This could be a long post as I record my “adventures” into re-building my Viglen Genie 920 Tower system as a Linux Server running Ubuntu 20.04. Along the way I’ll also describe how I refashioned an old Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop into a Ubuntu machine looking as if it was running MacOS, as well as showing how even a small msi Wind notebook can be re-born with a change from WinXP to Ubuntu. That’s the design brief.
I’ll describe what I did with the three systems separately, although I did a lot of this concurrently.
The Dell Inspiron 1545
I found that the Dell Inspiron 1545 had a 64-bit architecture (but was it a 64-bit processor), it had 3Gb RAM installed and was running Windows Vista – it was a good candidate for a Linux installation and re-birth as a usable system.
Before I started I did a flash upgrade of the BIOS as I was unsure whether I could still do that after I’d removed the Windows Vista from the machine. I then created Bootable installers using balenaEtcher to create disk images on the iMac, a great piece of software, and produced a number of bootable USB LiveDisk images so that I could trial varieties of Ubuntu without installing them on the Windows Vista machine. I found this article – which Ubuntu to install – very useful, and following reading it decided I’d try Mate and Budgie. I didn’t like Budgie – too flash; but then (having determined that the laptop indeed had a 64-bit processor) went on to create a 64-bit disk image of Gnome with Ubuntu 20.04 which loads on the machine but I’m concerned that it may not be very responsive, so am thinking I may revert to an earlier (i386) version (16.04) of Ubuntu, once this exercise has finished.
There are a number of articles written on making Ubuntu desktop look like a Mac – I will try this approach first, and then this one – “How to make Ubuntu look like Mac”, and add a Taskbar using Plank. [Links to be inserted]
I also shelled out £16.50 for a replacement for the 1Gb RAM in one slot to upgrade the RAM to 4Gb …
and I was amazed to find that theoretically I could upgrade the machine to 8Gb (if I could source the 2x4Gb DDR2 kit RAM – which is obsolete and very expensive, so I didn’t) but I could install a small SSD as well for about £20 …
This could turn out be a great little project to create an internet machine running a limited set of software like LibreOffice.
The Viglen Genie Tower was purchased in 2009, it has a 2.66GHz i7 Intel processor, 4Gb RAM and two HDDs – one 500Gb which has Win7 and XP installed on it; and the other a 1Tb removal HDD which will be the target for the Linux server installation. Configured this way I’d hoped to have a dual-boot into either a legacy Windows environment, or to the Linux server.
Why am I doing this? A good question. The answer … if I switched the machine on, it would work – I think it had Ubuntu 14.04 installed on it – but I’d forgotten the Linux admin passwords so couldn’t configure it – silly me!! So I think it’s about time I restored its capabilities as my back-up and development Linux server. Until I switched it on, I’d forgotten that it also had both Windows 7 and XP with software installed on it in a dual-boot configuration – so I was keen to keep that as well. It has Office 2007 installed on it – the last version of Office I could use easily and very similar to the Office 2011 I have on my iMac – still running MacOS 10.14 (Mojave) because of 32-bit compatibility issues. Having the Win installation means I can possibly upgrade the MacOS in the future – but I’m really not in a hurry to do that! [I do know about LibreOffice by the way!]
Why do I need a Linux server? Well, I could do more testing for the websites I run, I could also host websites on it – if I wanted to archive (retire) websites, and of course I could back-up my sites to it as well.
To create a server you need to install additional software to the Linux distro – I’ll be using Ubuntu – and you need to be mindful of the System Requirements. So you need to work backwards from what you want to do, to establish the minimum Ubuntu release you need to install. As essentially the machine was just going to serve files to another machine running browser software, and as there was only ever likely to be one user, the hardware requirements were going to be very low.
Ubuntu server itself has very frugal requirements, 500Mb RAM, 1GHz processor and 2.5Gb Hard Disk . It’s command-line driven, and has no Graphical User Interface (GUI). My problems with the current 14.04 installation came when I tried to create a dual-boot installation with a GUI and Server install and then forgot the passwords! So I couldn’t upgrade it, or do anything with it effectively!
The additional software I wanted to install was Samba – to allow me to transfer files from the other machines on the network to the Ubuntu server and LAMP, which stands for Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP – all components needed to create a web-server. I will also be installing WordPress on it, which requires the LAMP components.
Building the Ubuntu 20.04 Server
This was straightforward in one sense. I just booted from the USB LiveDisk I’d created on the iMac using balenaEtcher and chose the Install option which is described in this article. Once I’d done that I had some problems with the GRUB loader which seemed to have been damaged by the installation of the server software, but eventually I got round these using an old 14.04 LTS LiveCD disk to Boot into Rescue mode and from there followed the instructions from this article, a real life-saver. Before reading this I had been tearing my hair out and thought I’d completely trashed the machine. I’d not anticipated that the Windows partitions would still be there – but they were!
By doing the Grub Rescue this way I found I still had the legacy installations of Windows 7 and Windows XP on the machine. A real bonus because I could try and restore some of my Windows knowledge. It was surprising just how much I could remember, as opposed to Windows 10 which I just can’t get my head around.
Here are a plethora of articles and links which I researched for the last time I did this session about 12 months ago.
Questions
What size of TV do you need? What is Smart TV?
Do you need a Smart TV?
Freeview or FreeSat?
Is the built-in Smart TV provided the best way forward?
Do you need a TV at all, or could you just use your laptop/tablet instead?
What do you need, do you really, really need?
My notes from the last time I did this session … You don’t need a Smart TV – OK
Something I’ve just become aware of – the ability to create and use on-off payment details for online retail purchases. This is a facility that’s appearing with the new payment cards – Revolut, Monzo and payment/transfer systems – Wyse. In essence you can setup your account to use payment details just once from your account and then they will be removed from your card, thus enabling you to protect the source of your payment.
Here’s a short presentation of what you can do, using Revolut as an example …
I’m loading this onto the website before the meeting so that you can download the PDFs and have them available to help you with what is a quite information intense subject.
The Presentation is quite a large document, so perhaps best to download and save, or just view online here which you can view in full-screen by clicking on the icon to enlarge in the bottom right-hand corner of the presentation box below …
The guide (do not print without looking at it first – large document – perhaps better to download and save on your device …
Here’s a short guide that’s easier to show to someone who’s not been to the sessions …
… and a couple of other notes. This one details why/how you should continue to use a Password Manager for those sites that haven’t implemented Passkeys as well as storing Passkeys …
… and then a couple of links that might be worth checking to review how you can move Passkeys to another device …
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
1900 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20431
01 – 11 – 26
Dear Beneficiary,
The IMF actively warns the public about scams using its name, as it doesn’t deal directly with individuals for financial transactions. But due to a recent report from our Financial Integrity Group (FIG) to tackle corruption, high rate of crypto-currency scam, money laundering, and Illicit Financial Flows – IFFs), we have decided to deal directly with all affected individuals.
It has come to the notice of the IMF via our Office of Internal Investigations (OII) that most beneficiaries, contractors, and investors within and outside the United States have been defrauded over time by internet fraudsters, con government and bank officials all in the struggle to claim their funds such as loan, grant, inheritance, overdue lottery, crypto-currency and contract funds.
It’s been confirmed by our Financial Integrity Group (FIG) that you’re one of those victims who have been struggling with banks, companies, and government agencies to claim their funds, but to no avail.
You’re advised to acknowledge the receipt of this email and provide additional hint or piece of information about your withheld funds to enable us to work broadly on financial integrity via our Financial Integrity Group (FIG) and get your funds released to you with immediate effect. This additional information may include name of bank, company, or agency where your fund has been held, document of funds in your name (if any), complete names, residential address and valid amount of funds (if no proof of funds available), and amount being scammed via crypto-currency investment or banks (if any).
All additional information should be sent to our Clearance Unit at info@imfhq.org to enable us to proceed with all legal processes of recovering and releasing your funds.
Yours in service,
Approved: Kristalina Georgieva
IMF Managing Director
The major AI products are designed to behave like a a knowledgeable friend. Is that how you feel about AI ? What has been your experience of using AI for internet searches ? Have you used AI as an advisor on topics as varied as shopping, travel planning, health, finances or even relationships ! Please come ready to share your thoughts.
The agenda will be:
U3A News
Digital News
Stella’s Buzzword – eSIMS
Discussion: our experience of using AI
AI Browsers – Atlas (ChatGPT – only MacOS) and Comet (Perplexity)
Agentic Browser – also Sidebars: Gemini in Chrome and CoPilot in Edge
… not to mention Firefox, Brave (with Leo) and Duck Duck Go (with Duck AI)
Personalisation
Claude and ChatGPT
ChatGPT Personalisation (Peter Harrison) – example for me
• Accuracy over speed: Responses must prioritise factual correctness and substantiated reasoning rather than quick output.
• Cautious tone: Use measured, non-overconfident language. Avoid asserting uncertain information as fact.
• Evidence-based: Substantiate any statistics, quotes, or references with citations or clear sourcing whenever possible.
• Language style: Use clear, precise UK English. Avoid emojis and em dashes.
• Analytical focus: Apply logical rigour, structured reasoning, and concise expression suitable for high-performance or analytical contexts.
• Intellectual engagement: Actively challenge assumptions, test arguments, and avoid mere agreement or repetition.
• Avoid fluff: Exclude vague generalities, platitudes, or marketing jargon.
• Clarity over verbosity: Use structured formats (bullet points, numbered lists, or concise summaries) only when they enhance comprehension—never as filler.
• Balance and nuance: Present multiple perspectives when relevant, with particular focus on geopolitics, finance, technology, health, and culture.
• Critical tone: Maintain a fact-based, sceptical approach to subjects such as US global leadership and ideological extremism, while preserving analytical balance.
Pete’s How to Do it for me for ChatGPT in the app …
Pete’s personalisation for Claude
ZERO TRUST AI PREFERENCES – v4.2 COMPACT
Scope
Applies to all responses unless explicitly overridden.
Query Classification (first step)
1. Financial/Tax → Financial Protocol
2. **Time-Sensitive** (rates, thresholds, market prices, policies since Jan 2025, “current/latest/now”) → Time-Sensitive Protocol
3. **File-Related** → File Protocol
4. **Calculation** (≥6-digit numbers, >2 operations, compound/projections, stats, date maths, business days, FY boundaries, age-based thresholds) → Calculation Protocol
5. **Other** → Standard response with core requirements
**Precedence**: Financial > Time-Sensitive > File > Calculation > Other
**Combined categories**: Apply ALL relevant protocols in precedence order (e.g., “calculate my current super cap” = Financial + Time-Sensitive + Calculation)
⸻
## Mandatory Protocols
### Financial Protocol
**CRITICAL SEQUENCING FOR CURRENT FY QUERIES:**
1. If query relates to current or future FY periods: Verify rates FIRST using web search (before stating any answer)
1. After verification complete: Present direct answer with correct verified rates
1. Then show full working
**For historical queries (pre-Jan 2025):**
1. Lead with direct answer using knowledge cutoff rates
1. State “rates from [specific FY] per knowledge cutoff January 2025”
1. Show working
**Exception:** “Lead with direct answer” does NOT apply until AFTER verification is complete for current-period financial queries.
**Standard Requirements:**
– **Date + FY**: State current date and Australian FY (1 July–30 June)
– **Period check**: Identify which FY period(s) the query relates to
– **Cross-FY scenarios**: If query spans multiple FYs, verify rates for each period separately
– **Verify**: Web-search rates/caps for current or queried FY period only (tax brackets, offsets, Medicare levy, super guarantee, concessional/non-concessional caps, super co-contribution thresholds, Div 293, LISTO/LMITO status)
– **Historical queries (pre-Jan 2025)**: Apply Financial Protocol but skip web verification; state “rates from [specific FY] per knowledge cutoff January 2025”
– **Period statement**: State explicitly which FY period each rate applies to
– **Calculation**: Show working + intermediate steps (use visible code if needed)
– **Rounding**: Round to nearest cent at final step only; show unrounded intermediates
– **Assumptions**: Residency, super treatment (accumulation vs pension phase), offsets, work pattern, PAYG withholding vs final assessment
– **Expired provisions**: Explicitly note LISTO/LMITO expired 30 June 2022
– **State variations**: Note if answer varies by state (payroll tax, stamp duty, land tax)
**Assumption Format**:
“`
ASSUMPTIONS APPLIED:
• [Assumption 1]: [Justification]
• [Assumption 2]: [Justification]
To modify: specify [what to change]
“`
**Output**: gross, bracket tax, Medicare levy, offsets, Div 293 (if applicable), super contributions, net income
### Time-Sensitive Protocol
– Verify current info via web search
– State date/period + cite authoritative sources with access date
– Flag if source is >6 months old for time-sensitive queries
– Only for variable/current data, not stable/conceptual knowledge
– **High**: Verified against Tier 1 source accessed today OR stable knowledge unlikely to change
– **Moderate**: Based on knowledge cutoff + Tier 2 sources OR verified but interpretation required
– **Low**: Extrapolated from related rules OR Tier 2 sources only with gaps
– **Uncertain**: Insufficient information to determine + specify what’s needed
⸻
## Checklist (pre-response)
– **Financial**: rates verified FIRST (if current/queried FY) or cutoff-dated (if historical), date + FY stated, period(s) identified, period stated for each rate, assumptions documented, working shown, rounding applied correctly
– **Time-Sensitive**: verified, date stated, Tier 1 sources cited with access date
– **Calculation**: working shown, intermediate steps visible, precision maintained, rounding applied at final step
– **All**: Australian English, confidence level stated with justification, sources cited, direct answer presented (after verification for current-period financial queries)
Here is the agenda for the meeting produced by Iain …
There was quite a lot of discussion on the merits, or otherwise, of Perplexity (or any other ChatBot) being part of a browser – in this case Comet. The group agreed that a session to review and update our knowledge of advances in AI would be timely.
… and the we had the Buzzword “Smart Watches” from Phil …
This BuzzWord created a lot of comment especially on health issues, and we should take seriously the suggestion to ensure our Medical IDs were up-to-date on our smart phones, as well as getting confident about the benefits of using the watch rather than the phone for a lot of everyday tasks. Phil advocated that no one needed more than the entry level iPhone SE – if you were considering an Apple Watch.
The main discussion of the session revolved around “The Apps I use”. I’ll try and write more about these in the Forum Topic that I created for this subject some time ago, so will here just list the apps. The Forum post will have (hopefully) a link to it added …
Helen kicked a lively session off with her use of the Cardiff Bus app which enable her and others to easily see where the bus they were waiting for actually was. It also has good timetables and maps to plan your journey. A well used app by most members of the group, and one that was well appreciated and easy to use.
Renee then highlighted her use of WordReference – an app that works like a dictionary, when you just can’t find the word you’re looking for.
Sianed initiated a bit of a discussion around her use of Waze which she found much better than her satnav and Google Maps for helping her find the best route in the car from A to B, due to it’s crowd-sourcing of road conditions. It’s also a great source of engagement for grandchildren when driving them around as they feed the app with (hopefully) valid information and advise on when there’s a police car hiding!!
Yvonne is very keen on using BBC Sounds – I must get round to using it more, especially as it not only has loads of music on it, but also live streaming of the radio channels, I believe.
Don came up with Bluebirds, an app he’s been encouraged to use now that he’s. season ticket holder at Cardiff City. I think it was him that mentioned Find Me – a location tracker. This then led to mentioning of Life360 and using Find my xxx (if you’re an Apple Family member); all useful apps to track errant children or grandparents!!!
Nita mentioned BusTimes.org, a website that allows you to stack buses all over the country with, it has to be said, a level of inaccuracy, but useful all the same to help you plan a journey. She also mentioned Your Parking Space, an app and website which enables you to book 350000 parking spaces across the UK. This of course kicked off a long discussion of car parking in general, and how awkward it can be to download an app to pay for parking in a location with a poor cell signal. So it might be advisable to download and install Ringo and PayByPhone onto your phone to reduce annoyance and anxiety! An alternative to Your Parking Space is JustPark which I’ve used to book a parking space in someone’s front garden in London. The things you can do!!
Phil mentioned a Paint application on MacOS, similar to the one he’d first used on Windows 95, which was simple to use. I’ve tried to locate it, but so far have been unsuccessful. He also mentioned MusicScore, which was great for music notation scores when it was first launched in that it allowed you free access to music. Things have changed now and it’s not only a subscription service but you also have to pay for downloads.
George then introduced us to two medical devices and their associated software. First he praised the Omron range of devices – blood pressure, weight, temperature, whose results could all be integrated into an app and then downloaded into a spreadsheet or fed to other Health apps. He also described the clever integration of hearing aids with controls on your phone to optimise the listening/hearing experience in different environments. Margaret mentioned her hearing aids were controlled by MyPhoneAK, I suspect there are other apps that do something similar, mine is Hearing Remote.
Margaret then mentioned her use of her Windy app and the website, which gives a visual presentation of how the weather is progressing – strongly recommended to give it a look. I mentioned my use of Yr from the Norwegian weather service which I found particularly useful when travelling. George then added Marine Traffic (for boats) which works in a similar way to Flight Radar – mentioned by Shiela (for commercial airlines) in tracking the whereabouts of boats, and of course in identifying them from out of visual range.
Anne loves the Translate app (Google or Apple), and who doesn’t! You’ll soon be able to have a real-time conversation with someone speaking your collective native languages with spoken translations instantaneously.
Tom highlighted his use of Google’s Notebook LM which he uses for Research and Note Taking and Recall which (if I’ve understood it correctly) can summarise from articles, documents or books into a single “note” and then with Obsidian (a personal knowledge base and note-taking application) store it for you for later reference.
Wordgames, puzzles and assistants were then mentioned by a number of people. Sheila uses Crossword Solver (I’m not sure which one – there are many) to help solve crosswords from known letters. Iain mentioned that he always had to be doing something, so in the blank spaces he would play Solitaire. Phil mentioned that he’d used ChatGPT to solve Sudoku puzzles, and Iain (and others) have used Anagram Solver. [I have to admit this is not, and never will be, an area of interest to me – shame on you, I hear you say!!]
Dave (a self-described petrol-head) uses an application – Torque to help with his rebuilding/restoring of cars beyond their sell-by date 🙂
Phil chipped in with a thumbs up for Tile Tags as a less expensive option to proprietary Apple tag devices, and ExpertRAW was mentioned as an Android alternative to Halide that I mention in my list of Favourite apps.
Lastly, Helen asked if anyone had any thoughts on how to get old family videos that had been transferred onto DVD onto a Digital platform. Tom came back with a really useful suggestion – using MakeMKV from a DVD player on your computer. I think that (with perhaps an introductory session on video-editing might be a good idea for a practical session at some time in the future.
Unfortunately I was on holiday in sunny Salcombe for this meeting and Iain stepped in with a presentation on Deconstructing TV …
… I’m sure you all enjoyed it. I gather that ideas for future meetings were also discussed. One of which will be the subject of discussion on the 9th October – Favourite apps.
In addition to Iain’s presentation, Phil provided a Buzzword – revealing the mysteries, and machinations of Buzzwords …
Following the meeting Phil posted to the Artificial Intelligence Forum his experience of using ChatGPT to help him revive a sad Christmas Cacti. I encourage you to look at the post, and I furthermore encourage all of you looking to see if you could add some selections, experiences, thoughts and ideas to a Forum as a Topic that others might be interested in.
