Installing Linux software. Sigh.

It’s 2023, why is it still such a pain in the ass to get Linux software up and running?

I have an Oracle Linux 8 server. (I know. But when CentOS 8 moved to a rolling release...) Not a lot is natively packaged for it, but it all should still work. But, case in point, getting fslint (a file deduplicator) running. Or, not, as the case may be.

I tried installing it via yum. No go, it’s not in the repositories. Okay. Try a binary release for czkawka 4.1.0 (the rust re-implementation that’s more actively developed). Nope, I don’t have gtk4. Okay, try 3.3.0. Nope, wants glibc 2.29, I have 2.28, and there’s no easy way to get 2.29 installed. Okay, this seems like the perfect opportunity to learn how to use snaps. Everything seemed to go smoothly until I used XQuartz terminal to `ssh -Y` into the server to launch the software:

# snap list
Name                Version          Rev    Tracking       Publisher   Notes
fslint-unofficial   v0.1.14          71     latest/stable  tgagor      -
# /snap/bin/fslint-unofficial

But that barfed with a bunch of GtkWarnings, most of which seemed to involve the DISPLAY, which is configured properly otherwise; `firefox` opens and works fine:

 

So, yeah, I dunno. I don’t think this is going to be the year of Linux on the Desktop.

Today’s been otherwise productive. Got my second Broadlink RM4 Mini universal remote control module setup to control the bedroom electronics; beats juggling the weird remote that came with the TCL, and the Sony RM-VLZ620 universal remote I’ve been limping along with (it’s old enough it doesn’t know about BluRay players...). I have it balanced (with hook-and-loop fasteners) on top of the VIVO VESA pole (see below):

Broadlink RM4 mini perched atop a monitor mounting pole

Got my old MacBook Pro 15.4 (Mid-2015; 2.2 GHz Quad-Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) setup running Monterey. It’s connected to a Dell U2212HM monitor (matte) (which replaced my trusty, every-input-you-could-ask-for, 2007WFP, when it finally gave up the ghost), Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX speakers (which sound incredible 16 years (and one woofer replacement) later, though the hardwired 3.5mm cable has to be just right‡, sigh), through a hub (that I move over to a Wombat to use the keyboard and mouse with an Apple IIgs) a Logitech M500 I’d forgotten I had (yay housecleaning) and the Das Keyboard Model S Professional For Mac (DASK3PROMS1MACCLI-CO) I swapped to Kailh Box Navy switches. The laptop is on a VIVO Adjustable Laptop Holder; both that mount and the monitor are on an arm of the VIVO Extra Tall pole (itself attached to my glass desk via a WALI Steel Reinforcement Bracket). (All of this replaced a clunky but very servicable Neo-Flex Combo Lift Stand that I now need to find a new home for.)

2015 MacBook Pro with peripherals

(And now you see, again, why I insist on matte displays.)
 

I’d forgotten how much I like this keyboard, though I’d also forgotten how tiring the Navy switches can be, over the course of an entire day (maybe I should have swapped it to Jade or Pink?).

 

‡ Though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised at this point: There’s apparently a market for third-party control pods (at least one of which properly has a replaceable 3.5mm signal cable), that simply plug into the pre-amp socket on hte back of the subwoofer/amplifier module. Sweet. $40 to fix a flaky cable on a speaker setup I bought 15 (?) years ago for $129 seems a bit stiff, but cool to know it’s an option. The pod would be pretty convenient, too, though in truth I never actually touch those controls and just use the Mac’s volume. These speakers, albeit with a woofer replacement, still sound incredible, worth keeping them well fed... (And then I discovered more information than you’d likely ever want.)