computers

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I know, I know, it’s been a while. Seems like it always is, but my life doesn’t leave much to blog about that anyone would really care to read. I have been trying for a while to move from a personal diary type blog to more computer and political stuff that would interest a wider assortment of people, but I haven’t really done much on the computer other than keep up with the latest RSS feeds (I’m back to using Google Reader but planning my own aggregator) and my email.

I saw Spiderman 3 the other day and while it was quite good for a comic book movie, I was let down. I guess I have never really been a comic book type of guy, though.

Work is fun. I love being a cashier! I get paid the same money, but don’t have to do any work any more. I hope to be a head cashier soon, but the two people who have say about that both dislike me so I doubt that will happen any time soon. Maybe if I apply at Lowes…

I realized something odd a few minutes ago. When I was using a Mac, which is famous for having a great interface, I spent most of my time (other than that spent in Camino) in a terminal window issuing textual commands. Now that I am using Linux, which is famous for seeming to require knowing how to use a terminal, I find that I am using the graphical interface more and more. I used have Vim open at all times, and used it for all my text editing, now I am using Bluefish and Screem. I barely even touch Vim any more! Has Linux really gotten that good?

God, though, do I miss Camino.

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Upgrade to Ubuntu

I apologize for my prolonged absence. My monitor developed a short, and seeing as how I have (had) a first-generation iMac, lack of a monitor meant that I had to replace the entire computer. I finally got an old HP from my step-mom, on which I am now running Ubuntu Linux. It had been so long since I used Linux, I forgot how much I love all the freedom that comes with it. It seems slightly slow due to the age of the computer, but it is still better than my aging iMac. After having converted three or four people to Ubuntu, it is about time that I got to give it a go. I don’t think I will be looking back.

I am working days at work again, sort of. I work 0400—1300 Monday, Thursday, and Friday, and 0800—1730 on Friday and Saturday. I am glad to have a decent schedule again. The overnight freight crew does seem to be having quite a bit of difficulty without me, though.

After the release of Wordpress 2.1, with all its improvements in database performance, I am thinking of switching to WP again. Perhaps this time it will be for good. The TextPattern community seems to have stagnated somewhat. The biggest news to come out of TxP lately has all been commercial products that would be nice to have, but that I don’t feel justify paying for when WP is completely free (free as in speech and free as in beer).

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Promoting Linux

Most Linux news sites (OS News, Linux.com, NewsForge, etc) run a couple of articles per week on how you can help to promote use of Linux on desktop systems. My simple advice, refuse to do any tech support for people using Windoze, other than installing Linux. Since most tech geeks are their family’s IT support, if more people refused to help troubleshoot viruses and malware on Windoze the unwashed masses would have little choice other than to either migrate to Linux or put up with Indian tech support hotlines.

Slightly cruel but should be effective.

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Essentials – Mac OS X

A few months ago, while stuck on a Windoze machine, I posted an article on the apps I used. Keeping up the idea of a list of essential applications (similar to Mark Pilgrim), now that I am using Mac OS X here is my new digital life colophon:

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Mac OS X ($129, cheaper on eBay). Hey, it just works. I have, of course, improved it with TinkerTool (free) to update options Apple hid for some reason, and Quicksilver (free), because it keeps everything at my fingertips. I can’t picture life without QuickSilver. Read the rest of this entry »

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New list of essentials for old Macs.

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Mac OS 9 due to a problem with my OS X install disks and/or CD-ROM drive, with numerous extensions to make it more useable. I would recommend OS X to anyone with a choice though. Read the rest of this entry »

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