like k3b or kwrite

probably everything you need has to be added and add what you don't know you need or the exact name is a bit complicated, at least for me

i would install 2012.08 and remove things, it is faster than add many things i don't remember

"It can't be that difficult to add what I need can it?  It's as simple as using Synaptic, correct?"

true, but the same applies to remove things, just use synaptic

"If I want to use the full KDE package, is it a simple upgrade through Synaptic as well?"

i0m not sure what you call full kde package, that probably comes on the minime, kde4 environment with the basic desktop but probably what you need it to be, is not what you are going to get

[Just17]

Minime is - for all practical purposes - devoid of applications.

So it is not for the new user.

IMO, the only thing you need is familiarity with PCLOS and the apps you use.

Everything can be installed through Synaptic.
You might have some small problems if you do not use the meta packages (task-multimedia, task-<whatever>) as you would - in all likelihood - forget some needed package.

So, IMO, if you know what you want, then Minime should suit.

[Old-Polack]

dsonyay:

I'm with Just17 on this one. Minime provides the OS, basic KDE DE, and everything you need to function, less the user applications. All you need do is open Synaptic after installing, do the full upgrade procedure, then add the applications you normally use. If you miss something you would normally use, you can add it later. This is my preferred method of installing PCLinuxOS.

If you don't know the name of a package that installs a given application, do a Search in Synaptic with the name of the app in the Search: box, and the Look in: section set to Provided Packages.



If you still can't find what you are looking for, just ask in the forum, and we can give you the name of the appropriate package.

The admonition that MiniMe is for "advanced users" simply means the user needs to already know which packages he normally uses when running a Linux installation, and be familiar with the PCLinuxOS version of the Synaptic installer. You seem to have that covered very well. 

[joechimp]

Of course you can always show Synaptic in the sections mode and go down the list to the appropriate category and choose from the many applications offered.


EX: Graphics; you might choose Blender, then Gimp, or perhaps Inkscape.

Then move on section by section as you please. If that sounds like an enjoyable experience to you then by all means try it. It might make your experience with PCLinuxOS that much more fun.
It can't hurt to learn more about your OS. It really isn't all that hard. Even I can do it. 

Or as it has been mentioned. Install the 2012.8 and remove what you don't want. Either way it will take you a little time to get it right the way you want it.

It's the beauty of what we have to work with in PCLinuxOS.

[dsonyay]

Great advice.. and thanks so much.  I decided to simply install the full version. 

Joe- your idea was exactly what I was thinking as well.  But in the end, I figured to just go for the whole "shabang"

I'm burning to DVD as I write this and will play with it in Live mode a while before loading it up this weekend.

Have a good one

[YouCanToo]

Personally, I have always found it to be far easier to add what I want or need then to try to remove the junk I don't want. 

[T6]

the only thing i would call junk on a pclinux iso is k3b, but that is because i don't burn cds anymore

the rest is apps that i don't know how to use yet or i don't use often enough

pclinux doesn't have junk i'm sure

i don't know if download and burn the new iso or wait for the 64 bit version, that seems to be until next year unless we are going to have a great xmas gift 

[wayne1932]

For the last couple of years, I've been using the minime version and adding what I need.  It makes the menus so simple. 

What I use:  Libreoffice, Gimp, clementine(or audacious)  audacity, Thunderbird, Firefox, Kmymoney, Okular, kwrite, gramps, and VLC.  These meet the needs I have. 

[Just17]

the only thing i would call junk on a pclinux iso is k3b, but that is because i don't burn cds anymore

the rest is apps that i don't know how to use yet or i don't use often enough

pclinux doesn't have junk i'm sure

i don't know if download and burn the new iso or wait for the 64 bit version, that seems to be until next year unless we are going to have a great xmas gift  

I have two comments ...

Removing applications from the OS does not remove everything associated/installed with that package .....  so it leaves 'junk' behind ....  as in, files that are not used or needed.
Therefore it is 'cleaner' to start from a minimum and install only what is required.

K3b had a problem some time back. It was fixed as far as I am aware.
You appear to be basing your recent comments about it on some old experience you had back then.
Your comments are not applicable to current version of K3b and as such are misleading.
The very fact that you do not use the application confirms this.

I suggest you bring your experience up to date with K3b and report any problems that might be present with the current version.
Continually referring to an old (and fixed) problem is not helpful.

[aguila]

For the last couple of years, I've been using the minime version and adding what I need.  It makes the menus so simple. 

What I use:  Libreoffice, Gimp, clementine(or audacious)  audacity, Thunderbird, Firefox, Kmymoney, Okular, kwrite, gramps, and VLC.  These meet the needs I have. 

I also prefer adding what I want over removing what I don't need. If you have been using PCLOS for a while, you'll find anything you need easily.

What may have to be added to MiniMe are some libs for media playback and software for printing (there are tasks that will add all that is needed).

[agmg]

Being a Windows user for a long time, the term "remove what you don't want" brings memories of dll's leftovers, empty folders, registry entries or corrupted files during an unsuccessful uninstallation of a program. Doing that often would result in a lot of "junk" scattered around your hard disk or your registry which, in turn, would eventually lead to a format/reinstallation of the OS.

I don't think this is the case with PCLinuxOS and that should be made clear when talking about the differences between the MiniMe and the Standard edition.
Taking Minime that has a+b+c and adding d+e would have the same result as taking the Standard which has a+b+c+d+e+f+g and removing f+g, right?

Some configuration files or libraries may be left behind when you remove a program but they don't have a negative impact to your system's performance.
And you can spot and remove them quite easily.

[Crow]

In the end both methods are good.
Leftovers? in this times with HD's providing hundreds of MB's?  because I don't think they have a real impact in performance.

MiniMe have the advantage of providing a base for a very personal install, it may take you time to have it the way you want but in the end is worth every minute you use.

Rudge  try to make your own remaster of MiniMe using VBox, that way you can work in it in your spare time until it is the way you like it.

[T6]

yes, both methods are good but is faster to remove than download

"Removing applications from the OS does not remove everything associated/installed with that package .....  so it leaves 'junk' behind ....  as in, files that are not used or needed.
Therefore it is 'cleaner' to start from a minimum and install only what is required."

in linux, we are talking about a couple files not reaching 100mbs in the worst case i'm sure, and won't force a reinstall, at least it didn't after 3 years in my desktop and 2 in my netbook, system feels exactly as the first day, but prettier every time i change the wallpaper 

[dsonyay]

Thanks again---
I did the full load and have a couple of significant problems- I'm addressing this in a new thread.

Regarding MiniMe:  I may give this a try now after reading  all the advice.  I don't need 3 or 4 different music and video players, just one.  I only want one browser, etc.   I notice there's soooo much stuff on the full load I have yet to use over the years.

Like I said, I mostly use the browser, watch youtube videos, Hulu, download torrents, read online mail (don't use an e-mail client), LibreOffice, burn CDs/DVD's, watch movies on occasion, edit photos from my phone camera or my simple Canon Powershot digital cam (mostly to remove redeye).  Listen to music (Amarok). 

So, I will likely benefit from the MiniMe?  It's a much shorter download as well.  I have a 16meg download speed at home and the full version (3gb?) took quite a while!