What is Linux?

Recently I had someone ask me what was Linux.  After I picked my jaw up from the floor, I explained that Linux is an open-source operating system which is similar to UNIX that was designed to provide personal computer users a free or very low-cost operating system comparable to Windows. This slide show explains the idea of Linux very well: Linux Tutorial PDF - More information may be obtained here:  http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=1570003

The difference between a Nerd and a Geek

Inquiring minds want to know.  Are the two terms synonymous or are there distinctions and differences which are important from the standpoint of nomenclature?

Thankfully, such questions have been answered by the Geek Dad blog on Wired. The following image is a tagmash cloud provided  John Dalton, who is the Australian sysadmin for social cataloging community LibraryThing >

Any Questions?

Another HTC Hero Video Review.

Here goes another video which points out some of the reasons why I am so excited about the Android HTC Hero smart phone.

WSJ’s Walt Mossberg reviews Sprint’s HTC Hero, the latest super smart phone based on Google’s Android mobile operating system.

He says the HTC Hero is a good product and a good alternative to rivals — the BlackBerry, iPhone and Palm.

http://online.wsj.com/video/sprints-htc-hero-a-worthy-smart-phone-competitor/C71695B9-FAEE-44B4-9826-431BD6E79C7A.html

Dear Verizon, please get the HTC Hero

… And the hits just keep on coming.  Another amazing video about the HTC Hero.  This is a phone that is being called an ipod killer everywhere these days.

I … want… this … phone!

Verizon, Can you hear me now?

A special thank you to htcpedia.com for posting this and congratulation to the videographer for winning the HTC Hero Video Contest!

Video: Preview of HTC Hero on Sprint

A video preview of the unreleased Sprint HTC Hero. This smartphone features a 3.2-inch capacitance touchscreen, 5-megapixel camera, GPS, WiFi, 3G data, microSD card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Android OS 1.5 (Cupcake) runs the show, but HTC’s custom Sense UI helps add functionality and some visual pizazz to the Hero.

Hands-on with the Sprint HTC Hero from IntoMobile on Vimeo.

Very Nice!

Google and Data Liberation.

I think that this has been an under-reported aspect of Google’s approach to new media and open source.

Data Liberation Front Promises Escape from Google
— For the last two years Google, which hasn’t exactly been in a position to lecture anybody about the evils of lock-in, has been harboring a small team of counterculture engineers in Chicago that style themselves the Data Liberation Front quietly working to cut the shackles that condemn captive users to remaining customers of Google services because their data is held hostage.

Innovations in the Software Industry

The ARCHOS 5 Android Tablet has finally launched. We at Android Central have been expecting the ARCHOS 5 to release for months now and true to their word, September 15th was their date. The ARCHOS 5 Android Tablet specs are the same as we’ve previously reported and to quickly refresh your memory, that’s a 800×480 4.8-inch screen, 800MHz OMAP3440 processor, 720p video and output over HDMI, capacity up to 500GB, 802.11n WiFi, etc. internet tablet for your liking.

Early reports on the ARCHOS 5 Android Tablet have been pretty positive, it’s definitely a better offering than your run-of-the-mill media tablet. Who’s interested in getting one of these for themselves?

Source:http://www.androidcentral.com/

Android Browser Excels in Search Tasks

Android Browser Excels in Search Tasks

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My OpenOffice Saga

One of the things that frustrated me to no end during my last foray into the world of Linux was the fact that so many things seemed not to work “out of the box”. The installation process for components generally had multiple parts (in comparison to Windows) and I was downright frightend by the terminal.

The concept is summed up by a number of blog posts that I have seen previously which essentially state that Linux is NOT for “lazy” people.

Well, yesterday, I overcame my Linux Laziness. The hard way. And it was pretty fun.

The problem started with my installation of OpenOffice. I had been so proud of myself for navigating the setup for wireless access that I overlooked the fact that I had not checked other aspects of the operating system. Specifically, my version of OpenOffice that came with my download of Ubuntu was (apparently) not working. The program would start and then freeze during the initial stages of the opening logo. I viewed this as disastrous because (aside from internet access) OpenOffice document use was going to be one of the main functions for my new laptop.

I did some searching online and discovered some tutorials which provided information regarding how to re-install a different (Debian) form of OpenOffice. Despite following the instructions by the letter, I was left with the same problem.

I then decided to call OpenOffice technical support and (potentially pay) to get this issue resolved by someone who has more experience than me. The gentleman on the phone was very professional and asked me to send an email with a description of the problem. He indicated that he would get back to me by later on in the day (which he didn’t).

The good news was that, since I had the email written; I figured, why not just clip and paste it to a forum. That turned out to be a stroke of genius. I posted the problem on the Ubuntu forums and within 10 minutes I had a response. After a few exchanges with a member on the forum I had a solution which WORKED.

Once again, I am in awe of the power of the internet.  A service that I was ready and willing to PAY for, provided completely free of charge by a total stranger that I have never met.  And done faster than the paid service.

Wow.

Back on the Ubuntu Block!!

About 2 years ago I “experimented” with making the switch from Windows to Linux.  I was inspired by the concept of open source software and the things that individuals were doing to bring innovation and creativity to web-based media.  My love affair was short-lived however.

I quickly became frustrated with the time necessary to properly set up a linux operating system and I was totally turned off by my complete inability to configure any type of wireless access.

I abandoned my efforts; but I continued to want to be part of the “open source revolution”

I did keep one machine at home which runs Ubuntu and (say what you will) it has been pretty reliable.

So yesterday I purchased an inexpensive laptop and (after 5 hours of guesswork and cyber-sleuthing) I connected wirelessly to my home wifi network.  Today, I was able to get connected at work.

Pretty cool.

This post is being written from my Linux-Ubuntu laptop.  It is the first in what will hopefully be many more posts regarding my experiences with open source and Linux.

Enjoy!