Member postings for An Other

I'm using LinuxMint 71.3 with Firefox 42.0. The black bar is OK, but with an open thread, the thread title line in green at the top of the thread is slightly too high, and overwrites the line saying 'All Forum Topics....'

Its always been like that with Linux, both Mint and Ubuntu, and since any changes to the website will never happen, I just live it, like Jason Udall.

I am also running Adblock2, Privacy Badger and a video download addon, but even without these, the problem is still there, so I also think it is a site problem. I don't think it is anything to do with Java, or a corruption thereof, partly because I have always seen the problem since I started looking at the ME site, and also because in recent days I have updated four computers from older versions of LinuxMInt or Ubuntu to the latest Beta release of LinuxMint (17.3) - a laptop, and three desktop machines, all with different specifications for CPU, memory etc. The problem was present on all the machines before update, and is still present after update. The only guess I can offer is that Firefox on Linux handles its screen displays in a different manner to Windoze/IE etc, and that possibly some parameter governing text size or location is either undefined or incorrectly defined.

(Before someone flames me by saying Linuxmint 17.3 is a Beta, still under development, so it can easily be blamed on that, I will point out that exactly the same problem existed in all releases of LinuxMint 15, 16 and 17, the long term support version).

I've still got the fitted toolkit which came with a Jag XK140 I once owned. It contains some spanners, a special gauge to set the camshafts correctly, and a 'pump' greasegun, still in its original wrapping paper. I don't believe I'll ever use them. The toolbox is shaped to fit inside the spare wheel. I believe similar kits were also supplied with MK2 jags, but they seemed to be the first things to disappear from second-hand cars.

Steve,

You mentioned a possible source to calculate sun position (Planetarium) in your original post, and said you thought it was for Windows, so not much use to you - I know the Raspberry Pi uses Linux, and there is a very good astronomic program available in Linux, Windows and Mac, called 'Stellarium' (**LINK**).. I am not sure if you can access its results from another application, as it would appear that you want to do, but it might be worth a look.

Been using Oracle Virtualbox under Linux for years to run antique Windows software, and I have never had problems - much easier to use than Whine. I can't speak for Apple (can't afford one), but there is a version available for Apple (use Ady1's link above).

edit: sorry - forgot to mention you need a copy of Windows to install in the virtualbox after installation - might be a killer.

Edited By An Other on 30/10/2015 18:53:11

Alex beat me to it - the motor (if it is not 'stalled' somehow, will do as it is told. The software/driver will just produce pulses at regular intervals (unless interrupted) - it cannot suddenly decide to miss a pulse, or produce extra pulses. If it does, there is more likely to be a programming error!

Then if you need to check what the motor has actually done, you will need an encoder of some sort to send a return signal to the software. (and digital encoders of any accuracy tend to cost slightly more than the earth!)

As a general rule, stepper motor systems are 'open loop' systems - any commanded movement is assumed to have been completed successfully and is usually assured by using a motor with sufficient power to make the movement, and to hold its position after moving (i.e not slip forwards or back)

Servo systems, using an AC or DC motor with a feedback system as described by Roger Hart, are usually known as 'closed loop' systems, and many factors determine the eventual accuracy of movement.

What Martin seems to be describing is somewhat of a hybrid system, using a stepper motor with feedback in a closed loop configuration. Its possible, but maybe he can tell us what he will eventually apply this to - or is it just a learning exercise?

Hi, Al,

Sorry I dont have a Linux CAD app to recommend, but the following may be useful.

Like you, I have been using Linux for over 10 years (now Linux Mint 17.1), and had a similar problem with CAD.

LibreCad is an ongoing development project (There are daily updates available for download), but it still need some work.

I also tried WINE in Linux so I could run a WIndows CAD, but WINE is terrible, and many WIndows apps don't run, or run badly under it, so eventually I used Oracle VirtualBox.

**LINK**

I can strongly recommend VirtualBox - usual disclaimer - it sets up a virtual machine under Linux, and then you can install any OS (in my case XP) in this virtual machine. XP runs perfectly in the virtual machine, and provides access to all the computer functions - printer, network etc. I open the Virtualbox tool in a second workspace on Mint, so I can move from Mint on one workspace to XP on another as I work...easy.

I wanted also to run Microlabs Pickit 2 in order to program PIC controller ICs - It can only be run in a terminal under Linux, so is a bit fiddly to use, but in XP under VirtualBox the GUI works fine, making life much easier.

There is also the advantage that if care is taken with the setup, there is little risk of virus infection using Windows like this, and little risk of it affecting Linux, so no need to mess about with Virus Killers.