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flork OP ,
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Thanks. I know my way around bash scripts but I guess it's time to learn Udev rules. Are you aware of any examples I can find online?

flork OP ,
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A bash script is like a shell script in Windows. It is a text file that runs multiple commands in order. As if you opened the terminal and typed them in yourself.

Udev rules I need to learn about but based on context I have to assume it's a tool for running scripts when specific events happen (like a monitor being plugged in)

flork OP ,
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I'm using GNOME thanks that link looks helpful

flork , (edited )
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Eh, you really can't. Linux without the terminal only enables about 5% of the functionality available the user.

Linux geeks like to imagine a hypothetical "average user" who never needs to adjust settings or install anything beyond a web browser. But a person looking for that limited of functionality while also knowing how to install an operating system is not an average user.

flork , (edited )
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So many comments here saying you don't need the terminal for full functionality.... What Distro are you people using??? How do you install programs not in the "software center" and how do you edit config files? How do you configure a network share? I don't really think you guys are thinking this through.

For any use-cases beyond a very limited chromebook-like functionality, Linux is absolutely not fully usable without access to the terminal.

flork ,
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And apt is just the beginning of it. It's not that uncommon for apt to not work either.

flork ,
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Strong disagree lol but I understand your logic. I am a visual learner and it is a lot easier for me to understand what the structure and options are in a given program when I have a GUI.

To me the terminal feels like a scalpel. It's a precise instrument, but only you need to know exactly what you're slicing into.

flork ,
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In other words, I can successfully install things like a windows user, I just have to go the extra step to open the file’s properties and make it executable with the GUI first.

Some programs can be installed this way, but it's extremely far from universal.

Config files can be edited in the GUI text editor

Not without opening them as root, which in every distro I know of, requires the terminal.

To test my claim and prove your third point, this link is the repository for a samba GUI

The install directions for that program involve the terminal.

flork ,
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In your opinion what makes a terminal program "more useful" than a GUI program with the exact same functionality?

flork ,
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There are apps that can do it, but require the terminal to install.

Also in every distro I've tried, config files will open read-only, not with the authentication pop-up.

flork ,
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Right, and they only demonstrated limited functionality.

flork ,
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I see. For me, the step of memorization is time-consuming, especially for a program I only need on rare occasions and for simple tasks.

flork ,
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Any modern distro.

I don't suppose you could give the name of a distro that achieves full functionality purely in the GUI?

flork ,
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It is a bit weird. They're doing the Winrar business model of "pay if you want to, but don't have to". I don't get how such a niche product can support multiple salaries.

flork ,
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Ansible is most useful if you have a large volume of systems. It's a great tool for what it does but imo, it not worth learning if you're not going to be needing it frequently.

flork ,
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I asked this a while back and was told I am an idiot for asking and it is astonishing I am able to even use a computer, which I clearly am not responsible enough to use.

Just kidding (not really) but consensus was "not very easily". I tried a few methods which were complicated and didn't manage to work. Yes, Windows and MacOS do this seamlessly, but nobody has yet taken the time to add a similar functionality to Linux.

flork ,
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These are all great, but they are all workarounds, not solutions.

Do you encrypt your data drives?

Fellow selfhoster, do you encrypt your drives where you put data to avoid privacy problems in case of theft? If yes, how? How much does that impact performances? I selfhost (amongst other services) NextCloud where I keep my pictures, medical staff, …in short, private stuff and I know that it’s pretty difficult that a thief...

flork ,
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You don’t have sensitive data? Would you mind expanding on that a bit for me? Just curious how you like, live, and stuff.

Easily find program name from context menu/without terminal?

I occasionally need to know the names of programs. I asked here about "Run as Administrator" being added to the context menu (like in Windows), and the response was basically "can't be easily done". an example is if I wish to edit a config file it cannot be done without accessing the terminal. Knowing the name "gedit" is the...

flork OP ,
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Nope, not an option sadly. Using GNOME.

flork OP ,
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The question in this thread is about identifying program names.

flork OP , (edited )
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Thank you for the advice I will take it under consideration.You seem educated in this area, do you know of an easy way to identify the real name of a program without the terminal?

flork OP , (edited )
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I asked how to find the name of a program via the GUI. And if it was possible (via GNOME extension or whatever) to add that information to the context menu. The guide you sent me only included the final step (adding a command to the context menu).

flork OP ,
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Thank you.

flork OP ,
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Do you have a desktop icon or something other link named like “ProgramA” but when you run it, its executing under a different process name?

Yes. I have been using Linux daily for a few years now and it remains my biggest frustration knowing what is running and where it might be installed.

Two examples are gedit is called “Text Editor” and nautilus is called “File Browser”. Gparted is called “Partition Editor”.

Is that what youre asking? How to find the target program name from a shortcut or other desktop icon?

Yes. But without using the terminal. I am not anti-terminal, I’m just looking for a faster way.

flork OP ,
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I actually don’t mind the straightforward names! When I was a Linux newbie it was very helpful to get going. but it would be nice to have advanced info more readily available instead of assuming I “don’t need it” as so frequently happens. I’m in the awkward space where I am by any measure an advanced power user, but not like systems admin level where I am more comfortable in the command line.

flork OP ,
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The thing is terminal tools are already available.

Right, after many years of Linux, I get the feeling that developers assume that if you don’t like text-based input, you are not responsible enough to configure your own computer. It strikes me as a hacky workaround to the problem of different knowledge levels among users. This is not a criticism of any particular developer, and I have a deep respect for them all. It’s just an observation. UAC is not much better, and Apple’s “solution” is even worse.

flork OP , (edited )
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Thanks, I’m aware of the XY problem and do appreciate everyone’s concern. I am not trying to run a random app as root. That would be absurd.

flork OP ,
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That’s a really good point. I also know that making GUIs sucks and there’s a reason UX devs make the big bucks.

flork OP ,
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I like GNOME for it’s extensions, but haven’t tried KDE since before Plasma. Is it highly customizable on par with GNOME?

flork OP ,
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It’s a lot more windowsy than gnome.

Is it as easily customizable now? The thing I hate about Windows and love about GNOME is that I can configure the UI to look like almost anything with a few clicks and there is a great community creating great extensions. I haven’t tried KDE in many years but I found it more limiting than even Windows last time I tried it.

flork OP ,
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Yes! Exactly why it bugs me when options are left out of the GUI out of what I can only assume is a sense of concern the user might use them “incorrectly”.

flork OP ,
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Oh I know, no disrespect to my terminal-peeps. to clarify, I was speaking purely about the “noob friendly” distros.

flork OP ,
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Oh my gosh I can't believe after 56 comments from so called "experts" you bring up such a simple solution. Thank you!

flork OP ,
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Not regularly, but the most common use I’ve encountered is text files used in various configurations.

flork OP ,
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ctrl+L, there’s no button because Gnome is weird

Oh my gosh, this is so useful. The lack of an address bar was driving me insane. Thanks.

flork OP ,
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I’m not a child with a machine gun, I just don’t want to go to the terminal every time.

flork OP , (edited )
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gedit, gparted, many others. I am not afraid of the terminal it’s just not my preferred method.

flork OP ,
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Nope, gedit opens fine but you can’t save changes unless you’re root. This is true of every distro I’ve tried.

flork OP ,
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I have no idea what you are talking about.

Your attitude.

flork OP ,
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There is no reason to assume this is an XY problem scenario.

flork OP ,
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What I want to accomplish is to open files and programs as root without use of the terminal. I promise you I have no nefarious intentions towards you or your ilk.

flork OP , (edited )
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The question is not about a specific use-case, but a general one. An alternative reading would be “Is there a way to run short commands as root without switching to the terminal?”

flork OP ,
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Thanks for this, but I have a question:

Running apps as root doesnt work with Wayland, and for a good reason.

Are you sure about this? I run GUI apps as root all the time and have Wayland.

flork OP ,
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I know. That’s what I’ve been doing for years. I could also just sudo gedit file directory filename but it’s SO much easier to right-click “open as admin” which is why I asked.

flork OP ,
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I appreciate the absolute mountains of concern that I am using my own computer incorrectly, but I’ve been doing it this way for more than a decade and have never once broken anything, lost data or exposed myself to a security risk so I think I’m doing ok.

flork OP ,
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Thank you lol this thread got absurd.

“I won’t tell you to open your lunchbox until you tell me what you brought for lunch and the allergies of anyone in your family.”

flork OP ,
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Amazing. Yes, when I said “open” I actually secretly meant “fold”, a totally normal and common mistake users make when accessing the contents of a lunchbox. Everything is an XY problem!

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