[ale] mint 13 vm running out of storage space

[Ron Frazier (ALE)]

Phil Turmel <philip at turmel.org> wrote:

>On 10/13/2013 10:04 PM, Ron Frazier (ALE) wrote:
>> Hi Phil,
>> 
>> Thanks for taking the time to post this.  I'm afraid a good bit of it
>is
>> over my head.  But, I am keeping it on hand in case I can use it
>later.
>> 
>> Mike will probably understand more of what you're talking about.
>> 
>> That kpartx tool sounds cool.
>> 
>> Also, my host is Windows, which I didn't mention before.  So, some of
>> what you listed here wouldn't apply.
>
>*Sigh*
>
>I clearly remember trying to convince you to set up your VBox
>environment w/ Linux as the host.  I was hoping my pointed comments
>would prompt you to reconsider your architecture.
>
>{me checks my archive /}
>
>Yes, we a somewhat heated exchange back in the middle of February on
>the
>topic of VM hosts and related topics.  You might want to reread it.
>Instead of *dabbling* in Linux VMs you could *enthusiastically* dive
>into Linux as a full-time *user*, keeping VMs to ease the transition
>and
>maintain the hard cases.  Like learning to truly speak a foreign
>language, immersion is crucial.
>
>HTH,
>
>Phil


Hi Phil,

Now that you mention it.  I looked up and printed those old messages.  I'll review them later.  And, I will reconsider them.  That was quite a discussion, and you made lots of good points.  Those interested can look it up.  However, my needs and opinions haven't substantially changed.

I will admit that modern linux distros, such as the mint 13 I'm using, are very polished, professional, and capable.  They can do almost everything that an average user needs.  However, I'm not an average user.  I'm a demanding user who pushes his technology hard and has a complex setup.

There are a number of things my W systems still do better for me than linux can.  In a couple of cases, they do things linux cannot.

Those include:

* running my scanner
* running my remote wireless weather station
* remote controlling my Dad's windows box
* printing to my brother laser printer - generally works, sometimes garbles pages
* running foxit pdf reader - only a very old version is available for linux
* playing blu ray discs - linux cannot
* multiple monitor setup - I have a triple monitor setup.  I don't think Mint 13 or Ubuntu 12.04 can run three monitors at all, except in clone mode.  In extended desktop mode, with two monitors, it consistently assigns the wrong monitor as "primary".  Thus new apps start up on the wrong monitor, etc.  I spent 2 hours messing with x commands and xrander, etc. to fix that one time.  Then, a later update unfixed it.  In some cases, when running on different pc's through a kvm, the wrong screen resolution is detected, and enforced.
* running flash - I think Adobe stopped updating flash for linux, which is a security risk.
* running scrivner - a writers program for storyboarding and constructing novels, etc.
* running the metatrader currency trading program (whenever I can find money to trade with)
* updating my gps
* updating my mp3 player from sansa
* updating my ebook readers

I will also admit that, sometimes, linux can do things for me that W cannot.

What I fundamentally need my pc's to do is work with all the tech I have, allow me to pursue my writing career and my graphic arts career, maybe programming some day, allow me to do research, allow me to communicate with people effectively, and sometimes allow me to consume entertainment.

Yes, it's true that I spend SOME more time maintaining a given W pc than I would maintaining a given functionally equivalent linux pc.  One of the reasons I have maintenance issues is that I have a number of pc's and vm's to deal with.  Yes it is true that the W pc is somewhat less secure if carelessly used.  However, the various problems and difficulties I would face by going all linux, edge cases though they may be, exceed the problems and difficulties I already have by running W.

I still think that, for me, the best strategy is still to run W and linux side by side, using W as my daily driver, and using linux vm's and occasionally dual boot scenarios to accomplish specific tasks as in the vm/android thing or bitcoin mining, learn new things, experiment, and periodically troubleshoot computer problems.

I do have one machine that runs only Mint, which was being used for bitcoin mining until I lost the ability to change bitcoins to dollars due to exchange problems.  That machine runs fine and does its job well when I use it.  But, I don't run most of those special case applications and devices on it.

I'm afraid I don't agree about immersion either.  Here are a few of other terms for immersion learning: on the job training, being thrown to the wolves, being eaten by the wolves, trial by fire.

I was placed in an immersion learning scenario on my 2nd job out of college when I went to work for an airline working on flight simulators.  They called it OJT.  I had my electronics degree, and a couple of years experience with flight simulator visual systems only.  In this case, I was called on to work on every part of the machine, including mechanics and hydraulics (Yuck).

The initial experience was awful, and highly inefficient for the company.  While I had general background and some relevant experience, this situation called on me to work on huge systems encompassing, several different types of mini computers, dozens of subsystems, dozens of mechanical systems, and dozens of complex procedures to start things, test things, stop things, and maintain things.  I had to spend 6 months taking notes and asking questions just to get competent to do most of those things.  Some of the managers didn't think I was smart enough, and I had to spend time documenting all the things I'd learned.  Most of the time, I had other techs working with me, but not always.

I don't know exactly how that could have been done better, but I'm sure it could have.

If the airline trained (or didn't train) their pilots the same way, I wouldn't get on the plane.  Fortunately, they don't do that.  They use a time honored method of mentor / apprentice training, as well as exhaustive study and simulation programs and practice.  This is what works.

If I was going to learn a foreign language, I'd spend a good bit of time in interactive training with rosetta stone or online classes, for example.  Then, I'd seek out bilingual groups and try out some of my skills and enhance them.  Then maybe I'd try some foreign language groups with an interpreter perhaps.  Then, and only then, would I try immersion, and I'd still have a good translator app on my tablet.

I ALWAYS appreciate the tips and suggestions of you and others.

Gotta go and get out of the house for a while, and then fight with the android emulator some more.  8-)

Sincerely,

Ron



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Ron Frazier
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