even later

Spring has arrived several times this year and I did the cleanup thing. My PC was getting all stuffy, opening windows to air out. AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!

I have been using Mint 13 Linux with the Cinnamon Desktop. Then I added KDE Desktop because it has improved or rather my understanding of KDE has improved. The install was hurried, I put it all on one disc partition. Not  good if you are subject to change like me. I had two other options. The first was put all personal files on a USB external drive or make a separate partition for the "Home" folder which is what I did, on the main drive. Now I can change the operating system partition any time I need to, my separated personal files stay unmolested.

With that said I backed up the personal stuff to DVDs, the address book, hidden email folders and web shortcuts to flash drive, formatted the drive and installed a fresh Mint 14 with KDE. There are few quick and painless installs, ever, if you say nay, you lie or can endure more than most. A good dose of forethought, planning and resolve can help greatly and a mirror to talk to yourself.

I took a chance because when I started the install the screen went dim, stayed that way until I later installed the video card drivers after the OS was running. I was ready to trash it. If something is unfamiliar this is a normal reaction. Don't panic till you see the whites of your eyes in the mirror. A mirror is a good tool. You thought I was kidding.

Then comes the tweak-fest, getting the new setup to act like the last setup. Fonts, browser plugins for video, media codecs, working sound, internet, wireless. Then tweak the window themes, desktop icons, the panels, the clock/calender format and mouse clicks.

Go back to work, you'll notice if somethings not right yet. Hey that's the geek  life. How cool is it? Well as I mentioned I put KDE on top of another system. You can mix it up but they have different window management programs. Apples run better with apples and oranges with oranges. So this time it is just KDE and KDE's window manager. It runs smooth as expected. Only the wireless mouse is edgy at times, the wired mouse is fine. Did I mention tweaking is addicting? Tell yourself in the mirror to don't worry be happy, And quit smiling at that reflection.