I'm still struggling on with Linux, despite it annoying the crap out of me most of the time. I'm determined to find the decent OS that's free and open underneath all this crap.

 

Anyway, latest thing that I'm pissed off at having spent 2 hours trying to find out how to do that should be basic fucking functionality... disabling tap-to-click on the mother fucking touchpad.

 

First thing I found said to edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf or something, which doesn't exist.

 

Second thing said to install a program called Pointing Devices from Ubuntu market. Installed, it refuses to show up anywhere or run :-|

 

Third thing said to run gconf-editor and navigate to teh appropriate section and untick the tap-to-click setting.

 

Done all of the above and it's still bastarding turned on. And the 'disable while typing' thing doesn't work either, it just ignores that and when my fat, sweaty palm (no, John) accidentally brushes near the pad while I'm typing the cursor is suddenly moved to some random place on the screen :@

 

So two questions:

 

1. How the fuck can I turned it off? (and edge scrolling)

 

2. Why the fuck isn't there a working option for it in the bloody mouse/pointers app in the settings thinger? Fucking Linux :@

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Touchpad_Synaptics

(That's for Arch but Arch is so generic that the instructions should be the same. Replace any 'pacman' stuff with 'aptitude', obviously)

Recent X Servers don't require an xorg.conf but you can still make one yourself and it'll be read. I recommend against it though.

Touchpads are a pain in the arse though, aye.

What are you looking for in your OS. If it's just for web browsery Chrome OS is pretty good.

The great thing about free stuff is that it doesn't work like the stuff you pay for. That's why it's free, and the stuff you pay for is paid for.*

 

Here endeth the lesson

 

* yes, I am aware of the bollocks in this line of reasoning

Is your bollocks talk free or paid for? Cause if it's free it actually works!

My bollocks are never free, but are reasonably priced considering their superior quality.

I hate paying for stuff that doesn't work, and they won't give a refund.

 

So I don't...

How the fuck do I turn off that stupid login drum noise thing in 11.10? And why do they keep changing where it is? And if I have to do a stupid command prompt thing I'll be grumpy. Still.

Those drums are so fucking annoying :'D

(no idea)

http://maketecheasier.com/disable-login-sound-in-ubuntu-oneiric-quick-tips/2011/09/15

Thanks - I found various other ways but yours is the only one that's worked. It is absolutely ludicrous, but I guess that's Linux. Much obliged!

OK, fuck this. I'm installing XP in about 7 minutes + the amount of time it takes to burn the ISO.

 

So many simple little things just don't fucking work, Linux is still an amateur and unpolished attempt at a desktop OS.

QUITTER! :@

(but realist (hug) )

If you really want to learn something about linux (and I'm not saying you do), try running it in a virtual machine for a while before you essay a bare metal install. You'd save yourself a lot of grief.

Linux/ubuntu issue.

 

How do I stop the Grub list from ever appearing?

 

It usually doesn't, but after a crash or power failure it sometimes does meaning I have to go in the attic just to press enter, it doesn't seem to count down as I would've expected.

Do you have a timeout value in /boot/grub/menu.lst ?

If not, try adding "timeout 1" (i.e. one second; no quotes) and that'll solve the problem?

No menu.lst file. I think it's because it's Grub 2 or something. I shall Google some more!

Found the answer :)

I save myself a lot of grief by not using Linux.

And everyone else.