SoulseekQT on Ubuntu - is this normal?

thescarletfire's picture
Submitted by thescarletfire on Sun, 02/10/2013 - 20:12
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Soulseek General Discussion

Hi Nir & all,

I had a question about my Ubuntu 12.10 SoulseekQT experience. So, I downloaded the client from the website here and extracted it. It's one file, and I double-clicked on it and SoulseekQT loaded in all its glory - as is. I didn't have to do anything - it just opened upon being clicked.

Is this normal? Is there no "install" process needed anymore? Where are the files stored? Where is the soulseek-client.dat backup and such? I'm a bit confused.

Is SoulseekQT on Ubuntu not "installed", but rather just "run" like a portable app? Can you clarify this please for me? Thank you so much.

I don't have any complaints as far as SoulseekQT on Ubuntu, it works fine - it's just, there seems to be no install process and I can't locate any user data (DAT) to backup, etc.

Thank you!

Submitted by Nir on Tue, 02/12/2013 - 12:01.

The SoulseekQt executable only uses the Qt libraries, which are very often already installed on a Linux machine. I might even try static linking at some point which would include the Qt libraries in the SoulseekQt, and prevent possible compatibility issues with whatever version of Qt is installed on each machine.

Cheers, Nir

thescarletfire's picture

Submitted by thescarletfire on Tue, 02/12/2013 - 14:18.

Ok, so you can confirm that it's "normal" to just double click the executable for SoulseekQT and if it just loads/opens, it's all good? Awesome.

But, can you please tell me how/where that soulseek-client/DAT file would be then in Ubuntu/Linux if you don't really "install" the program? You see, I'm concerned that once I use SoulseekQT on Linux for say, months, accumulate a nice user list, shares info, notes, etc - I can't export those settings like I can on my Windows machine via the Soulseek-Client file. See what I mean?

Where's the equivalent "all user data" file in Ubuntu/Linux by default? I can't find one at all, I believe because I'm not "installing" Soulseek in Ubuntu - merely "loading" it.

Am I crazy? lol

Submitted by Nir on Tue, 02/12/2013 - 19:29.

I forgot to address the client data file :) On Linux it's a hidden file named .Soulseek in your home folder. You should be able to use the same file on Windows no problem, but you'd have to rename it and put it in the right place.

thescarletfire's picture

Submitted by thescarletfire on Tue, 02/12/2013 - 20:24.

Brilliant thank you I will check it out!

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Submitted by thescarletfire on Tue, 02/12/2013 - 21:21.

Say, I don't suppose you could bring over the client data file from Windows7 and import that into Ubuntu (to the correction location) - would that work? :) Epic, if so!

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Submitted by thescarletfire on Wed, 02/13/2013 - 17:36.

Just an FYI for those interested:

Yup, you can easily bring your Windows client data file from Soulseek into Ubuntu - simply rename it .soulseek and put it in your home folder - absolutely BRILLIANT NIR!

Epic.

Bye bye Windows lol :)

Submitted by sysmaster01 on Thu, 02/14/2013 - 09:48.

No! Rename it .Soulseek with capital S.

And mind you, everyone, that's no nitpicking, that's the quirks of *NIX world where a 'user.data' file is a different thing than a 'User.data' file (unless the programmer checks for both, which is not always the case).

thescarletfire's picture

Submitted by thescarletfire on Thu, 02/14/2013 - 10:18.

Simple typo, sorry.

Submitted by Nir on Thu, 02/14/2013 - 10:33.

Just watch out for any shared folders from your previous installation :) those probably won't apply after the move.

Cheers, Nir

Submitted by sysmaster01 on Thu, 02/21/2013 - 10:04.

I might even try static linking at some point which would include the Qt libraries in the SoulseekQt, and prevent possible compatibility issues with whatever version of Qt is installed on each machine.

Good idea. This could make SoulseekQt work even on those Linux machines not supposed to be altered (e. g. at work ;)) Unless you didn't know, none of your 2012/13 SoulseekQt builds will work under Qt 4.6.x.
Qt >= 4.7.4 is the minimum requirement (well, officially; 4.7.0 beta works too, admittedly - but this has become very rare)

Submitted by slskrs on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 01:09.

I have multiple ".Soulseek.XXXXXXXXXXXXX" (the X's being a 13 digit number (timestamp?)) files in the Home folder on Ubuntu 12.10 64-bit, and every time I close SoulseekQt, a new file gets created. Why is that? And how can I make it use just one ".Soulseek" file?

Submitted by Nir on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 17:23.

This is the new way SoulseekQt handles its data files to minimize the chances of loss of configuration. Instead of repeatedly overwriting the same file, the client now always writes to a new filename and only deletes configuration files older that the newest four files. When starting, the client will attempt to load each file from newest to oldest until successful.

thescarletfire's picture

Submitted by thescarletfire on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 17:58.

I'm really digging the new data files, great idea Nir - incremental is the way to go! Rock on!

Submitted by Nir on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 22:32.

Thanks scarlet! I'm very happy with this scheme as well. Configuration data loss has been a problem since the early days of the original Soulseek client, maybe this will finally put the issue to rest.