Thanks to everyone who responded. I did solve this from your suggestions of looking at the keyboard settings (Settings/System/Keyboard). Thanks again. I now have emojis enabled (which I never use, but I like having the option just in case).

Yeah, I’m a bit worried that I may have to reinstall if things don’t get fixed. But, if so, I do have a backup via Seedvault.

I still haven’t had any luck being able to have a backup which can be restored. I created a backup on a USB stick, which is plugged into the phone via a female USB-A to a male USB-C connector. The phone sees the USB stick. I made a backup here with Seedvault. It acknowledges the backup as having been successfully created (“Last backup: 41 minutes ago”). The USB stick is connected to the phone. Yet, pressing the three-dot menu only gives the options, “Backup now”, “Expert settings”, and “About”. There is no restore option given. Does anyone know how the restore option can be made available?

[edit]

Well, I’ll assume that if I reinstall LineageOS on another phone (or on this same phone if I need to), that during the reinstall it’ll ask if I wish to restore apps and data from a backup, and if I say “yes”, then, with the USB stick attached, I can proceed (provided I have the twelve answer verification code). I’m not going to test this, but I trust it will work if need be. I don’t think that once the phone is fully installed, that Seedvault (backup in settings) gives a “restore” option via the three dot menu. I think a restore option is only given when first setting up the phone (or possibly by using the phone dialer app and typing *#*#7378673#*#* ).

Okay, even though the recovery code is verified when I check it, the program does now say: “Backup status: Last backup: Never”.

I think creating it first on the phone and then transferring it to a laptop (via MTP) won’t work. Despite what the site says, I think these files can’t be worked with if they are moved around. Perhaps if I get a cord and directly attach a USB stick, then maybe I’ll have some luck. Perhaps the program will see a USB stick or USB storage thing, since it doesn’t seem to see a Debian laptop as a place for creating the backup file(s).

Thanks for the answer. However, I’m finding it confusing.

Using the file browser, I deleted the folder .SeedVaultAndroidBackup in my phone. This took two attempts (the first did not fully delete it in the phone, but the second time, I did manage to delete it.)

Previously I had copied this folder onto my laptop (via a USB cable where transfer files with MTP was set). So, I copied it back to my phone from the laptop. I verified this exists, and I checked the recovery code. The recovery code was verified (“your code is correct and will work for restoring your backup.”)

But, the site says: “Once you have it ready, click on ‘Restore’ within the menu you get through the three dots on the top right.” I’ve checked this menu, but that option is not there. Just “Backup now”, “Expert settings”, “About”. No restore option. And “Expert settings” also does not contain this option.

Is there something I have to do to enable this option?

Thanks, that’s great! Good to know.

When asked about a perceived ignorance in computers, the judge proclaimed, “I’m not ignorant about computers! In fact, just last week I finished Space Quest, and I’m now getting through Leisure Suit Larry!” The judge’s report, written using WordPerfect 5.1, is expected to be released soon.

I no longer buy any mock meat. Veggies that are unprocessed (with tofu as the lone exception since soy beans are kinda rough) are my choice now. So this doesn’t bother me.

I check into Reddit once in a while, but I mostly hang out here now.

Nuclear costs a huge amount. It does produce waste. There are still safety concerns regarding nuclear power, which only increase as our reliance upon it increases. Investing in renewable energy makes more sense.

I’m wondering… If I made a backup via TWRP (see image), and I then installed LineageOS on the phone, could I later do a restore operation of strictly Data to restore the user files on the now upgraded phone?

The European Commission is being sued by environmental campaigners over a decision to include gas and nuclear in an EU guide to “green” investments.

Eight national and regional Greenpeace organisations including France, Germany and EU office in Brussels are asking the court to rule the inclusion of gas and nuclear invalid.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/18/eu-faces-legal-action-gas-nuclear-green-investments-guide-european-commission

I totally support Greenpeace in this. Neither nuclear nor gas should be considered a “green” investment. Ia Aanstoot, the “18 year old climate activist”, is wrong to support the European Commission’s stance on this.

Which means she opposes what Ia Anstoot is saying. Thunberg does not view nuclear as a renewable in and of itself, and thus, like Greenpeace, she opposes EU Commission’s decision to include nuclear power in its classification system for sustainable finance (link).

Thanks! That’s great.

I saw on the CBC last night a story of a restaurant worker who was fired because she wore a mask. That’s how bonkers we in Canada have become lately.

Interesting article with some unexpected nuance.

Great move on the part of the BBC. Given all the issues on Twitter, hopefully the CBC will also make a move to Mastodon. I recall when Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, closed comments on Twitter due to abusive garbage, that I wrote her office and suggested Mastodon. Alas, they did not follow through. But hopefully this move from the BBC will inspire some of our Canadian institutions (particularly the CBC) to reconsider and to make the move to the fediverse.

This is great. I’ve started training for a half-marathon, that will be in October. I’ve been vegan a few years, and before that a vegetarian for a few decades (I’m 58 now). One thing I’ve also done recently is eliminate salt from my cooking and also eliminate high salt prepared foods (including bread and prepared sauces) from my diet. And I’ve stepped up my intake of leafy greens and carrots and beets and whatnot (previously my focus was on starch and protein foods (rice/grains/beans/lentils etc). So, my blood pressure is now normal. But, there is a lot of propaganda about needing salt (and “electrolytes”) for long distance running. Meh. I’ve been fine so far. But I figure I’ll bring some celery sticks with me for the run in October.

No loss for me. I don’t give a rat’s ass about AI chatbots. And I myself have excluded Google from my online activities. I use Debian Linux. My phone has LineageOS without Google Play Services – instead I use apps from f-droid, including OsmAnd~ for mapping. I never use Google search (I rely on DuckDuckGo). Any YouTube videos I may wish to view I use either FreeTube or Invidious (the latter via the Firefox addon LibRedirect). For translation, it’s LibreTranslate. If I wish to see news articles I’ll go directly to media sites such as The Star, The Globe and Mail, CBC, or via the news search on DuckDuckGo. Anyone who is still allowing themselves to be a product of Google is misguided, as far as I’m concerned.

apt remove <blah>, or, and even better,

apt purge <blah>