I don't understand how to get the little things to work in linux

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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I really want to start using linux, maybe even dump windows entirely. But every time I try out linux, something small doesn't work the way I want, and then I have to read through hundreds of forum posts or websites to get the stuff to work, if it will work at all.

I am trying out Kubuntu, in vmware for now. I installed firefox, that was easy enough. But there are some little things that aren't working like I want.

For one my forward and back mouse buttons don't work. From what I have read so far, neither will the shortcut buttons on my keyboard. I am using a logitech mx3000 desktop.

The other thing that has irked me every time I try linux is kinda silly, but I miss it. In windows firefox, when you click in the address bar or google search bar, it automatically highlights the text so that whatever you type overwrites whats already in there. Linux firefox doesn't do that.

Any help?
 

AnonymouseUser

Diamond Member
May 14, 2003
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The hardware detection will not be ideal when using VMware, so that may explain your keyboard issues. In the meantime, go to the KDE Control Center -Regional & Accessibility - Keyboard Shortcuts and assign the action to the keys you want.

EDIT >> For Firefox highlighting, enter about:config in the address bar. In the filter type in clickSelectsAll and toggle the value for the setting. Restart Firefox.
 

Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
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For one my forward and back mouse buttons don't work. From what I have read so far, neither will the shortcut buttons on my keyboard. I am using a logitech mx3000 desktop.

Not sure about the mouse buttons, if they just emit normal, unique button presses like the other buttons you should be able to map them to do whatever you want. Same thing goes for the keyboard, as long as the keys are standard and don't require any special Windows-only software you should be able to map them to anything.

The other thing that has irked me every time I try linux is kinda silly, but I miss it. In windows firefox, when you click in the address bar or google search bar, it automatically highlights the text so that whatever you type overwrites whats already in there. Linux firefox doesn't do that.

That's most likely because in X selected text automatically goes to the clipboard so if they did that by default it would overwrite whatever might have been in there.
 

Brazen

Diamond Member
Jul 14, 2000
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Originally posted by: Nothinman
For one my forward and back mouse buttons don't work. From what I have read so far, neither will the shortcut buttons on my keyboard. I am using a logitech mx3000 desktop.

Not sure about the mouse buttons, if they just emit normal, unique button presses like the other buttons you should be able to map them to do whatever you want. Same thing goes for the keyboard, as long as the keys are standard and don't require any special Windows-only software you should be able to map them to anything.

The other thing that has irked me every time I try linux is kinda silly, but I miss it. In windows firefox, when you click in the address bar or google search bar, it automatically highlights the text so that whatever you type overwrites whats already in there. Linux firefox doesn't do that.

That's most likely because in X selected text automatically goes to the clipboard so if they did that by default it would overwrite whatever might have been in there.

I've never been able to get the extra buttons on my mouse to work in a virtual machine, either linux or Windows. I hate keyboards with extra buttons, but I'm guessing they are in the same situation as the mice. Pretty sure it has to do with the way VMWare presents the mice and keyboard hardware to the virtual machine.
 

Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
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I've never been able to get the extra buttons on my mouse to work in a virtual machine, either linux or Windows. I hate keyboards with extra buttons, but I'm guessing they are in the same situation as the mice. Pretty sure it has to do with the way VMWare presents the mice and keyboard hardware to the virtual machine.

Could be, I've never tried as my input devices don't have any extra buttons beyond Windows keys and a scrollwheel/button.