The Linux BricsCAD pages, part 5: Tuning your software

THIS ARTICLE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. YOUR POSITIVE INPUT IS APPRECIATED.

All related parts: 1: Introduction 2: Linux base install 3: More user software 4: Tuning Linux 5: Tuning your software 6: Getting BricsCAD working 7: Publishing your drawings

LibreOffice

Sometimes LibreOffice (LO) tries to be too smart. If you type MHz, you don’t want Mhz but there are plenty examples with multiple capitals you want to keep. Automatic placement of capitals as first character is annoying in Calc. Here we go…

  • Languages
    • Use synaptic to search for “hunspell”, select languages for installation (like hunspell-xx) and apply.
    • LO: Menu > Tools > Options > Language Settings > Languages > Default …
    • Activated after restarting LO
  • In Writer > bottom screen > LMB “language X” > more < 20.04 not executed.
  • Icons can be shite, jaggy. And icon themes are limited, distinctive icons that work in dark themes are simply lacking. Not optimal but a suggestion:
    • Menu > Tools > Options > View > Icon Style: Colibre SVG.

Firefox

This web browser deserves further tuning. Privacy is an issue these days. See for example this article with links to extensions. Other functions can be added too so it’s time for add-ons, extensions.

Interface

Look and feel is important because you spend so much time in your browser. On large HiRes monitors, the default zoom level is often experienced as too small. Alternatively, the default scale (example: about:config > layout.css.devPixelsPerPx > 1.5) can be changed too, but it is probably better to leave that to the system. Changing zoom level may be smart… about:preferences > (General >) Zoom

Installing your old environment is possible too. For example, export and import your “Logins & Passwords” and bookmarks. Missing an import button? Search the net, it will probably get fixed in time. Passwords export.

Translations

Understanding… translations! Simple translate does that for you. Can’t live without it. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/simple-translate/ .

Privacy / security

So let’s continue with working wonderful things!

This web browser deserves further tuning. Privacy is an issue these days and, even if you don’t care, security is involved too.

Paste about:addons as address for your local settings, take some time to browse for Firefox Add-ons

Let’s break them down, # means considerable alternative:

CDN

# https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/decentraleyes/

Cookies

# https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/i-dont-care-about-cookies/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/cookie-autodelete/
In my case: seetings, target Dutch, second English,

Link tracking

# https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/clearurls/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/privacy-badger17/

Encryption

# https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere

Blockers

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ghostery/
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/privacy-badger17/

Etc

Thunderbird

Migrating: Before you start Thunderbird for the first time, copy .thunderbird to your new home folder. Seamless!!

Next…

Continue with part 6: Getting BricsCAD working

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