Computer Application Notes

Random Notes on solutions for problems encountered using Linux computers

By Darrel Dunn, Ph.D., PG, Hydrogeologist

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Introduction to Linux Computer Application Notes

I am a Linux computer user and not a computer scientist.  I have found that when I have a computer problem and search for a solution on the internet the experience is frustrating.  The information found may be too technical for a scientist who uses a computer but who is not a scientist who specializes in computer technology.  Therefore I have started this page on the date posted below for the purpose of seeing if my solutions to linux computer problems engage others who are searching the internet for such solutions.

Organizing a POP_OS Screen

I recently purchased a Linux computer from System76 with a POP_OS operating system.  The default display on the monitor contained application icons in the dock at the bottom of the screen that I do not use daily.  I prefer an uncrowded dock.  Consequently, I removed the excess icons by right clicking them and selecting "Remove from Favorites."  Then I installed the icon for "Application Finder" by selecting it in the applications found by clicking "Applications" at the top left corner of the screen, right clicking its icon, and clicking "Pin to Dash."  Thus I have an icon in the dash that lists all the installed applications.  

I also removed some applications that I will never use.  I used  "$ sudo dpkg -l" in the terminal window to find the names of the debian packages and $ sudo dpkg -r <package name> to remove the packages.  For packages installed in flatpak, I used "$ sudo flatpak list" to see a list of applications installed in flatpak, and "$ sudo flatpak uninstall <app ID>" to uninstall the apps.  The figure below shows the resulting screen.