This is a continuation of my previous post (restoring files) on my install of Ubuntu 14.04. In this post, I’ll go through configuring and installing things related to networking. You can see the complete lists of posts on Ubuntu 14.04 on my main install page.
Chrome
Chrome has long been my choice of browsers. I like the way it has pushed the envelope in speed, HTML 5 features, and development tools. I have been using the Beta channel. So, I just downloaded it from the Google website.
I just had it open the download in the Software Center:
Once it was downloaded, it opened the Software Center. I just clicked install.
Just FYI: you’ll notice that it added a new repository URL to the Software & Updates to keep the browser up to date.
Note: I did the Beta version. If you want the regular/stable version, you just need to download from Chrome website. Also, in that case, your profile would be located at $HOME/.config/google-chrome.
When I first launched Chrome, I got this error message. I believe that it is because I had used a different computer name on my last install.
$ google-chrome [2737:2737:0503/120859:ERROR:process_singleton_linux.cc(309)] The profile appears to be in use by another Google Chrome process (3029) on another computer (chestnut). Chrome has locked the profile so that it doesn't get corrupted. If you are sure no other processes are using this profile, you can unlock the profile and relaunch Chrome. [2737:2737:0503/120859:ERROR:simple_message_box_views.cc(208)] Unable to show a dialog outside the UI thread message loop: Google Chrome - The profile appears to be in use by another Google Chrome process (3029) on another computer (chestnut). Chrome has locked the profile so that it doesn't get corrupted. If you are sure no other processes are using this profile, you can unlock the profile and relaunch Chrome.
The problem was that Chrome was running while I backed up the profile. So, I just needed to delete the SingletonLock file:
rm $HOME/.config/google-chrome-beta/SingletonLock
Network Manager: VPNs
I had to install the packages for the VPNs. I just usually install them all so that I am ready if a client uses any one of them.
sudo apt-get install vpnc \ network-manager-vpnc \ network-manager-openconnect \ openconnect \ network-manager-iodine \ network-manager-openvpn \ network-manager-strongswan
I had previously restored my Keyrings so that the passwords would be available.
Now, the only VPN left over is my Log Me In Hamachi VPN. I installed it by downloading the package from the Log Me In Labs page. Surprisingly, I think it was the same version that I installed on the last release of Ubuntu.
For the GUI front-end, I installed Haguichi using the same commands that I used on the last release.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/haguichi sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install haguichi haguichi-appindicator
Once installed, I used the Client > Configuration > Restore from a Backup menu option to restore my previous connections. The file it is looking for is a .tar.gz archive. Once it imported that, I was good to go. I could see all the machines on my work network!
Skype
I use Skype with work, so I needed to install it for communicating with other co-workers.
I started by enabling the Partners repositories in Software & Updates. This would at least allow me to check the version in the repository.
When I looked in the Software Center (I had to click on “Technical Items”), I found that the version was 4.2.0.11. On the other hand, I found 4.2.0.13 was on the website for download. Assuming later is better, I went with the one directly from the Skype website. I just opened the deb file and let it install.
Next, I found that installing these packages are supposed to help with “skin issue”.
sudo apt-get install gtk2-engines-murrine:i386 gtk2-engines-pixbuf:i386 sni-qt:i386
Finally, I found a wrapper program that looked pretty interesting. I thought that I would give that a try…
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:skype-wrapper/ppa sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install skype-wrapper
After installing the wrapper, I rebooted as the article recommended. Then, when I logged into Skype, it prompted me to authorize the wrapper.
In the preferences, I made two setting changes. I checked the “Start Skype minimised in the system tray” option so that when Skype starts upon login, it will just show the indicator rather than the full window. Then, I set the files to go into the Downloads folder rather than directly into my home directory.
Finally, even though I installed the Skype wrapper and it auto starts, I had to add Skype the to Startup Applications:
FileZilla
FTP access is a common need for anyone with a website. Entering an “ftp://” url into the File Manager is a quick easy way to get to FTP sites for simple tasks. For doing large downloads, you may want a complete FTP client. FileZilla works great for me.
I installed FileZilla from the Software Center. Then, I restored the ~/.filezilla directory to keep my settings.
WINS Name Resolution
Often times, I work with other Windows machines. It’s frustrating when I can’t get to the machine by its name. So, here’s how I attempted to fix it:
I edited nsswitch.conf;
sudo gedit /etc/nsswitch.conf
Then, I added “wins” to the “hosts” line:
Remmina
I have been using Remmina for a while. It’s very nice for organizing all of my remote desktop and other remote connections. It’s already installed. I just needed to check the “Start tray icon automatically” on the first page of the preferences.
I started to get excited about the version because I saw in the Software Center that the package is labeled as 1.0.0. But, in the About window, the program still shows version 0.99:
Java
I have the Java list under the networking section for the sake of the Java web browser plugin. At the very least, I use it for WebEx meetings.
To install, I installed the Open JDK Java 7 Runtime (the openjdk-7-jre package) in the Software Center. Then, I also selected the Web browser plugin in the Optional Add-ons section.
For WebEx, I need a few more packages. You can read more about that on a previous post.
sudo apt-get install libgtk2.0-0:i386 \
libxmu6:i386 \
libgcj14-awt:i386 \
libpangoxft-1.0-0:i386 \
libxft2:i386 \
libpangoft2-1.0-0:i386 \
libpangox-1.0-0:i386
Here are some handy links for testing to make sure Java installed properly:
It didn’t work easily for me. First, I checked Firefox to make sure it was installed. On the Java Test site, I got a message about activating the plugin:
When I clicked “Activate IcedTea Web”, it asked me to allow it:
Then, I had to give the applet approval:
And, again:
After that, the plugin test was successful.
Chrome was a little bit of a different story.
$ sudo updatedb $ locate libnpjp2.so $ locate IcedTeaPlugin.so /usr/lib/jvm/java-7-openjdk-amd64/jre/lib/amd64/IcedTeaPlugin.so
So, that explained where my plugin library was. Now, I had to get it under Chrome with a symbolic link. Since I have the beta version, my directory is “chrome-beta”. Yours might be just “chrome” if you don’t have beta.
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/jvm/java-7-openjdk-amd64/jre/lib/amd64/IcedTeaPlugin.so /opt/google/chrome-beta/
After that, I restarted my browser. I never could get the plugin to show up in chrome://plugins/ . I’ll have to follow up with this later.
Resources
- AskUbuntu: Google chrome profile in use; browser does not start anymore
- Enql: How to Install Skype 4.2 in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS or Linux Mint 17
- Noobs Lab: Skype released new version, Install in Ubuntu/Linux Mint/other Ubuntu derivatives
- Noobs Lab: Integrate Skype with Unity using Skype Wrapper
- Ask Ubuntu: Installing Chrome Java Plugin
- Ask Ubuntu: Installing Java plugin for Chrome in Ubuntu