I use Mint which was begat by Ubuntu, which in turn was begat by Debian.  This weekend I’m going to move from Linux Mint 8 KDE Edition (which is based on Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic) to Kubuntu 10.04 Lucid, which is an LTS release of Ubuntu running KDE.   I don’t mind using Mint at all but I feel like I’m a bit of a different user than I was a year ago.. who knows in 5 years I might be a Linux from Scratch guy.. rofl.. riiiight..

So this weekend I’ll be:

Backup up anything from my installation drive to other places.

Documenting things I may have running on my Linux box that need to be reinstalled / set up on the new installation.

Then wiping and installing. Because I don’t do upgrade installations.. EVER.

If you search windows help you can search for “Offer remote assistance”  and this will allow you to see a users desktop the way they see it.

On occasion you may need to restart a machine when you are remoted in. Alas when connected with Offer Remote Assistance you have no restart option.

You can open a command console (start > run > cmd)  then type

shutdown -r

and a small countdown windows will open and the machine will shutdown in 30 seconds.

Pretty Elementary.. but good to know in a pinch.

Here is a good link with some shutdown.exe switches

Apple announced the iPad earlier today.. it’s more or less a large fast iPhone /iPod Touch without the phone.. some models will have 3g and will be unlocked, they did show off iBooks which will be an eBook store… I guess if I had to choose between a Kindle and this I’d choose this anyday.

It’s priced $499 to $830, runs a custom Apple branded CPU running @ 1ghz, has 16 to 64 GB of storage.. and will be out in 60 – 90 days.

See the Engadget live feed here for more info and more on Apple’s website here.

Apparently it uses DockTabs, Geektool, Magnifique, and iStat Menus

I’m gonna try to recreate this on my mac, so lets hope it’s G4 Processor can handle all this spiffiness.

The link to the Lifehacker article is here: http://lifehacker.com/5325688/the-black-mac-desktop

I love that last night, when I wanted to move my iPod from my Powerbook G4, to my Big Quad Core Linux Box, I had more than one choice of software to use with it..

I would love to see you, a regular non geeky person, benefit from the labor of love that is Open Source.

I recently read this article from ZDnet that thinks there are 4 little reasons why you aren’t already using the penguin. My answers are in Blue.

1. Inertia: it’s a lot of effort to change your ways and your system.
No normal user wants to reinstall Windows OR Linux.. so I understand this one.  You’re actually using windows on your PC now because of the simplest reason, someone like myself or the maker of the PC put it there.. So I say.. if you can’t change don’t.

2. Ignorance: people just don’t know about Free Open Source Software.
Well you probably don’t.  Most people don’t know that Windows and Microsoft Office costs money.. it boils down to Price and choice.  If your “buddy” is going to “hook you up” with a hot version of office, is that a better choice at home than a free legal alternative?  Windows software costs money, the developers that made that industry are from a time when all software required a license.. not everyone is so greedy.  Open Source means 2 things.  Free and Customizable.

3. Indifference: people just don’t care what flavour software they use, and why should they?
Why should you use Linux?

• It’s mature. Linux has come a very very long way in the last 19 years.
• It’s got choices no other OS has. Want a server os? There is a Linux for that. Want one made just for making music? There is one for that too. Want a Linux that just runs on a thumb drive and is able to Image Hard Drives and fix Drive partitions? Got that too. Want a replacement Desktop ? See where I’m going with this?
  
• Most Linux have what amounts to an App Store. I use Linux Mint. Like most distributions it has a “Repository manager” you just pic your software, and click install. No CD’s. No Money.
  
• Viruses & Spyware.  Two things you will not find in Linux. Most distributions have a built in Package Updater to install fixes to programs as they are found.
  
• Other than useing *some* windows programs (by some you have to be specific here. Office does work with Linux, you just have to have help installing it. But why not use Open Office) , you can do just about anything you need in Linux.
• Oh.. and it’s free. It’s not going anyplace.
  

4. Innovation: there is no show-stopping, gob-smacking, utterly compelling reason to use Linux.
I disagree.  I see plenty of Innovation with Linux, especially on the Server Side.   On the desktop side of things, thats mature technology.. is any other Modern OS delivering anything “Gob Smacking” ?

The article is right, the first one is a Doozy.. but the last 3 are moot points, and are really already solved.

I have 4 virtual monitors on the left, 2 on the Right.. and i can’t move windows between them.. but i think this is neat so.. i think i’ll keep it this way. One of the hurdles to overcome was to install another browser, Firefox tells me it’s open already if I open it in both windows, so I installed Flock! since it’s really just Firefox with some Social stuff on it..

I’ve decided to make this Linux, my only OS at home, except my mac.. comon.. I can’t ditch OSX.. really.

I’ll probably occasionally boot into Vista.. but I’ll do my best not to

I have been working with Family Members and Friends and have been suggesting for some people a permanent move to Linux.. especially for people who tell me “I only use my PC for internet and Email” and usually the email is web based.

I’m Gonna have to roll it out slow.. for example: My Mother has 2 PC’s a laptop and a desktop, Linux is well suited for her, it’s fast has many little games, and all she uses is Internet, Email, And PhotoShop. PS might have been a breaker.. until I heard about GimpShop.. it’s a plugin you can install that rearranges the Gimp buttons and options and makes them look like PS.

I’ve tried it and it’s great.

Firefox is of course already available on Linux, and she’s been using that for a few years now.  And I will probably use evolution as her email client, and install as many of the Gnome Games and KDE Games as I can, the rest of her games *may* install well under Wine.

I could see my Mother having great Success switching to Linux.

Why would I do this? I think it’s obvious.. I’d like to see someone using a legit up to date community supported OS than say. .. an out of date frequently attacked OS or.. even worse one that can’t receive updates any longer due to a greedy company deciding that is the best way to get at people using a product it would like to stop supporting anyhow.

I am hoping to have 5 people converted by the end of the year..