Artie's 4.1.1 setup and tips
Posted: Mon 24 Nov 2008, 16:04
Up through the years I have tried out many versions of Puppy. Along the way I have picked up a few useful hints and tips and I discover new things every day. I was wondering if anyone would be interested if I tried to describe my setup and new discoveries here in this thread so that others might pick up some solution to setup and configuration problems they might have. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. My 4.1.1 is installed on a USB stick. For people with hard disk installs some of these procedures might be different.
My Puppy 4.1.1 install procedure on blank pendrive:
Put 4.1.1 iso disk in cd drive
Reboot PC boot from cd drive
ps/2 mouse->OK->no qwerty (Norway)->OK->Xorg->1024x768x24->OK
Insert pendrive in USB port await icon
Menu->System->Gparted
Mark USB drive->OKAY->Mark partition->Delete->Mark partition->Apply->Apply->Close
Mark partition->New->Filesystem: ext3->Add->Mark partition->Apply->Apply->Close
Mark partition->Rightclick->Manage flags->Mark boot->Close->Close GParted
Menu->Setup->Puppy universal installer->Flash drive->OK->Mark drive->OK
Install Puppy to sdb1->CONTINUE->OK->CD->OK->Mark mbr.bin->OK->ENTER->y->ENTER->y->ENTER->Finished->ENTER
Remove CD->Menu->Shutdown->Reboot->SAVE TO FILE->OK->Choose pendrive->OK->OK->NORMAL->8 1.25GB->OK->YES, SAVE
Firewall
Menu->Setup->Linux-Firewall Wizard->automagic
Global Font Size
Menu->Desktop->Set global font size
My screen resolution is 1024x768 and I use font size 84
Menu->Setup->ALSA sound Wizard
I have a standard wired router so I do
Menu->Setup->Network Wizard->eth0->Auto DHCP->Yes->Done
Then I go to Menu->Desktop->Chooselocale and put in nb_NO as I am in Norway
Change the clock format from 12 hour to 24 hour
Open /root/.jwmrc-tray in a text editor
Delete the line <Clock>minixcal</Clock> and put in the line <Clock format="%H:%M:%S">minixcal</Clock> instead.
If you don't want the seconds put in <Clock format="%R">minixcal</Clock> instead.
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 32&t=28916
Fonts
First I make a .fonts directory under root
Then I download the dejavu fonts from http://sourceforge.net/projects/dejavu/ and extract them into the .fonts directory
Then I download the liberation fonts .pet from http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=32143
Updating Geany, the text editor behind the edit icon on the desktop
The Geany version in 4.1.1 is 0.12. To update to 0.15 go to http://www.badongo.com/file/12268795 and download. Then install as per instructions. To have the edit icon open 0.15 go to Menu->Filesystem->ROX-Filer->/usr/local/bin->rightclick defaulttexteditor icon->Open As Text->Replace "geany" with "/usr/local/bin/geany" and save. Check out http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=36094 if more info is needed.
OpenOffice 3 USB stick install
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 54&t=34325
The OpenOffice-3.0 file is an .sfs file. Download this file into the same folder you have the pup_save.2fs file. If you don't know where that is go to Menu->Filesystem->Pfind file finder. Write pup_save.2fs and search. Pfind will show you the path.
Then go to console and write md5sum /path to/OpenOffice-3.0.sfs
Compare the number you get to the number 2f8d4e99805a8f929d664c6f60a9d2f9. If it's the same number you're ok. If not, download the file again.
Go to Menu->System->BootManager configure bootup->Choose which extra SFS files to load at bootup. Mark OpenOffice-3.0.sfs and push Add. Make sure that "Ignore above user selection, load all with '_411' in filename" is not ticked. OK and Quit. Reboot.
OpenOffice3 sfs HD install
Further down this thread KC1DI and vanchutr have described an easy way to use an sfs file in an HD install. I haven't tried it myself so I can't write out the instructions in detail here. If anyone tries it out please write back how it went and exactly what you did. Remember it has to be on a full! HD install.
Firefox 3.03 with Java and Flash sfs file
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 59&t=31739
To install follow the instructions for the OpenOffice .sfs file. The only difference is the md5sum and the file name.
Remember to go to Firefox->Edit->Preferences->Advanced->Update->Tick the boxes you want and/or go to Help->Check for Updates...
Go to /usr/share/applications/firefox.desktop and drag icon to desktop
If you think the Firefox icon stands out from the other icons you can go to Menu->Desktop->Desktop icon switcher and choose Original
If you would like the browse icon to open Firefox instead of SeaMonkey go to /usr/local/binary and rightclick on defaultbrowser. File 'defaultbrowser'->Open As Text. Simply replace the word "mozstart" with the word "firefox" and save.
Firefox 3.03 with Java and Flash .pets
If you for some reason can't or won't use an sfs file go to http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 46&t=30434
Opera
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 87&t=26564
For autoscroll go to http://www.opera.com/support/usingopera ... /index.dml and press the Extended Center Mousebutton Action link. Set to zero and save.
Go to /usr/share/applications/opera.desktop and drag icon to desktop
If you think the Opera icon stands out from the other icons you can go to Menu->Desktop->Desktop icon switcher and choose Original
If you would like the browse icon to open Opera instead of SeaMonkey go to /usr/local/binary and rightclick on defaultbrowser. File 'defaultbrowser'->Open As Text. Simply replace the word "mozstart" with the word "opera" and save.
Seamonkey autoscroll
Goto about:config
To change entries just doubleclick on the line
Filter:middle
browser.tabs.opentabfor.middleclick set entry to false
middlemouse.contentLoadURL set entry to false
middlemouse.openNewWindow set entry to false
middlemouse.paste set entry to true
middlemouse.scrollbarPosition set entry to false
Filter: scroll
general.autoScroll set entry to true
general.smoothScroll set entry to true
If Seamonkey can't compose and send in Hotmail
Goto about:config
Filter: general.useragent.extra.Seamonkey
Doubleclick the line and write "Firefox/2.0 really Seamonkey/1.1.11" in the new window
USB specific
At regular intervals you will notice "Saving RAM to 'pup_save' file..." on top of the screen. A USB stick has a limited number of read and write cycles before it goes bad. My Kingston 4GB DataTraveler is certified for 100 000 cycles. Yours may be capable of less. In the Menu->System->Puppy Event Manager->Save Session you can specify intervals between saves. If you are continuously writing or modifying use shorter intervals. If the pc is idle for hours at a time and your activity come in bursts use long intervals and the save icon to prolong the life of the USB stick.
I will keep on editing and adding to this post as I discover new things of interest. If anything is unclear, confusing or not detailed enough from a new users point of view please give me a hint and I'll elaborate.
Thanks to DaveS, Sit Heel Speak, `f00, puppyluvr, jstevans and KC1DI for kind words and constructive input.
I have tried most of the tips myself but please don't hold me responsible if something unfortunate should happen to your system when trying them out. If so, please PM me so I can edit the post.
Artie
My Puppy 4.1.1 install procedure on blank pendrive:
Put 4.1.1 iso disk in cd drive
Reboot PC boot from cd drive
ps/2 mouse->OK->no qwerty (Norway)->OK->Xorg->1024x768x24->OK
Insert pendrive in USB port await icon
Menu->System->Gparted
Mark USB drive->OKAY->Mark partition->Delete->Mark partition->Apply->Apply->Close
Mark partition->New->Filesystem: ext3->Add->Mark partition->Apply->Apply->Close
Mark partition->Rightclick->Manage flags->Mark boot->Close->Close GParted
Menu->Setup->Puppy universal installer->Flash drive->OK->Mark drive->OK
Install Puppy to sdb1->CONTINUE->OK->CD->OK->Mark mbr.bin->OK->ENTER->y->ENTER->y->ENTER->Finished->ENTER
Remove CD->Menu->Shutdown->Reboot->SAVE TO FILE->OK->Choose pendrive->OK->OK->NORMAL->8 1.25GB->OK->YES, SAVE
Firewall
Menu->Setup->Linux-Firewall Wizard->automagic
Global Font Size
Menu->Desktop->Set global font size
My screen resolution is 1024x768 and I use font size 84
Menu->Setup->ALSA sound Wizard
I have a standard wired router so I do
Menu->Setup->Network Wizard->eth0->Auto DHCP->Yes->Done
Then I go to Menu->Desktop->Chooselocale and put in nb_NO as I am in Norway
Change the clock format from 12 hour to 24 hour
Open /root/.jwmrc-tray in a text editor
Delete the line <Clock>minixcal</Clock> and put in the line <Clock format="%H:%M:%S">minixcal</Clock> instead.
If you don't want the seconds put in <Clock format="%R">minixcal</Clock> instead.
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 32&t=28916
Fonts
First I make a .fonts directory under root
Then I download the dejavu fonts from http://sourceforge.net/projects/dejavu/ and extract them into the .fonts directory
Then I download the liberation fonts .pet from http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=32143
Updating Geany, the text editor behind the edit icon on the desktop
The Geany version in 4.1.1 is 0.12. To update to 0.15 go to http://www.badongo.com/file/12268795 and download. Then install as per instructions. To have the edit icon open 0.15 go to Menu->Filesystem->ROX-Filer->/usr/local/bin->rightclick defaulttexteditor icon->Open As Text->Replace "geany" with "/usr/local/bin/geany" and save. Check out http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=36094 if more info is needed.
OpenOffice 3 USB stick install
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 54&t=34325
The OpenOffice-3.0 file is an .sfs file. Download this file into the same folder you have the pup_save.2fs file. If you don't know where that is go to Menu->Filesystem->Pfind file finder. Write pup_save.2fs and search. Pfind will show you the path.
Then go to console and write md5sum /path to/OpenOffice-3.0.sfs
Compare the number you get to the number 2f8d4e99805a8f929d664c6f60a9d2f9. If it's the same number you're ok. If not, download the file again.
Go to Menu->System->BootManager configure bootup->Choose which extra SFS files to load at bootup. Mark OpenOffice-3.0.sfs and push Add. Make sure that "Ignore above user selection, load all with '_411' in filename" is not ticked. OK and Quit. Reboot.
OpenOffice3 sfs HD install
Further down this thread KC1DI and vanchutr have described an easy way to use an sfs file in an HD install. I haven't tried it myself so I can't write out the instructions in detail here. If anyone tries it out please write back how it went and exactly what you did. Remember it has to be on a full! HD install.
Firefox 3.03 with Java and Flash sfs file
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 59&t=31739
To install follow the instructions for the OpenOffice .sfs file. The only difference is the md5sum and the file name.
Remember to go to Firefox->Edit->Preferences->Advanced->Update->Tick the boxes you want and/or go to Help->Check for Updates...
Go to /usr/share/applications/firefox.desktop and drag icon to desktop
If you think the Firefox icon stands out from the other icons you can go to Menu->Desktop->Desktop icon switcher and choose Original
If you would like the browse icon to open Firefox instead of SeaMonkey go to /usr/local/binary and rightclick on defaultbrowser. File 'defaultbrowser'->Open As Text. Simply replace the word "mozstart" with the word "firefox" and save.
Firefox 3.03 with Java and Flash .pets
If you for some reason can't or won't use an sfs file go to http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 46&t=30434
Opera
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 87&t=26564
For autoscroll go to http://www.opera.com/support/usingopera ... /index.dml and press the Extended Center Mousebutton Action link. Set to zero and save.
Go to /usr/share/applications/opera.desktop and drag icon to desktop
If you think the Opera icon stands out from the other icons you can go to Menu->Desktop->Desktop icon switcher and choose Original
If you would like the browse icon to open Opera instead of SeaMonkey go to /usr/local/binary and rightclick on defaultbrowser. File 'defaultbrowser'->Open As Text. Simply replace the word "mozstart" with the word "opera" and save.
Seamonkey autoscroll
Goto about:config
To change entries just doubleclick on the line
Filter:middle
browser.tabs.opentabfor.middleclick set entry to false
middlemouse.contentLoadURL set entry to false
middlemouse.openNewWindow set entry to false
middlemouse.paste set entry to true
middlemouse.scrollbarPosition set entry to false
Filter: scroll
general.autoScroll set entry to true
general.smoothScroll set entry to true
If Seamonkey can't compose and send in Hotmail
Goto about:config
Filter: general.useragent.extra.Seamonkey
Doubleclick the line and write "Firefox/2.0 really Seamonkey/1.1.11" in the new window
USB specific
At regular intervals you will notice "Saving RAM to 'pup_save' file..." on top of the screen. A USB stick has a limited number of read and write cycles before it goes bad. My Kingston 4GB DataTraveler is certified for 100 000 cycles. Yours may be capable of less. In the Menu->System->Puppy Event Manager->Save Session you can specify intervals between saves. If you are continuously writing or modifying use shorter intervals. If the pc is idle for hours at a time and your activity come in bursts use long intervals and the save icon to prolong the life of the USB stick.
I will keep on editing and adding to this post as I discover new things of interest. If anything is unclear, confusing or not detailed enough from a new users point of view please give me a hint and I'll elaborate.
Thanks to DaveS, Sit Heel Speak, `f00, puppyluvr, jstevans and KC1DI for kind words and constructive input.
I have tried most of the tips myself but please don't hold me responsible if something unfortunate should happen to your system when trying them out. If so, please PM me so I can edit the post.
Artie