MS Windows – End of Life support

October 14, 2025, sees the End of support for Windows 10.

This leaves users with Several choices

Upgrade to Windows 11 on current hardware. This may or may not work and will only work if your current hardware meets with Windows 11 requirements.

Option 1, Replace Windows with something Like Linux Mint, you can keep working, use Firefox, LibreOffice, cloud services e.g. Nextcloud (even Windows drive) etc. Option 2. Keep using Windows 10 without support, updates etc Option 3. buy new hardware just so you can run Windows 11.

Linux Mint is Free (as in freedom) software, but does have some closed source components to make things work, this is fine, at least from my view point as most users, just want things to work out of the box.

There is an active support community on the Open Communications platform Matrix [3].

Links

1. MS WIndows End of Life
2. LinuxMint
3. Matrix
   • Linux Mint community chat – Matrix
4. End of 10 – get help with installing a Linux distro
5. Article on The Register
6. End of 10: The Open Source alternative to forced obsolescence
7. KDE for Windows 10 Exiles
   • KDE Website
   • KDE Social

Tags

#MSWindows,'#EndofLife,#Linux,#LinuxMint,#FreeSoftware, #NextCloud,#Cloud,#EndOf10

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Windows Recall

• Microsoft are bringing back their Recall feature

There are serious security and privacy concerns about this feature, and even if you opt out of it, it does not mean your data is safe.

Time to switch to replacement operating systems and start to learn them. Don't forget also that Windows 10 support ends in August. You may be forced to upgrade to Windows 11 on your hardware, or depending on when you bought the computer, upgrade the whole computer with a new one just so you can run Windows 11.

Links

• Linux Mint
  • Linux Mint Matrix
• Devon & Cornwall Linux user group
  • Devon and Cornwall matrix

Tags

#Microsoft,#Windows,#Recall,#Privacy,#Security

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Upgrading mint 21.3 to 22

Following the recent release of Linuxmint 22 [1] Users can now upgrade directly from the previous 21.3 release to Linuxmint using these instructions [2]. The usual warnings with regard to backups apply. Thank you to the support channel [3] on matrix for these instructions.

1 Linuxmint 2 Upgrade 3 Mint support channel on Matrix 4 Matrix

Tags

#Linux,#LinuxMint,#Upgrade,#MajorRelease

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LinuxMint 22 released

The latest stable version of LinuxMint has now been released. Version 22 has a host of improved featured, updated kernel and

Read more and download from the LinuxMint website.

Linux Mint 22 is a long term support release which will be supported until 2029. It comes with updated software and brings refinements and many new features to make your desktop experience more comfortable.

Official help and support is also available via Matrix. Direct link can be found here

I will download and make a few DVDs available, but also make an USB stick and add this to my Ventoy disk too. I will keep mint 21.3 available for a while.

Tags

#OperatingSystem,#LimuxMint,#Reelease,#LTS

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Windows 10 support end date is October 25th, 2025

Windows 10 support ends next year, if your hardware is fine, but you don't want to or can't upgrade to Windows 11 or beyond. Maybe have a look at Linux mint [1] as a replacement.

You need to look at what you are using your computer for, Linux based systems are NOT for everyone, esp if you are a gamer, but there are a lot of tasks you can do just as well on a Linux system as you can on Windows. Office apps are covered in the form of LibreOffice, for example [2].

References

1. Linuxmint
2. LibreOffice

Tags

#Windows10,#EndOfSupport,#Replacement,#LinuxMint,#LibreOffice

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Roblox on Linux Mint 2

I have been using Grapejuice to run Roblox on LinuxMint 21.3. This has been working fine up till a few days ago. Then just stopped loading. After sharing the error / output details. I looked for a potential alternative.

I am now using a programme called Vinegar, which is also available in the Software Manager. This seems to be working fine. So I will stick with this for now.

Links

• Vinegar
• Grape Juice
• WineHQ
• Roblox

Tags

#LinuxMint,#Wine,#Games.#Vinegar

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Grapejuice error

Grapejuice is an application for LinuxMint that allows users to install and run Robox. I have been having problems with this since Wednesday 21st Feb 2024.

• Info on grapejuice

Just re-installed Grapejuice from the software manager, it tried to re-install Roblox and came up with a dialogue with the following error.

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice/cli/cli_common.py", line 79, in wrapper
    return_value = fn(*args, **kwargs)
                   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice/cli/main.py", line 77, in studio
    abstract_grapejuice().launch_studio(prefix.configuration.id)
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice_common/abstraction/abstract_grapejuice_impl.py", line 55, in launch_studio
    _with_prefix_id(prefix_id, lambda prefix: prefix.roblox.run_roblox_studio(ide=True))
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice_common/abstraction/abstract_grapejuice_impl.py", line 48, in _with_prefix_id
    prefix.roblox.install_roblox(post_install_function=lambda: cb_wrapper(prefix))
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice_common/wine/wineprefix_roblox.py", line 67, in install_roblox
    self._core_control.run_exe(
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice_common/wine/wineprefix_core_control.py", line 511, in run_exe
    return do_run_exe(
           ^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice_common/logs/log_util.py", line 13, in wrapper
    result = func(*args, **kwargs)
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice_common/wine/wineprefix_core_control.py", line 170, in do_run_exe
    post_run_function()
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice_common/abstraction/abstract_grapejuice_impl.py", line 48, in <lambda>
    prefix.roblox.install_roblox(post_install_function=lambda: cb_wrapper(prefix))
                                                               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice_common/abstraction/abstract_grapejuice_impl.py", line 42, in cb_wrapper
    cb(pfx)
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice_common/abstraction/abstract_grapejuice_impl.py", line 55, in <lambda>
    _with_prefix_id(prefix_id, lambda prefix: prefix.roblox.run_roblox_studio(ide=True))
                                              ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice_common/wine/wineprefix_roblox.py", line 250, in run_roblox_studio
    launcher_path = self.roblox_studio_launcher_path
                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice_common/wine/wineprefix_roblox.py", line 120, in roblox_studio_launcher_path
    return self.locate_roblox_executable("RobloxStudioLauncherBeta.exe")
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/app/lib/python3/dist-packages/grapejuice_common/wine/wineprefix_roblox.py", line 114, in locate_roblox_executable
    raise RobloxExecutableNotFound(executable_name)
grapejuice_common.errors.RobloxExecutableNotFound: Roblox executable 'RobloxStudioLauncherBeta.exe' could not be found!

So I am sharing here with the view someone can maybe help see where the issue is.

From the menu Roblox App runs

/usr/bin/flatpak run —branch=stable —arch=x86_64 —command=grapejuice net.brinkervii.grapejuice app

so putting this in to a terminal window, usually runs the command but any output is also viewable

$ /usr/bin/flatpak run --branch=stable --arch=x86_64 --command=grapejuice net.brinkervii.grapejuice app
[INFO] grapejuice/root:- Log level was set to 'INFO'
[INFO] grapejuice/root:- The log file is stored at '~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/logs/2024-02-22_14-41-31_grapejuice.log'
[INFO] grapejuice/common_prepare:- Using locale directory /app/share/locale
[INFO] grapejuice/root:- Log level was set to 'INFO'
[INFO] grapejuice/root:- Log level was set to 'INFO'
[INFO] grapejuice/root:- The log file is stored at '~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/logs/2024-02-22_14-41-31_grapejuice.log'
[INFO] grapejuice/root:- The log file is stored at '~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/logs/2024-02-22_14-41-31_grapejuice.log'
[INFO] grapejuice/common_prepare:- Using locale directory /app/share/locale
[INFO] grapejuice/common_prepare:- Using locale directory /app/share/locale
Gtk-Message: 14:41:31.856: Failed to load module "xapp-gtk3-module"
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wine_functions:- Finding app prefix
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wine_functions:- Finding app prefix
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.recipes.delete_edge_update_service_recipe:- Edge update: None
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.recipes.delete_edge_update_service_recipe:- Edge update: None
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.recipes.delete_edge_update_service_recipe:- Edge update M: None
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.recipes.delete_edge_update_service_recipe:- Edge update M: None
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_roblox:- Writing flags for RobloxProduct.app to: ~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/prefixes/player/drive_c/users/[REDACTED]/AppData/Local/Roblox/Versions/version-de4af066788f46c6/ClientSettings/ClientAppSettings.json
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_roblox:- Writing flags for RobloxProduct.app to: ~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/prefixes/player/drive_c/users/[REDACTED]/AppData/Local/Roblox/Versions/version-de4af066788f46c6/ClientSettings/ClientAppSettings.json
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_roblox:- Writing flags for RobloxProduct.app to: ~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/prefixes/player/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Roblox/Versions/version-2355c01e37774010/ClientSettings/ClientAppSettings.json
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_roblox:- Writing flags for RobloxProduct.app to: ~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/prefixes/player/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Roblox/Versions/version-2355c01e37774010/ClientSettings/ClientAppSettings.json
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Prepared environment for wine
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Prepared environment for wine
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Resolved exe path to ~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/prefixes/player/drive_c/users/[REDACTED]/AppData/Local/Roblox/Versions/version-de4af066788f46c6/RobloxPlayerLauncher.exe
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Resolved exe path to ~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/prefixes/player/drive_c/users/[REDACTED]/AppData/Local/Roblox/Versions/version-de4af066788f46c6/RobloxPlayerLauncher.exe
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- PRIME environment variables: {}
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- PRIME environment variables: {}
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Using Wine home '/app/patched_wine'
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Using Wine home '/app/patched_wine'
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Resolving wine binary for prefix ~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/prefixes/player
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Resolving wine binary for prefix ~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/prefixes/player
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Using Wine home '/app/patched_wine'
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Using Wine home '/app/patched_wine'
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Resolved wine binary path: /app/patched_wine/bin/wine
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Resolved wine binary path: /app/patched_wine/bin/wine
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Running exe RobloxPlayerLauncher.exe
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Running exe RobloxPlayerLauncher.exe
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Opening log fds
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Opening log fds
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Running process synchronously
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Running process synchronously
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Closing fds
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.wine.wineprefix_core_control:- Closing fds
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.logs.log_vacuum:- Removing empty log file: ~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/logs/2024-02-22_14-41-32_RobloxPlayerLauncher.exe_stdout.log
[INFO] grapejuice/grapejuice_common.logs.log_vacuum:- Removing empty log file: ~/.var/app/[REDACTED]/data/grapejuice/logs/2024-02-22_14-41-32_RobloxPlayerLauncher.exe_stdout.log
psutton@psutton-IdeaCentre-3-07IAB7:~$ 

The only indication of an issue seems to be here

Gtk-Message: 14:41:31.856: Failed to load module "xapp-gtk3-module"

Again just sharing this as it makes it easier to ask for help

Tags

#LinuxMint,#Grapejuice,#Roblox,#Games,#Error

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LxTerminal on LinuxMint 21.2

While the terminal application on LinuxMint is nice. I prefer to use LxTerminal (which I think is the default in Debian). I have made this video to illustrate how to install a different terminal within LinuxMint.

Once done, you can unpin the terminal application from the panel.

This can also be done from the software centre, but it makes sense to do this from the terminal as it is a terminal application being used.

Tags

#LinuxMint,#Terminal,#LxTerminal,#Install

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Linux Mint 20.2 Ulma

The latest version of Linux mint [1] has now been released. I have downloaded the cinnamon edition to give it a go.

In my previous post [2] I gave a link to some suppliers of hardware, Linux mint is one of the OS's that can be pre-installed.

Links

1 Linux Mint 2 Elementry OS post

Tags

#Linux,#LinuxMint,#FreeSoftware,#Mint

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