At work again

Hi all

Today, almost 2 month after I was fired from my position at Exanet, I started to work with my new employer, Tehuti Networks as a System Manager. My job would be creating a processes for QA inside the company. So I hope that I’m back online now 🙂

Please, wish me luck.

Google OS

Dear reader

I have shared with you my views on technology, operating systems and computing for awhile now. So here’s my latest one.

I just read a column by Matt Hartley (a contributing writer to OS Weekly). The article discusses possible entrance by Google into OS space.

I wanted to respond on that opinion by my own. The issue of Google OS is being debated for as long as Google become an important part of internet culture. Many have predicted the appearance of Google’s OS long time ago, but the thing never happened.

Why?

If Google OS is easy to create (just peak any Linux distro and create an additional “brand”), easy to maintain (the distro is already there and if you choose wisely, it is being frequently updated and bugfixed), easy to customize (it is Google after all using an open source application and it is a house full of open source developers), so why haven’t this already happened?

Because Google doesn’t need one. Just think about it. What Google’s purpose is? World domination. What Google’s business is? Selling ads. So how would OS integrate into this scheme?

Well, the thing is – it wouldn’t. And the main reason for this is that an importance of any specific operating system is diminishing by the second as much of our computer life goes onto the net. In addition, diversity of mobile and small devices running uncommon local operating systems would render another desktop OS useless – and those devices are great for Google, as they allow users to view ads anywhere. And another reason – is the one I’m putting always as reason du jour for many Windows users stay in Windows – gamers would not use it because they won’t have their favorite games there.

But besides any other reason, here’s the million dollar question: why Google needs to have an operating system if it is not in operating system business?

And what’s for sure, is that Ubuntu (Canonical) is very good by their own, without Google’s money. And if you target only home users, I’m sure you will fail, as main OS business today is actually business users.

I prefer Google contributing money to a good cause instead.

-A.

Technorati : Google, Linux, technology

Innovation is total crap

Dear reader. I want you to know, that I intend to piss of a lot of folk by writing this, but this is intentional. I have nothing personal against you. I just want to say things that bug my mind.

I’m saying that innovation is total crap. It exist in extreme cases only.

Hear me up dear reader. Let me tell you about myself first, so you know why I think so:
I’ve started using a computer when I was at age seven or eight years old. It was a 16K memory Soviet computer, which was connected to my home TV with an analog cable with zillion connectors. It was connected to a tape, which produced funny voices like the TX terminator in T3 when she connected to a police computer.
That was the time when I’ve understood that my life is going to be around the computers and technology. I was much more interested with practical use than details of electronics.

Fast forward 20 and so years later. We now use computers with 16G memory (which is a factor of million). I have a cellphone which is much more powerful than my first computer. So, will someone tell me which innovation lead to this? How have we become so obsessed with this weird word “innovation”?

I find, that the use of this word is so ubiquitous, that it is used everywhere all the time. New software product? Innovative. New service? Innovative. New technique? Innovative.

Total crap.

If I went and created a teleported, someone would call it innovative. Others would say, “Teleporter? Come on, those Sci-Fi writers have said that for more than 50 years! I’ve seen Capt. Kirk using one!”.

I’m sorry dear reader if I hurt your feelings. You know what? Everything is innovative these days. New color for default theme? Innovative (5 years ago we’ve called it themes or skins). New window borders? Innovative (well, 10 years ago Windows were innovative, so what? 10 years until new innovation?). New sounds in the system? Innovative (well, we had 16bit sounds ages ago, haven’t we? Now its polyphonic and in stereo!).

So what is innovative after all? Let me tell you. It is what you like. My dad, who brought me that first computer of mine, thinks blog is innovative. My mom barely knows how to use a wordprocessor. You can call them obsolete – I call them my parents and my usability tester. Whichever they call “hard” – I believe it is hard, and keep working on it. Innovation is like a breath of fresh air. If this air smells like a bad fish, it’s not an innovation.

I’m sorry to bring it up, but no one innovates in business. Well, maybe they do, but I rarely find anything new these days.

There are out-standers. Let’s call them incremental innovators – they are improving the existing stuff, and their “fresh” versions appear so cool to us – it like that fresh air I was talking about. An ipod was like that.

So I’d call all the vendors of the world (including those of Open Source base) to stop shouting yet another buzz word. I’m seek of it. I’m tired. I can’t bare it any longer. I call your innovation “crap” until proven otherwise. Can you prove me you innovated? Can I be sure I won’t find your “innovation” anywhere else (like Microsoft’s “the world’s first no-ball mouse” which appeared in 2000’s, while we had an optical SUN mouse in our old unused and dusty pile of crap since, like 1994)?

Let me decide on your innovation. I can speak for myself you know.

One more thing for business oriented out there: I’ve never seen “innovation” as the major sales point.

“Hey boss, I’ve chosen that vendor because he’s so more innovative that 5 others we have considered! Yes, he’s pricey, but he’s so innovative!”.

This crap would make me laugh. This crap would’ve caused someone to lose a job.

That is all, dear reader.

Just my opinion. You can have your own.

Feedback is appreciated.

Technorati : Google, Linux, Microsoft, technology

Google Linux

I just read a column in Inquirer about meetup in Googleplex. There are people from Linux Foundation and FSF, which meet up in goal to discuss the latest Microsoft ramblings about licensing problems in Linux:

Following Microsoft’s inking of agreements with Linux hawkers, offering to shield them from lawsuits over the 235 patents it reckons versions of Linux infringe, a gathering of open sorcerers is assembling at Google HQ to debate what is to be done.

According to Reuters report, which helpfully details what a Linux geek is wearing these days (T-shirts and jeans), organizer of the “Collaboration Summit”, Jim Zemlin of the Linux Foundation, told the amassed geeks: “Guys: Be seekers of truth, not finders of contradiction.”

Maybe something will come of it, but typically, like the Left in politics, there may be too much squabbling over what society should look like after the revolution that the revolution will be eternally postponed.

I actually agree to this. Its much easier to discuss than get things done. But then, I like this comment:

Google Linux anyone?

Funny isn’t it? Not that Google needs such a thing, but I think that while everyone is talking Ubuntu would do the trick and take it all.

-A

Technorati : Gentoo, Linux, Ubuntu

Hottest female podcasters

Well, it had to come here at some point.

Take a look here. Who’s your favorite? 🙂

I think I’ll go for Amanda (although Cali and Amber are very hot as well)….

-A

Using coupons

Note: this post is sponsored by PayPerPost!

I have recently decided to buy a new laptop. My current one is quite old (its an HP Pavillion ea4508ze, more than 3 years), and I would like something more powerful, lighter and with longer battery life. While searching for a laptop buy, I recalled that I should probably look for discount coupons.

That is how I have found the http://www.couponchief.com – online shopping coupons. It is very friendly site, which enlists thousands of coupons from different vendors, including Dell and HP, but also Amazon, Best Buy and others. While looking for notebook deals, I’ve found HP $200 worth coupons here – on HP store. It means, that when buying an HP laptop I can, and will save about 200 bucks on each buy (I might buy two: one for me and one for my girlfriend).

Another cool thing about CouponChief is that they have a screencasts for different vendors, showing how to use their coupons.

So, go to online shopping coupons and check this out.

-A.

Technorati : technology

Building a value PC

This is something that I have always like to do. Imagine this: we’re computer/technology junkies (well, at least part of us are), and we like to have computers. But what we really like, is to build those, if not in life, but on paper.

So, you’d go to different online resources, and you find what kind of a computer you want. Then you go to forums and vendors sites and decide which components you’d like to have. Then you go to online stores and find what you need…lengthy process, but fun isn’t it?

Heh, here’s a shortcut for a computer for the best value for the buck.

Enjoy.

-A.

Spice up Windows – replace it! [with Linux]; part 5

In my few previous posts I’ve stated that I’d like to help people to spice their system and move from Windows to Linux. But we all know that it cannot be done in an instant. I started to explain the process in last posts. I hope that to this point you got used to those applications I’ve suggested before. If not, just have another week or two using them, until you’re comfortable enough with them.

This time I will explain the 5th step: Playing around

Note: suggestions in this post should be taken with care as I assume that you’ve read all previous parts and have a little experience with your new shiny system.

This step will include checking different environments, customizations and applications.

So, after you installed Linux, and your applications are working fine, what’s in it for you? What could you gain by all the effort of moving? Well, at least you’ve gained the following:

• Moving to Linux made your system more stable. While Windows was probably stable enough for you, statistically there’s less loss of information on Linux systems I’ve worked with compared to Windows ones.
• Your system is much more customizable now. Not that you should run and change anything, but you could’ve if you wanted to.
• You didn’t have to pay a dime to Microsoft for a new version of Windows, to hardware store for a new hardware and yet still you have much better performing system. And the main catch? Its totally legal and free.

So, here are those things which can spice up your system even more:

1. Graphical environment – there’s a plenty of environments for Linux, which contrary to Windows, provide all sorts of features. All the odds are that if you went with my suggestions in previous posts, you’re using either KDE or Gnome. Head over to their sites and read about them! You can customize a look and functionality of those 2 in many unimaginable for Windows XP user ways.

2. Multimedia Library applications – I’ve suggested to use VLC, but that was just for convenience. There are so many multimedia applications for Linux, take a look:

• Totem
• Mplayer
• Xine
• Banshee
• Amarok
• Rythmbox

And there are plenty more! I suggest you to look at them, play and choose what works best for you.

3. Photo Management application – I strongly suggest trying out F-Spot. It is great application for managing your photos!

And most important part is, of course – play around and have fun!

Feedback is greatly appreciated.

Technorati : Gentoo, Linux, Ubuntu, gentoo, technology, windows

Beating spyware

Have you ever needed to fight spyware?

In most of the current software packages that I test and use, there are unfriendly software hidden. Every day I get much email with spyware included. I suffer from this as much as any other computer user. But I suffer when working in Windows, because when I use Linux I don’t have to fight spyware at all.

So when I use my Windows laptop (which is my main computer at work), I have to find the solution for fighting spyware. And I have found a great one. I’m going to tell you about it, but first, try to decipher this secret message:

SHX OGUONPR ZI RWP MAEJ ZUSBO-VCJSFPX OPKJCBLUSBP SGDURMPR

Have anything? No? OK, head over here, and find out!

Got it now? Yes, it says that Webroot’s Spy Sweeper is the most award-winning antyspyware software. By comparing its price, feature list and least but not last award’s list to its competitors, you see its a total winner. It means that this software is a total requirement for anyone trying to fight spyware on her computer.

In addition to being highly configurable and customizable, Spy Sweeper is the best tool for filtering spyware from many downloadable context you’re trying to get from the web. You can download music, video and pictures securely, without being infected by spyware.

Check out what others are saying about Spy Sweeper:

“Spy Sweeper remains a favorite for protection from spyware.” – PC Magazine
“Our top choice…” – PC World
“Definitely worth the money” – Download.com
“…stands apart as the most well-rounded anti-spyware utility…” – SmartComputing

So, go ahead and download Spy Sweeper and get yourself protected starting now!

Note: this post is sponsored by PayPerPost!

Technorati : technology

Spice up Windows – replace it! [with Linux]; part 4

In my few previous posts I’ve stated that I’d like to help people to spice their system and move from Windows to Linux. But we all know that it cannot be done in an instant. I started to explain the process in last posts. I hope that to this point you got used to those applications I’ve suggested before. If not, just have another week or two using them, until you’re comfortable enough with them.

This time I will explain the 4th step: Spicing up Windows!

This would include the following:

• Backing up all you useful data (such as movies, music, family photos and those other photos).
• Choosing Linux distribution.
• Installing Linux distribution.
• Back to work.

NOTE: this step will be much easier if some member of your family (or a friend) who actually familiar with computers will be around helping. He or she can save a great deal of time, effort and negative emotions by helping to do all this.

Here we go:

1. In first step, you should definitely back up your stuff. Stuff includes documents, music, video, photos and all sorts of other things we always forget about (such as contacts, bookmarks and other settings which just the way we work – not the real information). I can’t say where is this stuff of yours on your computer (except maybe Firefox bookmarks), but computer-literate people can always locate it pretty fast for ya. That’s where that nephew of yours becomes handy and should repay for all those candy you’ve invested in him. You do get candies, toy cars and soldiers for him, right?

2. Choosing the distribution. Oh boy, this is so interesting step. By browsing multitudes of sites, you can find that there are several hundreds(!) distributions in the existence, while one or two more are created each day. So how should you choose? Well, the fact is (and I’m sure many disagree), it doesn’t matter! There are only 2 major differences between them all:

• They use different package manager (package is like installation file for a program)
• They have different set of chosen defaults for applications, settings and environments.

So, anyway, how should you choose? I suggest the following:

1. Choose the one that can easily be installed.
2. Use it for a while
3. Either stay with it if it fulfills your need, or try another.

I’m going to recommend using one of the following for beginners:

• Ubuntu Linux (of course)
• Fedora (yes, another ‘of course’)

As I’ve never used anything remotely as much as I have used Gentoo Linux (not recommended for beginners, but it is the one I use on my systems), I won’t suggest anything else. I hope that commenters will suggest other distributions and I will update the post 🙂

Another suggestion, is to use Wubi project, which intends to make the installation of Ubuntu Linux much easier for Windows users. (this one thanks to an anonymous commenter on my blog).

3. After (or during) installing Linux, make sure that all the applications I suggested before are installed. Just to make it quick reminder, here’s the list:

• Firefox
• Thunderbird
• Pidgin
• Xchat
• eMule
• Azureus
• Skype
• Gizmo Project
• VLC Player
• Picasa
• Jajuk
• Songbird
• Open Office
• AbiWord
• GnuCash
• Grisibi

So now, what you’re left to do is transfer you stuff to a new shiny Linux computer and get back to work. Using the same application will (supposedly) have no effect whatsoever on your productivity or entertainment.

I hope that these instructions cover the basics. If it doesn’t, let me know and I will help you find information you need.

Next time I will explain when will you feel the change and what can be done with it.

Have fun!

Feedback is greatly appreciated.

-A.

Technorati : Gentoo, Linux, Ubuntu, gentoo, technology, windows