tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38093746318629991382024-02-20T21:02:04.564-07:00Linux Latitude Rambling reflections on Linux & Free/Open Source SoftwareFred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-63825285703835443792016-08-20T18:31:00.000-06:002016-08-20T18:31:01.619-06:00My New Gadget<div>
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Not Linux related, but hey, it is technology and it does have a microprocessor! </div>
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I bought this after reading glowing reviews on cooking sites and thousands of good ratings on Amazon, Walmart.com, etc. <br /><br /><table cellspacing="0" id="detailheader"><tbody>
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<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/llspecial-20/images/B01DZLSVY2" id="imageViewerLink" target="ImageView"><img alt="Instant Pot IP-LUX60 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker, 6.33-Quart 1000-Watt" id="detailProductImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51StoyiLlpL._SL210_.jpg" /></a>
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Instant Pot IP-LUX60 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker, 6.33-Quart</h2>
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<br />"According to an Amazon press release, 215,000 Instant Pot IP-DUO60
cookers were sold on Prime Day, making it the #1 bestseller in the
United States. This beats the number of units sold by all TV brands
combined."<br /><br />I bought the older model, IP-LUX60. It only lacks a
couple of settings, and some features compared to the IP-DUO60. It's
pretty amazing! I cooked roast pork in 35 minutes, and it was excellent,
curry in 15 minutes, perfect boiled eggs in 5 (and easier to peel than I
have ever seen). This morning I did steel cut oats in 6 minutes, very
good too. It does take about 5 extra minutes to build up steam, but can
reduce both cooking time and energy use up to 70%.<br /></div>
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it's 6 in 1: <span class="a-list-item">Pressure Cooker, Saute/Browning, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer & Warmer</span></div>
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<span class="a-list-item">The
rice cooker function worked really well too, but you can set it
manually for speciality rices. You can use manual settings for anything
you want, with 3 temperature setting for most things. So far all the
good things said about it seem to be true. I haven't tried the slow
cooker function, but compared to my old ones it has delayed start, 3
temperature setting, and keep warm when done. <br />It seems to be closer
to a microwave in cooking time, with vegetables, much closer. You can
even start with frozen meat! Obviously it will take longer, but you
can't do that with a slow cooker, and won't get good results with a
microwave. <br /></span></div>
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It appears to be very high quality,
thick stainless steel pot, lots of safety features. The company seems
dedicated to customer service too.<br /></div>
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So far, I really like it! Check it out.</div>
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<br />This is my Amazon Store; if you decide to buy one with this link, I get a commission without increasing your cost:<br />http://astore.amazon.com/linuxlatitu05-20<br /></div>
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It's a pressure cooker, but no pressure. <img alt="" data-goomoji="1f60e" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/mail/emoji/6/48px/emoji_u1f60e.png" style="height: 24px; margin: 0px 0.2ex; vertical-align: middle; width: 24px;" /> Just thought you might find it interesting.<br /><div>
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Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-12482532812934457062014-04-23T13:03:00.000-06:002014-04-23T13:04:41.294-06:00What I'm Reading TodayLots of interesting articles today! <br />
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Opinion: The antibiotics that could kill you» <br />
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/22/opinion/blaser-antibiotic-winter/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/22/opinion/blaser-antibiotic-winter/index.html</a><br />
Everything You Need to Know About Optimizing Your Wi-Fi in One Video <br />
<a href="http://lifehacker.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-optimizing-your-wi-fi-1566140574" target="_blank">http://lifehacker.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-optimizing-your-wi-fi-1566140574</a><br />
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The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Python! — The Hitchhiker's Guide to Python <br />
<a href="http://docs.python-guide.org/en/latest/" target="_blank">http://docs.python-guide.org/en/latest/</a> <br />
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School of Open teaches Creative Commons licenses and more | opensource.com <br />
<a href="http://opensource.com/education/14/4/introduction-school-open-education" target="_blank">http://opensource.com/education/14/4/introduction-school-open-education</a> <br />
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The Linux Rain» <br />
<a href="http://thelinuxrain.com/articles/scripting-a-find-and-replace-for-big-text-files" target="_blank">http://thelinuxrain.com/articles/scripting-a-find-and-replace-for-big-text-files</a> <br />
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Even the most secure cloud storage may not be so secure, study finds» <br />
<a href="http://news.techworld.com/security/3512711/even-the-most-secure-cloud-storage-may-not-be-so-secure-study-finds/">http://news.techworld.com/security/3512711/even-the-most-secure-cloud-storage-may-not-be-so-secure-study-finds/</a><br />
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Build tic-tac-toe with Kivy | Linux User» <br />
<a href="http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/tutorials/build-tic-tac-toe-with-kivy" target="_blank">http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/tutorials/build-tic-tac-toe-with-kivy</a> <br />
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Quantum Cryptography | Linux Journal <br />
<a href="http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/quantum-cryptography" target="_blank">http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/quantum-cryptography</a> <br />
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The high value of an open source community | opensource.com <br />
<a href="http://opensource.com/business/14/4/open-source-community-beats-tech-support" target="_blank">http://opensource.com/business/14/4/open-source-community-beats-tech-support</a> <br />
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The Biggest Myths About Cutting the Cable Cord <br />
<a href="http://lifehacker.com/the-biggest-myths-about-cutting-the-cable-cord-1566140265" target="_blank">http://lifehacker.com/the-biggest-myths-about-cutting-the-cable-cord-1566140265</a><br />
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Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-59668414732837608222014-04-20T10:45:00.003-06:002014-04-20T11:28:03.690-06:00What I'm Reading TodayI have been thinking for a long time of sharing on this blog interesting or important technology articles that I read. Of course these are very personal, subjective choices, but linking here does not necessarily mean I agree with the opinions presented.<br />
Today will be the first of a semi-regular feature. Let me know if you find it useful.<br />
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OpenSSL and Linux: A Tale of Two Open-Source Projects
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<a href="http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/openssl-and-linux-a-tale-of-two-open-source-projects/" target="_blank">http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/openssl-and-linux-a-tale-of-two-open-source-projects/</a><br />
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Open source trounces proprietary software for code defects, Coverity analysis finds
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<a href="http://www.networkworld.com/news/2014/041714-open-source-trounces-proprietary-software-280803.html" target="_blank">http://www.networkworld.com/news/2014/041714-open-source-trounces-proprietary-software-280803.html</a><br />
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Is the U.S. losing the tech race?
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<a href="http://www.latimes.com/opinion/commentary/la-oe-teitelbaum-stem-fears-20140420,0,120851.story">http://www.latimes.com/opinion/commentary/la-oe-teitelbaum-stem-fears-20140420,0,120851.story</a>
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The Heartbleed drama queens
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<a href="http://eyeonlinux.com/cloud/the-heartbleed-drama-queens/" target="_blank">http://eyeonlinux.com/cloud/the-heartbleed-drama-queens/</a>
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Heartbleed: Security experts reality-check the 3 most hysterical fears
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<a href="http://www.networkworld.com/news/2014/041714-heartbleed-security-experts-reality-check-the-280805.html" target="_blank">http://www.networkworld.com/news/2014/041714-heartbleed-security-experts-reality-check-the-280805.html</a><br />
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Open source comes to farms with restriction-free seeds
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<a href="http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/04/open-source-comes-to-farms-with-restriction-free-seeds/" target="_blank">http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/04/open-source-comes-to-farms-with-restriction-free-seeds/</a> <br />
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Will stop.","stopped":"Stopped","hr":"Hr","min":"Min","sec":"Sec","any_moment":"Any Moment","popup_donate_to":"Donate to","extension_id":null},"prefs":{"desktopNotification":true,"soundNotification":true,"logLevel":0,"enable":true,"loop":false,"hidePopup":false,"autoPlay":false,"autoBuffer":true,"autoPlayOnBuffer":false,"autoPlayOnBufferPercentage":42,"autoPlayOnSmartBuffer":true,"quality":"default","fshd":false,"onlyNotification":false,"enableFullScreen":true,"saveBandwidth":false,"hideAnnotations":false,"turnOffPagedBuffering":true}}" event="preferencesUpdated" id="myTubeRelayElementToPage"></mytubeelement><mytubeelement data="{"loadBundle":true}" event="relayPrefs" id="myTubeRelayElementToTab"></mytubeelement>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-23309661859546815222012-02-24T11:39:00.015-07:002012-02-29T12:10:16.606-07:00Smartphone Devices Replaced<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a><blockquote></blockquote>I am constantly amazed at the incredible amount and variety of apps available for Android smart phones, my personal <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/blog/perlow/if-android-feels-wrong-then-i-dont-want-to-be-right/19071">choice</a>. "As of October 2011 there were more than 400,000 apps available for Android, and the estimated number of applications downloaded from the Android Market as of December 2011 exceeded 10 billion." according to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_%28operating_system%29">Wikipedia</a>. Sure, the iPhone has more, and some of higher quality perhaps, but who wants to be imprisoned in that <a href="http://informationweek.com/news/mobility/smart_phones/232600284">walled garden</a>?<br /><br />Anyway, today's musings are not about quantity, or even quality, but a small subset of the apps available that allow an Android phone to replace a physical item or device. Obliviously it's a phone, but to some of us that is almost incidental to what else it can do. The built-in sensors (camera, microphone, acceleration, orientation, magnetic field, proximity, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communication">NFC</a>), radios (cell, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS) and outputs (speaker, screen, LED) allow much versatility. I started a list a while back trying to think of all the devices the phone could (in theory at least) replace. Some are more of a toy than a serious tool, but still the range of apps in this category is impressive:<br /><br />1) Alarm Clock<br />2) Altimeter<br />3) Audio Signal Generator<br />4) Baby Monitor<br />5) Bar Code Scanner<br />6) Boarding Pass (many airlines)<br />7) Calculator<br />8) Camcorder<br />9) Camera<br />10) Car Error Code Reader (with Bluetooth module)<br />11) Clock<br />12) Compass<br />13) Counter<br />14) Coupons<br />15) Credit Card (phones with NFC chips)<br />16) Decibel Meter<br />17) Document Scanner<br />18) Dog Whistle<br />19) EMF Detector<br />20) Ebook Reader<br />21) Flashlight<br />22) GPS Receiver<br />23) Game Console<br />24) Geiger Counter<br />25) Heart Rate Monitor<br />26) Inclinometer<br />27) Keys (home and soon cars)<br />28) Language Translator<br />29) Level<br />30) Lie Detector<br />31) Magnifier<br />32) Metal Detector<br />33) Metronome<br />34) Mirror (phones with rear facing camera)<br />35) Mosquito Repeller<br />36) Mp3 Player<br />37) Musical Instrument Tuner<br />38) Notepad<br />39) Payment Terminal<br />40) Pedometer<br />41) Phone<br />42) Protractor<br />43) Radio<br />44) Range Finder<br />45) Remote Control (computer and soon TV's)<br />46) Ruler<br />47) Scanner Radio<br />48) Seismograph<br />49) Sketch Pad<br />50) Spectrum Analyser (voice, vibration)<br />51) Speed Gun ("radar gun" speed measurement)<br />52) Speedometer<br />53) Stopwatch<br />54) Spy Camera<br />55) Travel Door Alarm<br />56) TV<br />57) USB Flash Drive (with cable, or wireless)<br />58) Voice Recorder<br />59) Weather Radio<br />60) WiFi Hotspot Locator<br /><br />Though the quality and usefulness varies wildly, it's still hard to imagine one little pocket sized device performing so many functions!<br />Apps to perform these functions and many more are available on the <a href="https://market.android.com/">Android Market</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/mobile-apps/b?ie=UTF8&node=2350149011">Amazon App Store For Android</a>. There are other apps in specialized fields such as <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/29/tech/mobile-health/index.html?eref=rss_health&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_health+%28RSS%3A+Health%29">medicine</a> (used for alerts and diagnostics), and <a href="http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/model+railroad">model railroad</a>, connecting to external sensors and controls.<br />Can you think of any I forgot? Note that I am talking about tasks that would normally be performed by a physical item or device, not just something usually done in software.Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-29823808408638172252011-11-16T18:57:00.013-07:002012-03-07T11:03:43.264-07:00Clipboard managerReading <a href="http://jeffhoogland.blogspot.com/2011/11/application-spotlight-parcellite.html">Jeff Hooglan's post</a> on Parcellite reminded me that I have not blogged about my own clipboard manager that I am writing , ClipCat (Clip Catalog). I really missed ClipMate when I switched to Linux years ago and didn't find anything remotely comparable. Klipper in KDE was OK, but I have switched to Gnome (may switch again because of Unity and Gnome 3, but that's another story...). I tried Glipper, Klipper, Parcelite, etc. but they did not have all the features that I wanted.<br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, I decided to try and write one myself. It's coming along nicely, and I use it every day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Main Features:</span><br /><ul><li>Panel icon with drop down menu of clip history, with current clipboard contents at the top and highlighted.</li><li>History menu can be sorted Alphabetical, Reverse Alphabetical, Chronological, Reverse Chronological, Most Used, Last Used.</li><li>Snippets, with user set categories & icons in the history sub-menu.</li><li>Optional properties - category, title, tags, source, note, for a snippet (or clip).</li><li>Clips/snips can be edited.<br /></li><li>Grow a clip/snip, if a longer version is copied (optional).<br /></li><li>Can append next copied text to an existing clip.</li><li>Can automatically append successive clipboard contents to a clip, or into a new clip.</li><li>Create a new clip directly, and put it on the clipboard.</li><li>Can insert date/time into a clip.</li><li>Load a file into a clip.</li><li>Save a clip to a file.</li><li>Search clips/snips. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_text_search">Full text search</a> with AND, OR, NOT, NEAR operators and wild cards. Table column to search can be specified.<br /></li><li>Compact, repair, backup, restore of clips database file.</li></ul>Clip history menu (and snip sub-menu) are opened by clicking on ClipCat's panel icon. The history menu is configurable as to number of items shown in primary menu (the rest are shown in a sub-menu), length of the menu item shown, length of the preview shown in a tooltip (if too long to show in menu). Right clicking brings up a menu for opening the Action Window, sorting clips, clearing clip history, opening the preferences dialog, showing help or the About dialog. Middle click opens the property dialog for setting the category, tags, title, source or note of a clip/snip.<br /><br />The small Action Window allows creating, viewing, editing clips, as well as executing plugins that manipulate clips. The Action Window also has optional word wrap and spell checking. It's initial position on screen can be set, as well as whether it stays on top of other windows, and shows on all desktops. The font for the editor view can be chosen, and sound for events can be enabled. Some properties of the selected clip/snip are shown in a tooltip, such as title, date created, times used. Character and word count for the clip being viewed are shown in the right of the status bar. Character count is color coded according to it's probable suitability for Twitter, SMS text message, or Shoutbox.<br /><br />A simple plugin architecture allows extra functionality to be added by writing a script in Python. A template is provided to start a new plugin script.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Current plugins:</span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-style: italic;">ClipCat information - version, number of clips/snips, etc..</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Delete blank lines.</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Dump snips in a category to a file.</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Email a clip.</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Explode a clip into several clips (split at newline or other delimiter).</span></li><li><span style=" font-style: italic;">Move tagged clips to another category.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Number lines (with user chosen separator after numbers).</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Open the URL's in a clip in a browser.</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Post clip on PasteBin, and put the URL pointing to it on the clipboard.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Remove/replace text using a regular expression.</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Remove HTML-XML tags.</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Remove leading characters (#\\>, or user selected).</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Remove line numbers, ignoring dates.</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Send clip as an SMS text message.</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Shorten a URL and put the short version on the clipboard.</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> Sort lines in the clip; alphabetical, reverse alphabetical, case insensitive, <a href="http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2007/12/sorting-for-humans-natural-sort-order.html">natural</a>.</span></li></ol>Plugins can be helpful to clean up email messages, remove comment characters from code, format text to be included in email or documents,<br />extract plain text from HTML code, make inserting items into forms easier, share clips, etc.<br />Some plugins log their actions to the editor of the Action Window, so it can be saved as a clip/snip for reference, if desired.<br /><br />ClipCat is written in Python and pyGTK. Data is kept in the very reliable <a href="http://sqlite.org/famous.html">SQLite</a> database, so only one file need be backed up. Each clip/snip has the properties date created, last used, times used, and and the user set properties. This database can be viewed or edited independently of ClipCat if needed.<br /><br />I have tried it on an old Thinkpad, 600Mhz Celeron with only 256MB RAM and it still performed acceptably.<br /><br />While far from perfect, I find it very useful even at the present stage of development. I have lots of ideas for improvement too. I hope to package it and recruit some testers soon. If interested, leave a comment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpYujQAyge9cfGBXgAZ3u-0REeCRDa7e3jczUFmSbyasEgWDH54WETAwSwYd8t6tcXg6qCw3snwpSBe81HkToeLuecn2iEVRlVz78YpHZt7B5-sTFxZgOq_HuWRJ2F1xkoO-AIGy3Viw/s1600/clipcat-icon-history.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpYujQAyge9cfGBXgAZ3u-0REeCRDa7e3jczUFmSbyasEgWDH54WETAwSwYd8t6tcXg6qCw3snwpSBe81HkToeLuecn2iEVRlVz78YpHZt7B5-sTFxZgOq_HuWRJ2F1xkoO-AIGy3Viw/s320/clipcat-icon-history.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675760410547030674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSkD7F-FUbpT8olOHottUP_MhKH9EtHf1WGNbDYj7rdDPRX2RdFYFgyRMbYlBdr-F6bsqs-5KX24ydI65w33N0L4SVsPFTIcHdYrQFI6XFjVjfhHoCJaJRBPoklx0tggQxyN6pEVnvQ4/s1600/clipcat-snips.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSkD7F-FUbpT8olOHottUP_MhKH9EtHf1WGNbDYj7rdDPRX2RdFYFgyRMbYlBdr-F6bsqs-5KX24ydI65w33N0L4SVsPFTIcHdYrQFI6XFjVjfhHoCJaJRBPoklx0tggQxyN6pEVnvQ4/s320/clipcat-snips.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675761963153356194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FnUdac5LWRZjorsf5yJl8zhm56Oi94FWo86awXpmiuNJdHpGhp98GZJXj16bEBEAesuIpU16NxTgVTNXuyqKODt8I66MYzl7lEVcwhidqAl0Mj-HA50dUpF_dfxRZhvj7O0TAZ1m1HE/s1600/clipcat-properties.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FnUdac5LWRZjorsf5yJl8zhm56Oi94FWo86awXpmiuNJdHpGhp98GZJXj16bEBEAesuIpU16NxTgVTNXuyqKODt8I66MYzl7lEVcwhidqAl0Mj-HA50dUpF_dfxRZhvj7O0TAZ1m1HE/s320/clipcat-properties.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675770316762690978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaUnuv4oiLvPJghxPp8cOci813-tRMtfn80xXIY4FqJI_FzJuLVVFsTAueIHaQ2AQu2q1xLhxg2m8ieisV72Bcr6bp4P_148PMFG0yUWYAx6_dMcRU_MjlSZUSFEbOeBZTO1qqriS6aU/s1600/clipcat-action_window.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaUnuv4oiLvPJghxPp8cOci813-tRMtfn80xXIY4FqJI_FzJuLVVFsTAueIHaQ2AQu2q1xLhxg2m8ieisV72Bcr6bp4P_148PMFG0yUWYAx6_dMcRU_MjlSZUSFEbOeBZTO1qqriS6aU/s320/clipcat-action_window.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675763417336054706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytVqOfqgQc6TTZdTqE_8IAa17a8VSF6LTrHqRz4hlkEhLiHpF1SZrTz7Jhpu4KYtZiXJ0yVGU3WClVXOg2m3d4QKwQ1Dwb8ljbqhQXWA5-XYbZH0Hh9LiSpgP4pXRSYy0vuuvixrLY48/s1600/clipcat-action_window_detail.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytVqOfqgQc6TTZdTqE_8IAa17a8VSF6LTrHqRz4hlkEhLiHpF1SZrTz7Jhpu4KYtZiXJ0yVGU3WClVXOg2m3d4QKwQ1Dwb8ljbqhQXWA5-XYbZH0Hh9LiSpgP4pXRSYy0vuuvixrLY48/s320/clipcat-action_window_detail.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675765016468735586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiACFZWuhpf65tOfjtwajOcdRqKUFXGZtKExTfQA6JOH-mSxtWO8H_u2dEU92FO-uUev60ciYPE2z4e4TXDCVN_1pH0SsEpXdOUz8849x9HDo514jOyyBypZAvpOF89nO4aGUt-kM7Gl0/s1600/clipcat_plugins.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiACFZWuhpf65tOfjtwajOcdRqKUFXGZtKExTfQA6JOH-mSxtWO8H_u2dEU92FO-uUev60ciYPE2z4e4TXDCVN_1pH0SsEpXdOUz8849x9HDo514jOyyBypZAvpOF89nO4aGUt-kM7Gl0/s320/clipcat_plugins.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675764200126269090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr2jzmrhLRjX5NoQiX60Qcw7acNvzpe7vCfMF4AV1QWVw1wP-n7Hkacwj2VtWK8_RgmWwpxbgc8pjg0c6YzELHDOgF2l23-fRB035f7NIQMYd9b_OaZrHzeDSYo7aD7XnDx4cPKiOgb8/s1600/clipcat-preferences.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr2jzmrhLRjX5NoQiX60Qcw7acNvzpe7vCfMF4AV1QWVw1wP-n7Hkacwj2VtWK8_RgmWwpxbgc8pjg0c6YzELHDOgF2l23-fRB035f7NIQMYd9b_OaZrHzeDSYo7aD7XnDx4cPKiOgb8/s320/clipcat-preferences.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675781010608269666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqX9beoeLe8Rup2xv4sdUtIqnC7lEOYKGkMqTndOcIzEQ3zk94aDANX9L1ir7sZUvtpF4FMJVDeYXs4fExIfswlG_de1mXpeJvn1wiW-n4ShkT_j5avfbCQ3Qj1kmllsNLlnbU5H0-gXM/s1600/ClipCat+Search.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqX9beoeLe8Rup2xv4sdUtIqnC7lEOYKGkMqTndOcIzEQ3zk94aDANX9L1ir7sZUvtpF4FMJVDeYXs4fExIfswlG_de1mXpeJvn1wiW-n4ShkT_j5avfbCQ3Qj1kmllsNLlnbU5H0-gXM/s320/ClipCat+Search.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693470415734358962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ45iyh9_NU_B-6geJ7FsasoWIVF183V2B6j7Jejm0c7tj4_TfsxUFTQSta419qSgraGTw-YTVpc3kX9Hiq0QXwFXIknobQxAfTYmNznAzYF9FLb3MsW5apuZuT2HmUJgUCATOUBCKag/s1600/ClipCat-Search_Help.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ45iyh9_NU_B-6geJ7FsasoWIVF183V2B6j7Jejm0c7tj4_TfsxUFTQSta419qSgraGTw-YTVpc3kX9Hiq0QXwFXIknobQxAfTYmNznAzYF9FLb3MsW5apuZuT2HmUJgUCATOUBCKag/s320/ClipCat-Search_Help.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693471019305428738" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-19679006212609381922010-11-26T11:52:00.000-07:002010-11-26T11:54:58.373-07:00The Future of the Desktop<a href=""> </a><blockquote></blockquote><br />"Android is also subtly shifting our understanding of the purpose of an operating system. Android is a means to an end for Google. The better Android is and the more it lets us do, the more of our data Google can potentially get access to. And data is Google's raison d'être. By way of comparison, Windows is an end in itself--a dead end. Microsoft gains little benefit from Windows other than the income from software licenses, which is starting to sound like a very old-fashioned way of thinking in this age of mobile devices and data clouds.<br /><br />The future may in hybrid devices, and in particular an old mobile computing favorite: the docking station. I've little doubt that, right now in labs across Silicon Valley, various experimental designs mixing tablets, laptops and desktop computers will be undergoing development. The screen component will be the brains of the unit, and will effectively be a tablet computer that can be detached and carried around. For more in-depth work, users will be able to snap it back into the laptop base unit and utilize a touchpad and keyboard."<br /><br />Quoted From:<br /><br />http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/211572/intel_is_dead_on_the_desktop_says_arm_cofounder.html<br /><br />Maybe. But the screen I want on the "desktop" is too big to be carried around! I guess you could make the smart phone the "brains" attached to a docking station with a big monitor, keyboard, etc., but why put all your eggs in one basket? Computers are cheap enough that a desktop that syncs wireless with the smart phone, or through the cloud seems like a better idea to me. Phones (and tablets) are too susceptible to damage, loss or theft to be the sole computing device to depend on. Also, the OS that is right for a small screen smart phone is not necessarily ideal for a larger screen (or multiple screens). I like the thought of Windows being a dead end though...Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-76093977687335581252010-03-31T13:44:00.015-06:002010-03-31T17:21:21.398-06:00Slitaz Linux<a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a>I have been using <a href="http://www.slitaz.org/" target="_blank"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Slitaz</span> Linux</a> to build a "lite" version of my <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/12/rescue-recovery-linux.html" target="_blank">Rescue & Recovery Linux</a>, so I eagerly awaited the <a href="http://www.slitaz.org/en/doc/releases/3.0/relnotes.en.html" target="_blank">release</a> of version 3.0 this last weekend. I had been experimenting with the last "cooking" release for a few weeks and was really impressed with it's speed and overall polish. I had played with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Slitaz</span> since it's first 1.0 release, so I was familiar with it's main strengths; very small size, speed on older hardware, lots of included applications, and good looks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iu4oDhZEqaA/S7OrAACcHWI/AAAAAAAABSs/Pvw4yGvfbAw/s1600/slitaz_desktop.png"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iu4oDhZEqaA/S7OrAACcHWI/AAAAAAAABSs/Pvw4yGvfbAw/s320/slitaz_desktop.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454891590174383458" /></a><br />One reason I liked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Slitaz</span> was that they had chosen some of the same applications I had for my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ubuntu</span>-based rescue CD (that I am struggling to keep under 650MB!). Of course mine has many more apps and tools that come in handy in a system crash or data recovery scenario, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Slitaz</span> is a great lightweight desktop or rescue live CD. It can also be installed to a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">USB</span> drive or hard drive. In fact another great benefit is the included applications to create your own custom versions. Just boot the live CD, customize, then generate an ISO, or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">USB</span> image including your preferences, modifications, installed applications, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ect</span>. The web site also provides many different "<a href="http://www.slitaz.org/en/get/flavors.html" target="_blank">flavors</a> " of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Slitaz</span> for specific uses or preferences. I have also done a "frugal" install, that boots the compressed file system into RAM from a GRUB menu. Since it boots and shuts down very fast on modern hardware, it is a great alternative to your usual OS for times all you need is a quick check of email or web search. Doesn't hurt to have it setup just in case your usual <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">distro</span> fails either.<br /><div><br />At only 30MB, it is incredible what the developers have managed to do, compared to the 700MB "big guys". Of course there are limitations that come with that size and simplicity. The chosen applications are very light weight, but with <a href="http://www.slitaz.org/en/packages/index.html" target="_blank">2000+</a> more in the repository, the choice is not too limited if you need something else. The package manager can even convert packages from other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">distro's</span> to use in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Slitaz</span>, though I haven't tested that. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Slitaz</span> uses it's own <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">tazpkg</span> package manager, apparently inspired by Debian, and it works very well, handling dependencies and installing packages quickly. The GUI front end though, is very slow to resume once a package has been installed, removed or even viewed. It is one of the many custom applications, including Control Box system control center, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Burnbox</span> for burning CD/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">DVD's</span>, Mount Box for mounting devices or partitions, and a few others. All are pretty slick, but I haven't had much luck with the network configuration GUI, having to fall back to the command line to setup networking.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Openbox</span> is the window manager, and some of the applications are borrowed from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">LXDE</span>, including <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">lxpanel</span> for showing the menu and running apps, etc. Also included are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Leafpad</span> text editor, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">GParted</span> partition editor, Transmission <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">bittorent</span> client, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">mtPaint</span> image editor, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Viewnior</span> image viewer, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">LostIRC</span> for chat, applications for viewing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">PDF's</span>, playing audio, ripping <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">CD's</span>, and organizer, even an audio editor! </div><div>One complaint I have is that some of the menu items do not actually start an installed application, but initiate an installer that downloads and installs a group of applications and their dependencies. This may be handy, but I would rather know what is going to happen when I click the button. I think they should be clearly labeled as installers, and the installation process should give you a summary of what is to be done and the total size of the packages to be installed before continuing. The menu items Edit Images, Chat, Watch Video and Write Documents fall into this category</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course a light <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">distro</span> needs a light browser. I had looked at many lighter-weight ones for inclusion on my own live CD (I finally kept <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Firefox</span>), and apparently the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Slitaz</span> developers have also had trouble finding a decent option. They had previously used <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Netsurf</span>, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Midori</span> is the present choice and I am coming to like it's speed and simplicity. It supports user scripts (like <a href="https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/748" target="_blank"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Greasemonkey</span></a> ), extensions and styles, though not nearly as easily as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Firefox</span>. There is a package for Flash, though I haven't tried it. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Midori</span> does have an irritating habit of consuming 100% CPU on my old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Thinkpad</span> with 600MHz <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Celeron</span> and 256MB RAM. It also just crashes once in a while, and sometimes locks up if you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">accidentally</span> drag an element on the page while clicking. I'm not sure if that is an issue only with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">vesa</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Xorg</span> driver, since I have not taken the time to install the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">ATI</span> driver and configure a higher resolution than the default 800x600. It could be a problem in <a href="http://webkit.org/" target="_blank"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">WebKit</span></a> , the underlying html rendering engine. There is a "flavor" that includes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Firefox</span> if you have to have it, though some apps are removed to make room.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iu4oDhZEqaA/S7O4edGzuMI/AAAAAAAABS0/7uYlqDMbD-8/s1600/midori.png"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iu4oDhZEqaA/S7O4edGzuMI/AAAAAAAABS0/7uYlqDMbD-8/s320/midori.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454906407024572610" /></a><div>The text-based installer is very simple and fast, but I have had it fail to upgrade a system from cooking to 3.0. You must also do any partitioning prior to using it. Installation only takes 5-10 minutes, and GRUB is configured as the boot loader, but I don't know how well the installer handles including other operating systems in the menu.</div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Slitaz</span> seems to be very "hacker friendly" with most of the custom apps consisting of shell scripts and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">GTK</span> dialog if they are graphical. I was able to easily fix a link to the help file in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">burnbox</span> CD burner, for instance, and edit the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Openbox</span> menus to my liking. Combine that with a very useful website and good documentation and you have a great little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">distro</span>. It may not be suitable for new Linux users, but with a little effort it will revive an old system to usefulness again. In fact I am having so much fun working on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Slitaz</span> I forgot why I looked at it in the first place!</div><div>Oh, right, to use as a boot option on my rescue CD...<br /><blockquote><br /><br /></blockquote></div></div>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-81776217612052804062009-07-08T09:49:00.014-06:002009-07-08T19:44:24.899-06:00Google Operating System<a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a><br />Finally Google has done it! Rumors since at least 2005 have indicated that it might happen, but it seemed nothing was real. Now Google has stepped up and revealed their strategy. Chrome (the operating system) will be for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netbook" target="_blank">Netbooks</a> initially, but later for regular laptops and even desktop computers. Using <a href="http://www.google.com/chrome" target="_blank">Chrome</a> (the Google browser) it will be Net centric, using Web applications and storing data online and accessible from anywhere. Designed for people who "live on the web" it will boot in seconds and be ready for email, web browsing, social networking and applications that run in the browser.<br /><br />Creating an OS is a huge undertaking, even for Google, so of course it will be based on the <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-lattitude.html">Linux</a> kernel. Promising to open source the code, Google will attempt to leverage the work of the thousands of Linux and open source developers. A simple, fast OS for Netbooks is probably a good thing, and any alternative to Microsoft's <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/05/no-microsoft.html">monopoly</a> is welcome, though I personally dislike the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing" target="_blank">"cloud" computing</a> idea. I'll keep my applications and data on my own computer, thank you very much. Sure, some online apps are a good idea, but I want to be able to use most of the programs I need even if I am not connected to the Internet (Yes I am aware of <a href="http://gears.google.com/?hl=en" target="_blank">Google Gears</a> and <a href="http://labs.mozilla.com/2007/10/prism/" target="_blank">Mozilla Prism</a>). At a minimum I want a locally installed word processor, text editor, email client (not just GMail), PDF viewer, audio and video player.<br /><br />There is also the privacy angle. If anybody but Google, with it's excellent reputation and huge good will, did the things it does people would be screaming about invasion of privacy (and <a href="http://www.google-watch.org/" target="_blank">some</a> already are). I like Google, but as someone said, we are not Google's customers, we are the PRODUCT that Google sells to the real customers, advertisers. Some caution seems to be warranted in how far we trust them (Google AND the advertisers) with our personal information. Now with the new Firefox Browser including (optional) <a href="http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/geolocation/" target="_blank">geolocation</a>, privacy may become an even hotter topic.<br /><br />While advanced users will probably still prefer a full Linux <a href="http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major" target="_blank">distro</a> even on Netbooks, this is definitely the tech story of the day, if not the year, and will be very interesting to follow as the release nears in the second half of 2010. What hardware manufacturers will offer the Chrome OS? Will you be able to install normal Linux applications? Will the OS be free? Will it be usable offline? Lots to be said, but lots have already been said even at this early stage. Here are a few links to some of the more interesting pages I have found on the subject:<br /><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8139711.stm" target="_blank">BBC News</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/07/08/google.chrome.os/index.html" target="_blank">CNN.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-google9-2009jul09,0,1825716.story" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times</a> (requires free registration)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/08/AR2009070800252.html">The Washington Post</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/technology/companies/08operate.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss" target="_blank">New York Times</a> (requires free registration)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aTd2k.YdQZ.Y" target="_blank">Bloomberg.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html" target="_blank">Official Google Blog</a><br />(with lots of links to other pages and opinions)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS3402024327.html" target="_blank">eWeek</a><br /><br /><a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10281744-2.html" target="_blank">C-Net</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/10_things_were_dying_to_know_about_chrome_os.php" target="_blank">10 Things We're Dying to Know About Chrome OS</a><br />(including implications for enterprise users)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/07/five-things-googles-chrome-os-will-do-for-your-netbook/" target="_blank">Five Things Google’s Chrome OS Will Do for Your Netbook</a><br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/?p=4477" target="_blank">Will the Chrome OS make Google more loved or hated in OS world?</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/168072/googles_new_os_raises_privacy_antitrust_concerns.html" target="_blank">Google's New OS Raises Privacy, Antitrust Concerns</a>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-28532750220023625442009-02-19T10:53:00.004-07:002009-02-19T12:05:10.327-07:00Who Uses Linux?<a style="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a><br /><blockquote><br />An <a href="http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/reports/6671/1/" target="_blank">article</a> today caught my eye, as it expands on what I said in my <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-lattitude.html">Why Linux?</a> post:<br /><br />As Jim Zemlin, the executive director of The Linux Foundation, points out, "I am not joking or trying to be trite, but the answer to this question is: every single person in the modern world every day. Everyone who searches Google, picks up a phone and uses telecommunication infrastructure, watches a new televisions, use a new camera, makes a call on many modern cell phones, trades a stock on a major exchange, watches a weather forecast generated on a supercomputer, logs into Facebook, navigates via air traffic control systems, buys a netbook computer, checks out at a cash register, withdraws cash at an ATM machine, fires up a quick-boot desktop (even those with Windows), or uses one of many medical devices; the list goes on and on."<br /><br />"It is hard to think of someone in the developed world who doesn't touch Linux every single day. The better question here is who isn't a Linux user," Zemlin concluded.<br /><br /></blockquote>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-1232193761713789242008-12-03T11:00:00.007-07:002008-12-03T12:02:33.088-07:00Rescue & Recovery Linux<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a>Just an update to an <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html">earlier post</a> about rescue CD's. I am continuing to work on mine, to the detriment of other more practical projects. :-)<br />My build script continues to improve, now automatically blanking and burning a CD from the generated iso if desired. Yeah, I know there are lots of programs out there to make live CD's, but I got started on this one and anyway it's good experience and shell scripting practice.<br /><br />I think the CD is quite usable now, but I keep improving it and fixing small bugs. This takes a surprising amount of tweaking and troubleshooting. I run the live CD on a test system and use it's own utilities to do most of this. I am building it now on a 2400Mhz system, but plan to move the build process to one with a 3200Mhz CPU. The build takes 30-40 minutes now, so that should go down quite a bit on the faster system which is dual core.<br /><br />It's grown to 622MB unfortunately, but I plan on paring it down some, even as I add more documentation. Some of this size is because I leave most of the reference material and some programs in binary (including some Windows apps) and .deb format outside the compressed squashfs so they are available without booting the live cd, even on Windows.<br />Anyway, here is a screen shot:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87JdXwFrX1tFLwqfhyphenhyphenEwWAbhwmR5d33JN5QWdeEQmJ-oZgHVUP7_VaWI_sx0IJcoeToDXNLJmLd8FTfxwt9mel2FNUZdY8DowFPu8Tz7gzTOnuTy8dznQiDJJHde33d32IEtGx7p9Iug/s1600-h/RRL-Screenshot1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87JdXwFrX1tFLwqfhyphenhyphenEwWAbhwmR5d33JN5QWdeEQmJ-oZgHVUP7_VaWI_sx0IJcoeToDXNLJmLd8FTfxwt9mel2FNUZdY8DowFPu8Tz7gzTOnuTy8dznQiDJJHde33d32IEtGx7p9Iug/s320/RRL-Screenshot1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275628995119802066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><blockquote><br /><br /></blockquote>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-59247443818894910362008-11-21T11:19:00.002-07:002008-11-21T11:26:01.635-07:00Obama Email<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a>I had heard about <a href="http://change.gov/">http://change.gov/</a>, so I decided to put in my $.02:<br /><br />"We could save a great deal of money by moving government agencies toward using the Linux operating system and Open Source/Free Software in general. The momentum is there and growing - the DOD, NASA, NSA and US Army already use it in some applications.<br />I believe it deserves consideration for much wider deployment, given it's proven quality and security. A Gartner study just said that 85% of enterprises are already using open source and the remainder will do so within 12 months.<br /><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-10098310-16.html">http://news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-10098310-16.html</a><br /><br />"Free Software" refers to freedom, not price, but the excessive licensing fees paid to proprietary vendors are often unnecessary, and in Microsoft's case, perpetuate an unethical monopoly, stifle innovation and put a burden on government agencies budgets, and on ordinary citizens too.<br /><br />Also, we should promote, if not legislate, open standards in Internet technologies and document formats. Preventing vendor lock-in and allowing open access to public records and documents without requiring any one companies product seems desirable. These closed file formats force users to pay for accessing information that should be freely available to all. They also hinder competition because it is difficult to produce a competing software product, if the file format is a secret.<br /><br />Educational institutions should be encouraged to use and teach Open Source/Free Software, not only to make our education dollars go further, but to prepare students for the new software model that is gaining ground very rapidly with governments and corporations worldwide.<br /><br />This technology and philosophy has reached a maturity and achieved a critical mass of adoption that I think warrants consideration for more government use.<br /><br />I have noted more advantages in a blog post here:<br /><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-lattitude.html">http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-lattitude.html</a><br />(oriented to home and small business users, but many facts still relevant).<br /><br />Thanks for reading and congratulations on the election! "<br /><br />Maybe I'll get the national CTO post? ;-)<br /><blockquote><br /><br /></blockquote>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-49523091691776127672008-10-01T11:55:00.008-06:002008-12-03T11:51:31.348-07:00Rescue CD's<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a>I like tools. Always have, whether it's a useful automotive repair item, a cool home repair gadget or an interesting piece of software designed for some specific use. PC utilities have always interested me too, so naturally I have followed the development of self-contained OS/utility packages like the many live CD's available for repairing your system or recovering data.<br /><br />There are lots of them. Searching <a href="http://distrowatch.com/search.php" target="_blank">Distrowatch</a> I came up with a rough count of 23 that sounded interesting. There are many more as well. I have tried several of these over the years and among the ones I like are:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">System Rescue CD</span></a>:<br />Very nice, but not so intuitive and does not use BASH as the default shell (though it is available). It is very complete in the applications it includes, but most of them I have never needed. Only provides a few programs in GUI mode.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tux.org/pub/people/kent-robotti/looplinux/rip/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">RIPLinux</span></a>:<br />Somewhat plain, Slackware based. You need at least 256MB of RAM and a 586 CPU to boot and use it. That is kind of limiting for a rescue CD in my opinion. There's a 32bit kernel and a 64bit kernel.<br /><br /><a href="http://trinityhome.org/Home/blog.php?front_id=15" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trinity Rescue Kit</span></a>:<br />Based on Mandriva. Lots of tools for Windows rescue, as well as Linux. Has several virus scanners for Windows.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ubuntu-rescue-remix.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ubuntu Rescue Remix</span></a>:<br />Command line only. Less than 200MB. Oriented to data recovery. This one got me thinking of doing my own.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.e-fense.com/helix/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Helix</span></a>:<br />Mostly forensics oriented, but very impressive. Has a Windows mode and a Linux live CD mode, so you can run some of the programs in Windows. Slick looking and professional. LOTS of software. 700MB.<br /><br />Lately I have been playing around making my own, following generally the instructions <a href="https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCDCustomizationFromScratch" target="_blank">here</a>. This is relatively easy to do if you have no fear of the command line. After building a few versions though, and realizing that if the resulting CD was to be anything more than a one-off toy, I would have to constantly update it. So... I decided to write a BASH script to wrap the commands in and semi-automate the whole process. Shouldn't take more than a few hours I thought. Rrright... Anyway, after a few days of working on it off and on, I have a functioning script without too many bugs (I hope). I plan to burn the resulting iso's to CD-RW for easy updating without accumulating lots of obsolete CD's. I am thinking of calling it Rescue & Recovery Linux. Unimaginative, but no one will see it but me.<br /><br />I plan on borrowing ideas (and maybe even some code) from the best ones already out there. That's the beauty of free software- you can take the best ideas, modify (and hopefully improve) them for your own use.<br />Since I am mostly using Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, I based my own CD on Ubuntu. I also wanted good hardware detection, easy updates, and lots of packages in the repositories.<br />Also, I love the command line, but sometimes it's just easier to use a GUI program for a particular task. I also like Fluxbox as a lightweight desktop, so that is what I am using for now. I think that fewer and fewer of us need to work on PC's with very low specs, so I don't see the logic in writting to the "lowest common denominator". It boots to the command line first though, so it should be usable even on system with slow CPU's and little RAM. (to be tested)<br /><br />I wanted an easier to use live CD for system rescue and data recovery. I have used Linux for years, but even so, I don't use these types of rescue and data recovery programs often enough to keep all the use instructions and syntax in my head. Another thing I wanted to do is make it easier to see the programs available to use from the command line. Who can remember all the apps in /bin, /sbin, /usr/bin, /usr/sbin? I decided to try and write a shell script to show installed packages in a more compact and readable way than "dpkg -l". I call it lspkg.sh and I alias it to just "lspkg". It shows a filtered list of the package name and descriptions, eliminating libraries, xorg servers, etc. I find it helpful, but not perfect of course. I am thinking of doing something similar, "lsbin" maybe, to show avalible applications in /bin, /sbin, /usr/bin, /usr/sbin and /usr/opt perhaps.<br /><br />Presently, the iso is about 325MB. I wanted it under 200MB so that it would fit on the mini-CD's. Reflecting on it though, I decided that functionality should come before being pocket-size. Most of the really small distros don't include all the programs, man pages, program help, reference material, etc. that I wanted. It's only using about 50MB of RAM in GUI mode, so it should still be usable on older computers.<br /><br />Eventually I plan to include programs to work on Windows systems as well since I know people still tied to the <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/05/no-microsoft.html">Evil Empire</a>. There <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> at least one Windows-based Live CD for rescue, <a href="http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/#download" target="_blank">BartPE</a>, though it seems to have gone dormant and you need a Windows CD to build it. I have used it, but I like the idea of a Linux Live CD better, even for working on Windows systems. Some others are mentioned <a href="http://www.optimizingpc.com/install/bootcd.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Even though my live CD is functional now, I can always think of improvements to make it better and easier to use. Anyway, its a fun project.<br />Check back for a progress report.<br /><br />2008-11-21<br />Continuing work on my rescue CD. It's at a pretty usable state now, but of course I have been so busy working on it that I have had little time to actually USE it! I continue to search for useful applications to include, but mostly now I want to just refine it. I have included the latest Phoronix Test Suite (with a wrapper script to run from the GUI), TrueCrypt, Searchmonkey, Brassero, GParted, Gsmartcontol, Meld, Autopsy and some Gnome system/network utilities. I would like to find a good GUI drive mount utility, but haven't yet. It has the ubiquity installer and I installed one of the first versions on a test machine. It seems to work fine there too.<br />It's grown to about 550MB, and is slow to boot - something I have to work on.<br /><br />2008-12-03<br />Link to <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/12/rescue-recovery-linux.html">today's post</a> on my rescue CD, with updates and screenshot.<br /><blockquote><br /><br /></blockquote>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-30943740372479694402008-09-06T10:59:00.005-06:002008-09-07T09:33:53.204-06:00Browsers & Extensions<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a>Have you tried the new Google Chrome Browser? I installed it in a Windows test machine to see what all the fuss is about. There is also a page about how to <a href="http://tinyurl.com/6hv5el" target="_blank">install</a> Chrome in Ubuntu using Wine. Linux Today has a good <a href="http://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2008090503135OP" target="_blank">article</a> about the new browser and it's implications. There is also a Google <a href="http://www.google.com/googlebooks/chrome/index.html" target="_blank">comic</a> that introduces Chrome, it's architecture and features. Very interesting read.<br /><br />Chrome IS very clean and fast, but I'm not ready to give up Firefox just yet. For one thing, I use several extensions that are very useful to me.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My favorites:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">General Use</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Adblock Plus</span> - block adds and speed up browsing by not loading add graphics.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Add Bookmark Here</span> - simplify adding bookmarks in the proper folder.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">EMail This!</span> - email a link using GMail, Yahoo or your own client, like Thunderbird.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">DeskCut</span> - make a link to a web page on the desktop.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Send Tab URL's</span> - send links of all open tabs in an email.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Morning Coffee</span> - load a set of tabs with one click.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">ColorfulTabs</span> - color tabs a different color for easy ID.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Taboo</span> - save tabs for later review, without bookmarking.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sage</span> - A lightweight RSS and Atom reader.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Image Zoom</span> - adds zooming capability for images.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Specialized</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Greasemonkey</span> - modify pages on the fly to customize layout, get rid of annoying visual elements, etc.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Platypus</span> - visually create scripts for Greasmonkey.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">GMail Space</span> - use GMail account for file storage.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">SQLite Manage</span>r - visually manage SQLite databases.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Web Developer</span> - LOTS of tools for web site creation, inspection and debugging.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Firebug</span> - another great tool for web developers.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Clear Cache Button</span> - puts a button to clear Firefox cache on the Bookmarks Toolbar.<br /><br />Find them <a href="https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/" target="_blank">here</a>. (And thousands more!)<br /><br />I also sometimes use Konqueror, a pretty capable browser, but an even better file manager and so much more. Epiphany is also pretty good as a lightweight substitute for Firefox, if not as capable. Long ago, I used Opera in Windows and really liked it, but I haven't seen the need to use it in Linux. And it's not open source.<br />There are other specialized browsers too, like Flock for social networking, but I haven't used them.<br /><br />As you can guess, Firefox is my favorite browser, though Chrome is definitely worth watching. Hope we don't have to wait too long for a Linux version. Come on Google, your whole operation runs on Linux, don't treat Linux users as afterthoughts!<br /><br />One last note -<span style="font-weight: bold;"> text mode browsers</span>. Why you ask? Well, if you have ever had the GUI fail to start and were stuck at the command line without another machine to get on the Net and research the problem...<br />Links2 or Elinks can be a life saver in that case. Links2 even has a graphical mode, but it is not always easy to get working (Ubuntu for example).<br />Though they are not easy to use without practice, I would recommend having one installed, just in case. Based on little use and a very cursory test, I think I would prefer Links2, especially with graphics. If you are ever stuck at a command line and need to surf the web, you can install it (on Ubuntu and Debian-based systems) like this:<br />"sudo apt-get install links2"<br />Be sure to start it with a URL:<br />"links2 www.google.com" for instance.<br />Use the Esc key to get menus, and navigate with the arrow keys.<br />Update:<br />w3m appears to be installed by default on Ubuntu systems at least. I would start it as "w3m -v" then read the FAQ. I also looked at Lynx for the first time in years. It is difficult to use like the others (at least if you are not used to them), but at least it has help at the bottom of the screen. Any of them will probably get the job done if you have the patience to learn their quirks, but really, unless you have special needs such as working on a server without a GUI or accessing the web over SSH on a remote machine, I would just keep a live CD handy that includes a graphical web browser.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote><br /><br /></blockquote>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-84857725147501951672008-08-10T10:50:00.006-06:002008-09-03T13:18:15.886-06:00Sunday Reading<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a>Some things I've been reading (or plan to read) that you might find interesting too. Like everyone else, I suffer from "information overload" and have to sift through the news and articles and allocate my reading time to the most compelling or useful ones. Here are my candidates from the last week or two:<span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why Microsoft and Intel tried to kill the</span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article4472654.ece"> XO $100 laptop</a></span><br />“I had wildly underestimated,” says Negroponte, “the degree to which commercial entities will go to disrupt a humanitarian project.”<br /><br />"...and when you threaten businesses, especially very large ones, they are going to react in ways that hurt you.” Ethan Beard<br /><br />"On the academic side of the OLPC project, they were shocked by the ferocity with which Intel attempted to kill their product."<br /><br />"Here was a mighty company trying to crush a philanthropic project."<br /><br />"Apple still markets itself as the countercultural alternative to a Microsoft-powered machine. But the ultimate countercultural gesture is “Open Source” software."<br /><br />"Computers are like drugs, literally."<br />I'll leave it to you to read the article to get the context of that, but regardless of whether you think the XO is the right educational tool for the third world, this is the best article I can remember on the OLPC project. Of course I hate the fact they are going to offer the XO with XP too...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Making desktop Linux work for </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1508293597;fp;16;fpid;1" target="_blank">business</a><br />"Fortunately, the future of Linux on the business desktop has never been brighter. Bolstered by contributions from some of the <a href="http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;301284502" target="_blank">biggest names in IT</a>, today's Linux offers a rich, highly functional user experience to compete with any proprietary OS."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">No More </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2324231,00.asp" target="_blank">Odes to Bill Gates</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, Please!</span><br />"<span id="intellitxt">Gates will score brownie points for giving away billions of his own money (plus Warren Buffet's). But this isn't a business feat, it's a philanthropic feat. Most philanthropic feats of the past were managed by old women who had outlived their husbands and had a fortune to disperse over teatime meetings while eating small, crust-free sandwiches. So what Bill accomplishes, however noble, is in a field of uncompetitive old biddies. It would be like noting his table-tennis prowess as he picks small children to serve against.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2008 Best of </span><a href="http://www.infoworld.com/archives/t.jsp?N=s&V=107881" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Open Source Software Awards</span><br /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anatomy of Linux <a href="http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-lkm/index.html?ca=dgr-lnxw02aLinuxLKM&S_TACT=105AGX59&S_CMP=GR">loadable kernel modules</a></span><a href="http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-lkm/index.html?ca=dgr-lnxw02aLinuxLKM&S_TACT=105AGX59&S_CMP=GR"><br /></a>"Linux® loadable kernel modules, introduced in version 1.2 of the kernel, are one of the most important innovations in the Linux kernel. They provide a kernel that is both scalable and dynamic. Discover the ideas behind loadable modules, and learn how these independent objects dynamically become part of the Linux kernel.<br /><br /><a href="http://trombonechamp.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/explaining-software-freedom-to-a-beginner/" rel="bookmark" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Explaining Software Freedom to a Beginner</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Learn 10 good UNIX <a href="http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/aix/library/au-badunixhabits.html?ca=dgr-lnxw97GoodUNIXhabits" target="_blank">usage habits</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Linux free software tools to preserve your online <a href="http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/columns/gnu_linux_free_software_tools_preserve_your_online_privacy_anonymity_and_security" target="_blank">privacy, anonymity and security</a></span><br /><blockquote><br /><br /></blockquote>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-73445871918338527072008-07-29T12:10:00.007-06:002008-07-31T08:32:49.517-06:00Heroes<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a>In the world of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOSS">FOSS</a> (Free/Open Source Software) there are individuals who stand out from the thousands who contribute (and to whom we should all be grateful!). Some distinguish themselves by the quality or quantity of their innovations, support or promotion of FOSS ideals, some by force of personality and leadership. The Pantheon of Heroes is not limited to individuals either - IBM for instance has <a href="http://searchenterpriselinux.techtarget.com/news/article/0,289142,sid39_gci1322052,00.html">supported</a> Linux and greatly furthered it's adoption by corporations.<br /><br />Among individuals that immediately come to mind are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_stallman">Richard Stallman</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Torvalds">Linus Torvalds</a> - the two giants.<br /><br />Stallman, known within the FOSS community as "RMS", founded the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Software_Foundation">Free Software Foundation</a> and started the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_project">GNU Project</a> that contributed many of the tools with which Linux was built. He also originated the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License">GPL</a>, or General Public License, to protect free software. It's essential point is to require derived works to be licensed under the same terms, thus insuring the freedom to copy, modify or distribute the code. Outspoken and controversial, RMS deserves great credit for building the foundations that allowed the proliferation of FOSS.<br /><br />Linus Torvalds great achievement was the creation of the Linux operating system, or more properly, the Linux kernel. (As is common, this blog will use "Linux" more generally to mean the whole OS).<br />Less ideologically driven than RMS, Linus is seen as a brilliant programmer, and leader of kernel development. Like RMS, and despite his celebrity, Linus can be outspoken and often provokes arguments on the <a href="http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/docs/lkml/">Linux Kernel Mailing List</a>. He is widely honored for starting nothing less than a revolution, affecting not only normal computer users but competition between giant corporations as well. In 2004, he was named one of the most influential people in the world by the <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,994026,00.html">Time Magazine article</a> "Linus Torvalds: The Free-Software Champion" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Lessig">Lawrence Lessig</a>.<br /><br />Another personality famous enough to be known to the community simply by his initials, ESR, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_S_Raymond">Eric S. Raymond</a> is a famous hacker and open source spokesman. ESR is the author of "<a href="http://www.catb.org/%7Eesr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/cathedral-bazaar/">The Cathedral And The Bazaar</a>", a famous essay about contrasting software development models. From Wikipedia:<br />"The essay's central thesis is Raymond's proposition that <i>"given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow"</i> (which he terms Linus's Law): the more widely available the source code is for public testing, scrutiny, and experimentation, the more rapidly all forms of bugs will be discovered." His essay is credited with pushing Netscape Communications to release the source code for the Netscape Browser, and allowing the foundation of the Mozilla project, the creators of Firefox.<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_perens">Bruce Perens</a>, creator of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Source_Definition">Open Source Definition</a>, is a very well known FOSS advocate and spokesman. He has spoken before the UN on Open source, been <a href="http://www.debian.org/">Debian</a> project leader, and founder of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Standard_Base" title="Linux Standard Base">Linux Standard Base</a> project to mention only a few of his accomplishments. More pragmatic in his outlook than RMS, Perens promotes the economic benefits of FOSS:<br />"Open Source can be explained entirely within the context of conventional open-market economics. Indeed, it turns out that it has much stronger ties to the phenomenon of capitalism than you may have appreciated." Quoted from <a href="http://perens.com/works/articles/Economic.html">perens.com</a>.<br /><br />Coming much later on the scene, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Shuttleworth">Mark Shuttleworth</a>, besides being famous as a space tourist, is familiar as the founder of Canonical, which develops <a href="http://www.ubuntu.com/">Ubuntu Linux</a>, and it's sub-projects <a href="http://www.kubuntu.org/">Kubuntu</a>, <a href="http://www.xubuntu.org/">Xubuntu</a> and <a href="http://edubuntu.org/">Edubuntu</a>.<br />Ubuntu consistently tops the <a href="http://distrowatch.com/">DistroWatch</a> list and is arguably the most popular Linux distribution. Despite <a href="http://linuxcanuck.wordpress.com/2008/04/27/trying-to-make-sense-of-disappointment-in-hardy-heron/">criticizm</a>, it's hard to deny the influence Ubuntu has had in attracting new users. With a larger user base comes more influence with hardware manufacturers, more people reporting bugs, more people defending FOSS (not just Linux) against <a href="http://www.groklaw.net/staticpages/index.php?page=20050315132709446">attack</a>.<br /><br />Hats off to you all, and all the others unmentioned in this very brief list.<br />Thank you!<br /><br />For more on the people and organizations shaping the state of technology with Free/Open Source software see:<br /><a href="http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/columns/free_software_heroes_stallman_google_list_inspiring_individuals_who_made_everything_">Free Software Magazine</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution_OS"><br />Revolution OS</a><br /><br />Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-48805604683783226342008-07-22T11:08:00.012-06:002008-07-28T12:49:47.798-06:00News & Views<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a>Ubuntu now available retail at Best Buy and Amazon. Includes CD, a quick start guide and 60 days of tech support. If you are new to Linux this is a good way to get started.<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018KAN9E?ie=UTF8&tag=linuxlatitude-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0018KAN9E">Ubuntu Linux</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=linuxlatitude-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0018KAN9E" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; display: none;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> (or search for others in our <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/linuxlatitude-20">online store</a>)<br />(installing kubuntu-desktop will make it effectively Kubuntu, if you prefer)<br /><br />Some very interesting articles crossed my path today, including this one quoting a prominent kernel developer:<br /><br />“Linux supports more different types of devices than any other operating system ever has in the history of computing.”<br /><a href="http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/man-vs-myth-greg-kroah-hartman-and-kernel-driver-project" target="_blank">Missing Drivers Myth</a><br /><br />A short, very well written post about a users conversion to Linux, and it's benefits: <a href="http://unclemellow.blogspot.com/">http://UncleMellow.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />"Nobody knows yet what the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Counterfeiting_Trade_Agreement">Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement</a> (ACTA) will consist of, but the few available indications are so ominous that the Free Software Foundation (FSF) has started a <a href="https://www.fsf.org/campaigns/acta">campaign</a> to raise public awareness of the possibilities."<br /><a href="http://www.linux.com/feature/142403">http://www.linux.com/feature/142403</a><br /><br /><a href="http://apcmag.com/Content.aspx?id=2698">"Intel snubs Microsoft</a>; offers Linux certification"<br />It's good to see Intel doing more to support Linux, but I still root for <a href="http://www.amd.com/us-en/">AMD</a>. Competition brings innovation and lower prices. I would hate to think what we would be paying for Intel CPU's now if not for the existence of AMD and other competitors. I just wish they weren't promoting Vista on their home page!<br /><br>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-86168834917252209452008-07-14T12:28:00.007-06:002008-07-23T12:03:43.258-06:00Mondays<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a>I look forward to Mondays. I know that sounds crazy to lots of you who dread going to work at the beginning of the week, but here is why:<br /><br /><a href="http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=current" target="_blank">Distrowatch Weekly</a> - Almost always interesting things to read - new distros reviewed, community developments, interviews, etc.<br /><a href="http://https//wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter/Current" target="_blank">Ubuntu Weekly Newsletter</a> - usually a tutorial link, and Ubuntu in the news articles.<br /><a href="http://pclosmag.com/" target="_blank">PC LinuxOS Magazine</a> - Often good tutorials and articles, especially for new users.<br /><a href="http://www.goblinx.com.br/en/index_newsletter.htm" target="_blank">GoblinX Newsletter</a> - Good news links, Weekly Tip and Minitutor.<br /><br />Yes, I do read the non-tech news too, and not just on Mondays.<br /><br /><br />Other interesting things I'm reading today:<br /><br />Free/Open Source stolen <a href="http://adeona.cs.washington.edu/index.html" target="_blank">laptop tracking</a> software!<br />Looking forward to trying this.<br /><br />The next-gen <a href="http://etech.eweek.com/content/web_technology/firefox_30_the_next_generation_web_browser.html">Web Browser</a>.<br /><br />The man who changed <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-10789_3-9989292-57.htm?hhTest=1" target="_blank">Internet security</a><br /><br>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-46687761785332104912008-07-12T16:29:00.005-06:002008-08-15T14:15:12.959-06:00Beyond Basics<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3809374631862999138"> </a>Now that I have coverd the basics for those who may be new to Linux, I think it is time to start updating more frequently with interesting news stories, tips and articles. These posts will possibly take the form of "What I'm reading today" or something like that. They will not always be oriented to new Linux users, as I like to search out more advanced tips and tricks for command line use, shell scripting, configuration etc. I do hope that even the new user will find some of the posts interesting as they learn more about how Linux works, and how it differs from Windows or Mac.<br /><br />In that vein, here is an article that I found informative and thought provoking (with a couple of quotes):<br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://tinyurl.com/573dqs" target="_blank"><br />Don't compare</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Linux to Windows or Mac</span><br />"The answer is not (always) to make it easier to use —by which most people seem to mean “hide half the functions”— but to make learning it more interesting. The quality of a user experience should not be judged by the cuteness of the help avatar or the number of steps in a wizard (or even by calling it a wizard). It should also be about how much it enhances your life/work, widens your perspective and awakens the child-like hunger to learn in you."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A reader comment on the type articles referred to in the above article link:</span><br />"You may not appreciate the actual purpose of these uninformed opinion pieces. They are constructed for one purpose only, to reassure those who embrace ignorance that they are right to do so. Since the inception of the industry, much of the popular media has been devoted to this activity. From William Randolph Hearst to Rush Limbaugh, empires have been built on pandering to those unwilling to embrace learning or facts before coming to conclusions. Fortunes await those who cynically offer this debilitating comfort to the unquestioning hordes. That fact is not lost on those who market Microsoft or Apple products."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Interesting articles/news:</span><br /><a href="http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/800113" target="_blank">DNS implementations vulnerable</a> to cache poisoning.<br />...and a <a href="http://www.doxpara.com/" target="_blank">test</a> for your ISP's DNS server.<br />Mine shows vulnerable. Hope they patch it soon!<br /><br /><a href="http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/06/12/136232&from=rss" target="_blank">Spit</a> Will Be Worse Than Spam<br /><br />Apple <a href="http://www.techzoom.net/publications/0-day_patch_exposing_vendors_%28in%29security_performance/index.en" target="_blank">not as secure</a> as people think? Skip down the page to "Conclusions" if you want a summary of the findings.<br /><br /><a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-lattitude.html">Free Software</a> and why it is important. This is a pretty good effort at explaining the origins and strengths of the Free/Open Source Software movement.<br /><br /><a href="http://kmandla.wordpress.com/2008/04/02/slitaz-10-on-450mhz-k6-2-256mb/" target="_blank">Slitaz</a>, a <span style="font-style: italic;">twenty-five</span> megabyte distro!<br />(a newer <a href="http://www.linux.com/feature/140573">review</a>, and <a href="http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/columns/slitaz_live_cd_small_beautifully_marked" target="_blank">another</a>).Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-64872803292200099682008-05-31T11:28:00.026-06:002008-08-10T11:26:54.084-06:00No Microsoft!Opinion.<br />Non-enthusiast computer users are probably unconcerned about what goes on behind the scenes in the computer industry, but among knowledgeable professionals, <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1256" target="_blank">disdain</a> for Microsoft goes back years, if not decades. Few companies provoke the visceral <a href="http://talkback.zdnet.com/5208-12355-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=33967&messageID=624594&start=-9951" target="_blank">hatred</a> that Microsoft does. More than just <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/jul/13/guardianweeklytechnologysection3" target="_blank">technical problems</a>, and <a href="http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/D1173B1AE779A1A1CC2572E6000E30E6" target="_blank">lack of innovation</a> account for this attitude about the company. Long known for it's ruthless attacks on competitors, disregard for even it's <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1716" target="_blank">own</a> <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=111186" target="_blank">customers</a> and ongoing <a href="http://diycomputerhelp.com/" target="_blank">security problems</a>, Microsoft is the "<a href="http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/it-beginning-end-evil-incorporated" target="_blank">Evil Empire</a>" of the computer world. Despite some <a href="http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS5008032165.html">hypocritical posturing</a> about "openness", Microsoft is the same old company with deep pockets and shallow ethics.<br /><br />With Windows loaded by default on almost all new PCs, they have a captive market which is mostly unaware of better and safer options. Most users, especially home users, don't even know they have a choice of other <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-lattitude.html">operating systems</a>, <a href="http://nostarch.com/download/sayno_ch4.pdf" target="_blank">word processors</a> and <a href="http://www.openoffice.org/" target="_blank">office suites</a> for example. This is beginning to change though, and there are those who think Microsoft's domination is <a href="http://weblog.infoworld.com/robertxcringely/archives/2007/04/is_microsofts_m.html" target="_blank">coming to an end</a>. No longer able to make everyone fall in line with it's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear%2C_uncertainty_and_doubt" target="_blank">FUD</a> (<a href="http://www.linux.org/news/opinion/ms_threats.html" target="_blank">Fear</a>, Uncertainty, Doubt) the company may finally have to compete on the quality and value of its products, like everyone else. (Well, with Vista being the <a href="http://aaxnet.com/editor/edit043.html" target="_blank">flop</a> that it is, maybe that's not a good idea. Even Microsoft itself is <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2pvoru" target="_blank">tacitly</a> admitting it).<br /><br />A convicted monopolist, they showed contempt even for the US Government in one of the many court cases that judged them guilty of illegal practices. The <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1224" target="_blank">European Union</a> has also condemned and convicted Microsoft of anti-competitive activities on more than one occasion. Microsoft's arrogance and <a href="http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS9526259887.html" target="_blank">deviousness</a> knows no bounds, as evidenced by numerous incidents over the years. Apparently <a href="http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS4598924090.html" target="_blank"> bribery</a>, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/57ola9" target="_blank">deception</a>, <a href="http://news.cnet.com/Did-Microsoft-want-to-whack-Dell-over-its-Linux-dealings/2100-1014_3-6153904.html" target="_blank">coercion</a>, and paying for <a href="http://boycottnovell.com/2007/11/23/astroturfing-microsoft-examples/">biased media articles</a> are not beneath them either.<br />Being a monopolist may not be illegal itself, but it does bring certain responsibilities and certainly cannot be good for consumers. Competition is what drives innovation and value, but Microsoft is feared for trying to kill any competitor. More, Microsoft uses all it's considerable money, lawyers and influence to drive it's own agenda at the expense of computer users both at home and in <a href="http://tinyurl.com/585u6e" target="_blank">business</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Microsoft" target="_blank">Infamous</a> for <a href="http://www.grokdoc.net/index.php/Dirty_Tricks_history" target="_blank">dirty tricks</a>, they are desperate to <a href="http://tinyurl.com/393ojy" target="_blank">"lock in"</a> users to their own software and services so as to <a href="http://boycottnovell.com/2008/08/08/dirty-tricks-by-proxy/">stifle competitors</a>, and deny users choice. Their actions in <a href="http://news.zdnet.co.uk/itmanagement/0,1000000308,39244400,00.htm" target="_blank">Boston</a> are typical of their strong-arm tactics.<br /><br />"Obscene" comes to mind when thinking of Microsoft's business practices. A recent scandal involving open <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/10/technology/msft.php" target="_blank">standards</a> for office documents makes this clear. The International Standards Organization approved a freely shareable file format, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenDocument" target="_blank">ODF</a>, so that users, business's and governments could exchange data without being dependent on one company's proprietary products. This is essential in the digital age, so that data, particularly government data, is available to all who need it without relying on a single vendor. Microsoft, sensing a crack in their dominance, aggressively fought this standards process both openly and covertly. Allegations of bribery and misconduct soon surfaced as they tried to get their own "open" standard approved by the ISO. Following their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embrace%2C_extend%2C_extinguish" target="_blank">"Embrace, Extend, Extinguish"</a> play book Microsoft ultimately succeeded in gaining approval of their own overly complicated format, but <a href="http://blogs.freecode.no/isene/2008/04/09/the-demonstration-speech/" target="_blank">protests in the streets</a> and government <a href="http://tinyurl.com/6bhlyc" target="_blank">calls to reconsider</a> the approval provides hope that Microsoft may not always be able to <a href="http://lessig.org/blog/2004/06/the_local_ordinance_we_call_th.html" target="_blank">bully the world</a> like they have in the past.<br />(Update: maybe there is still <a href="http://www.heise-online.co.uk/news/ISO-puts-standard-for-Microsoft-s-OOXML-document-formats-on-hold--/110892">hope</a> this will be overturned).<br /><br />Allegations of "<a href="http://www.heise.de/tp/r4/artikel/5/5263/1.html" target="_blank">back doors</a>" haven't helped "<a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2008/feb/04/business/fi-microsoft4" target="_blank">The Beast From Redmond</a>" gain trust with foreign governments or privacy advocates either, and even Microsoft's <a href="http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS5876967065.html" target="_blank">friends</a> are beginning to have <a href="http://www.arachnoid.com/linux/index.html" target="_blank">doubts</a> about the software giant. There are books ("<a href="http://nostarch.com/frameset.php?startat=sayno" target="_blank">Just Say No To Microsoft</a>") and articles ("<a href="http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/eai/madgreek/archives/microsoft-free-one-year-later-25078">Microsoft Free - One Year Later</a>") written about kicking the habit, and mainstream publications like the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5ztnjm" target="_blank">New York Times</a> and the Wall Street Journal are starting to point out alternatives too.<br /><br />There are those who say we should cooperate with Microsoft, be "fair", but Microsoft has never been fair, either to competitors or it's customers, and appeasement or pacts with the devil rarely turn out well.<br /><br />“Monopolies become their own worst enemies—particularly in businesses that live or die by technological innovation,” wrote James Gleick in The New York Times Magazine. “They get soft. They make poor research choices. They bleed both profit and invention. They poison the marketplace that created them.”<br /><br />As more and more people learn the truth about it's shoddy products and unethical activities, hopefully the power and influence of this greedy and unscrupulous corporation will continue to decline.<br /><blockquote><br /><br /></blockquote>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-68322543666465702212008-03-15T14:50:00.027-06:002009-01-10T10:57:27.587-07:00Which Linux?"The trouble with choice is you have to make a choice”<br />A prospective <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-lattitude.html">Linux</a> user, who stumbles upon <a href="http://distrowatch.com/" target="blank">DistroWatch</a> and realizes there are over 500 “distros” or distributions of Linux may be forgiven for running screaming back to Windows (And you thought there were too many versions of Vista! ).<br />Yet if you are a new user, unless you have special needs or simply a desire to explore the wonderful variety available, you can probably set aside all but a half-dozen or so. I think we can use a few simple criteria to filter the list to a more manageable size:<br /><br />Ease of installation.<br /><!-- link here to vendors who sell Linux computers. set up affiliate programs. -->Unless you buy one of the many computers that come pre-installed with Linux from <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/linuxlatitude-20">Amazon</a>, Best Buy, Dell, Sears, Walmart, and many smaller companies, you will have to install it yourself, or have someone help you do so. Modern distros are easier to install than Windows, but novices rarely install that either. This shouldn't scare you off if you can follow directions though.<br /><br />Ease of use.<br />Many distros are not targeted at newcomers to the Linux world, and will not be a good first choice. Among these are Debian, Fedora, Gentoo and Slackware. All fine distributions, but skip them until you have some experience with Linux (With a new graphical installer, <a href="http://www.debian.org/intro/why_debian" target="blank">Debian</a> <i>might</i> be the exception here for an adventurous novice).<br />Even <a href="http://news.oreilly.com/2008/07/linux-torvalds-on-linux-distri.html" target="_blank">Linus Torvalds</a> himself favors easy to install and use distros.<br /><br />Major distribution.<br />You should start with a distro that has a large user base, because there will more likely be better support options, user forums and documentation. In addition, the larger organizations usually are more likely to have the resources to be able to keep the distro up to date and solve problems quickly as they come along. They also tend to have larger package repositories<span style="text-decoration: none;"> so you have more choices of software to install, and better long range planning and support. Another <a href="http://linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/reviews/6462/1/" target="blank">viewpoint</a> on how distributions are seen by the Linux community (not necessarily by novices).</span><br /><br />Freedom<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">You're looking for something better, right? So don't tie yourself to an OS that has links back to the proprietary model. Distros that I personally avoid on ethical grounds, include SUSE, openSUSE, Linspire, Freespire and Xandros. They all have ties to Microsoft, the </span><a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1256" target="blank"><u>constant enemy</u></a><span style="text-decoration: none;"> of <a href="http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/57261/index.html" target="_blank">innovation</a>, <a href="http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/microsofts-great-besmirching" target="_blank">standards</a> and <a href="http://nazgum.wordpress.com/2008/03/30/2007-microsoft-in-review/" target="_blank">freedom</a>. You can do better.<br />(See <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/05/no-microsoft.html">No Microsoft!</a> for a fuller explanation of why you should avoid them)<br /><br />(Note that I am not talking to the experienced Linux user here, and perhaps not even to the technically oriented Windows "Power User". The last two points bear thought in any case though.)</span><br /><br />So which one to use then?</span><p></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I wish I had a definitive answer, but this question is hotly debated among Linux devotees, and has been for years. Still, if we apply the four criteria above to the top 50 distributions at DistroWatch (by page hit ranking, an admittedly crude measure of popularity), then I think we are left with:<br /></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Ubuntu<br />Linux Mint</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">PCLinuxOS<br />Mandriva<br />Kubuntu<br />MEPHIS<br /><br />(Not in order of preference)<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Before looking briefly at each of these, lets get a couple other items on the table. Though not deal breakers, I would also consider:<br /><br />Software installation & upgrade<br />Although generally very easy today with graphical software installers, I think the Debian-based distros with their deb packages are more highly regarded in this area. Most other popular distros use the RPM package format--PCLinuxOS, Mandriva, Fedora, and many more.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Desktop, or GUIs (Graphical User Interface)<br />The two main ones are KDE and Gnome. I think most users coming from Windows will like KDE better as it will feel more familiar. It also has a reputation of being much more configurable and customizable. It also has </span><a href="http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-news-59/2007-linuxquestions.org-members-choice-award-winners-622825/" target="blank">higher rated applications</a><span style="text-decoration: none;">, though you can run either one's applications on the other desktop. Some distros, like Ubuntu, let you easily choose either, even after installation.<br /><br />OK, you're saying, </span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>SO WHICH ONE IS BEST</b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;">?<br />Ah, if only life offered such absolutes!</span> All I can do is offer some observations on the seven distros we have selected above:</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://docs.pclinuxos.com/PCLinuxOS" target="blank"><u>PCLinuxOS</u></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Nice distro, smaller community than the majors, but many vocal supporters who claim it is THE one for “It just works” functionality. Some say it's popularity is exaggerated. Originally based on Mandriva. Helpful user forum and very good documentation. Glossy monthly magazine with good articles geared to new users.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.ubuntu.com/" target="blank"><u>Ubuntu</u></a><br />Started by multi-millionaire and space tourist Mark Shuttleworth, it has grown from nothing to dominating the top spot on Distrowatch. Based on Debian, uses Gnome desktop. Known for innovation and a new release every six months. Dell is now selling desktop and laptop PCs with Ubuntu, but Ubuntu has lately began to attract criticism. Whether justified, or motivated by jealousy and elitism we'll have to wait and see. It has a large helpful user community, lots of excellent documentation, a long term plan, and commercial support for business.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.linuxmint.com/about.php" target="blank">Linux Mint</a><br />A very slick smaller distro, based on Ubuntu and has both Gnome and KDE Desktop editions. It has "lots of desktop improvements and a strong focus on making things work out of the box". Integrated and configured codecs makes playing multimedia easier than most and it has a few special applications to manage updates and software installation, etc. More cutting-edge than Ubuntu with all the pros and cons that implies. Large user forum.<br /></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.kubuntu.org/" target="blank">Kubuntu</a><br />An official sub-project of Ubuntu, so all the same comments apply, except it uses the KDE Desktop. Although it usually lags behind it's parent in getting the latest features, it is still very usable, and more easily customizable. Like other KDE distros, it uses the excellent KDE applications, like K3B for CD/DVD burning, Amarok for playing music, etc.</span> Also like Ubuntu itself, it offers versions with long term support.<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.mandriva.com/" target="blank">Mandriva</a><br />Until Ubuntu came along Mandriva (formerly Mandrake) was at the top of most peoples list of beginner-friendly Linux distros.<br />Trying to get too commercial, financial difficulties, bad customer service and too many bugs dropped them in the rankings for quite some time. Mandriva is seemingly making a <a href="http://www.linux.com/articles/58164" target="blank">comeback</a> and bears consideration again.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.mepis.org/" target="blank">Mephis </a><br /><span style="text-decoration: none;">Another smaller distro, similar in outlook to PCLinuxOS, but based on Debian, not Mandriva. Has been somewhat commercial in nature, like Mandriva.</span><br />Software is not always up-to-date and no obvious long term plan. Nice looking distro with KDE desktop, it retains many fans.<br /></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">Update Jan. 2009<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">It seems that gOS (previously included here) has developed a relationship with Microsoft, and is in some sense promoting Windows on it's web site. I would therefore not recommend gOS to anyone who cares about <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/05/no-microsoft.html">freedom</a>.<br /></p><br />Conclusion<br />So what do I use? Kubuntu since mid 2007 (before that, Gentoo for four years. Starting in 1998 I used Red Hat, Mandriva, Suse, and Gentoo for periods of 6 months to 4 years).<br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It suits me, and I hope this helps you find one that suites you too.<br />That, in the end, is the only criteria that counts.</span></p>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-10762450096207376212008-03-08T03:43:00.018-07:002008-07-23T11:50:05.795-06:00OriginsCharles Darwin sailed to southern latitudes and came up with the <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/547403/evolution_just_a_theory.html" target="blank">theory of evolution</a>. I sailed south and came up with the idea for a <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-lattitude.html">Linux</a> website that I would call Linux Latitude. <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-lattitude.html">Linux</a> itself originated much earlier.<br /><br />In November 2006 I was invited to go on a sailing rally, <a href="http://www.baja-haha.com/" target="blank">Baja Ha Ha</a>, to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This annual event is sponsored by <a href="http://www.latitude38.com/" target="blank">Latitude 38 Magazine</a>. It was quite an adventure! We spent a month, stopping in isolated bays on the Baja Peninsula and ending up in Cabo. I had sailed a few times before, but seldom enough that what I learned on one trip I had forgotten by the next. It takes constant exposure and practice to learn anything complicated I guess.<br /><br />As we moved south along the coast of Baja, we noticed greater changes in climate. At our first stop, about 2 1/2 days out of San Diego, California, we noticed the climate had changed - we were in a low enough latitude that the water was warm, and it was shorts and T-shit weather in November. The surroundings and lifestyle in Mexico, or at least rural Baja, were much different as well. Or first stop, Turtle Bay is 160 miles of dirt road from the main Highway One that runs down the peninsula. Life is slower here. Attitude was changing with latitude.<br /><br />I was reminded of the old Corona Beer commercials. Remember the ones where the people are laying on a tropical beach with just the sound of the waves, a cold beer and the caption "A whole different latitude..."? Terrible beer, but great advertising. It really puts you in mind of a different, more relaxed place. With Jimmy Buffet playing on the boats stereo, it was easy to slip into this new life style.<br /><br />Another inspiration, which I only now recognize as I write this, is the Darwin connection. Just as evolution changed how we think about natural history, <a href="http://www.itworld.com/AppDev/350/LWD010523vcontrol4/" target="blank">Free/Open Source</a> Software changes the way we think about software. It is no less than a revolution, though not as earth-shaking as evolution to be sure. And OK, maybe I am stretching to make a connection to evolution here. Actually we <a href="http://www.linuxforums.org/misc/linux__open_source_software:_the_history.html" target="blank">devolved</a> from open software to proprietary and now are moving back to open. Come to think of it, there are parallels in evolution too though.<br /><br />The first leg of the trip was rough, literally and figuratively. We hit gale force winds and 10 foot seas. At one point I figured I had only slept four hours in the last forty.<br />If the beginning of the journey was difficult, it got easier as we gained experience, got used to the new reality of life on board, and the weather got calmer. There were other rough times later on, but the worst was over, and for the most part, I could now keep learning and just enjoy the new experiences.<br /><br />Kind of like Linux. The change may challenge you and you may have to adjust your attitude a little to enjoy the ride, but it's well worth the trip.<br /><br>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809374631862999138.post-19546178118496541662008-03-07T19:40:00.041-07:002013-01-17T10:52:39.459-07:00Why Linux?Linux is a modern, mature, free computer operating system with a graphical user interface very similar to either Windows or Mac; your choice. In fact, Linux is about choice--and freedom. Best of all, you don't even have to install Linux to try it out. You can just pop in a "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiveDistro" target="blank">Live CD</a>" reboot your computer and be running Linux in minutes. (with no danger to your existing operating system). You can even get an inexpensive CD <a href="http://www.osdisc.com/index.html?affiliate=fstephens" target="blank">shipped</a> to you. Actually though, you're probably <a href="http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS6083062770.html" target="blank">already using</a> Linux and don't even realize it.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux" target="blank">Linux</a> originated in 1991, but is now reaching a critical mass of adoption with millions of users worldwide. Most corporate uses are for servers, but it is now increasingly being used on the desktop by businesses and ordinary computer users too. Even Apple users are impressed with how <a href="http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/osrc/article.php/3742066" target="blank">usable</a> modern Linux is. Among <a href="http://www.linux.com/feature/c4206" target="blank">Linux users</a> are major corporations including IBM, HP, Sun Microsystems, Google, Dell and Novell. Government agencies like <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2003/06/20/cz_eb_0620linux.html" target="blank">DOD</a>, <a href="http://news.softpedia.com/news/NASA-Gets-Cluster-from-Linux-Networx-22590.shtml" target="blank">NASA</a>, <a href="http://www.nsa.gov/selinux/" target="blank">NSA</a>, and the <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/10/27/us_army_going_to_linux/" target="blank">US Army</a> use Linux. The <a href="http://tinyurl.com/597n7y" target="_blank">world's fastest computer</a> runs Linux. Many <a href="http://http//www.linux.com/feature/119109" target="blank">cities</a>, <a href="http://linuxmednews.com/" target="blank">medical facilities</a>, <a href="http://www.news.com/German-universities-embrace-Linux/2100-7344_3-6205170.html" target="blank">educational institutions</a>, <a href="http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/082207-worldbeat-singapore-airlines-puts-a.html?netht=082207dailynews2&">airlines</a>, the <a href="http://www.internetnews.com/software/article.php/3746736" target="_blank">NYSE</a> and <a href="http://www.linux.org/info/linux_govt.html" target="blank">foreign</a> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2002/05/30/linux-government.htm" target="blank">governments</a> use Linux. <a href="http://dmartin.org/weblog/things-i-can-do-in-linux-that-i-cant-do-on-windows" target="blank">You should too.</a><br />
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Instead of having your use of the computer you bought dictated by a giant corporation (and convicted monopolist), YOU can be in charge! Linux gives you freedom; free from cost, free from spyware, adware, worms, Trojans and virus infection. No virus scans, no <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware" target="blank">malware</a> removal, no defraging to waste your time. Oh, and you don't need to buy any expensive third-party utilities to protect yourself either. Linux is secure <a href="http://blog.lobby4linux.com/index.php?/archives/217-The-Out-Of-The-Box-Paradox-or...I-Am-Curious-Psychotic.html" target="blank">out of the box</a>. And, many manufacturers try to make up for the cost of a Windows license by bundling demo and trial versions of software such as AOL, Norton, McAfee, Microsoft Office, etc. (known as "crapware"), for which they receive money from software companies looking to increase their sales. These bog down your system and are hard to remove. Not on Linux. You start with a clean system.<br />
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Another advantage, Linux runs well on slower computers, so you can save even more money by upgrading your hardware less often, or buying cheaper systems in the first place. Not only do you not have to pay the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Microsoft" target="_blank">Windows Tax</a>" when you switch to Linux, you have access to <a href="http://packages.debian.org/stable/" target="blank">thousands</a> of pieces of <a href="http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/osrc/article.php/3689281" target="blank">application software</a> as well; <a href="http://www.openoffice.org/" target="blank">Office Suites</a>, a <a href="http://gimp.org/" target="blank">Photoshop</a> replacement, audio and video editors, multimedia players, and on and on. Free.<br />
One more thing; you can update your whole system, both the operating system and all the applications with one command! Likewise, in some <a href="http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/03/which-linux.html">distros</a> you can upgrade to the latest version of the operating system (and all it's programs) easily. For free.<br />
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Linux also gives you freedom from onerous <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/10/29/microsoft_vista_eula_analysis/" target="blank"><span style="font-size: 85%;">EULA</span>'s</a> and entering long cryptic codes to install software you paid for. Quit worrying about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_activation" target="blank">product activation</a>, how many computers you can legally install the software on, <a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/en/inquirer/news/2007/03/28/open-source-the-only-weapon-against-planned-obsolescence" target="blank">planned obsolescence</a>, <a href="http://www.news.com/2100-1001-257390.html" target="blank">forced upgrades</a>, <a href="http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2008/02/lockin.html" target="blank">vendor lock-in</a>, <a href="http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/drm.html" target="blank">DRM</a>, and all the other problems from the closed software model.<br />
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But Linux is <a href="http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm" target="blank">not a copy of Windows</a>. It has it's own unique <a href="http://desktoplinux.com/articles/AT2314397772.html" target="blank">advantages</a> and it must be said, some <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,138720-page,5-c,linux/article.html" target="blank">disadvantages</a>. Also, Linux and <span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html" target="blank">Free Software</a></span> are as much a philosophy as a technology, but many people misunderstand the term "free software":<br />
"Free software is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of free as in free speech, not as in free beer." <a href="http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html" target="blank">gnu.org</a><br />
(A similar term, <a href="http://opensource.org/docs/osd" target="blank">Open Source</a>, is slightly different.<br />
For one point of view on the differences, read this <a href="http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-for-freedom.html" target="blank">essay</a>)<br />
In most cases though Linux is "free" in both senses of the word. Freedom for free--you can't get much better than that.<br />
Freedom feels good. <a href="http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major" target="blank">Give it a try.</a>Fred J. Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09148871757876719947noreply@blogger.com2