This page includes some notes about things that I just can’t seem to remember. Most apply to Ubuntu Server or Desktop, or Ubuntu derivatives. This was imported from another of my sites and whittled down and edited a bit …
WordPress wants FTP?
Simply add the following code to your wp-config.php file:
define('FS_METHOD','direct');
This forces WordPress to use the “direct” PHP method for automatic updates, rather than utilizing FTP.
Defines/Exports
The permanent defines (exports) for both Ubuntu and Linux Mint (an Ubuntu derivative) can be set or found here:
~/.profile
which can be edited, in sudo mode. Example setting:
export PICS=/media/hddmovies/posters
Such elements are then accessed as $WHATEVER (note the dollar sign!) Example:
cd $PICS ls -al
Temporary use can be done by executing the very same export command in a terminal – but will expire when the terminal session is closed.
Executable bit
Remove executable bit from Ubuntu/Mint file attributes:
sudo chmod -R -x * && sudo chmod -R +X *
fstab mounting
I tend to forget the proper, or at least functional way to mount a drive at boot. Here’s a working example, taken from an Ubuntu server:
LABEL=hddmovies /media/hddmovies auto nosuid,nodev,nofail,x-gvfs-show 0 0
The LABEL directive can of course be changed to use a drive or volume’s id (UUID).
SSH Keys / Known hosts
WARNING: this note is obsolete, as-of Ubuntu Desktop 26.04 LTS!
But those are were here:
~/.ssh/known_hosts
It’s likely impossible to know which is which, so it can be deleted. As an alternative, you can try seahorse. which will allow deletion of individual entries by name or address. Open a terminal and type in seahorse, or use the apps grid and go to “Passwords and keys”! Go to the “Login” section and you should see the entries for all the addresses that vinagre (or Samba/Windows shares) has connected to. You may edit them there, or delete them.
Vinagre History
WARNING: this note is obsolete, as-of Ubuntu Desktop 26.04 LTS!
~/.local/share/vinagre/history
pfsense on a J1900 system
Getting pfsense going on a J1900 box, from an old post of mine on Ars Technica:
1. The newest pfsense (and probably opnsense) installers may not boot properly on a J1900 unless you jump through at least one special hoop. See https://forum.netgate.com/topic/151835/pfsense-upgrade-from-2-4-4_p3-to-2-4-5-on-intel-bay-trail-j1900-asrock-q1900-itx/2. My translation: when the pfsense installer presents an options menu, immediately press 3 to get to a command shell. Enter
set kern.vty=sc
Then boot. Once installation is complete, immediately use the web GUI (or shell, I guess, if you do vi) to edit the default config in /boot and add that setting (but without ‘set’ – you’ll see the syntax when you get there).
Show Drive IDs
sudo lsblk
Setting The Time Zone
sudo timedatectl set-timezone America/Denver
Server Desktop Without Recommends
sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop --no-install-recommends
Ubuntu Desktop Pulse Audio Delay?
I’ve had this problem on several Ubuntu Desktop systems: audio is slow to start. It’s fine once it gets started, but you may miss the first portion of a sound, or an entire sound if it’s short. Here’s what works for me:
Edit the /etc/pulse/default.pa file and comment out the load suspend on idle module line…
### Automatically suspend sinks/sources that become idle for too long
# load-module module-suspend-on-idle
Save the file and reboot.
Courtesy of https://askubuntu.com/questions/218444/sound-output-starts-delayed#440787