Recent posts

#51

Support / Re: can't upgrade Mint 21 to 2...

Last post by Jason - April 01, 2026, 05:58:59 PM

One thing I did have that I like to maintain is an old stats program that requires a lot of 32 bit libraries, and the app resides in my /Home folder. I just copied the files for it from my old Mint partition that wouldn't update, and then added the libraries until it worked in the new partition. I copied a few other things over and then destroyed the old partition.

Is it R, or a front-end for R? I believe R is console-based. I know the use something R-related in the stats course I'll have to take eventually. Most people hate statistics, I'm looking forward to it. Calculus scares me, though.

[The secret is not to allow it to format /home during the install.]

#52

Support / Re: can't upgrade Mint 21 to 2...

Last post by Jason - April 01, 2026, 05:52:57 PM

The secret is not to allow it to format /home during the install. I have done this before and so far it has worked. Nothing lost if it doesn't work

I am not the only one in the club that does this, and over the years I'd guess I've done it 3 times.

I did it this way on the last install. I've gone back and forth on it. I do regular backups, so restoring my data isn't a big headache, but your method is definitely faster and more foolproof. The only downside of this method is that you don't get to see the snazzy new desktop and settings, basically, that new distro feel that you would get with a regular install.

#53

General Discussion / Re: Three words could save you...

Last post by Jason - April 01, 2026, 05:48:25 PM

That's so cool, Bill! What is the range of those? Line of sight to the nearest tower?

#54

Support / Re: can't upgrade Mint 21 to 2...

Last post by buster - March 30, 2026, 11:46:02 AM

I'm assuming this still works Mike.

When you use partitions, at an early point in the install you will get a page that shows your partitions. Beside each will be the option to format the partition before the install.

/ should be fresh and clean so you click 'format'
/home has things like bookmarks and some data so select 'don't format'
swap I suspect doesn't matter one way or another but I always selected 'format'

I haven't done this for awhile since I've always managed to upgrade my Mint since the last time I did it.
.

#55

Support / Re: can't upgrade Mint 21 to 2...

Last post by fox - March 30, 2026, 07:03:21 AM

I already did a fresh install the usual way (one partition). In my case, I don't actually use Mint (I just play with it), and I didn't have much in my /Home folder. One thing I did have that I like to maintain is an old stats program that requires a lot of 32 bit libraries, and the app resides in my /Home folder. I just copied the files for it from my old Mint partition that wouldn't update, and then added the libraries until it worked in the new partition. I copied a few other things over and then destroyed the old partition.

I'm curious how you did the install without formatting /home.

[The secret is not to allow it to format /home during the install.]

#56

Support / Re: can't upgrade Mint 21 to 2...

Last post by buster - March 29, 2026, 06:39:36 PM

Bill, Mike and any other readers who are doing a Mint fresh install: 

I'd strongly suggest before you do a fresh install of Mint that you seriously consider doing an old fashioned 3 partitions of /, /home, and swap.

The HUGE advantage of this, or at least has been so far, is that you can do a subsequent 'fresh install' over top of it and retain much of your data that sits in your /home. You'll maybe still have to reinstall your email and browser and a few other programs but then maybe not if it's what Mint gives you anyway.

The secret is not to allow it to format /home during the install. I have done this before and so far it has worked. Nothing lost if it doesn't work

I am not the only one in the club that does this, and over the years I'd guess I've done it 3 times.

#57

Security and Privacy / LastPass password security bre...

Last post by ssfc72 - March 26, 2026, 03:20:30 PM

https://dailyhive.com/canada/settlement-lastpass-class-action-lawsuit-canada

File your Class Action claim before June 23 2026.

A Class Action lawsuit in Canada, has now been settled and a payment of up to $500 may be available 

#58

General Discussion / Re: Three words could save you...

Last post by ssfc72 - March 26, 2026, 09:19:25 AM

It is 4 X 2.7 X 2.3" in size and weighs around 1 lb and covers 8 HF Bands. It is labelled a QRP transceiver which mean it is low output power usually around 5 Watts.

You can get smaller QRP transceivers but they usually only transmit on a single HF Band and usually need a separate 12 volt power supply.

#59

Linux Applications & Android apps / Re: Income Tax programs for th...

Last post by Jason - March 24, 2026, 10:45:16 PM

I've used it for a couple of years. Love the price! I used to be able to do it for free with TurboTax because of low income. But the maximum was $20,000/year so as soon as we moved beyond it, it was going to be $20 or something.

The option to do your taxes directly through CRA over the phone is back, too. It's only for simple tax situations.

#60

General Discussion / Re: Three words could save you...

Last post by Jason - March 24, 2026, 10:40:09 PM

For Amateur Radio operators like myself, I have a very small, low power, tranceiver which has a built in 12 litium battery that I could send out a Help call, on the HF bands.
I would have to be not injured too much, so that I could string up a wire for  the antennae.

How small is it exactly?