Hi. I'm using Zorin Pro 17.2 to try to learn Linux.
I keep getting a message that the native host connector isn't installed
If I follow the link to the "documentation", I get the next screen saying it is not available any more
If I go to either of the mentioned webpages, I have no idea what to look for!
Any help in deciphering this would be greatly appreciated
There is an installation guide, to install such native connector + web extension for your web browser. However, the one provided for Ubuntu is only available from version 23.10 onward. Zorin OS 17 uses Ubuntu 22.04 as its base, so it's not compatible.
However, the better option is to use the Extension Manager which you can install through the software store.
As a side note, if you prefer to install through a browser, I've always preferred to use the Gnome browser (a.k.a Epiphany browser). It comes with support for installing extensions built in, without needing to install additional packages in your system or browser extensions.
The Gnome Extensions Website ... I haven't the best Experience with it I must say. Like @zenzen wrote is the Extension Manager a good tool. With that You can install Extensions and manage them. It is available in Gnome Software Store:
Thanks for the reply. I've now installed the Extension Manager - am I supposed to be able to find the native host controller using it, as I can't?
I've also installed the Gnome browser - is there an option to import bookmarks/favourites?
Since I keep freezing the Gnome browser as well as other apps, is there something akin to Task Manager (Ctrl/Alt/Delete) to close an app? I keep having to log out and back in.
Edit - I've been getting so confused with assorted things needing installing that I'd actually forgotten what I was trying to do - it was to install AppFolders!! I've now looked in the Extension Manager and cant find it. Any ideas
No need for that. Once you have the Extension Manager you can use that for all the usual operations: installing, searching, configuring, etc. I only mentioned it for completeness as that was the question in the first place.
Same with the Gnome browser. You don't have to use it if you don't want to, but yes, there should be an option to import bookmarks, etc.
What I do is search for the extension using the exact name and spelling, if I already know what I'm searching for. Try also playing with the sort order from the dropdown menu. Is this the one you're after?
https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1217/appfolders-manager/
However, as you can see, it's unsupported for the Gnome shell version used by Zorin OS 17. This extension was last updated a few years ago. You could try to install it manually (as the Extension Manager won't let you) but it's probably better to look for an alternative.
It's called System Monitor, already installed in the system. There's no keyboard shortcut for that, but you can configure your own in: Settings -> View And Customize Shortcuts.
Thanks for all the effort. That AppFolders manager looked like what I was looking for, once I remembered. However, the only reason I was looking for it was that John Been in his book said install it. All I really wanted was to put icons on the desktop and I've stumbled across how to do this, so success.
I'll keep looking for a way to import favourites into the Gnome browser.
All in all, a successful day. Got everything transferred into Thunderbird and can install stuff on the desktop. I think I might be falling in love with Zorin and Linux!
Zorin offers Desktop Icons by default. Or doesn't this work for You?
And an alternative to the built-in system Monitor what @zenzen named is Mission Center. It is available in Gnome Software. It makes the same but offers a different Structure:
Looking now at the extension description, it says that this functionality is now offered by default. So I guess it predates this feature, and that's why is no longer being updated.
No Desktop Icon option as far as I'm aware. I read that this is only in certain versions, such as Core (but maybe not in Pro?)
Edit - what I was looking for was something to be launched from the keyboard, like Task Manager, when the computer is frozen and I can't access the icons for these apps. Are there keyboard commands to launch System Monitor or Mission Center?
Bookmarks successfully imported from Edge into Gnome Web
Desktop icons should be enabled for all versions. Try searching for some program in the applications menu, right-click on it and then "add to desktop". Keep in mind that most programs won't create a shortcut in the desktop, if that's what you're after.
It is available in all Versions. In the Zorin gnome desktop it comes as an Extension. Or do You look for an Option in a right-click Menu to add a Program to the Desktop?
Hi @zenzen . These are the options I have
when You at lest want to have an ''Add to Desktop'' Entry, there would help a Gnome Extension called Add to Desktop - GNOME Shell Extensions
I use that too and it works. Then You have in the App Grid in the right-click Menu such an Entry. You can search it in Extension Manager and install it.
Hi, @Ponce-De-Leon . I get the same native Host connector not installed message as in one of my earliest posts
Which reminds me - why won't Screenshot let me save to Pictures?
Oh, I see. Unfortunately the applications overview doesn't communicate with the desktop... it's a long story, but in short, it's a unique design decision by the underlying technology in use that powers the desktop environment.
You could install an extension to enable this as suggested above — not sure why this isn't on by default — or use the Zorin Menu to add icons to the desktop. The Zorin Menu, however, is only accessible when using one the Windows-like layouts (that have the "start" button in the taskbar). Once you right-click on that, you should have the option to add a shortcut to the desktop.
Another inherited design decision from Gnome (that's the desktop environment). Unfortunately, it defaults to saving them to Pictures/Screenshots without asking. I'm not sure if this can be changed... I personally use another screenshot application: Flameshot.
I only linked the Webiste so that You can get an Overview. Use the Extension Manager like explained above for this. Open it, go to the ''Browse'' Tab, type in ''Add to Desktop'' and then install it.
Oh, and Screenshots are saved in Pictures/Screenshots.
Hi @zenzen and @Ponce-De-Leon , I installed the/an Extension manager and lost the right click on my mouse!
I've tried the start button after changing to a Windows-like layout (i'm not actually clear which ARE the Windows-like ones) and it works! - I have Add to Desktop!
EDit - I think it does if I ignore the message
Flameshot seems as though it might be good - it does put the shot wherever I want once I'd worked out what the little messages meant!
I'm learning a lot
