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Old 11-22-2019, 04:20 PM   #1
RonCam
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Question Timeshift / pcmanfm compatibility problem: 'Browse' fails


I am contemplating a new Bodhi 5.0 installation and recall that its file manager isn't compatible with timeshift's Browse feature. I'd like to set this up so it works, from the outset.

Any recommendations for something else, that's compatible, or is pcmanfm integrated into Bodhi in ways that may not be apparent to the 'untrained eye', so that just going into Synaptic and uninstalling it is inadvisable?

I've checked this out with some live versions of other OS's and saw there are other file managers that integrate with Timeshift, without a problem.

Finally, is there a GUI-based 'analog' to Timeshift that does 'play nice' with pcmanfm? I am wondering what everyone else is doing for a better solution?
 
Old 11-22-2019, 05:14 PM   #2
RonCam
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Do not want to 'brick' the desktop ...

I am reading elsewhere that a desktop environment's default file manager should not be removed, to prevent 'bricking' the desktop.

In that case would a work-around be finding a very minimal, small, file manager that would serve only to accommodate Timeshift's browse feature? Then one would have to find a way to make sure Browse accesses the 'other' file manager, and not pcmanfm.
 
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Old 11-22-2019, 05:57 PM   #3
cordx
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i have read the same advice about not removing the default file manager because it can cause plenty more headaches than it might solve.

i have a similar issue when i try to use the browse button in the timeshift gui (mine opens up ephoto of all programs), but have no problems using pcmanfm to browse the snapshots manually in case that option might work for you or be of interest. i do keep my snapshots on an external drive though.
 
Old 11-23-2019, 09:45 AM   #4
rbtylee
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RonCam View Post
I am contemplating a new Bodhi 5.0 installation and recall that its file manager isn't compatible with timeshift's Browse feature. I'd like to set this up so it works, from the outset.
You need to be more specific here. What is timeshift? Assuming you are referring to the System restore tool. Why do you think it is not compatible with pcmanfm?
 
Old 11-23-2019, 12:26 PM   #5
RonCam
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbtylee View Post
You need to be more specific here. What is timeshift? Assuming you are referring to the System restore tool. Why do you think it is not compatible with pcmanfm?
Thanks for 'jumping in' to help. This is Timeshift -- please click on link. I'm calling it by name, just to avoid possible confusion with other 'system restore' utilities.

The incompatibility apparently relates to Timeshift not having an internal file manager, to display the 'Snapshot' files it generates. So, it has to rely on the desktop environment's file manager. In many cases, this works just fine.

On the contrary, in Bodhi/Moksha, Timeshift is unable to generate the window that you are now seeing on your screen, when its Browse button is clicked.

Timeshift is already running as root (it has to, to back up system files) and with other file managers it's somehow able to relate to them that root permission has already been granted by the user. Apparently, this doesn't occur with pcmanfm.

So, I don't mean that pcmanfm opens without root privileges -- it doesn't open at all.

I'm trying to find a workaround, within Timeshift, without opening terminal, sudoing pcmanfm, then working my way to the right directory. When the Browse button works, all this happens immediately and automatically.

Last edited by RonCam; 11-23-2019 at 12:34 PM.
 
Old 11-23-2019, 01:01 PM   #6
rbtylee
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RonCam View Post
...

The incompatibility apparently relates to Timeshift not having an internal file manager, to display the 'Snapshot' files it generates. So, it has to rely on the desktop environment's file manager. In many cases, this works just fine.

On the contrary, in Bodhi/Moksha, Timeshift is unable to generate the window that you are now seeing on your screen, when its Browse button is clicked.

Timeshift is already running as root (it has to, to back up system files) and with other file managers it's somehow able to relate to them that root permission has already been granted by the user. Apparently, this doesn't occur with pcmanfm.

...
Hmm, this is a matter of your mime types configuration. See Screenshot

I created a mimeapps.list file for the root account at /root/.config

Containing:

Code:
[Default Applications]
inode/directory=pcmanfm.desktop
Then pcmanfm opens upon clicking timeshift's Browse button.

Now as to comments about breaking the desktop if on removes pcmanfm. I see no problem with removing pcmanfm. You are free to do so. Nothing in moksha really needs it. Just note moksha places module is configured by default to use pcmanfm as its default file manager so if pcmanfm is removed you are going to need to change that setting in the places module. Or not use the module.

Last edited by rbtylee; 11-23-2019 at 01:27 PM.
 
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Old 11-23-2019, 01:04 PM   #7
RonCam
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Possibly helpful info on Timeshift version in Bodhi repo:
My Bodhi v5.0 is running Timeshift version 19.01. The repo doesn't show anything newer.

However, the most recent timeshift is version 19.08.1.

I'll look through the release notes to see if anything was done to help this more-recent version to 'talk' with pcmanfm. Or, maybe installing it from its .deb file (and so, bypassing the repo) would be better?
 
Old 11-23-2019, 01:17 PM   #8
RonCam
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbtylee View Post
Hmm, this is a matter of your mime types configuration. ...

Then pcmanfm opens [as root, of course?] upon clicking timeshift's Browse button.
That's great! I have to run an errand right now, but as soon as I get back I want to do this and see it work. I've been for a long time, over this problem. Some other Bodhi users, as well ...

You make it sound easy!

Quote:
I see no problem with removing pcmanfm. You are free to do so.
Thanks for this information, but no, I like pcmanfm just fine. I thought replacing it was the only solution to making the Timeshift Browse button work properly.

Thanks Again! I'll make the modification on my system and post again if any problems persist.
 
Old 11-24-2019, 06:37 PM   #9
RonCam
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Not a serious problem, because Browse does display the listing of Snapshots.

But after a few seconds, ephoto pops up again, and maybe once more after it's closed.

Is there some adjustment to what I've done that could fix this?

There was a question in my mind as to how the mimeapps.list file should be terminated, and I did put a <CR> at the end of the line. Should that be removed?
 
Old 11-24-2019, 10:15 PM   #10
cordx
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thanks rbtylee for the mimeapps.list suggestion.

mine continued to open ephoto when i had mimeapps.list in /root/.config. i found this page in the arch wiki about mimeapps.list and moved mine to /etc/xdg. that got browse working on my system.
 
Old 11-25-2019, 06:01 AM   #11
RonCam
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Thanks @cordx, for being able to duplicate my problem and then providing a remedy. So, it's not the extra <CR> after all. Will move my file as directed, thanks again!
 
Old 11-25-2019, 06:38 AM   #12
RonCam
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Question Closely related to getting Timeshift to work properly ...

Does Bodhi with Moksha contain a MIME type management utility? I am reading the link posted by @cordx and note it says many desktop environments have these. That might be helpful, should a similar problem arise in the future. If yes, would this be invoked in terminal, or is it in the Menu (Bodhi 5.0), perhaps under a different name?
 
Old 11-25-2019, 07:06 AM   #13
RonCam
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Question Looking again, at what I've done, after trying to move the file ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by cordx View Post
... and moved mine to /etc/xdg. ...
Hmmn ... but my installation of v5.0 already has a file named mimeapps.list, in that directory (/etc/xdg), containing this:
Code:
[Added Associations]
application/x-trash=ePad.desktop;
inode/directory=ephoto.desktop;
application/x-desktop=ePad.desktop;
inode/x-shortcut=pcmanfm.desktop;
image/gif=userapp-pqiv-IXG8RZ.desktop;userapp-pqiv-2EQ8RZ.desktop;
image/jpeg=userapp-pqiv-EWH6RZ.desktop;
application/x-sqlite3=gedit.desktop;
application/octet-stream=gedit.desktop;

[Default Applications]
x-scheme-handler/apt=apturl.desktop
inode/directory=userapp-pqiv-0802RZ.desktop
inode/x-shortcut=pcmanfm.desktop
image/jpeg=userapp-pqiv-EWH6RZ.desktop

[Removed Associations]
I see two entries containing inode/x-shortcut=pcmanfm.desktop, and what was recommended by @rbtylee is different: inode/directory=pcmanfm.desktop.

Can someone help with the syntax seen here? Should we be going with the x-shortcut one, or the directory one? Should the directory one be added to one, or both sections?

Or, should we be doing something else, to resolve the problem of trying to put two files with the same name in one directory?

Am I working with the wrong files, or am I in the wrong directory??

Last edited by RonCam; 11-25-2019 at 07:18 AM.
 
Old 11-25-2019, 10:31 AM   #14
rbtylee
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RonCam View Post
...

There was a question in my mind as to how the mimeapps.list file should be terminated, and I did put a <CR> at the end of the line. Should that be removed?
Linux uses LF to mark end of lines not CR nor CR/LF.
 
Old 11-25-2019, 10:36 AM   #15
rbtylee
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RonCam View Post
Does Bodhi with Moksha contain a MIME type management utility? I am reading the link posted by @cordx and note it says many desktop environments have these. That might be helpful, should a similar problem arise in the future. If yes, would this be invoked in terminal, or is it in the Menu (Bodhi 5.0), perhaps under a different name?
Bodhi like most linux distros has the xdg-mime command. That is all by default.
 
  


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