While perusing through Digg, I found it interesting to note that both the Linux and Windows users have something to say about hardware failure issues. I found it interesting, that regardless of software issues, both groups of "observant" users have come to realize that the hardware quality (read that as "robustness" - is there such a word?) may have declined? The Digg entry pointed to this post: "Computing, Even in Linux, is All About Failure".
It's just an opinion, but it seems to me that tod...
read more
I had some spare time over lunch today, and revisited some of the best Linux video links that have been sent to me.
Some of them are really great (and we've probably seen before), but I just wanted to share them as it's nice to watch cool things from time to time...
Flying Penguins:
Prodigy:
The Web Site is Down:
Ubuntu's Da Bomb:
Promoting Linux:
Super Villain:
rm -rf:
For ...
read more
It's been a while since I "seriously" posted on this blog, as I've been super busy. One of the things I do in my work is custom build desktop computers and servers for clients. There's been a sudden demand for new desktop systems. While talking to clients, they've all danced around the issue of having Windows 7 installed on their systems, suffice it to say, every Windows user (I built systems for) opted to have WinXP Pro installed (no Vista and no Win7). Personally I found this an interesting trend...
read more
I had an interesting chat with a friend today, part of which dealt with the differences between Windows and Linux (hence this post). In a nutshell, he was trying to grasp why I really preferred Linux. He wanted to get into the meat and potatoes of the issue - Why Linux?
Funnily, on the spot, I found it easy to surmise all sorts of motivations and reasons as to making Linux (in this case Ubuntu) my primary operating system. In particular much of the discussion revolved around the uses of various op...
read more
When I need to run a Windows based application on my trusty Ubuntu Hardy box, I don't use Wine. Don't get me wrong, it's just that I don't want to have to manage the Wine environment and prefer to have Windows and it's associated applications tucked away in it's own virtual system. This way if I need to run a Windows application... I simply boot up the Windows system and run whatever application I want.
More importantly, I run several distributions of Linux in virtual environments. This way I don't have to worry abo...
read more
I had an interesting morning playing with my Ubuntu (Hardy - 8.04) system. I just created a nice new desktop, with super effects and graphics and wondered if there's not a way to create a more customized "ear candy" environment (since I've already covered the eye candy aspect). I discovered that Ubuntu (and most likely other Linux distributions) has a speech synthesis package included, it's called espeak.
In my system, it was installed by default. If you don't have it available, the command to install is:
s...
read more
Earlier I posted Mono in Ubuntu, Yes or No? It was a post where I learned a bit about the issues surrounding Ubuntu's default inclusion of Mono. During that post, I arrived at the position that it should not be included by default (and that I'd prefer to remove it from my system). A developer that uses Mono, provided a lengthy, well thought out comment post. It was a comment that I think all users, both pro and con should consider. I strongly believe the heightened emotions and zealotry (is there such a word?) needs ...
read more
It seems there's a fair bit of discussion (heated at times), about the current issues with Mono being installed by default in Ubuntu Linux. I've seen and read some of the flame wars currently in blog posts and forums. Seems that an ordinary person like myself can be easily mislead if not properly informed. The following post is simply my opinion, I'm not suggesting that it's fact. I asked one of my blog readers ("ql"):
"What’s the scoop with mono (I don’t use it), I’ve seen a fair bit of flame wars over it...
read more
As some of you may be aware, in the past I have posted (in the page that says "Comment Rules"), that I do not answer Linux or Ubuntu Linux questions. To ask questions, we as readers and writers, must use the comments section on posts for assistance.
However, based on the number of email messages I am getting, and from reader suggestions, I realize that I must rethink this! 
Therefore, I'm looking at putting together an area where questions can be answered. Maybe not a forum, just an answer section (Q & A). I'm...
read more
The GiftWrap team would like to conduct a poll of the different versions of Ubuntu every one is on.
If you have a moment, please take time to answer this one simple question: Which Ubuntu version are you using?
(The poll is external because such that all results in one place. Thanks!)
read more
