TubaOrNotTuba

Here we go. Another improved distribution of Linux to try (and buy, because the price is so affordable). I’m still a fan of Linux Mint, and this evening I burned an ISO of “Gloria” (version 7 Release candidate 1). Usually I’m patient enough to wait for beta and RC versions to pass, but there’s a confidence level with this distro that made the risk acceptable. The usual easy install, where only one of my partitions is erased and reformatted; the Vista stuff is untouched, and after about fifteen minutes and one reboot, bere we are with a newer, faster Linux ready to use. This time around, even my sound works without any tweaking or wondering what forum might hold a clue to a puzzle. Two thumbs up.

Read the rest of this entry »

The simple plan would have been the old, tried and true VHS recording, but I had a better idea. Why not jump straight to digital format, and record the requested program using my laptop. It had worked before. Famous last words in the technical world.

Read the rest of this entry »

Some days bring unexpected advantages. This one started off in the usual mode. Me running for a bus that would take me, eventually, to the office. There were things to get done today, including changing someone’s computer as quickly as possible to minimize disruption and maximize productivity. My personal favorite reasons for any work related task. I was particularly goal directed, so the welcoming committee at the front door of our building was seen with a jaded eye.

Read the rest of this entry »

The spillover from work to play means that I’m busily trying virtual computers this evening. In better economic times, a real beige box could be allocated to “research and development”, but this time around free rules. I’ve emulated airplanes and powerful locomotives. I’ve played in Colossal Caves. That’s entertainment in geek terms. Now it’s time to pretend that I can afford the kind of computing power we only used to dream about. Thanks to the friendly folks over at VMWare, the world is my (slimefree) oyster.

Read the rest of this entry »

One of those odd artifacts left from early education is my ability to do a “book report”. A time-filler disguised as a pedagogical exercise, the book report was a sort of penance in the elementary classroom. Even if your sins were minor, you still had to atone, through the production of an oral AND written report for the education of others. Pick a book, any book (within readability levels defined beforehand) and then (after reading the tome) play author for a day, complete with public readings.

Read the rest of this entry »

Even someone as talented as me in the kitchen (false modesty is neither necessary nor virtuous) sometimes needs inspiration. When the opportunity to make a counter offer against a meal in a local chicken kitchen was offered, I was ready. One method for combatting the cold of winter is to eat something from a warmer climate. How about Mexico? We happen to have a small restaurant in the area, Senor Sombrero. Our previous visit was fun, so we bundled up and headed down to their site in an older city home.

Read the rest of this entry »

Once in a while, even a friend has to take the time to say “I’m sorry…”. The day online began with a warning; This site may harm your computer. Or something else that involved taking risks. I wasn’t the one with the screen alert, and my role was that of the passive technician. Something calming: “You might have an infestation of spyware. Run some diagnostics”. There, my job was done; back to more important things like preparing the first coffee of the morning.

Read the rest of this entry »

A generation ago, the average young man sitting in a high school classroom might have had a dream. He pictured himself as the lead guitarist for a world famous rock band, playing his power chords before thousand of screaming fans. Away from the school, he might have made the first, stumbling attempts at performing “Smoke On The Water” before the mirror, and in time, as his dexterity increased, he might have moved on to “Free Bird“, or even played for friends. The seeds of a garage band were born.

Read the rest of this entry »

Economic downturn; parallel worlds. Consider the sad fate of the automotive industry, where we’re all going to pay (again) for mediocre product. No choice for the consumer there. And then the parallel: one of the larger videogame firms has decided to lay off hundred of programmers and artists due to economic downturn. The main product mentioned in the news story mentioned Need For Speed, which involves virtual automobiles. Mere chance; I think not.

Read the rest of this entry »

Inconsistent user interface. IUI. Just when you think you’ve got something under control, count on Windows to throw a curve into things. Unlike the Mac world, where consistency is Job One, Microsoft doesn’t have a game plan. Oh sure, the X in the upper right corner is useful, when things aren’t working well, but what about some of the odd choices made at Redmond for tasks that shouldn’t be difficult.

Read the rest of this entry »