My desktop operating system of choice is the fast and flexible Q4OS Linux distribution. It is based on Debian and provides a very familiar environment for those users coming from a Microsoft Windows background. It’s also a fantastic OS for those of us who may be using older PCs and laptops, but also performs well on the latest technology. The one thing it doesn’t have is Vivaldi included in its software package manager. But this quick how-to will show you how to get Vivaldi installed on your Q4OS desktop in a flash.
First thing you’ll need to do is download the latest build of Vivaldi. Make sure you download the correct file for your system’s architecture (32bit or 64bit). Also, make sure that you download the Debian (.DEB) version. You can download the latest version of Vivaldi from here.
Make a note as to where, on your hard drive, you are saving your download. I usually just download to my /Download directory.
Once your download is done, open up the Konsole terminal program, by clicking on the Q4OS Task button (in the bottom left corner of your desktop), goto to the Programs menu item and then select Konsole.
At the command prompt, go to the directory in which you saved the Vivaldi download. In my example, I would change into my Downloads directory by typing:
cd Downloads
Next, do a listing of the files in your Downloads directory, so you can see the exact filename of the Vivaldi package, which you just downloaded. It’s important that you know what the file is called, for the next step. To do this, type (all in lower case):
ls v*
When you press ENTER (after typing the command above), you should see a file listing looking something like this:
vivaldi-stable_2.9.1705.41-1_i386.deb
This is the filename that you will use in the next command.
To begin the installation of Vivaldi, type in the following command (using the filename you have been given in the previous step – make sure it’s exactly the same):
sudo dpkg -i vivaldi-stable_2.9.105.41-1_i386.deb
You will then most likely be asked to enter in the Super User (or Root) password to begin the install process. Type it in now.
Once the installation process is done, you should then be able to find Vivaldi under the Internet menu heading.
That’s all there is to it!
Now, I can’t recall if Q4OS reported that there were any missing supporting files that prevented it from installing Vivaldi. If you do get any such messages, feel free to post your results in a comment below. I will try and help you through it if problems arise.
I used to love KDE back in the day. When KDE3 was retired and the project moved to version 4 (Plasma), it became too clunky and cumbersome for me, so I switched to Gnome 2… and then the abomination of Gnome 3 happened! Fortunately, MATE, Cinnamon and XFCE were there to rescue me. I note that your screenshots look very much like KDE3 – nice and lean, and with efficient traditional menus that require less mouse clicks or scrolling (much like the Windows 9x series of start menus). Is this a heavily-customised current version of KDE or is it Trinity? I am eager to try out Trinity, because to this day, I believe KDE3 had the very best usability out of any desktop environment that’s ever been released. That’s coming from someone who’s used both the business and home editions of Windows from the 1.x series right up to 10, and a die-hard Unix/Linux lover since 2002. My first Unix-like desktop environments were CDE and minimalist WMs such as TWM, and despite trying Gnome first, the second I discovered KDE I was just blown away… Plus the native KDE programs were light-years ahead of everything else. K3B is almost a clone of the original Win9x Easy CD Creator, yet two decades and minimal UI changes later, it’s still probably the best disk-burning program on any platform.
Hey, thanks for your post! Yes, Q4OS uses Trinity (TDE), which is one reason why I like it so much. Like you, I think KDE 3.x was a fantastic desktop environment. When they changed it to KDE 4, I found it so clunky and unresponsive, as you’ve described. Many of the desktop apps that were developed for KDE 3 are maintained for Trinity, as well; like Amarok, for example. There’s a special Amarok-Trinity build in the Q4OS repository, so you don’t have to use an out-dated KDE version. Other great apps, like Digikam, Gwenview, and Kaffeine are available, too (and K3B, which is still my favorite disc burning app).
So, if you want to run a modernized KDE, then you’ll most likely enjoy Q4OS and TDE. If you do give it a go, please come back and let me know what you think. Q4OS has a USB bootable version, so you can give it a try without having to install anything on your PC.
Hello Dave, I am new to Linux myself, and don’t consider myself sold, but am certainly applying myself to the exploration.
This may be a tad off-topic from the installation of Vivaldi on Q4OS, but after extensive attempts, I am about to give up on this distro and look for another which does not have such device driver issues. THAT SAID, it is so fast and good looking, I figure it’s worth at least a Hail Mary try at redemption.
I have been trying to use Q4OS, 32-bit, using Trinity DE, as it is about the fastest distro, which has a pretty desktop, there is.
My specific mission, this time, for Linux, is to revive older hardware (generally laptops, some with ATOM, Centrino, Pentium-M CPU’s, usually about 1.6 GHz, and usually limited to 1 or 2 Gigs RAM. For desktops, usually Pentium 4’s 2.6 GHz or above, or their AMD equivalent, with one or more often 2 GB of RAM.
My objective is to get such machines operational, select a suite of applications for the desktop, and have it as close to ready to use, OOTB as I can, and donate such machines to kids. Currently, I have been providing machines to a 3rd grade classroom in Central America. No complaints thus far, and indeed, the kids are quite happy, since they had nothing prior to these machines.
I like Q4OS in its XPQ4 livery:
https://www.linux.org/threads/distro-candidates-mx-vs-antix-which-is-best-for-the-following-purpose.29112/#lg=post-92473&slide=0
It loads easily, comes with basic suite of apps, Windows-themes very easily and is about the fastest distro that doesn’t look barebones which I have tested to date.
https://www.linux.org/threads/distro-candidates-mx-vs-antix-which-is-best-for-the-following-purpose.29112/#post-92473
One big problem has been finding and installing device drivers. Comparable lightweight distros (Linux Lite, Lubuntu, LXLE… ) immediately load device drivers, such as wireless cards, audio and webcams, even before installation is complete.
https://www.linux.org/threads/new-user-locating-and-installing-device-drivers-in-debian-based-q4os.29253/page-2#post-93880
Thanks for any suggestions you can provide.
Hey, thanks for sharing your experiences with Q4OS. I don’t know if I can offer anything useful to help you with your driver problem. All I can suggest is that, because Q4OS is based on Debian, if there are drivers missing from the official Q4OS repository, then try finding them from other Debian sources. They should work within Q4OS.
I was visiting the Q4OS forum a little while ago and saw your posts regarding the importance of driver support for the Q4OS operating system. I agree with your point that it’s very important for newcomers to the world of Linux, and Q4OS specifically, to have a smooth-as-possible experience when setting up their systems.
I suppose one of the challenges for developers, like those working on Q4OS, is to decide on where to invest their limited time and resources; what will bring the most value to their project. As you noted in your comments on the forum, a project like Linux Mint have much better driver support and installation tools. However, their project probably has more volunteers working on such issues. I would guess that it makes it difficult for smaller teams, like Q4OS, to compete.
However, feedback like yours does help the Q4OS dev. team in the end, as they get to see what’s most important to their users. So, hopefully, some of the issues you’ve brought up can be addressed and moved up in the ranks. It’s important that we support the projects that we like as best we can… either by financial means, assisting with development, or just spreading the word and showing moral support. It all helps.
Just a side note, Q4OS have developed a few tools to help with driver support and installation. I’m referring to their Software Center tool. You just click on the menu item and the proper files are downloaded and installed on your system:
https://i.postimg.cc/25g3dWcP/software-center.jpg
Hi,
Today used the guide!
All went smooth!
Thank you.
For now I’m trying many Linux on VM and for now Q4OS it’s too Ram demaning, I will need to find out some Guides to lower it if possible to be used on some old machines.
It’s similarity to Windows it’s amazing! 😮
Thanks again! 😉
Hey, that’s great! Thanks for taking the time to comment. To save on RAM and system resources, I’d recommend using the TDE desktop environment, if the default Q4OS doesn’t offer it (it may be defaulting to use KDE). But, if you still find that Q4OS is still demanding too many system resources, perhaps give EXE Gnu/Linux a try. http://exegnulinux.net I’ve been using it for a few months now and have been enjoying it.
Hi,
Q4Os is using Trinity AFAIK, but not sure.
Thanks I’ll check that other Distro too.
Thank you.