antiX transformation pack – antiX FT 10

[Member marcelocripe]

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Maybe I can create a menu entry to always Google Conky on/off (both from the current session AND also at the system’s startup)- do you folks think it would be usefull?

Hello PPC.
This is indeed a very interesting feature to be included in the options window. However, it would be one more job to be replaced when the user clicks on the FT10 – Deactivate…

Just wishing for some way to help promote both your work and antiX. Covid KO at present time.

Hello ModdIt.
I helped with the dissemination of FT10 through the Telegram, WhatsApp groups and the email list I have. People’s adherence to FT10 is increasing.

Thank you very much PPC, for all your hard work and commitment on FT10.

– – – – –

Maybe I can create a menu entry to always Toogle Conky on/off (both from the current session AND also at the system’s startup)- do you folks think it would be usefull?

Olá PPC.
Está é sim uma funcionalidade muito interessante a ser incluída na janela de opções. Contudo seria mais um trabalho a ser reposto quando o usuário clicar no menu FT10 – Desativar…

Just wishing for some way to help promote both your work and antiX. Covid KO at present time.

Olá ModdIt.
Eu ajudei com a divulgação do FT10 por meio dos grupos de Telegram, WhatsApp e da lista de e-mails que eu possuo. A adesão das pessoas ao FT10 está cada vez maior.

Muito obrigado PPC, por todo o seu trabalho e empenho no FT10.

[Member ModdIt]

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Hi PPC,
Quote: Maybe I can create a menu entry to always Google Conky on/off

I think you meant toggle (or switch) conky on off. not google which is very similar to the first term.

Not sure if you can still edit, want me to just ask.

Marcello, good to know you are ok and that your promo is working.

[Member PPC]

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@Moddit – yes, please fix that typo 🙂

[Member PPC]

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After a rocky start, I think that I got Zzzfm’s automatic configuration mostly settled- I still want to add a few more things, but, if this works across multiple computers, this is the version of the script that will be added to FT10’s activation menu- https://gitlab.com/antix-contribs/ft10-transformation/-/raw/main/install_trash-can-alpha62.sh

-What the script now does:
-makes a backup of zzzfm’s configuration folder
-deletes the original configuration (it had to be done, no way around it)
-forces zzzfm to start, to create a prestine configuration files, and then closes it (I could use other methods to do this, I know)
-installs trash-cli
-configures Bookmarks for the most used folders, Trash and Cloud Drives, complete with icons
-configures Big icons and turns on thumbnails (available only for pictures, not videos. To get thumbnails for video files, you should open the folder in rox-filer)
-configures zzzfm contextual menu to work with trash-cli by default ( CTRL+Delete still permantly deletes files/folders)

It came to my attention that the windows keybinding to delete is Shift+Delete, so I’ll probably adjust zzzfm to that

Any and all feedback is welcomed.

Using a nice default setting for the File Manager, with a Trash can was the feature I most wanted to add to FT10, to increase it’s usability. I have no idea how network shares work, if I did, I would try to do something about it in this script- from what I gather, I think shared folders are displayed in ZZZ, but I never tested that…

P.

[Member PPC]

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I want to see if I get some feedback on this subject:

Long version:
-FT10 already has a Calendar script, with this features:
it shows a monthly calendar and allows the user to enter events, and days with events are shown in bold- place your mouse over them and the events are displayed. Events for the current day are shown on the top part of the window.
here’s a search function to find events on the calendar.

Although handy, this Calendar is extremely basic- I had a more developed one, that allowed to set alarms, and had a more elaborate interface that allowed to enter timed events… But, on computers low on resources, the script took a bit of processing power (although just about 1mb of RAM)… so the version with alarms was scrapped, since FT10’s motto is to be as light on resources has possible (and Seamonkey, available for antiX 21) already includes a nice and fully featured calendar, I stopped working on the calendar version with alarms…

Short version:
I’m now working on a calendar that is almost the same as the current version, with one difference: if you enter an event that, in it’s description has @hh:mm, and, IF the calendar alarms are set to on, an alarm will sound at the specified time.
On medium resources computers you won’t event notice any CPU usage, on old single core computers, you’ll notice a spike of CPU usage(1-2%) every 7 seconds, when the script checks if there are alarms to be sounded…
The only visible differences on the newer version of the script are that it features a “Gears” button to toggle Alarms on and off, and the top part of the calendar window shows a “Plane” when the alarms are off (the calendar is on “Plane mode”)- this means no resources are used at all, and no alarms will sound, and it’s the default mode- users have to expressly turn the alarms on.
When the alarms are on the calendar window shows an “Alarm” icon and a tiny bit of system resources (1mb of RAM and a bit of CPU) are used…

Do you folks think this should be implemented in FT10?

P.

Edited to correct a few copy/paste errors and add a bit of extra information.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by PPC.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by PPC.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by PPC.

[Member madibi]

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I don’t use the alarms on the pc, because I use the ones on my mobile phone. To synch the agenda I use my google account that can be handled both by my android phone and by thunderbird with lighting.

I wrote the above to illustrate that in case of very old pc, I’ll try to preserve the resources, instead of giving to the end user mare options that always have a cost in term of footprint. This because the requested service can be found elsewhere.

BUT

My statement is for really old pc (ante 2005 I imagine), on my old acer extensa from 2007 , born with xp and 2 gram, the problem would not arise either.

And considering that Antix is targeted not only to very old computers, my final vote may be : yes it’s a good idea 🙂

As always I greatly appreciate your way of thinking, re-thinking and tries that you do in order to improve your FT10. Many thx again

[Member PPC]

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@madibi – thanks for the feedback – my reasoning to implement a basic “Calendar” with alarms in FT10 is:
1- most full blow Linux Distros have that feature (I think Windows does have it too), so it’s something that antiX users may consider that the OS is lacking, out of the box…
2- For some quick reminders (ex: “Leave for lunch with X and 13:00”), users may find it faster, if they are already using the computer, to use the mouse and keyboard to set an alarm. Since I dislike typing in screens, I’m more prone to use the physical keyboad…

…That said, in it’s current form, the Calendar is to be considered a “light and low on features” calendar- kind of a version of a physical agenda that you write stuff on, but with the added bonus of having a quick search feature and (soon) use alarms. It does not have any import/export features, recurring events, timed alarms (the alarms just sounds at the time the user sets it) and no “snooze” button on the alarm (this last thing I may be able to implement in the foreseeable future)… It’s in no way to be considered a replacement to a full blown Calendar, like a smart-phone Calendar, Mozilla Lightning, Seamonkey Calendar, or the excellent and low on resources (and also available in the Repository) “Orage”.

So probably, the next FT10 version will include the new Calendar, the new script to configure zzzfm and add a Trash bin to it, some minor icon changes and, perhaps the inclusion of some more localizations ( I still have not talked to Robin about that).

P.

[Member PPC]

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Hi, everyone. There’s a beta for version 1.4 available here:
https://gitlab.com/antix-contribs/ft10-transformation/-/blob/main/packages/ft10-transformation_1.4.b1_all.deb

Changes:
-a more advanced Calendar, with alarms for timed events,
-by default the FT10 activation script tries to make sure that zzzfm is installed and configured to have bookmarks, Recent files and a Trash can.
-minor icon and menu changes

To do’s:
-Add more localizations to the Trash Can’s zzzfm’s bookmark and contextual menu
-Change scripts so, when the user enables Visual Effects or Calendar alarms, that change sticks even after the system is restarted.
-Add an entry to setup pulse audio (because it may sometimes be needed to have sound on some applications, like firefox)
-Add an entry to try to localize applications (at least firefox-esr, ideally libreoffice too)

Installation:
If you wish to test this beta, download it and install it in your system, and restart or system or re-enable FT10, on the menu.
You can install the .deb by doing this:
-Open the terminal and type:
sudo apt install --reinstall
(don’t forget to add a space after “-reinstall”, but don’t press enter)
Drag the .deb from your file manager to the terminal and press enter.
If asked to, enter your password
After the installation is finished, go to the menu and choose “FT10 – enable”

Don’t forget, this is a beta, please test it and report any bugs, suggestions, comments, on this thread…

P.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by PPC.

[Member madibi]

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@PPC
Dear PPC, thanks for your efforts in developing FT10. Next week I’ll try the new beta on a fresh install.

I have a couple of things to say:

Random problem on ver. 1.3.1: my “main” pc is an old ASUS notebook F3SG from 2007, 4 Gram.
In an external hd I have 2 different install of Antix 21: the 1st one is with “mine” MacOS look with JWM, and the 2nd one is FT10 1.3.1
The MacOS look works with no probs, while the FT10 randomly, quite often (once every 3 or 4 times I use it) without warnings reboot!!
I am a little bit late in reporting this issue, because I am searching to find a rule. Unfortunately so far I couldn’t find a reproducible situation where to address my investigations. Can you please suggest me where to search? I know that you don’t have a crystal sphere, but I cannot imagine what kind of reports you may need.
The unique hypothesis is that I should search in some sectors of the HD.
I repeat: both antix 21, on the same machine, same external HD, the 1st works, the 2nd gives random issues!!!

advertising for FT10: my opinion is that this project is very good and that has a strategical value, also if it is a side project of the “main” antix.
My opinion is that it is known only by close friends. And if my statement is true, this may be a problem.
FT10 is the product of big efforts and it is a pity that it has not a good visibility. This may cause antix to lose opportunities in involving new users, mainly between the former win people. (OT: Also for the Italian manuals there is a lack of visibility).

[Member marcelocripe]

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Hello PPC.

Yesterday I carried out a new installation and trained for almost a whole day a new antiX multiplier in a Municipality in the Metropolitan Region of Vale do Paraíba, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Soon we will have new Brazilians from this Municipality that I will not mention the name and I will leave it to them to mention the name if they wished when they participate here in this forum.

As I have said (written) before that on every new install of antiX, I will always install and teach people how to install and use your gift called FT10.

I just downloaded and installed new package “ft10-transformation_1.4.b1_all.deb”, without reading the automatic translation of this part of your text, “… by default the FT10 activation script tries to make sure that zzzfm is installed and configured to have bookmarks, Recent files and a Trash can.”, as I had not read this information that is here in this topic and is not available in the window that appears with the option to “Install zzzFM File Manager”, I automatically unchecked the checkbox, because it offers to install something that is already installed on antiX 21, it wouldn’t make sense for me to keep it checked to install something that is already installed.

What I want to explain here is that I believe it is necessary to include in the text “Install the zzzFM File Manager” the information that is missing, making the text in pt-BR like this “Install the zzzFM File Manager, Configure Favorites/Bookmarks, Recent Files, and the Recycle Bin.”. This suggestion of mine extends to other languages ​​and not just to pt-BR.

My other analyzes and observations I will send by private message only in pt-BR to facilitate communication and I will test on a “Live USB”.

Thank you very much for making this new FT10 package available for testing.

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Olá PPC.

Ontem eu realizei um nova instalação e treinei durante quase um dia inteiro um novo multiplicador do antiX em um Município da Região Metropolitana do Vale do Paraíba, no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Em breve teremos novos Brasileiros deste Município que eu não citarei o nome e deixarei para eles citarem o nome se assim desejaram quando forem participar aqui neste fórum.

Como eu havia dito (escrito) antes que em todas as novas instalações do antiX, eu sempre irei instalar e ensinar as pessoas a instalar e utilizar o seu presente chamado FT10.

Eu só baixei e instalei novo pacote “ft10-transformation_1.4.b1_all.deb”, sem ler a tradução automática desta parte do seu texto, “… by default the FT10 activation script tries to make sure that zzzfm is installed and configured to have bookmarks, Recent files and a Trash can.”, como eu não havia lido esta informação que está aqui neste tópico e não está disponível na janela que surge com a opção para “Instalar o Gerenciador de Arquivos zzzFM”, eu automaticamente desmarquei a caixa de opção, por oferecer instalar algo que já está instalado no antiX 21, não faria sentido eu manter marcado para instalar algo que já está instalado.

O que eu quero explicar aqui, é que eu acredito ser necessário incluir no texto “Instalar o Gerenciador de Arquivos zzzFM” as informações que estão faltando, tornando o texto em pt-BR assim “Instalar o Gerenciador de Arquivos zzzFM, Configurar os Favoritos/Marcadores, Arquivos Recentes e a Lixeira.”. Esta minha sugestão se estende aos outros idiomas e não apenas ao pt-BR.

As minhas outras análises e observações eu enviarei por mensagem particular apenas em pt-BR para facilitar a comunicação e farei testes em um “Live USB”.

Muito obrigado por disponibilizar para testes este novo pacote do FT10.

[Member Wallon]

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Dear Marcelocripe,

You are right to point out this lack of information.
I always fell into the trap and never activated the “Install the zzzFM File Manager” option since zzzFM was already installed.

Dear PPC,

As suggested by Marcelocripe, can you add in the English sentence “Install the zzzFM File Manager, Configure Favorites/Bookmarks, Recent Files and the Recycle Bin”.
It is really important to add this sentence because not all translators will come and read this thread and change the translations.

Best regards,
Wallon

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by Wallon.

[Member PPC]

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Thanks for the feedback – I was aware that not changing the ZZZfm related line in the activation screen would be problematic, that’s why I took the care to publish the warning about it in the official announcement – usually localization of new/changed features is the very last think I work on- first of all I want to know if everything software related is working fine (to avoid problems like what happenend in the 1.3 version)…
Localizations are always problematic to me, because it’s the only part of FT10 that does not depend just on me, but on the translation team (all you folks). I want to change the localization files as fewer times as I can, so the trasnlation team does not have to keep editing localization files…
The zzzfm line will probably read something like:

“Configure zzzfm File Manager (and install it if needed)”

I’m currently thinking about also changing the compton entry to something like “Enable Visual Effects” (and if checked, this option installs Compton/picom, if it is not already installed, and activates it- even across reboots, until the user disables the effects from the menu/activation window).

I’m already testing a new Visual Effects script that makes the selection to use them work even across reboots (for users that like a more flashier user interface and can spare a tiny bit of system resources). I’ll probably will do the same to the (more important to me) Script that checks if calendar alarms should be sounded (right now you have to activate the calendar alarms every time you restart antiX, if you want that feature, or manually edit the startup file to include the script, which is a step too complex for most ordinary users, that are the main target of FT10)

I also forgot to mention that this beta includes a change to the “Update reminder” script- it still checks if you need to update several times a day, but it now warns the user only once a day (I think that is enough to let users know they need to keep the system up to date without nagging them). Also fixed the bug that, when users clicked to update, they still had to manually close the warning window.

P.

edit:
@madibi – I’ve been using FT10 (in all of it’s versions) for well over a year on several computers and I never had a crash that’s related to it. I have a 32bits laptop, 2 64bits desktops (one of them a single) and a crappy old 64bits netbook – and I expericed no creashes (well, in all that time I had 1 reboot on the netbook and 2 frezees on the older desktop- during that period, that I assume were related to the aging hardware/power surges/etc). You may want to install and test a different Kernel, and see if that particular computer is more stable. In a pratical standpoint, FT10 uses basically 2 pieces of software – tint2 toolbar (for the toolbar) and jgmenu (for the menu)- as far as I know neither is prone to cause system crashes/freezes/reboots/etc…

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by PPC.

[Member PPC]

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ft10-transformation_1.4.b2 is available on gitlab.
I noticed that, on slower devices, the script to automatically configure zzzfm failed to work, and had to implement some “sleep” commands on the script, to make sure it always works (or so I hope). I also fixed zzzfm’s entry on the activation screen, and updated localizations to all officially supported languages (pt, pt-bt, es, it, fr and de)

It’s particulary important to get feedback about the zzzfm configuration script – if it does not work 100% correctly on all computers, that will not be included in the final FT10 version, because I don’t want to risk messing up something as important as user’s File Manager.
Please note that, at this moment there is no GUI way to get back to the original zzzfm configuration that you had before launching this script and changing zzzfm’s config file. If you, for some reason like the configuration you originally have, try this: close zzzfm, open the terminal and launch this command:

cp ~/.config/zzzfm/sessionBACKUP-FT10 ~/.config/zzzfm/session && zzzfm

[Member marcelocripe]

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Localizations are always problematic to me, because it’s the only part of FT10 that does not depend just on me, but on the translation team (all you folks). I want to change the localization files as few times as I can, so the transfer team does not have to keep editing localization files…

As many times as necessary I will review and try to improve more and more the translations into the pt-BR language. So PPC, don’t get hung up on it, your FT10 program improvements require text changes to ensure the best possible understanding of end users.
I would very much like to be able to include more informative texts referring to the texts that are displayed when the arrow is positioned over the toolbar menus, it is essential that there is information about what each left click or right click is capable of performing on each available item on the toolbar.

The next tests I will do will be with the new package “ft10-transformation_1.4.b2”.

Thanks.

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Localizations are always problematic to me, because it’s the only part of FT10 that does not depend just on me, but on the translation team (all you folks). I want to change the localization files as fewer times as I can, so the trasnlation team does not have to keep editing localization files…

Quantas vezes forem necessárias eu irei revisar e tentar melhorar cada vez mais as traduções para o idioma pt-BR. Então PPC, não se prenda a isso, as melhorias do seu programa FT10 exigem as alterações nos textos para garantir a melhor compreensão possível dos usuários finais.
Eu gostaria muito que pudéssemos incluir mais textos informativos referentes aos textos que são exibidos quando a seta fica posicionada sobre os menus da barra de ferramentas, é fundamental que esteja a informação do que cada clique esquerdo ou clique direito é capaz de realizar em cada item disponível na barra de ferramentas.

O próximos testes que farei serão com o novo pacote “ft10-transformation_1.4.b2”.

Obrigado.

[Member marcelocripe]

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Hello PPC.

When the time is right, allow me to review all the pt-BR texts, about 30% of the FT10 pt-BR texts were made by you and are not texts truly constructed by a native Brazilian.

The “Auto-Updates” text of the window offering to install and configure zzzFM from the “ft10-transformation_1.4.b2_all.deb” package needs to be translated to “antiX Update Notifications”.

Tests continue…

Thank you!

– – – – –

Olá PPC.

Quando for o momento oportuno, permita-me revisar todos os texto em pt-BR, cerca de 30% dos textos pt-BR do FT10 foram feitos por você e não são textos verdadeiramente construídos por um nativo Brasileiro.

O texto “Auto-Updates” da janela que oferece a instalação e configuração do zzzFM do pacote “ft10-transformation_1.4.b2_all.deb” precisa ser traduzido para “Notificações de Atualização do antiX”.

Os testes continuam…

Obrigado!

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