This is mostly a reminder to me, because in my "learning mode" I keep starting with a fresh install of Linux, which means I have to re-create the wheel multiple times.  I'm posting the list because it might mention something you find useful.

1. Partition using partition magic (if installing on a windows partitioned disk).  Scandisk (thorough) and defragment before partitioning.
2. Resize Windows partition.
3. Create ext2 root partition.
4. Create linux swap partition that is about 2x size of computer's ram.
5. Get out computer manuals.  Especially need to know sound card, video card, monitor, network card, modem.
   
6. Run Install from CD.
7. Select KDE desktop.
8. Set up desktop defaults.
9. Set up Konqueror (file and web browser) defaults for web and for file system.  Use "detail view", show hidden files (except on desktop).  Show "extra" toolbar.  Select appropriate start location and save with profile.  Disable Java (can be enabled on a site-by-site basis).
10. Set umask=0 in /etc/fstab for the windows partition.
    
11. (If appropriate) download program updates.  Eg., Mozilla.
12. Set up Mozilla.  Disable Java, require "ask me" for cookies.  Make Cache small.
13. (Install if necessary) xSMBrowser.
1. Sometimes, xSMBrowser does not install with a link so that it will execute.  It will simply be a "text file" -- it is a script.  The solution is to make a desktop "link to application."
2. Sometimes the graphics don't display correctly.  Run setup and tell it the location of the graphics files.  Possibly under "/etc/usr/share/pixmaps/xsmbrowser."
3. Make "favorite" and enter specific IP to find other computer(s) on network.
4. Do not enter password into file -- the passwords are not encrypted.
5. If necessary, set /sbin/smbmnt "suid" so that users can mount drive.
   
14. Set up Cups printer using KDPrinter
15. Install StarOffice
    
1. start the "bin" file from command line, typing the entire file name followed by /net.  (I'm not sure if this is what worked, but I think so.)
2. Then run "setup" under Programs", which will install a version of Star Office for the currently logged user.
3. Set up printer -- use kdprinter as the default queue.  (I forgot how to do this, will have to add specifics.) (I remembered, see the "printer" page.)
16. Set up KMail for e-mail.
17. Verify GPG is installed.  Copy keyrings from windows, change extension to .gpg.
18. Set up Drakesync FTP -- this is cool for maintaining a website or synching backup storage on another computer.  (Don't look for this in Icepack, it is a tool in Mandrake.)  It seems a bit unstable, though.
19. Install DOSEMU.  I think Icepack does this automatically.  Mandrake doesn't and Mandrake's version is not current, so get it directly from SourceForge -- run a search for "DOSEMU," you should find the home page right off.  DOSEMU has security issues, so be sure to read the info on this.  The usefulness of this program (I hope -- I will report when I know more) is that if you have a bunch of old DOS stuff, you can run it on a virtual machine.  I have a number of programs I wrote in Foxpro (OMG, not more MS stuff!!) so it is/will be convenient to run it under Linux.  So far, FoxPro seems to run, but because I have some setup issues I don't know whether my programs will actually run.
    
    The older version of DOSEMU/DOS FREE makes accessing your linux (and also windows partition) somewhat difficult.  The newer version is slick -- you just run "lredir" to mount various directories as virtual drives.
    
20. 
    

• Get modem that works.
• Get fax software working.
• Get voicemail working.
• Get "wine" working.
  
• Install qt c++ and re-write main document, archiving and billing systems.
• Get scanner working.
  
• Find solutions to "paperport" storage system, recording studio software, video editing.
  

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