Restoring deleted apps and suggestions for work [Solved]

[bbbhltz]

Hi everyone,

I've been using Linux for 18 years now and finally need Puppy Linux. My work laptop—a Dell Latitude 5320—appears to hum along nicely with Puppy (Bookworm) (I think everything works that I need, not like I'll be using the tablet mode).

I just have two very beginner questions:

1. Office Suite: Being fresh to the world of pups, pets, kennels, and all that, I removed Abiword and Gnumeric and other apps thinking I could just apt install good ol' LibreOffice and call it a day. Naive assumption. Anyway, I read a little and got that sorted out with an .sfs file shared here on the forum. The question then is, can I restore Abiword, for example, if I ever need it?

2. The next question is very broad and isn't really a question. I could read these forums all day, but if you recall any work-related or applicable threads that might be of interested, would you mind sharing them here or via PM? I suppose some of you use Puppy at work, do you ever worry that you could lose your USB?

My impressions 72 hours in are very positive. I thought JWM would be janky as heck, but that is far from the case. Having Firefox out of the box is amazing. The touchscreen works. Still need to review these forums for a bit in order to sort out my other easy fixes. I might even write something on my blog about this, and what using it at work is like.

[wizard]

@bbbhltz

I removed Abiword and Gnumeric and other apps

What method did you use to remove them?

One thing you will learn when using Puppy is it comes with a wide variety of programs and utilities, they are also quite small and efficient in using drive space. You don't gain a lot by "removing" them. If you just want to clean up your menus, there's a utility to do that.

In your case, it may be easiest to boot without a save file/folder and just rebuild a new one.

Here's a list of programs in BookwormPup64 for your reference.

Programs_Installed-BW64.xls

(53.5 KiB) Downloaded 25 times

This a link to extended help files:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/wizard ... t/download

wizard

[rockedge]

You don't gain a lot by "removing" them. If you just want to clean up your menus, there's a utility to do that.

I agree and can say so from lots of experience constructing and destructing many different Puppy Linux variants and can say with confidence that there is no advantages removing these "base" packages.

It is most efficient to redesign the menu layouts to reduce the selections.

[williwaw]

I suppose some of you use Puppy at work, do you ever worry that you could lose your USB?

if you wish to install to your hard drive, you can do so by adding a directory to an existing filesystem. (a linux ext partition works best but a fat32 will work also) you do not need to dedicate a partition or drive for puppy.
search for "frugal" install methods.
@rockedge ( I would point bbbhulz to a tutorial in the Getting Started and System Requirements section, but the install tutorials there are for dedicated to puppy partitions)

[bbbhltz]

@wizard I used the built-in app to remove them. Didn't think I would use them but I came to the conclusion that, as @rockedge said, that I would probably use the base system and try and do things the Puppy way.

I have since reinstalled to my USB to make things fresh since I thought that would be the swiftest method. I suppose I need to read a little more about how to reset things to a base install.

@williwaw we are specifically not allow to change anything to do with formats and partitions on our work laptops. I have been pushing for years to be allowed to have a regular dual-boot installation but we cannot put anything on the hardware they cannot service. Too bad. Years ago I did and managed to last about 5 months before someone snitched and I got called in for a replacement and a warning.

[williwaw]

we are specifically not allow to change anything to do with formats and partitions on our work laptops. I have been pushing for years to be allowed to have a regular dual-boot installation but we cannot put anything on the hardware they cannot service. Too bad. Years ago I did and managed to last about 5 months before someone snitched and I got called in for a replacement and a warning.

someone snitched????? Is linux evil where you work?
technically, all's you would be doing is adding a directory but if the existing OS is windows you would be messing with the bootloader....

USB tethering a 2.5" ssd gives good performance and would be harder to misplace.

[bbbhltz]

Oh yeah they snitched. I'm a professor and was teaching my lesson when someone walked by the class and the door was open. I heard their sneakers squeak and they backed up and stared at what I was projecting. At the time I think I was running Arch or maybe it was an early Manjaro release. 5 minutes later I saw my phone ringing. And the same number called all afternoon until I picked up.

I like the idea of a little M2 dongle, but the only one I have is in use at the moment. I'm fine with this system. I only need to be able to show my mediocre looking Beamer presentations. I haven't checked to see how pympress works or HDMI out but that's an adventure for tomorrow.

[wizard]

@bbbhltz

I used the built-in app to remove them

Just for knowledge sake, Puppy native programs are contained in .sfs files that are read only. The built in remove utility initially only hides them. If you subsequently do a "remaster" then they would be actually removed.

Do take time to read the extended help files as they will increase your understanding of how Puppy works.

Also, there are a few things you can do to make your USB flash install boot a little faster and run a little more trouble free. Let us know if you want to pursue.

wizard

[bbbhltz]

Also, there are a few things you can do to make your USB flash install boot a little faster and run a little more trouble free. Let us know if you want to pursue.

Faster you say? Well, I wouldn't say no to that!

[wizard]

@bbbhltz

Speed up USB booting.

Open the file: grub.cfg

-find the string: pfix=fsck
-change to: pfix=nocopy,fsck

There are no spaces between nocopy and fsck, just a comma

-save and reboot

It should boot a little faster.

wizard

[bbbhltz]

It feels weird to ask this after all these years on Linux, but Puppy is such a different piece of work that I am at a loss as to where to find grub.cfg.

There is no grub.cfg in /boot or in /etc/default. I can make the changes during boot and that isn't permanent, of course.

[wizard]

@bbbhltz

Let's backup a step, what program did you use to install Puppy to the USB flash drive?

wizard

[bbbhltz]

FrugalPup, e4StickPup

EDIT: I've found the grub.cfg and modified it

I will mark this thread as solved.

[wizard]

@bbbhltz

The e*StickPup installers are good choices since they create two partitions on the USB.

-partition 1 = fat32, this is the boot partition for grub2 (will be bootable on both MBR and UEFI systems)

-partition 2 = ext3 or 4, this is the OS partition for Puppy and data, etc

Stickpup also automatically installs grub2

Last, because partition 2 is a Linux .ext, your save (persistence) data can be in a "save folder" which will grow or shrink as needed.

wizard

[mikeslr]

Taking into account 'Murphy's Law', it won't hurt to make a 'backup' USB-Key of your Puppy. Easy to do with one running Puppy as it contains all the tools you'll need. Just remember that you can't accurately copy a SaveFile/Folder while it's in use. Copy all the other system files. Boot into your backup; then copy the SaveFile/Folder from the old. If you only have access to one USB-port, You can boot your first Puppy 'pfix=ram' before copying. Your boot-menu may have a "RAM Mode" listing; if not, ask how. You can create a temporary folder to hold system files, including a duplicate SaveFile/Folder, on your hard-drive as an interim step.

About 'work' related applications, suggest you scan thru The Additional Software Subforum. viewforum.php?f=7. And keep in mind that there's a good chance Bookworm may be able to run any application published as a AppImage. [Another good reason to have a backup Puppy: you can experiment to your heart's content knowing you have an easy recovery method]. But don't hesitate to ask if there's a particular application or category of applications you are interested in.

[bbbhltz]

Thanks @mikeslr!

I have a pretty good idea about applications, been using Linux as my only OS (except that darn work computer) since the early 2000s. I will probably just work off the base install and if I "break" it, no big deal.

Tomorrow I teach 3x3-hour lessons so there's a decent chance I'll be starting a new thread around 1:00PM CET when I take a break. And I'll probably put my thoughts up on my blog this weekend.

[gychang]

@bbbhltz

Speed up USB booting.

Open the file: grub.cfg

-find the string: pfix=fsck
-change to: pfix=nocopy,fsck

It should boot a little faster.

wizard

will this slow down the computer after a faster boot because the main sfs is not loaded into ram?

[wizard]

@gychang

will this slow down the computer after a faster boot because the main sfs is not loaded into ram?

I've seen post saying that and in theory it would, but in practice on multiple computers have not noticed any slow downs.

Thanks
wizard

[bigpup]

How to restore built in programs, you removed using Remove builtin packages.
https://forum.puppylinux.com/viewtopic.php?t=1636

Abiword is in Puppy because it is a small program.
It does work, but it has issues.

I much better to use is add LibreOffice or OpenOffice.

About adding additional software.
Read this:
https://forum.puppylinux.com/viewtopic.php?t=1819