this post was submitted on 03 Sep 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Ever had a question about Linux but felt too afraid to ask? Well now's your chance, ask any question about Linux, no matter how noob or repeated it is, and I and others will help answer them.

Previous noob question thread: https://lemmy.ml/post/14261893

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I'm on Linux mint 22 and my audio outputs don't change automatically. When I plug in USB headphones, audio won't output to them unless I manually change it in settings.

Also, why can't I interact with the panel applets (on the right side) while I'm in game? For example: I'm playing a game, I plug in my headphones, I have to manually change the audio output so I hit the "windows" key to bring up the panel, but I can't interact with any of the applets on the right side of the panel (I can't select the audio icon and change settings from there). I have to search audio settings in the panel then alt tab to it. It's really cumbersome

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Fun fact: The "Windows key" (or "Command key" for Mac users) has its own generic name: the Super key!

Not trying to be a smartass here; I genuinely find it fascinating! :D

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Some distros call it the Meta key.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I didn't know that. Thanks!

Which distros, out of curiosity?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Fedora KDE does. I think it's going to go with the DE rather than the distro, I bet Kubuntu also does.

I think dating back to the Space Cadet keyboard, Unix systems recognize 6 modifier keys: Shift, Control, Alt, Super, Meta and Hyper. It is my understanding that they choose to bind either Super or Meta to the "Windows" key (or the octothorpe whatever that thing is called key on Macs) and in practice it's used as another modifier key, often with Windows-like functionality such as opening the Menu if tapped tacked on.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

That is so weird. Haha.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Oh that is interesting. I had seen that used before but didn't know what it was lol.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Can you try "pactl load-module module-switch-on-connect"?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

maybe a silly question bit is mint using pulse audio?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

It's not a silly question; I thought it doesn't matter because PipeWire supports Pulseaudio.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

The latest version of mint (22) is using pipewire now.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It says "no valid command specified"

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Did you enter the command line (especially load-module) correctly?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

"Pactl load-module" outputs "you have to specify a module name and arguments."

I duck go'd that command and it seems like it's for pulseaudio. The latest mint release uses pipewire for the audio server. Is the command different for that?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

“Pactl load-module” outputs “you have to specify a module name and arguments.”

As I said in earlier comment, please run "pactl load-module module-switch-on-connect" exactly. Note that Pactl and pactl are different commands and the former is invalid.

Is the command different for that?

As the name suggests, pactl is a command for PulseAudio. PipeWire supports application written for PulseAudio, including pactl. Try "man pipewire-pulse" to get further info.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

That seems to have worked. Tbf, your original comment displayed as "pactl load-module module-switch-on-connect" Which indicates 2 seperate commands.