- WLUG - wlug.mailman3.com

Re: WLUG MEETING TONIGHT!

by Evan White

> It all went too fast for me. I thought 'git' was for multi-programmer > group projects. Do you use it just to keep track of versions of > your own project? I have used git for solo projects or those in a group or organization. Jujutsu effectively extended the capabilities of Git to allow me to handcraft the recent version history, for the sake of better organization for myself, or making it easier for others to review. This is especially important now that algorithms (Claude, etc.) are writing a lot of my revisions. I need to be able to, e.g. combine a messy log of changes made in separate revisions during experimentation, and split it up into a clean and well-reviewed series of revisions. Once some revisions get pushed to the trunk, they become 'immutable' in Jujutsu, so nobody can go rewriting the history of the trunk. All of this was already possible in Git, and many Git power users suffered the roundabout way of doing these things. Jujutsu made it straightforward by removing the working tree and staging area of git, such that you are always editing a revision that is synchronized continuously with the filesystem, and allowing arbitrary revisions to be directly operated on with a rich set of tools. > Now I ask: Can I get a root shell? > Is Linux just hidden, or is it broken and forbidden? In Android, there are third-party facilities to give root access to apps, and one of those apps could be a terminal. Termux is one such app that is like a container without root which uses Debian packaging in it (Android is not natively capable of it). Termux can elevate to root access over all of Android if your installation allows it. The Android ecosystem, its graphical shell, and its application paradigm are generally much different from the free & open Linux ecosystem. Most vendors (smartphone manufacturers, etc.) default install of Android do not allow root access to apps, and you usually need third-party modifications to access root, or an unlocked bootloader to install an open version of Android for that platform if one even exists. > Would it be easier to install Debian on an Android machine than a Windows machine? > Are BIOS passwords a problem? That's a big issue, and it's even worse than a BIOS password; it's usually a fully locked bootloader. As far as I can tell, the smartphone ecosystem upon which Android is built was never really designed to be open and standardized like PCs were, and it was more profitable or "secure" for this to be the status quo. Since Windows machines are x86 PCs without locked bootloaders (at least for now), it will be much easier to install Debian with root on them. Android can permit you to use a Debian-like environment in a container app like Termux. Some manufacturers are making Linux-friendly smartphones, but if you're weighing the options between Android and Windows, I assume you are looking at small laptops. ________________________________ From: Keith Wright via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 10:32 PM To: Worcester Linux Users' Group General Discussion <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> Cc: Keith Wright <kwright(a)keithdiane.us> Subject: [WLUG] WLUG MEETING TONIGHT! >>Join the signal chat for more details. >> Thanks, Tim.A steve--- via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > how does one join the signal chat? I was about to ask the same question, but I thought I didn't need to, since somebody had already asked it. John Stoffel via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > Yeah, I don't know either for some reason. And is it private to WLUG > only or can we put details onto the web page? But now two people have asked and nobody answered. So: How is it done? Is this the same "signal" that the Secretary of Undeclared War got in trouble for using? ---------- Evan White via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > We had a great discussion mostly about Jujutsu, and the philosophy of > Git commit organization, ... , etc. It all went too fast for me. I thought 'git' was for multi-programmer group projects. Do you use it just to keep track of versions of your own project? ---------- Tim Keller via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > Topic: National Right to Repair day > Speaker: Jack Frimet from PIRG. > > Jack Frimet from PIRG reached out to me and asked that he speak at this meeting. PIRG > is an organization that among many other causes is advocating at the national level for > the right to repair. As we are all aware, with Win10 reaching EOL, this is causing a > tsunami of e-waste as people are forced to upgrade to run Win11. I was not clear if they are expecting people to bring old computers to have Linux installed, or if I can just give cash and get an old computer. Also I asked whether Android was Linux hidden behind a "user interface". People seemed to agree that that was about right. Now I ask: Can I get a root shell? Is Linux just hidden, or is it broken and forbidden? I am looking for a extra "back-up" laptop. Would it be easier to install Debian on an Android machine than a Windows machine? Are BIOS passwords a problem? -- Keith _______________________________________________ WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ Change Settings: https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ Web Forum/Archive: https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/QGC2Z…

Dec. 24, 2025

Re: cool hw probe/info command: inxi

by eroc1990

For other recentish Windows expats like me that miss hwinfo64, I recently discivered OCCT (https://www.ocbase.com/download) It's a good way to get similar information out of a GUI like hwinfo64 presented. -------- Original Message -------- On Monday, 12/15/25 at 08:25 Chuck Anderson via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> wrote: Another one I've seen going around on the forums: fastfetch It shows a cute color ASCII logo of your OS followed by system info. Here is the Fedora logo: .',;::::;,'. .';:cccccccccccc:;,. .;cccccccccccccccccccccc;. .:cccccccccccccccccccccccccc:. .;ccccccccccccc;.:dddl:.;ccccccc;. .:ccccccccccccc;OWMKOOXMWd;ccccccc:. .:ccccccccccccc;KMMc;cc;xMMc;ccccccc:. ,cccccccccccccc;MMM.;cc;;WW:;cccccccc, :cccccccccccccc;MMM.;cccccccccccccccc: :ccccccc;oxOOOo;MMM000k.;cccccccccccc: cccccc;0MMKxdd:;MMMkddc.;cccccccccccc; ccccc;XMO';cccc;MMM.;cccccccccccccccc' ccccc;MMo;ccccc;MMW.;ccccccccccccccc; ccccc;0MNc.ccc.xMMd;ccccccccccccccc; cccccc;dNMWXXXWM0:;cccccccccccccc:, cccccccc;.:odl:.;cccccccccccccc:,. ccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc:'. :ccccccccccccccccccccccc:;,.. ':cccccccccccccccc::;,. On Sun, Dec 14, 2025 at 03:51:51PM -0500, John Stoffel via WLUG wrote: > >>>>> "Doug" == Doug Mildram via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > > > If this is already familiar to most/all of you pardon my excitement! > > Nope, very first time I've heard of this! I usually use just the > basics: > > lshw > lspci > blkid > lsscsi > lsusb > lscpu (new to me...) > uname -a > cat /etc/os-release (only on distros in past 10 years > usually?) > > But this is a great thing to share! > John _______________________________________________ WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ Change Settings: https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ Web Forum/Archive: https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/D2FCL…

Dec. 16, 2025

Re: cool hw probe/info command: inxi

by Chuck Anderson

Another one I've seen going around on the forums: fastfetch It shows a cute color ASCII logo of your OS followed by system info. Here is the Fedora logo: .',;::::;,'. .';:cccccccccccc:;,. .;cccccccccccccccccccccc;. .:cccccccccccccccccccccccccc:. .;ccccccccccccc;.:dddl:.;ccccccc;. .:ccccccccccccc;OWMKOOXMWd;ccccccc:. .:ccccccccccccc;KMMc;cc;xMMc;ccccccc:. ,cccccccccccccc;MMM.;cc;;WW:;cccccccc, :cccccccccccccc;MMM.;cccccccccccccccc: :ccccccc;oxOOOo;MMM000k.;cccccccccccc: cccccc;0MMKxdd:;MMMkddc.;cccccccccccc; ccccc;XMO';cccc;MMM.;cccccccccccccccc' ccccc;MMo;ccccc;MMW.;ccccccccccccccc; ccccc;0MNc.ccc.xMMd;ccccccccccccccc; cccccc;dNMWXXXWM0:;cccccccccccccc:, cccccccc;.:odl:.;cccccccccccccc:,. ccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc:'. :ccccccccccccccccccccccc:;,.. ':cccccccccccccccc::;,. On Sun, Dec 14, 2025 at 03:51:51PM -0500, John Stoffel via WLUG wrote: > >>>>> "Doug" == Doug Mildram via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > > > If this is already familiar to most/all of you pardon my excitement! > > Nope, very first time I've heard of this! I usually use just the > basics: > > lshw > lspci > blkid > lsscsi > lsusb > lscpu (new to me...) > uname -a > cat /etc/os-release (only on distros in past 10 years > usually?) > > But this is a great thing to share! > John

Dec. 15, 2025

Re: cool hw probe/info command: inxi

by John Stoffel

>>>>> "Doug" == Doug Mildram via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > If this is already familiar to most/all of you pardon my excitement! Nope, very first time I've heard of this! I usually use just the basics: lshw lspci blkid lsscsi lsusb lscpu (new to me...) uname -a cat /etc/os-release (only on distros in past 10 years usually?) But this is a great thing to share! John > I have always been interested in the ways to get info about PC > hardware. ( using "cat" on various bizarre files in /proc/.... ) > "dmesg" output ...so much more. > Today I finally ran into inxi. One interesting flag/arg is -x > ..extra level(s) of output for various options. > -xx : double extra info. -xxx : triple extra info. > Trivia: inxi --help outputs 549 lines on my Mint 22.2 > man inxi is almost 3000 lines long..w big thanks to > contributors at the end. > It's a perl script! /usr/bin/ixni is over 38,000 lines long. > One common choice of flags for a big picture is: inxi -Fs > Here's a few sample outputs on 2011 Lenovo Thinkpad with the original > SSD and original oversized battery: > doug0@X230:~$ inxi -Dxxx > Drives: > Local Storage: total: 119.24 GiB used: 37.2 GiB (31.2%) > ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Samsung model: MZ7PC128HAFU-000L1 size: 119.24 GiB > speed: 6.0 Gb/s tech: SSD serial: S0U8NSAC532113 fw-rev: 4L1Q scheme: MBR > doug0@X230:~$ inxi -Bxxx > Battery: > ID-1: BAT0 charge: 28.1 Wh (99.3%) condition: 28.3/86.6 Wh (32.7%) > volts: 12.1 min: 11.1 model: LGC 45N1029 type: Li-ion serial: 8428 > status: not charging > Above, i had charger plugged in but it was fully charged =="not charging". > Below, after I unplugged charger, interesting to see "power" on batt: > doug0@X230:~$ inxi -Bxxx > Battery: > ID-1: BAT0 charge: 28.1 Wh (99.3%) condition: 28.3/86.6 Wh (32.7%) > power: 6.9 W volts: 11.8 min: 11.1 model: LGC 45N1029 type: Li-ion > serial: 8428 status: discharging > _______________________________________________ > WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org > To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org > Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ > Change Settings: https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ > Web Forum/Archive: https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/QQKH4…

Dec. 14, 2025

cool hw probe/info command: inxi

by Doug Mildram

If this is already familiar to most/all of you pardon my excitement! I have always been interested in the ways to get info about PC hardware. ( using "cat" on various bizarre files in /proc/.... ) "dmesg" output ...so much more. Today I finally ran into inxi. One interesting flag/arg is -x ..extra level(s) of output for various options. -xx : double extra info. -xxx : triple extra info. Trivia: inxi --help outputs 549 lines on my Mint 22.2 man inxi is almost 3000 lines long..w big thanks to contributors at the end. It's a perl script! /usr/bin/ixni is over 38,000 lines long. One common choice of flags for a big picture is: inxi -Fs Here's a few sample outputs on 2011 Lenovo Thinkpad with the original SSD and original oversized battery: doug0@X230:~$ inxi -Dxxx Drives: Local Storage: total: 119.24 GiB used: 37.2 GiB (31.2%) ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Samsung model: MZ7PC128HAFU-000L1 size: 119.24 GiB speed: 6.0 Gb/s tech: SSD serial: S0U8NSAC532113 fw-rev: 4L1Q scheme: MBR doug0@X230:~$ inxi -Bxxx Battery: ID-1: BAT0 charge: 28.1 Wh (99.3%) condition: 28.3/86.6 Wh (32.7%) volts: 12.1 min: 11.1 model: LGC 45N1029 type: Li-ion serial: 8428 status: not charging Above, i had charger plugged in but it was fully charged =="not charging". Below, after I unplugged charger, interesting to see "power" on batt: doug0@X230:~$ inxi -Bxxx Battery: ID-1: BAT0 charge: 28.1 Wh (99.3%) condition: 28.3/86.6 Wh (32.7%) power: 6.9 W volts: 11.8 min: 11.1 model: LGC 45N1029 type: Li-ion serial: 8428 status: discharging

Dec. 13, 2025

Re: WLUG MEETING TONIGHT!

by Tim Keller

Here is the link to the signal channel! https://signal.group/#CjQKIKlVuif-XKEyM_OE5NlItazdhKRrhXlI_l6aRlYx37T6EhCAK… Thanks, Tim. I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers". On Thu, Dec 11, 2025, 5:48 AM steve--- via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> wrote: > I missed the original message about it even though it’s in my mailbox. I > forwarded it to the list. And I do recall getting a reply to my message > about joining but I cannot find it. Hopefully though the link in the > forward works? > > > On Dec 10, 2025, at 10:34 PM, Keith Wright via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> > wrote: > > > > > >> > >>> Join the signal chat for more details. >> Thanks, Tim.A > > steve--- via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > >> how does one join the signal chat? > > > > I was about to ask the same question, but I thought I didn't > > need to, since somebody had already asked it. > > > > John Stoffel via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > > > >> Yeah, I don't know either for some reason. And is it private to WLUG > >> only or can we put details onto the web page? > > > > But now two people have asked and nobody answered. > > > > So: How is it done? > > > > Is this the same "signal" that the Secretary of Undeclared War > > got in trouble for using? > > > > ---------- > > > > Evan White via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > > > >> We had a great discussion mostly about Jujutsu, and the philosophy of > >> Git commit organization, ... , etc. > > > > It all went too fast for me. I thought 'git' was for multi-programmer > > group projects. Do you use it just to keep track of versions of > > your own project? > > > > ---------- > > > > Tim Keller via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > > > >> Topic: National Right to Repair day > >> Speaker: Jack Frimet from PIRG. > >> > >> Jack Frimet from PIRG reached out to me and asked that he speak at this > meeting. PIRG > >> is an organization that among many other causes is advocating at the > national level for > >> the right to repair. As we are all aware, with Win10 reaching EOL, this > is causing a > >> tsunami of e-waste as people are forced to upgrade to run Win11. > > > > I was not clear if they are expecting people to bring old computers > > to have Linux installed, or if I can just give cash and get an > > old computer. > > > > Also I asked whether Android was Linux hidden behind a "user interface". > > People seemed to agree that that was about right. > > Now I ask: Can I get a root shell? > > > > Is Linux just hidden, or is it broken and forbidden? > > > > I am looking for a extra "back-up" laptop. Would it be easier to > > install Debian on an Android machine than a Windows machine? > > > > Are BIOS passwords a problem? > > > > -- Keith > > _______________________________________________ > > WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org > > To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org > > Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ > > Change Settings: > https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ > > Web Forum/Archive: > https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/QGC2Z… > _______________________________________________ > WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org > To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org > Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ > Change Settings: > https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ > Web Forum/Archive: > https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/PZROP… >

Dec. 11, 2025

Re: WLUG MEETING TONIGHT!

by steve＠patternsoft.net

I missed the original message about it even though it’s in my mailbox. I forwarded it to the list. And I do recall getting a reply to my message about joining but I cannot find it. Hopefully though the link in the forward works? > On Dec 10, 2025, at 10:34 PM, Keith Wright via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> wrote: > > >> >>> Join the signal chat for more details. >> Thanks, Tim.A > steve--- via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: >> how does one join the signal chat? > > I was about to ask the same question, but I thought I didn't > need to, since somebody had already asked it. > > John Stoffel via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > >> Yeah, I don't know either for some reason. And is it private to WLUG >> only or can we put details onto the web page? > > But now two people have asked and nobody answered. > > So: How is it done? > > Is this the same "signal" that the Secretary of Undeclared War > got in trouble for using? > > ---------- > > Evan White via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > >> We had a great discussion mostly about Jujutsu, and the philosophy of >> Git commit organization, ... , etc. > > It all went too fast for me. I thought 'git' was for multi-programmer > group projects. Do you use it just to keep track of versions of > your own project? > > ---------- > > Tim Keller via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > >> Topic: National Right to Repair day >> Speaker: Jack Frimet from PIRG. >> >> Jack Frimet from PIRG reached out to me and asked that he speak at this meeting. PIRG >> is an organization that among many other causes is advocating at the national level for >> the right to repair. As we are all aware, with Win10 reaching EOL, this is causing a >> tsunami of e-waste as people are forced to upgrade to run Win11. > > I was not clear if they are expecting people to bring old computers > to have Linux installed, or if I can just give cash and get an > old computer. > > Also I asked whether Android was Linux hidden behind a "user interface". > People seemed to agree that that was about right. > Now I ask: Can I get a root shell? > > Is Linux just hidden, or is it broken and forbidden? > > I am looking for a extra "back-up" laptop. Would it be easier to > install Debian on an Android machine than a Windows machine? > > Are BIOS passwords a problem? > > -- Keith > _______________________________________________ > WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org > To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org > Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ > Change Settings: https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ > Web Forum/Archive: https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/QGC2Z…

Dec. 11, 2025

Fwd: Signal channel..

by steve＠patternsoft.net

Begin forwarded message: > From: Tim Keller via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> > Date: October 9, 2025 at 10:17:54 AM EDT > To: Worcester Linux Users' Group General Discussion <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> > Cc: Tim Keller <turbofx(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [WLUG] Signal channel.. > Reply-To: Worcester Linux Users' Group General Discussion <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> > > > I've created a signal channel for all of us. Signal has a nice linux desktop client as well. > > https://signal.group/#CjQKIKlVuif-XKEyM_OE5NlItazdhKRrhXlI_l6aRlYx37T6EhCAK… > > Currently myself, Jansen and Evan are in it. > > Thanks, > Tim. > > -- > I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers". > _______________________________________________ > WLUG mailing list -- wlug(a)lists.wlug.org > To unsubscribe send an email to wlug-leave(a)lists.wlug.org > Create Account: https://wlug.mailman3.com/accounts/signup/ > Change Settings: https://wlug.mailman3.com/postorius/lists/wlug.lists.wlug.org/ > Web Forum/Archive: https://wlug.mailman3.com/hyperkitty/list/wlug@lists.wlug.org/message/LEKFZ…

Dec. 11, 2025

WLUG MEETING TONIGHT!

by Keith Wright

>>Join the signal chat for more details. >> Thanks, Tim.A steve--- via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > how does one join the signal chat? I was about to ask the same question, but I thought I didn't need to, since somebody had already asked it. John Stoffel via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > Yeah, I don't know either for some reason. And is it private to WLUG > only or can we put details onto the web page? But now two people have asked and nobody answered. So: How is it done? Is this the same "signal" that the Secretary of Undeclared War got in trouble for using? ---------- Evan White via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > We had a great discussion mostly about Jujutsu, and the philosophy of > Git commit organization, ... , etc. It all went too fast for me. I thought 'git' was for multi-programmer group projects. Do you use it just to keep track of versions of your own project? ---------- Tim Keller via WLUG <wlug(a)lists.wlug.org> writes: > Topic: National Right to Repair day > Speaker: Jack Frimet from PIRG. > > Jack Frimet from PIRG reached out to me and asked that he speak at this meeting. PIRG > is an organization that among many other causes is advocating at the national level for > the right to repair. As we are all aware, with Win10 reaching EOL, this is causing a > tsunami of e-waste as people are forced to upgrade to run Win11. I was not clear if they are expecting people to bring old computers to have Linux installed, or if I can just give cash and get an old computer. Also I asked whether Android was Linux hidden behind a "user interface". People seemed to agree that that was about right. Now I ask: Can I get a root shell? Is Linux just hidden, or is it broken and forbidden? I am looking for a extra "back-up" laptop. Would it be easier to install Debian on an Android machine than a Windows machine? Are BIOS passwords a problem? -- Keith

Dec. 11, 2025

REMINDER!! WLUG MEETING TOMORROW!! Dec 11th 2025! Topic: Bazzite!

by Tim Keller

Here we are, the last WLUG meeting for 2025! Time: 7PM Date: December 11th, 2025 Location: Technocopia, 44 Portland St. Worcester MA. Virtual Location: https://meet.jit.si/WlugMA Topic: Gaming on Linux! I'm going to be showing off my bazzite powered gaming desktop (that my wife is going to be the primary driver on) In the past I've had lots of conversations with potential linux users that go something like "Linux is so cool, but about my games.." and then the conversation gets awkward. I know there's some complicated stuff going on at Steam, but one thing they have done as a company is really pushed the envelope for gaming on linux. Bazzite aims to be a distro that just has it all working out of the box and makes use of the silver/blue bootc environment to make the machine more resilient to novice linux users that might accidentally break something or lose power mid upgrade, etc. I'm sure it's going to be a lively discussion and there will be lots to talk about. I also know that Technocopia is doing a xmas party / maker swap so we'll want to be respectful to them as well. As always afterwards we'll head out for some dinner and keep the conversation going. Thanks, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

Dec. 10, 2025