Additional Notes on Razor-qt on openSUSE 12.1: Touchpad and Wireless manager

Surprsingly, Razor-qt lightweight desktop environment doesn't follow basic KDE settings already configured.  One of the affected settings is the touchpad, which needs to be enabled manually when logging in to Razor-qt.  After installing Razor-qt, enable the touchpad tapping using KDE Personal Settings, which can still be accessed via ALT+F2 or Razor-qt menu.

Users will have to enable touchpad settings when logged into Razor-qt.

Razor-qt also doesn't include its own wireless manager.  Razor-qt allows the use of Ubuntu's default wireless manager as well as Gnome Network Manager when installed on Ubuntu 11.10 or earlier.  Unfortunately, Razor-qt makes  it difficult to run and access wireless networks via KDE Network Manager.  Without KDE Network Manager, users can use the Network module to scan and add detected wireless access points but will have to resort to Konsole or switch to traditional Ifup to log in to wireless networks.

KDE Network Connection doesn't work properly without a manager  in Razor-qt.  Install wicd or a different wireless manager.

However, users can opt to install wicd or the Gnome Network Manager, both of which work well in an OpenBox environment.

Read More

Quickfix: GCStar Plugins error

GCStar, the excellent collections utility, may not run after installation on openSUSE 12.1 due to a Perl-switch dependency that is not installed during setup.  The error below is displayed in a dialog box or commandline when attempting to run GCStar:

Can't locate object method "getName" via package "GCPlugins::GCbooks::GCPluginAmazon" at /usr/bin/../lib/gcstar/GCPlugins.pm line 51. ignoring at /usr/bin/gcstar line 328.

The issue was quickly detected and resolved by users over at the GCStar and Archlinux forums.

Plugin error

Creating a new collection is unavailable when the error is triggered.

GCStar is available via the online openSUSE 12.1 Build Service.  To resolve the startup and plugin issue, install the perl-switch package separately using Yast.

Read More

Razor-qt Desktop Review on openSUSE 12.1: Fast and Functional. Better than LXDE? Part 2

As noted in part 1 of this review on Razor-qt, the lightweight environment works well with openSUSE 12.1's many components.  Razor-qt's speed in loading applications is mostly a hit rather than miss - there's definitely an improvement compared to KDE4's sluggish load times.  

However, Razor-qt suffered the same issue I found with Gnome 3 on small screens.  Buttons are cut off at the bottom, prompting a user to either minimize or maximize the window and even switch the bottom panel to the top panel.  Unlike Gnome 3, however, this occurred only when using the file manager in conjunction with Firefox.  I ran  KMyMoney, GCStar, Chrome, Thunderbird, Kompozer, Dropbox, VLC, Dolphin, and Okular and none of them had cut off dialog boxes or interface issues.  Besides the aforementioned scenario, Yast2 modules also suffered cut off buttons though this occurred in only some of the modules.

The Cancel and Upload buttons are cut off on this window.

The Razor-qt is a fairly new desktop environment and is currently in development so users will have to be aware that there are very few available plugins and widgets for the desktop and desktop panel.  This is fine for users like me who don't use widgets though I did add the Removable media plugin out of habit.

Users will also have to get used to not having a battery indicator nor volume controls on the system tray.  Users will have to use the multimedia applications' volume slider and controls directly.

No volume controls nor battery indicator.

Razor-qt has an edit desktop mode where widgets and plugins can be added.  However, aside from a Hello World plugin, Clock, and Icon View there aren't any other available plugins.

Longtime users of KDE and Gnome will also notice a slight lag time when opening the menu and ALT+F2 command window.  The menu's black and white helper labels don't always display properly also (which the devs could have removed).  However, any interface delays get better as the user runs the desktop.  Searching using the command window produces faster results as the system "recalls" previous searches.

Conclusion

Razor-qt has plenty of potential to be a hard-hitting desktop environment rivalling not only LXDE but Gnome 3 and Xfce as well.  It's not the sexiest desktop out there but serious users will appreciate its speed and functionality.  As long as the developers don't pad the desktop environment with too many features, Razor-qt will have a good future ahead of it and gain a wider adoption.  

Is it better than LXDE?  For my part, I'm too used to LXDE's implementation in Lubuntu and Knoppix to conclude that Razor-qt is superior.  Moreover, its functionality in openSUSE 12.1 may not extend well in other Linux distributions such as Fedora or Ubuntu.  I have a huge fondness for openSUSE's KDE4 implementation but on a netbook it just isn't a good idea - I will definitely be hanging on the Razor-qt on the 1000H for now.  

Read More

Razor-qt Desktop Review on openSUSE 12.1: Fast and Functional. Better than LXDE? Part 1

Razor-qt is a lightweight desktop that is getting some attention due to being an alternative to the maligned Gnome 3 and Unity.  Razor-qt works best on top of a KDE4-based distribution such as openSUSE 12.1 due to its underlying qt-based structure.  However, unlike KDE4, Razor-qt greatly reduces running daemons and is almost cruelly frugal in its approach.  Due to Linux distribution differences, any user would be hard-pressed to compare Razor-qt with current lightweight favorite, LXDE.

KDE4 vs. Razor-qt on an Asus EEEPC 1000H

I installed Razor-qt on a first-generation netbook running openSUSE 12.1 and the differences in loading times was nothing short of outstanding.  In an informal test, Razor-qt loaded much, much faster than KDE4.

Benchmark machine:Asus EEEPC1000H 2GB RAM Intel Atom CPU270
Toshiba 5500 RPM 150 GB HDD

Desktop Workspace	Optimization	Bootup	Shutdown
KDE4	Minor optimization, notifications, minimal system tray	1 minute 4.9 seconds	14.6 seconds
KDE4	Startup optimization, Nepomuk disabled	1 minute 0.7 seconds	13.2 seconds
Razor-qt	None	37.5 seconds	10 seconds

Customizations on Razor-qt

Users who love customizing every corner of their desktop should stick to KDE4.  Razor-qt matches LXDE in its approach to customizations.  There's very little a user can change other than the desktop wallpaper and icons.  Users who get bored easily will be visiting OpenBox Manager often to change the appearance of windows and menus.

The very capable Openbox Configuration Manager is found under Accessories.

Razor-qt's simple menu is reminiscent of KDE's old menu with cramped text and small icons.  For openSUSE users, Razor places a specific menu for Yast contents.  Razor settings are also found  from its own hiearchy.

Yast2 modules are allocated its own menu tree.

Razor settings can be accessed from the menu.

Razor-qt offers four managers to customize the desktop and it really isn't much compared to the robust settings of KDE - which is the beauty of the setup.

• Razor Mouse Configuration - to change the mouse cursor theme
• Razor Appearance - change the icon set
• Razor Desktop Configuration - wallpaper, menu file, and icon activation
• Razor Session Configurator - change default applications, startup items, modules, and environment properties

Razor-qt Desktop Review on openSUSE 12.1: Fast and Functional.  Better than LXDE? Part 2

Read More

openSUSE 12.1: Install super-fast Razor-QT Lightweight Desktop

Razor-qt, a lightweight opensource desktop, has been getting some reviews lately.  Its performance and functionality, tested on slower systems running openSUSE 12.1, doesn't disappoint.  Razor-qt, which displays similarities to a very frugal KDE and LXDE, is an alternative to both.

To install Razor-qt for openSUSE 12.1:

1. Add the repository for Razor-qt via the command line or Yast. 

2.  To add the Razor-qt repository via Yast, click Configure Software Repositories in Yast. 

Click Add then Specify URL.  In the URL field, type the URL below:

http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home://TI_Eugene://QtDesktop/openSUSE_12.1/

Click Next.  Yast will add the repository and refresh the packages. 

3. In Yast, click Software Management.  In the search bar, type razor.  Check the razorqt box.  Yast will install the necessary dependences.

3. Log out and select Razor-qt as the desktop environment rather than KDE. 

4. Before loading the desktop, Razor-qt will prompt for a window manager.  openSUSE 12.1 KDE users will be prompted to choose between KWIN (KDE's default window manager) and OpenBox (a faster and lightweight window  manager). 

Razor-qt, like many desktop environments, takes a bit of getting used to.  However, users of LXDE will find the interface familiar and fun.  Moreover, the recent release of Razor-QT works perfectly with openSUSE 12.1 and certainly much more stable than adding an Xfce desktop environment.

Read More

Quickfix: Recovering files from a broken Fedora install

If your Fedora system was installed using default settings,  the partition and volume management is unlike that of other Linux distributions.  If a user wants to access files from a damaged Fedora system, even Knoppix will not be able to recognize the file structure without additional disk utilities. 

After a failed removal of Xfce from a Fedora 15, I decided to opt out of heading off to the Terminal to repair Fedora.  Rather, I decided to backup my files and replace the OS with openSUSE.  I only had LiveCDs of Ubuntu 11.10, openSUSE 12.1 and LiveUSB Knoppix handy - all of which failed to "find" the Home and Root directory which Fedora had set up. 

To recover files from a broken Fedora 15 install, use a Fedora LiveCD instead.  As expected, it takes a Fedora system to access a Fedora install.  A user can now copy files from the damaged system.

**If a user boots into LiveCD Ubuntu 11.10 for installation, the setup will actually offer to write over Fedora 15 rather than install it side-by-side.  Like openSUSE 12.1, it fails to recognize that there is a Fedora install on the hard drive.       

Read More

Recommended: The Designer's Desktop Manual by Jason Simmons

Anyone with a bit of patience can learn how to use publishing and desktop software such as InDesign and Photoshop.  However, even with Internet access, not everyone can learn professional publishing and digital design concepts.

Jason Simmons' "The Designer's Desktop Manual" is not an instructional guide book that takes the professional step-by-step through software.  The book introduces concepts and terminology professionals should know before beginning a career in digital design and publishing.  The Adobe Classroom in a Book Series, Wiley's Dummies, and Apress Software books tell you what to do with application features and how to go about tasks, but the authors assume knowledge (or ignore altogether) of industry terms such as spot colors, finishes, trapping, and color matching.

Some of the sections in "The Designer's Desktop Manual" seem dated and misplaced, particularly when dealing with workspaces, operating systems, hardware, and specific software (e.g. CSS, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, etc.).  There are moments when the book feels like it tries to do too much, such as including web design (a totally huge field on its own).  Jason Simmons,however, excels when dealing with industry-relevant jargon and displays a true understanding of the print and publishing industry.  He succinctly and clearly explains important concepts absent in other books such as font anatomy, color trapping, color usage, and layouts.  His recommendations when working with colors, type, images, and proofing are practical and relevant.

First edition

I only own the first edition of "The Designer's Desktop Manual" but I found it very useful for technical writing and design projects even though it contains information regarding dated hardware and software.  Nonetheless, it's an excellent reference and worth more than one read.  I particularly like sections that deal with obscure topics such as using old-school Proofreading Marks, the different color-matching systems, and layout methods.  Some books trick readers into thinking it contains all the answers and attempts to convince the reader that their work is nowhere near as good as the authors' examples.  Simmons does no such thing.  Unlike other books that dictate how to do things and what to do, "The Designer's Desktop Manual" advises and informs, allowing the new professional to consider design problems and concepts he hadn't even thought of and encountered yet.  

Read More