I Might Have Hit A Wall - Where Is The Uninstaller for Zorin?

General Help
#12

I also use Blender, so I can quickly relate to where you are coming from. In fact, I have used Blender as an example, myself.
I am not a programmer or developer... I am a mechanic. And, you clearly have a good understanding of tooling. My tools are hanging on the wall, not tucked away in drawers.
I think you made a very good analogy. Expanding upon it; If I led any random stranger into my shop, with all my tools open access, can they rebuild a carburetor? Can they rebuild an alternator? Can they replace piston rings? Can they replace the wrist-pin knuckles?
Can they differentiate between Horsepower and Torque? Calculate the proper gear ratios?
Let's say I have a Dana 7:2 with a Line 6 180hp, what size gear do I need on the speed sensor to ensure that the speedometer will get an accurate reading?
Will they use my torque wrench to properly set-to-spec the head bolts? Or will they use the ratchet and make them crazy tight, stretching the threads? From block to head, does a Ford Flathead produce: 50 ft/lbs, 3,000 ft/lbs or 130,000 ft/lbs of force?
If you put a voltmeter to my battery with the engine running under a load, what voltage should you see if the alternator is good?
I could go on... But I think you get the idea: That having a tool in front of you does not grant you the knowledge to know which tool is the right tool for the job, to properly use them or to have any idea of what else to do.
It is intuitive, looking at an open-ended wrench, to know that can fit on a bolt, not a cam lock- but what is the difference between an Adjustable Wrench, a box wrench or an open end? What is the application that makes a box wrench different from the open end?

I am sure that we both know that you have always experienced that uncertainty, with every program, every piece of software, every application. The moment where guessing based on intuitive design falls short and you have no idea how to work the thing. If you have been modding Minecraft, then you know exactly what I mean. And if you learned to write Minecraft mods, then you had to learn how to code, first.

Linux comes with a learning curve. While we on this forum can do our best to encourage you, to smooth the sharpest stones to help you walk the path as best you can, we cannot change the fundamental nature of Linux to meet your demands. To go back to the example of Blender; the Blender developers are proud of their toolbox. This is because their toolbox steers the user into using all of the toolbox, unlocking all of Blenders potential rather than just using the basic tools, getting about 30% of its potential... and being satisfied with just that. With a bit of pressure, the Blender toolbox pushes the user into tackling the challenges and Learning More.
A person who is halted by "not knowing;" or averse to learning, can get no-where. And you know this, because you have had to learn a lot to get to where you are today. How to format videos for YouTube, how to use Video editors, how to code and so on.

Where this leaves us: With enough money, you can convince any developer to write software that does all the work for you. You can even use advances in technology to make software almost seem to read your mind. To achieve this, the developers must be very well paid. Microsoft turned over $2 trillion in revenue recently.
Canonical turned over $110 million.
If Microsoft is WALL-E, then Linux is Mad Max.

3 Likes
#13

Being a developer you already dedicated yourself to constant learning. Once you become familiar with linux you would smack yourself in the head and ask "why did I fight this?". The terminal is not as horrible as you see it, and can even improve your productivity (since the majority of applications integrate commands that aren't available in the gui). You may have the majority of your code automatically written, but it is something you still must view and manipulate, I'm sure.

Then you shouldn't have come to linux. Anything new is going to have a learning curve, there is no avoiding it. Even a custom version of windows 10 will have a learning curve, because they may have removed things that were integrated with the "bloat" you loathe. So you will have to find a different solution for some issues you will no doubt have there. Either way, you are looking at a learning curve. Not being open minded to learning is doing yourself a disservice.

You're asking us to be like you to help you, but that isn't going to work. You don't go to the mechanic and ask them to fix your car, tell them not to use pneumatic or hydraulics and expect it to be done in an hour, do you? You tie our hands when you want something done a specific way. We use the terminal to troubleshoot and fix issues. It is the fastest and most informational process. I'm sorry that this is uncomfortable for you, but you can use this as a learning tutorial that will be over when you have your setup issue free (at least for a time). Then you will be as productive, if not more so, than windows. Fighting this process binds our hands and drags out the ability to help you with your issues. It may not be something you're used to, but if you bare with the assistance we provide, voluntarily by the way, you will be up and running faster.

I don't understand the aversion now, when we have been helping you this way on all of your other issues and this has barely been an issue. A little patience and an open mind will get more accomplished than complaining about our choice of the fastest, easiest method to resolve your issues.

You can also begin to search things for yourself, Zorin 16 is based on Ubuntu 20.04. Solutions for your issues can be found with an internet search. By the way, the majority of the solutions you find will be by terminal. It's just the way it is.

4 Likes
Gnome, GTK and the rest
#14

For the record, with my 6+ years of Linux experience, Zorin OS, Feren OS, Makulu Lindoz, POP OS, I've never memorized all the terminal commands either. If I have to install, remove, or update software via the terminal, I'll copy and paste commands in from sites I get through web searches.

Yes, and I think it goes without saying, I make sure those are reputable sites, ones that are secure of course.

But most of the time, Synaptic Package Manager works for me, and there is no need. Sometimes, certain software won't even be in the repo, either cause the repo hasn't been added to the OS, or the software never was in the repo to begin with.

In cases like that, you can install via a DEB file. And some software comes with their own installers just like Windows believe it or not. I recently downloaded GIFCURRY form Github via a ZIP file, which contained an installer in there.

But I also understand where you are coming from, you just want to start it up and go. And that is one of the reasons why big companies have IT guys and gals, their responsible for making sure all the computers in the company are able to do just that for you.

EDIT: One more thing, notice how all of us are running over here to help you, for free? When was the last time you saw Microsoft do that for its customers? Even 21-years ago, if you wanted support from Microsoft, you had to pay like 100-dollars for a service call. 21-years later, I bet they charge 200 an hour now for service calls.

1 Like
#15

Yes, I have noticed this is an AWESOME little Linux community over here. One of the first things I looked for is a good forum, and everyone here is awesome!

Thank you!

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#16

Ok so Software store in Zorin is pretty trash, you can use the terminal with sudo apt list or you can just install another store, sudo apt install synaptic. To install .deb files with terminal, u can use sudo dpkg -i <- if your installation fails, you can type sudo apt --fix-broken install <- this usually fixes the problem with broken .deb installs, if ur install still fails you can ask the forum.

2 Likes
#17

Yep, thats what the Linux community is all about, we help each other, provide support, and some of us even provide emotional support during these tough times.

Also, some in the Linux community, also fight for the right to repair. And Linux in general, is all about providing you the choice. We believe the user has the right to choose, not a company.

Glad your having fun over there DreamBliss, cause once you get the hang of Linux, it can be fun. :+1:

1 Like
#18

I must agree with you StarTreker
My learning curve started with a Ti994/A computer, this in turn involved learning "basic" language then "ext. Basic".,Then Ms Dos , Windows right up to 10, and a bit of linux in between.
I have been enjoying zorin 16 Pro and dont mind using either terminal or GUI, but and yes there is a "BUT", i find it odd to have a very nice looking software store that the features of updating,removing and exploring works fine for the apps that are listed in the store, to clarify, one of the apps i use i had to download as a DEB file. After installing, it is not listed in the software store, to uninstall it i need to use the terminal, if you right click on it in the "zorin menu"and then click on "Show Details", the answer you get is(Sorry there are no details for that application} .I find this very odd and hope that someone a bit more savvy then me can find a solution.

#19

I prefer Synaptic Package Manager for a GUI package manager.

sudo apt install synaptic

Generally, I do most installations (by far) from the terminal. Synaptic is handy when I need it mostly for removals.
The Gnome-Software app follows the same pattern as all other Gnome-apps: Minimalist and Broken. Gnome is much like Microsoft, treating the user as incapable and unintelligent and limits user control and access.
The only reason I keep gnome-software installed on this system is to assist users on this forum with troubleshooting. Otherwise, I would have wiped it off the computer by now with a thermonuclear warhead.

One handy way of being able to remove .deb files that are independently installed by the user is: When you install a .deb package, create a new folder in your Downloads directory and label it something like: installed
Once you install the .deb package, move that .deb file into that installed folder.
Then when you wish to remove that package, double click that same .deb package you installed with to pull up the manager that will offer to remove it.

The above method can take up some extra space, though.

3 Likes
#20

To be honest, you don't need to keep the .deb files. If you want to remove them, just sudo apt remove #the program you installed via .deb. .deb files also update like normal applications anyways so you rly don't need the .deb file. So just delete the .deb after installation, it's fine.

#21

Thanks Aravisian
I have used Synaptic Package Manager before, and i agree that yes it does the job its meant to do, but in my option just doesn't stack up to the look of the software store.

#22

I have Synaptic, but I mostly use the terminal because I got used to using it.

#23

My analogy would be:
Software Store = Sweet (Candy) Shop
Synaptic = Tool Shop

3 Likes
#24

I think the best store I actually used was actually Pamac-gtk from Manjaro. I loved how Pamac looked, and it was fast and user-friendly. It also allowed access to the AUR, Flatpak, Snaps and of course the Manjaro Repo. Even tho I switched away from Manjaro, no other store I tried have beaten Pamac-gtk as my favorite store I used.

#25

Welcome to the candy shop, where we are your 1 stop shop. So many sweets, everything your heart's desire, today we have a sale on cinnamon sticks with XFCE flavor in the middle.

:crazy_face:

1 Like
#26

Just watch out for Snaps in that sweet shop, they are really bad for your teeth. :grin:

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#27

Yes. You would need to know the exact name of it, though. Do you remember each name of each .deb you have installed? The above keeps a record, allowing easy access and removal.

I understand the aesthetic side - I theme mine out to make it look good. But, what matters more? Functional, stable complete control? Or something looking kinda nice (If not minimalistic which is not a good thing) but not stably working?

1 Like
#28

No need to remember if I install telegram and if you don't know the name, you just sudo apt search telegram and you should be able to see telegram-desktop.

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#29

Well I'm not a DEBY DOWNER, so I for one am for DEB. :wink:

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#30

The best option would be to install synaptic package manager. Go to the software store and search for it or type into the terminal sudo apt install synaptic. There you can search for apps and packages, select them and update/uninstall them. That is going to ALL packages, so you actually know what is installed. In the terminal you would most likely only be able to uninstall what you know how it is called and so on. So you should try synaptic.

2 Likes
#31

So you found a power of Synaptics.
That is the only way my husband install apps he needs.

1 Like