Oy! Is there a Linux guru in the house?

[ffutures]

Every question I ask about Linux seems to lead to another question. For example, the installation instructions for fonts say to put them into a directory called /usr/share/fonts/truetype - which does not exist, there's no /usr/share/fonts at all. The program installer says that installation packages have to be taken from a file called the repository - then says I don't have the authority to move files there. It also says I don't have the authority to install packages from anywhere else.

The font thing is REALLY annoying because the current project needs Albertus and one or two other fonts. The program thing is slightly less worrying - I can live without celestia for the time being - but still annoying.

If I bring Shiny(ish) along to the Tun next week is there likely to be some kind Linux guru present who might be able to help, if I haven't got things sorted by then?

Comments

[zanda-myrande.livejournal.com]

This is why, having been greatly daring and set up an Ubuntu partition on my computer, I haven't done anything with it. Linux is for the Wesley Pegdens of the computing world. I prefer to drive the thing where I want to go.

[pengshui-master.livejournal.com]

I prefer to drive the thing where I want to go.

Interestingly that excatly why I use linux.

[pengshui-master.livejournal.com]

Hmm. TBH , /usr/share/fonts/xx/ is where I expected them to go . It certainly where Debian my usual flavour of linux puts them.

My best guess is the mini-note has note installed truetype fonts as part of it's cut down process. Reading the instrutions uk_lemmie posted in your last help -and what I know about linux in general in sounds like you still haven't got the freetype package installed. (alhtough it s bit of a guess). Go check you;ve got that installed - or just try to install it again anyway it shouldn't hurt[1].

Unfortunately although I keep meaning to find an excuse to get to the Tunm it is awkward for me as it means getting into central london from darkest kent. I think it is unlikely go there this week. Although I might make stabcon. Need to do some planning on that one.

[1] - Because it should either refuse to downgrade the package, or If the package is
newer than the other programs on your computer can cope it should refuse again - both rpm and dpkg ( the two installers for linux - you'll be using rpm) are much brighter than anything you will be used from windows.

[autopope.livejournal.com]

He's not running Debian, he's running SuSE. Which is weird and eccentric and probably sticks fonts somewhere under /var.

Next issue for Marcus: you set up a user account for yourself, didn't you? The thing is, ordinary user accounts don't have permission to make changes to the system as a whole. To do that, you need to change user ID and become the root (or super) user. Then you can create directories, wipe out files, and raise havoc at will.

Simple way to become root: in a terminal window, type "sudo bash" (superuser-do, or sudo, lets you run a command as root, and "bash" is a command shell, like command.exe -- sudo prompts you for your own password, then fires up a command prompt for you with the root user ID credentials).

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

The thing about directories in the original post comes from Suse's web site.

I'm beginning to think that Denebian is possibly the way to go, if I can be sure that I'll be able to restore the original installation if it all goes horribly wrong.

[chuk-g.livejournal.com]

I don't usually do SUSE, but is the authority thing a function of not being logged in as root? (If it was Ubuntu, you'd usually use 'sudo' to do root-type things...don't know if SUSE prefers that or comes with a root login.)

[uk-lemming.livejournal.com]

From what I remember (the last time I used SuSE 9.3 was newly released) "su -" from a shell should put you into root, or logging in as "root" from the gui. This should fix the persmission problems.

[uk-lemming.livejournal.com]

Or a bit more googling reveals this http://en.opensuse.org/Optimal_Use_of_Fonts_on_SuSE which seems to make sense from what I remember

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

I've seen that page before. I'm beginning to think that "Simply," "just" and "all you need do" are Linux jargon for "it doesn't work but we're not going to tell you the real way to do it because your head would explode."

[houses7177.livejournal.com]

I use SuSE at work and can probably help out if you need it, but I'm out for a week or so recovering from knee surgery. If I recall correctly, installing the fonts is something you do from the YaST controller, which requires a root login. You may also be able to do it if you change the permissions for your individual account, which you'd use the chmod command for, though I don't remember the specific codes off the top of my head. Does this sound remotely appropriate?

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

I've tried Yast but it doesn't seem to want me to install fonts - I suspect that there is something stupid I'm missing.

I'm sure I'll get it sorted eventually - it's just a LOT less user-friendly than I was expecting; I thought it'd be more like OS-X.

[houses7177.livejournal.com]

It's not user-friendly at all. It's made of fail, as far as usability. And I use it regularly.

If YaST won't let you, you need to make sure your permissions are set correctly. That's my guess.