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A step back into Linux: LXLE
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Posted by jaslar
Apr 4, 2015 at 06:17 AM
I happened to pick up a bargain machine today - a used Lenovo ThinkCentre All In One PC for $70. It came without an operating system, so I tried LXLE 2014.04.01 (based on Ubuntu’s latest Long Term Support distribution, but with the LXDE desktop environment). Easiest install I’ve had in years, and very little post-installation work (thanks in part to bundled licenses to support Flash, music, and video). Three things of note, here:
1. It’s also very easy now to install nvPY - a cross-platform Simplenote client that works much like Notational Velocity.
2. Chrome apps on Linux. I set up a Unity-like panel for apps on the left side of the monitor, and can put things like the Chrome version of Workflowy, which now is very easy to launch as a separate app.
3. Now my go-to-apps look like this:
- Files (PCMANFM 1.2.0, included)
- Chrome (had to add - default is Firefox)
- Haroopad (added)
- LibreOffice (included)
- Notecase Pro (added)
- nvPY (added)
- Software Center (included)
- Workflowy standalone Chrome app
- XMind
After using Windows 7 exclusively for the past few months, Linux is, strangely, a relief, requiring far less maintenance than Windows. All of the tools except Notecase Pro are free, too. I recommend LXLE (http://www.lxle.net) unreservedly. It’s getting great reviews as a terrific way to rejuvenate older PCS. It’s modern, fast, polished, and stable. And forum readers will recognize a lot of famliar names in my favorite apps - mostly because this was where I found out about most of them. Those of you with older PCs (particularly any still running abandoned XP), this might be worth a look. And I love this huge monitor!
Posted by MadaboutDana
Apr 4, 2015 at 08:26 AM
Thanks, jaslar. I always keep a Linux machine around, generally running Xubuntu, but LXLE looks like a very intriguing alternative.
Posted by Glen Coulthard
Apr 4, 2015 at 02:35 PM
Strangely enough, I just did a similar move. Purchased a refurbished Dell Latitude E6420 (i5 2nd gen with 4GB+250GB and nVidia 4200m) for approx. $200CAD. The machine came direct from Dell with Win7Pro, but I installed Linux Mint in a dual boot configuration—it boots and runs so much faster than Windows 7! I’ve also used LXLE on older boxes and it works wonderfully, but this box was powerful enough for the Cinnamon desktop. My favourite Ubuntu-flavoured note-taking apps include:
1. LibreOffice 4.4 - Office suite (installed)
2. Remarkable (http://remarkableapp.net) Markdown editor
3. Scrivener for Linux - Works great btw!
4. XMind for mindmapping
5. myBase 7 (http://wjjsoft.com/) for note-taking
Although myBase 7 is still in beta, the program works great in both Linux and Windows. Note that it is now HTML-driven rather than RTF-based.
FWIW, Glen
Posted by jaslar
Apr 4, 2015 at 05:54 PM
Remarkable looks really good. It looks like all that’s missing is only code folding and tabs. Is that right?
Posted by Alexander Deliyannis
Apr 5, 2015 at 02:52 PM
Jaslar, thanks for sharing your positive experience with LXLE! I can only concur with your conclusions on the low maintenance overhead of Linux.
I also keep an Asus eeePC 901 running Linux. I use it whenever I have time between meetings where bringing my regular laptop is inconvenient. After experimenting with various Linux flavours I nowadays use Peppermint, which is based on Linux Mint and LXDE as well. Interestingly, I found Xubuntu and its derivatives (like Voyager Linux which I had recommended here http://www.outlinersoftware.com/messages/viewm/18053 ) rather heavy on my little Asus.
Glen, thanks for the heads up on Remarkable—which reminds me of Markdown Pad in Windows—as well as the Linux version of Mybase.
Bill, have you ever tested InnoKB http://wjjsoft.com/innokb.html ? It’s a client-server product by Mybase’s developer; it reminds me of Kerio Workspace. The server runs on Windows and Linux; the client just requires a modern browser.