I have struggled much to get my gift radio up to speed. I've found quite a few things - and operating systems, that did not work out for me. Therefore, I'd like to encourage people here to create a page of COMPLETE installation instructions for various OS'es. May the result live somewhere handy for struggling people to refer to.
Fortunately for me, one kind person told me that CHIRP can run in Linux Mint. Someone posted the two cryptic yet crucial sudo incantations. Someone else recommended installing via flatpak. After a week or so of studying, trying things, and making slow progress and quick failures, herein lies what I came up with. Further, this is my contribution to any future installation instructions page.¶
NOTE: This is just one way to have a functioning CHIRP install. There are others.
If you do not have a functioning Linux Mint installation, follow all these steps. Otherwise, skip to the next section:
Ingredients:
1) A thumb drive (larger than 2.2 GB) that can be dedicated to the purpose. Transfer out anything of importance. OK to leave the clutter because it will be completely reformatted.
2) A computer that can host either a full linux install or a dual boot using half the drive.
3) A copy of the Mint ISO called 'Linux Mint 20.2 - Cinnamon Edition' (Your mileage may vary - this one works, others probably will also.) https://linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=288
4) ISO installer. Instructions here: https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/burn.html
5) Decent internet connection.
Instructions:
1) On the thumb drive, install the ISO per instructions also contained in step 4 above.
2) Install the ISO'ed thumb drive in the target computer.
3) Boot the computer. It might find the thumb drive and boot from there automatically.
If not, re-boot and watch for a message from the BIOS that tells which button to push so you can edit the boot options (probably ESC or F12). This may take several tries to get the button and the timing right. Anyway, adjust the boot options to boot from the thumb drive, and rock on (or boot scoot as the case may be).
4) Follow the instructions and do either a full install, or a dual boot. You have the power.
Dual booting will give you access to your old OS and data as well as the ability to choose booting the new Mint install at the price of cutting your hard drive into two halves.
5) When directed, remove the thumb drive and reboot. Follow any guidance to setup and update the computer.
Install and setup CHIRP in Linux Mint:
1) With your Linux software manager, install 'flatpak' software.
I used: Gir1.2-flatpak-1.0 There are probably others.
Side note: Ubuntu is a bit trickier and I couldn't make this happen.
(Another re-boot may be required here.)
2) With your favorite browser, download the current daily CHIRP flatpak from http://chirp.danplanet.com
If memory serves, I simply opened the Downloads directory with a file manager, double clicked the new file, and it installed. Magic!
3) From Terminal (type Ctl-Alt-T) type the following one line at a time:
sudo usermod -a -G tty $USER
sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER
After yet another reboot, this should result in an executable install!
Hardly any trouble at all.
Some of this was entered from memory (scary stuff!).
Please indicate your success/fail/corrections below.
Have fun with radios!