LoCo About Ubuntu!

While this is my blog, it is about open source, Linux, and computing topics.  Every year or so, I like to take one post out of many, and dedicate it to a topic that I am close with.  This time, it’s knives.

As a Boy Scout (leader these days) I know that my knife can be my best friend when in a jam.  Whether it’s getting a fire started, defending myself, or building a shelter, I know I can depend on my knives to help me accomplish whatever I need to get done.  Buck, Gerber (Legendary Blades, not baby food), and CRKT (Columbia River Knife and Tool), are just a few of my favorite brands.  They all produce good knives, and are all very dependable.  I’m not going to go into the details and basics of knives, but Buck knives has a good introductory page into knife types.

My personal favorite types of knives are lockblades and fixed blade knives.  If you visit the above page, head to the bottom of the page where it says “Lockback Knives” and see all entries below for what folks mean by the term “lockblades.”  There’s also another lock variation called midlock, which is like lockback, only with the lock mechanism in the middle of the knife.  Simple, eh?

When purchasing a knife, be aware that Gerber does not measure their knife blades by the cutting edge, meaning from the base of the cutting edge straight to the height of the point, without following the curve of the blade.  It’s misleading on the package.  Recently, I purchased a Gerber knife, with a “4 inch blade” star printed on the package.  I open it up, measure the cutting edge — 3 1/4 inches.  Yeah, smaller than advertised, but it is actually a very good knife.  This is the same situation with the other Gerber knives that I have purchased. It seems they measure the blades by several different points, and I have even read different (and wrong) blade lengths on their site.  Let me reassure however, that Gerber makes very good knives, and I have been impressed with each one that I have purchased.

So which knife company is favorite?  Buck.  Why?  Outside of making some really good knives, they are a Christian company.  I wouldn’t be able to account for every worker on the factory level, but the management has always been keeping to faith to help guide their decisions in their daily lives.  You can read the message Buck sends out in their knife boxes here.  Several other reasons: Buck is a family owned company, and also still make several of their most popular knives in the USA, something that has become all to rare.

Now for some links!

BUCK:

http://www.buckknives.com/

GERBER:

http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php

CRKT:

http://www.crkt.com/

The Kubuntu KDE 4 desktop has become my perfect desktop. It has all the functionality I could ask for, and I have added applications to supplement that effect.

1. KBlogger - Yup. It has to be the easiest application I have ever set up. I just entered my blog http address, my username and password, and hit “Autoconfigure”. BAM! I was in. I had all my information and was able to start blogging. There are more features than I can shake a stick at, and it even shows me what the post will actually look like by showing a web-view of my blog with the post preview. It is currently in an “alpha 2″ stage, so development is still on. Things seem to be very stable, however.

2. ThinkFree Office - I have used this free (as in no cost) office suite in the past, and it has always preformed well. It looks and acts like Microsoft Office in a way, and has an online service that integrates as well, all for free.

3. Stellarium - In my opinion, Stellarium is one of the better applications available for Linux. It shows the night sky as you would see it with the naked eye. It also shows the location of thousands of space objects in real time. Very, very cool if you like astronomy like me.

4. Konqueror - I know that Konq. is included by default as the web browser and optional file browser for KDE 4, but I was able to get flash working - something that is not easy to do. What I did (for those interested) is type “sudo apt-get build-dep flashplugin-nonfree, and then I installed the flash plugin “sudo apt-get install flashplugin” and then reboot. After that, it worked! So, now Konqueror is working as my default web browser. KBlogger comes in handy here because it works with the KDE applications, giving me more options that working with the plain-text editor for wordpress that I would be forced to use in Konqueror.

There are several more that I will write about soon, just as soon as I learn more about the system.

Update: Here’s a screenshot…

Oh yeah!
I am writing this post from KBlogger in KDE 4. The latest version (which has been ported to KDE 4) is working perfectly. I will be coming out with a post on what’s up with my desktop… mainly on applications and the differences that I have seen between Windows to Ubuntu.

According to this article , the use of Linux in Eee PCs is not part of its success. It even mentions that Windows is requested more than Linux on the Eee. So, why is this?

In my opinion, this has to do with the fact that the Eee PC, when bought by non-Linux users, was purchased because it was a cool little device that could do email, web, and even edit documents. The best analogy I can think of to better explain my point is Tivo. Sure, it runs Linux, but is that really why people purchased the box?

No.

People will buy whatever companies put out there that has a “cool” factor. As much as Xandros may have hoped, the major inroads made by using Linux inside the Eee has gone unnoticed by the general public. Once the option is given to rather uneducated users between Linux and Windows, you can only take a guess as to which most will use.

From a tip on this blog post, I searched the Best Buy site for the Ubuntu package.  Sure enough, it’s there:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8888563&st=ubuntu&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1211587312374

Not only is it there on the site, but it is available ON STORE SHELVES!  Sure, folks could go down the street and pick up one of my free CDs, but the package is kinda cool, and even more cool to be seen on store shelves.

***UPDATE***

HERE’S THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CANONICAL!!!

In a recent article published on CodingExperiments.com, it was noticed that the search term “Ubuntu” was coming closer to passing the term “Linux” on Google’s search engine. Many wondered why and several complained that Ubuntu was becoming “Linux.” So, why is this?

Here’s why: new Linux users are using Ubuntu.

Ubuntu has become the most popular distribution around, and as a result, people who like Ubuntu are giving it out to new users. Even folks who may use other distributions may give a new user an Ubuntu CD, just because Ubuntu is the easiest to install and use. Then, to all these new users, Ubuntu has become your generic Linux distribution. Thus, Ubuntu = Linux. Strange? Not for your average new user. It just makes sense, like Windows or Mac. Ubuntu has become the face of Linux.

Now, the reason that new users are using Linux is in part to the fact that Ubuntu users, or LoCo teams, are actively spreading Linux to new users. Notice that there are no other distributions that are spreading Linux like Ubuntu. Thousands of volunteers (in the U.S. alone) work to spread Ubuntu Linux to the masses. My little CD stand has already distributed close to 500 CDs. Now that’s what I call progress!

The fact is other distributions are not doing enough to make their name known. Several, such as Fedora or OpenSUSE, have the resources to start something similar to Ubuntu’s own LoCo effort, but have yet to try something so ambitious.

Another question comes to mind when thinking about Ubuntu = Linux:

Is it good for Linux?

In my mind, there are two groups who use Linux — those who want Linux to make it to the mass market, and those who don’t. Those who do support the idea of having Linux enter the mainstream market support Ubuntu or one of the other top two distributions. Others who would rather keep Linux to the local geek base, and create forks whenever they have a disagreement with someone in their particular distribution. For this to make sense, you have to look at it realistically.

For one, there can’t be 500+ options running around in the mainstream desktop market. It’s just not going to happen. Even three top distributions mainstream in the desktop market may be too much. Second, those who want desktop Linux to become mainstream jump behind Ubuntu, the Linux leader with the best potential to succeed. If Ubuntu was not positioned to take the lead for Linux in the mainstream market with Windows and Mac, then I probably would not be supporting it, or even would not have begun to support it. So for me, if Ubuntu equals Linux, it’s a good thing. New users are not overwhelmed by alternatives, and have a professional, easy to use system for their computers. Over time, they will learn that Ubuntu is not the only Linux distribution (once they figure out what a distribution is…) and will maybe try some others.

Recently there has been quite a karfuffle surrounding several people’s disagreement over the direction of KDE 4. As many of you know, KDE 4 is not yet complete, and is far different from it’s ancestor, KDE 3. The arguments have seemingly quieted down, and finally there has been some closure on the debate.

What is more important than the arguments between developers, supporters, and die-hard fans is what has taken place:

The KDE project has grown up.

Yes, the project has moved on, accepting KDE 4, and bringing in a whole new era within the KDE project.  KDE 3 was and is a legendary desktop, present on many Linux desktops over the past several years.  Many, including myself, became fans of the desktop environment.  KDE 3 was a desktop for serious power users, and now KDE 4 has become a desktop for the rest of us, including home users.  The fact that KDE has moved beyond the geeks with a more simplistic desktop shows a major stepping stone on the way to desktop domination.  Simplicity is in, and overcomplication is out.

Of course, many will feel that when average users start using their desktop environment they will no longer be “cool,” much like the discontent some long-time Linux users have with Linux becoming more popular in the actual market place.  Either way, the KDE project will move on, and will hopefully have the best of luck with KDE 4.

Congrats Mozilla!

According to this article, the record is now official!

Over 8 million people downloaded Firefox 3 within a 24 hour period, and have landed themselves in the Guinness World Record book.  I may just get that book simply for that reason.  It feels great to know I made a (small) contribution to reaching a world record!

The UbuCon Atlanta 2008 Logo Competition is now open!

Visit here to get involved:  http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=847598

First, a little on UbuCon:

UbuCon Atlanta 2008 will be an Ubuntu Conference, with presentations, demos, installations, and support. This event will be hosted by both the Ubuntu Georgia and Florida LoCo Teams. The event is scheduled for November 14, 15, and 16, but at this point all dates are subject to change.

More details are soon to come, but we are kicking off the event with a logo competition. So, with any competition, there are guidelines:

1. Keep the logo Ubuntu-centric.

2. The Ubuntu logo cannot be modified (by Canonical’s order).

3. They must be submitted within the competition dates.

4. It must be uploaded as an image that can be shown in the forums.

5. The logo must include the name of the event… so people will know what they are attending. Other info (like release info) is completely up to you!

=== and most importantly ===

All entries must be made in open source applications available in Ubuntu (e.g. GIMP, Inkscape, etc.).

The competition will be open for TWO WEEKS, meaning the END date will be JULY 16, 2008. To upload your entry, please create a new post as a reply to the thread in the forums. Keep all entries within the competition thread. At the end of the competition, the entries will be compiled, and a poll will be created that will be open for a week, and at the end of the poll the winner will be announced.  A new announcement for the poll will be sent when it is open.  Everyone is welcome to contribute!

I like meterology…

Something about the weather attracts me.  Perhaps it’s the constantly changing forecast, or perhaps the storms.  Either way, I have found two services which I use on a daily basis now, and one is even available as a Google Gadget.

1.  Weather Underground

The Weather Underground (unless you are from the weather community) is probably not the organization you automatically think of when you hear the name.  Their name, which according to their site is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the radical group that formed at the University of Michigan, the same college as the weather service Weather Underground was formed.  Unlike the terrorist group, these folks are actual weathermen and created one of the first telnet connected weather services in 1991.  I also remember using the service back in elementary school for class work.  It’s been a while, but it was quite popular for schools, since it has so much information available.

They offer emails that are sent out, including current forecast information for the day, significant weather alerts, and even damage reports, all information given out by the NOAA local station in Peachtree City.  There is a ton of information available, and I definitely recommend this site if you like to stay connected to what is going on with the weather.

http://www.wunderground.com

2.  Weatherbug

Weatherbug is a weather service that has been around for a while as well, and has a large presence on the internet.  There is a Google Gadget available which has the ability to set your weather to a local station (it even shows how far the stations are from your zip code, and selects the closest one!).  Then, you get weather information such as wind direction and speed, temperature, forecast, radar, local weather cam, and many links in each of the “tabs” that can give you more information.  The gadget will also alert you when there is a significant weather alert through a tab on top of the rectangular gadget that is red and says ALERT!

http://weatherbug.com