Danny's Space

So four months after downloading Ubuntu gutsy, I am compelled to report that my Linux experience has been an eye opener. I am using the latest version of Ubuntu in a desktop computer. I have a Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz, 1,024 mb of RAM and a GEForce Nvidia 64mb video card. The Gibbon is not without its bugs. Sometimes the panels disappear for no reason at all. Application freezes are frequent especially Evolution and Rhythmbox. I do suggest that anyone new to Linux or Ubuntu configure and select the default settings first before going into the woods. If you do go into the woods, be sure you have the contacts in the Ubuntu forum to turn to if you need directions. I used to dual boot with XP when I was using Ubuntu feisty. It was a fine transition but my goal is to be freed from Microsoft and proprietary software. Open Source and free software just gives you that freedom. That's all. With Gutsy, no more anti virus, anti malware third party software to run everyday to keep my data saf...

I became a linux fan after several interesting experiences with the default operating system of the world. A proprietary software especially an operating system is constricting, clashes with my inate tendency to explore and modify things around me. I suppose all these inate characteristics are common to human beings. Yes, it sounds like the declaration of independence. I know. First, the operating system most used by the world failed us in security. We trusted it to handle our computer. We trusted it to safely store our personal data. We let it handle our family photos. We let it protect our identity. While linux is not the perfect system too at its core users like me does not have to worry about a very simple way to steal all that I want protected. Secondly, a proprietary operating system I legitimately purchased declares war on its own users and makes them suffer for problems it created on its own, is not very friendly. I go home from work and find myself locked out of my ho...

I left the comforts of Firefox and fired up the Synaptic Manager to fetch Epiphany. Epiphany is the lightweight browser derived from Firefox itself. It boasts simplicity and usability. I really like its personalized features. Rendering is very quick. Even faster than Firefox. I have been using Epiphany since Christmas 2007. I have not encountered any crash yet. It has automatic reporting of bugs and crushes. Although X.org has given me several annoyances namely sudden unresponsive instances. Several times windows borders disappear. Annoying but not show stoppers.

We are all familiar with the default search engine of the computing world. We have used it at least once if you happen to be stuck or lost in the world of the internet. Then... It offered us an email service with 4 gigabyte storage. I can access it through my email client using POP and through my mobile phone if I want to. I'll get back to this point later. Then... Google bought YouTube. YouTube is the video posting web site of the world. Period. Google Earth came to map the world and let us geographically pin our photos and videos just as we would on a map on the board. Then it offered Office productivity softwares in the web. These applications are not downloaded to your hard drives but are accessible in any computer, whatever the operating system, as long as it is connected to the internet. These applications live and work with you in your browsers. In my personal computing, I also use Picasa and Google reader. I have waited for a service like Picasa because when you ...

Despite the controversy over the increase in the fees internet radio will be paying, I am glad to see visible signs that internet radio continue to flourish and hold its own. The technology to broadcast in the internet has never been more simple and cheap. Most internet radio are kept by hobbyist and dedicated enthusiasts. Rhythmbox is prepared to play music from Live365 stations. Just go to the Live365 web site and pick your station. Rhythmbox will play the content by default. The next time you want to listen to the particular station in Live365, just open Rhythmbox. No need to open the browser. There are however dedicated browser only internet radio like AccuRadio - www.accuradio.com. I hear they are offering AccuHolidays stations. Good for the Yuletide season. I also like their cross-platform policy. You can play their music in IE, firefox and Opera. I don't understand why certain people would want to stick to only IE or only Windows media player. It's dumb.

Since I downloaded Ubuntu 7.10 gutsy gibbon last October 18 it has delighted me with its fine integration. I like the update to firefox with its add-on manager. I can say that this is the firefox that conviced me that there are much better applications out there than any put out by Microsoft especially compared with Internet explorer. Unlike the firefox version used in windows, the Ubuntu version is simple and lightweight. The necessity of keeping the windows version more secure added to its bloat. Security should have been an OS issue and not a browser issue. Most malware and hackers attack the browser application but if the operating system itself is secure then the issue is contained. The latest version of Ubuntu uses Apparmor to address the issue of application security. Ubuntu gives me all the time to work on my work rather than being the provider of additional worries. Internet surfing is safer therefore I can get back to writing, research and getting my music and informat...

Today is the final release of Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon the version designated as 7.10, the most stable release of Ubuntu for October 2007. I started the upgrade process by opening my upgrade manager and looks like it is going to be an all night session of download. Everybody who had the chance to preview the beta and alpha versions are excited and praised the new features which should solidify the improvements already included in Feisty Fawn. Ubuntu has another winner with Gutsy Gibbon. If this works on my computer after the install, you'll hear all about it in the morning. Or not. The estimated download time is from 10 to 14 hours. See you tomorrow. I leave the computer on to download the upgrade because this is important. It did not go as planned. Somewhere down the fetching process my upgrade stopped. I reset the download and finished it when I got home at 7 in the evening. When I reboot, the fresh install did not recognize my graphics card and it shows me the log in page in...