Minimize All open Windows on Linux Mint

*This is for xfce users*

If you look at the start menu button on the bottom system tray, next to the button will be another button to minimize open windows.  Hover over the button so it display the it will "minimize open windows".  Click this button an all windows you have open will minimize to the tray.

How to install Google Chrome on Linux Mint

Here are some steps to install Google Chrome for Linux Mint;

• Go to website Google Chrome
• Download a .deb copy
• Open the .deb file (their should be a program for opening these type of files on Linux Mint)
• When the installer opens click "Install Package"
• Now the program will install and you can find Google Chrome in the start menu

To have Google Chrome on your favourite list of programs on start menu;

• Go to "Internet" sellection button
• Find Google Chrome
• right click it
• click "Add to favourites"

Now you have Google Chrome and it is on your favourites list

Downloading Torrents On Linux Mint

To download torrents on Linux Mint using the program called "Transmission".  To find "Transmission";

• click start button
• click "Internet" option
• find "Transmission" and click it

Once "Transmission" is opened;

• click file tab
• click open or ctrl + o
• find a torrent file to begin downloading

You can have "Transmission" open when you click a torrent file.  On firefox choose Open with; Transmission.

Moving Through Different Workspaces on Linux Mint

You can drag a window to move to another workspace on Linux Mint.  For me, I get 4 workspaces.  Workspaces allow you to do different things on different spaces of work.  So you can have one workspace for a terminal window and another for firefox browser.  To move a window to another workspace;

• hold down on left click at the top of a window (top of window is the bar with minimize and maximize options)
• drag the window to the right for another workspace or vice versa; to the left
• now you have the window working on another workspace

crtl + alt + right button means go to the right one workspace
crtl + alt + left button means go to the left one workspace

The two combination buttons above will help you navigate through the workspaces you have.

Open a Terminal Windows From Desktop

You can open a terminal windows from the desktop instead of go to the start menu.  Here are the steps to open a terminal from the desktop;

• right click any free space on desktop
• click "Open Terminal Here"
• a terminal windows should open

So if you are ever on the desktop and would like to open a terminal window, try the above steps.  It is less steps that using the start menu option.

Creating a URL Laucher on Linux Mint Desktop

To create a url launcher for Linux Mint's desktop;

• right click any open area on the desktop. 
• click "Create URL Link"
• enter name ie. Google
• enter comment ie. Google link for Desktop
• enter url ie. www.google.ca
• choose an icon ie. firefox icon?, whatever you like

This will place a Google link on the desktop.  Now when you double click the link Google will open on your default browser.

Linux MInt's Calculator Software

Linux Mint comes with a built in calculator software.  To access the calculator;

• click start button
• click "Accessories" button on start menu
• find "Calculator" and click it  

Software Manager will help you find a calculator program if you do not have or you need one with more capabilities.

• Go to Software Manager
• search "calculator"
• find a calculator program you like

Help: File Manager lost in start menu

So, I do not know everything about Linux Mint.  What i do know, i share with you guys.

Anyways, recently i lost the "File Manager" selection on my start menu.  I use xfce.  If anyone knows how to get it back on my start menu please leave a comment or contact me at mattseerattan12 at gmail dot com. 

Who ever can help with get their name and method posted as a blog entry here on "How to Use Linux Mint".  Thanks!

Using Linux Mint's Dictionary Software

If you ever needed a dictionary while using Linux Mint check out the Dictionary software thats included with the installation.  To access the dictionary;

• click start button
• click "All" selection to see all software installed
• find "Dictionary" and click it to open

The software is easy to use.  Just enter a word and press "enter".  A definition will then be loaded for you to scroll through and read.

If you do not have a Dictionary program installed then just go to software manager and search "dictionary".  A list of programs will show.  Select one and read the description, just in case the program is something else and not what you are looking for.

Editing/Changing/Removing Partitions with GParted

GParted is a partition tool that will let you edit/change/remove partitions.  To install GParted;

• go to Software Manager
• search for "gparted" and install

Now be varefull when editing or removing partitions.  You do not want to destroy any files/directories you need unknowingly.  I suggest you do a google search on a particular activity you would like to do with GParted.

Go to the GParted site and get help before doing anything that may cost you.  This is a good tool for dual booting or having a separate partition on the same hard disk for saving misc files.  Try it out and become a master in partitioning!

IRC Chatting with HexChat on Linux Mint

If you need a IRC client then you can use HexChat which came with my installation.  If it is not installed on your system then go to software manager and search/install a version.

HexChat is under Internet when you click the start button.  Open HexChat and you will automatically be sent to the Linux Help Chat room.  To join a new channel;

• go to server tab
• click "List of Channels" (click "download list" if no list is showing up)
• find a channel to join

To join a new network;

• go to HexChat tab
• click "Network List"
• click a network then click connect

These are two basic way to navigate through chat room's on HexChat.

Looking for a GUI way to write your html pages?

If you're looking for a GUI way to write your html pages then try Bluefish.  To install;

• go to software manager
• search for bluefish and install

After installation you will find bluefish under development when clicking the start button on Linux Mint.

I use it for creating my simple html pages.  You can also use nano on a terminal.  This is for those you prefer working non-GUI and want a faster way to create html pages.  Be prepared to use lots of commands with less visual aids than GUI.  Another text editor for terminal windows is called vi, just incase you don't have nano installed or vice versa.

To learn the commands for each editor type;

"man vi" or "man nano" without the quotes

To start a document you should "cd" (change directory) to the proper directory then type;

vi or nano document name

Here is an example;

vi index.html or nano index.html

 Then you begin to start coding your html page.  Try w3schools they teach HTML/CSS/JavaScript and more, if you need help with any coding.

Two Other Light Weight Linux Distros'; Elementary OS and LXLE

Two other light weight linux distros' you can use is Elementary OS and LXLE.  I have both installed next to my Linux Mint and they run smooth and quick.  The installation for both took about the same time; around 15 mins.  If you have a computer that's not of the latest systems then try one of Elementary OS or LXLE

Check out their web page's for info regarding installation/support/donations etc.  These are just two suggestions if Linux Mint isn't totally working out for you.  I may put up two blogs on these two distros' after finishing this blog.

Checking your updates periodicly on Linux Mint 17

One way you can do this is by looking on the right hand side of the start menu for a shield.  If the shield has a green check mark then the system is up to date.  Otherwise, double click the icon and hit "install updates".  You can also click the refresh button if no updates are their.  This will update the update list with the latest updates if their are updates available.

Another way you can update the system is by;

• open terminal
• type "sudo apt-get update"
• now the system will update if it is not updated yet

If you type

sudo apt-get upgrade

Then you will upgrade all packages automatically even packages that may hamper with stability and booting up.  Basically, an update would be the preferred choice so you do not run into any problems.

A Recommended Email Client for Linux Mint

One email client I use is Thunderbird for Linux Mint 17.  Here is some ways you can install Thunderbird.

• Open software manager
• search Thunderbird, download and install

or

•  Follow these steps from the Thunderbird site

Now to set up Thunderbird.

•  create a new account->email
• click "skip this and use my existing email"; this means the email you are about to set up is the existing email
• enter a name for the account, the email address and password
• click continue and it will configure, then press done.
• now on the left hand side your email should appear and underneath your email should be the Inbox
• click the Inbox and on the right hand side the Inbox will open and you can view/delete/reply/create emails.

Changing Desktop Background in Linux Mint

Here's one way you can change the desktop background in Linux Mint 17.

• click the start button
• find Desktop and click it
• now a windows opens with desktop configuration abilities

You can have the background change every x amount of minutes and more.  Check out this option and play around with Linux Mint.

Installing Software with the "Software Manager"

If you do not want to install software using command line then follow these steps to open the "Software Manager";

• click the start button on the start menu
• find "Software Manager" and click it
• enter your password for admin access
• "Software Manager" will appear and you can search or browse a list of software that will be downloaded and installed

How to Open a Terminal Windows from the Desktop

If you would like to open a terminal window from the desktop of Linux Mint then do the following steps;

• go to Desktop on your Linux Mint
• Right click any free space on the Desktop
• find "Open terminal here" and click it
• a terminal windows should appear

How to Open Firefox from a terminal in Linux Mint 17

Here is an easy way you can open firefox from a terminal.  Just type the command "firefox", without quotes and press enter.  A new firefox window will open and you can begin browsing.  You can use this technique on other programs as well you just need to research the command for the particular program you want to open.

Installing a Wifi Driver on Linux Mint 17

Did you just freshly install Linux Mint 17 and can not connect to your wireless wifi?  You may need to check that your wifi's driver is installed correctly.  Go to Driver Manager after clicking the main menu button and a driver should be recommended to use.  Just make sure you select the driver and click Apply Changes.  It might look something like this;

Having A Terminal Pop Up Automatically After Logging In on Linux Mint

So today I wanted to learn how to have a terminal window show up when I log in to my Linux Mint 17 account.  After asking on the Linux Mint forums I got an answer that worked.

What the user said to do was find the path that the terminal resides in.  The command the user gave me was

ls -l /usr/bin/*terminal

This will show you where the terminal is located and the terminals name.

On Linux Mint 17 xfce you go to Session and Start Up >> Application Autostart and Add the entry.

Name: Terminal (is what i called mine)

Comment:  Open a terminal window (for me)

Command: /usr/bin/xfce4-terminal (for me)

Close the windows and restart.  A terminal should pop up when you log in.