Continuing the great Ubuntu experience.
I'm impressed. It's a good, workaday system.
The only mung-up I've had so far is the DVD issue. As issued, I can't get the system to play commercial DVDs. Now, I could buy/install a program to take care of this, but I really don't feel like it. Right now, if I'm desperate to see a movie, I'll either pop back over to Win7, or just kick on one of the nearby Macs. Granted, if I were using this as my only system, I'd have it set up for DVD playback. But right now, it's not necessary.
Still, I'm very, very impressed. I've actually shut the MBP down for a while, and am using the Toshiba & Ubuntu to check email and web-browse. (Supplemented by the Kindle Fire, which I've only been using as a web tablet. Yeah, I've been playing with watered-down Android, too...)
I like it. It looks good. It's stable.
Now, to really put it to productive use. (ie, Can I transcend my natural lazy streak?)
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
On the Other Side
Well, I've been away again for a while. This time it was the "supercold" that's been making the rounds locally. Nasty stuff, and all the cool kids seem to be getting it. I'm just glad I'm on the closing end, and not the starting end.
But, while I've been wiling away the hours coughing my lungs up, I've been doing some research. Been looking into the wild-n-wooly world of Linux.
Now, my previous experience with Linux had been wrecking the hard drive on an old IBM ThinkPad while trying to install an old iteration. (I actually stumbled across those old CDs recently. And rapidly hid them away again...) But, the world has changed. And there's now this wonderful version of Linux known as "Ubuntu"...
So, yeah, I just installed "Ubuntu" on my Toshiba Satellite. I decided to start light, so I used the "Wubi" installer, which installs it alongside Win7. The system then can dual-boot into either Win7 or Ubuntu.
Things worked fine. The setup couldn't have been easier, with just a few mouse clicks to set up the system. Then you sit back and wait about 10 or 20 minutes for the system to set itself up.
And...
Well, I rebooted, and found myself in the "Unity" desktop of Ubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal". The system recognized my proper screen resolution, picked up on my wireless and my battery setup. Not bad. I logged right onto 'Net, and here I am typing away.
Granted, this has been a grand total of about 10 minutes usage. I need to do some testing, jumping between OS's. I need to play with the software. (I've fiddled with LibreOffice under OS X...) I was to see how the files are handled, how to set up work spaces...
But I'm impressed. I hope that feeling continues. We'll see how things go...
But, while I've been wiling away the hours coughing my lungs up, I've been doing some research. Been looking into the wild-n-wooly world of Linux.
Now, my previous experience with Linux had been wrecking the hard drive on an old IBM ThinkPad while trying to install an old iteration. (I actually stumbled across those old CDs recently. And rapidly hid them away again...) But, the world has changed. And there's now this wonderful version of Linux known as "Ubuntu"...
So, yeah, I just installed "Ubuntu" on my Toshiba Satellite. I decided to start light, so I used the "Wubi" installer, which installs it alongside Win7. The system then can dual-boot into either Win7 or Ubuntu.
Things worked fine. The setup couldn't have been easier, with just a few mouse clicks to set up the system. Then you sit back and wait about 10 or 20 minutes for the system to set itself up.
And...
Well, I rebooted, and found myself in the "Unity" desktop of Ubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal". The system recognized my proper screen resolution, picked up on my wireless and my battery setup. Not bad. I logged right onto 'Net, and here I am typing away.
Granted, this has been a grand total of about 10 minutes usage. I need to do some testing, jumping between OS's. I need to play with the software. (I've fiddled with LibreOffice under OS X...) I was to see how the files are handled, how to set up work spaces...
But I'm impressed. I hope that feeling continues. We'll see how things go...
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Still in the Tech Haze
This blog is about all the "unnecessities" of life. However, I seem to be focusing on my very unnecessary tech fetishes...
Anyway, I'm still basking in the afterglow of the Cube coming online. However, I really don't feel like re-excavating the desk to get to that system this evening. So, to maintain some solidarity with the G4 world, I pulled out my very first Mac, my PowerBook G4 "Aluminum", and have been playing this evening. (OK, I was using my MBP, but I ran the battery down, so I decided to give it a rest for the evening...)
I just finished updating my copy of TenFourFox, which is an excellent web browser that specifically supports the PowerPC platform. I'm working within it right now as I type this. While it isn't as slick as Safari, it's still quite capable. Definite kudos to the folks who make/support it.
Moving on... I've beenfantasizing... er, considering the possibility of picking up a new Mac if/when I get back out on the road. (Which hopefully will be soon.) I was thinking about finally making the jump over to a unibody I7 system, with some memory and hard drive upgrades. (I'm too much of a died-in-the-wool OS X Snow Leopard fan to jump to Lion or Mountain Lion, though.)
So, with this in mind, I spent a good bit of this evening looking over the website of PowerMax, the company where I bought my AlBook. For anyone who hasn't heard of them, they're an Oregon-based Apple reseller. I've had good experience with them in the past, and several folks I know have had the same. They have an awesome selection of used Macs available. And, they have a good attitude towards business, which I appreciate. (The inevitable disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with PowerMax in any way, save as a customer.)
We'll see if I get the chance to do some business with them. I hope so...
In any event, I'm enjoying "chilling" with my old friend, the AlBook. Not really looking to do anything of any value this evening. (Though I should be trying to do some writing, but...) Guess it's just going to be me, the 'Book, and whatever forgettable "background noise" TV is available...
Another typical night in paradise...
Anyway, I'm still basking in the afterglow of the Cube coming online. However, I really don't feel like re-excavating the desk to get to that system this evening. So, to maintain some solidarity with the G4 world, I pulled out my very first Mac, my PowerBook G4 "Aluminum", and have been playing this evening. (OK, I was using my MBP, but I ran the battery down, so I decided to give it a rest for the evening...)
I just finished updating my copy of TenFourFox, which is an excellent web browser that specifically supports the PowerPC platform. I'm working within it right now as I type this. While it isn't as slick as Safari, it's still quite capable. Definite kudos to the folks who make/support it.
Moving on... I've been
So, with this in mind, I spent a good bit of this evening looking over the website of PowerMax, the company where I bought my AlBook. For anyone who hasn't heard of them, they're an Oregon-based Apple reseller. I've had good experience with them in the past, and several folks I know have had the same. They have an awesome selection of used Macs available. And, they have a good attitude towards business, which I appreciate. (The inevitable disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with PowerMax in any way, save as a customer.)
We'll see if I get the chance to do some business with them. I hope so...
In any event, I'm enjoying "chilling" with my old friend, the AlBook. Not really looking to do anything of any value this evening. (Though I should be trying to do some writing, but...) Guess it's just going to be me, the 'Book, and whatever forgettable "background noise" TV is available...
Another typical night in paradise...
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Fantasy Computers
The other night, I found myself watching Iron Man 2. (Yeah, on cable. I know...) I enjoyed it, being an old Iron Man fan from ages back. (I actually had a subscription for Iron Man comics, back in the day. When I was in college...) (Yeah, I know...)
Of course, I start looking at the techie stuff they have in the film. The real tech they used as set dressing. I remember from the first film that the computer on Stark's desk was a Dell XPS M2010, and it appears that the same computer was on the desk in the second film. Basically a Vista system showing a fantasy interface. While the XPS is a visually interesting design (Write that down, I actually complimented a Dell!), I always thought they could do better. And without having to go the way of they did with the wild stuff they show in Stark's garage lab...
Don't you think Stark would've had something a bit cooler on his desk. (You know where I'm headed with this, right?) Honestly, I was thinking about something like the Cube. Or like the old NextCube or NextStation. Or, hey, even like a keyboard-ed HP TC1100 (kinda small, but.... They could just show the system sitting on the desk, and then show something like a doctored-up version of "Project Looking Glass" running on the screen.
My opinion, but I really think they should've gone retro-techie with the Stark character.
But, then again, no one is listening to me, so...
However, someone is thinking retro, like me. Check out the "Starkintosh" from "Matt's Macintosh" over on YouTube. Darn Cool!
There's a whole world out there of "fantasy user interface" designers out there. Some work for Hollywood, and you see their work in a variety of films. Others just do it for the fun of it. (I can't remember all the URLs out there. There's a cool article from NPR on the subject HERE.
And I think that's enough silliness for the evening. Time to shut the Cube down and try to dig all the junk off the bed...
Of course, I start looking at the techie stuff they have in the film. The real tech they used as set dressing. I remember from the first film that the computer on Stark's desk was a Dell XPS M2010, and it appears that the same computer was on the desk in the second film. Basically a Vista system showing a fantasy interface. While the XPS is a visually interesting design (Write that down, I actually complimented a Dell!), I always thought they could do better. And without having to go the way of they did with the wild stuff they show in Stark's garage lab...
Don't you think Stark would've had something a bit cooler on his desk. (You know where I'm headed with this, right?) Honestly, I was thinking about something like the Cube. Or like the old NextCube or NextStation. Or, hey, even like a keyboard-ed HP TC1100 (kinda small, but.... They could just show the system sitting on the desk, and then show something like a doctored-up version of "Project Looking Glass" running on the screen.
 |
| Project Looking Glass screenshot from the Wikipedia article linked above. |
But, then again, no one is listening to me, so...
However, someone is thinking retro, like me. Check out the "Starkintosh" from "Matt's Macintosh" over on YouTube. Darn Cool!
There's a whole world out there of "fantasy user interface" designers out there. Some work for Hollywood, and you see their work in a variety of films. Others just do it for the fun of it. (I can't remember all the URLs out there. There's a cool article from NPR on the subject HERE.
And I think that's enough silliness for the evening. Time to shut the Cube down and try to dig all the junk off the bed...
And a Quick Follow-up
Well, I went a little crazy and did everything I needed to do. Moved in, unpacked, and hung up the pictures, and...
Well, you get the picture.
The Cube works quite well. Granted, it still runs slow on the online videos, even with YouView. But everything else seems to be going along OK.
I found my thumb drive, and ended up copying over a bunch of Classic software. (Strangely, MacWrite had trouble starting, so I zapped it off. I'll stick with WriteNow...) I even went out and downloaded TenFourFox, which I'm using now. Even reset the Dock to the cool "magnifier" view. (Yeah, I know...)
The only oddity: I can't get a DVD into the drive. Not sure what's going on there. I pulled the system out of its casing when I first got it, but noticed no problems with the optical drive. But it's like there's something blocking the drive. Hmmm... Since I've got everything hooked up now, I really don't feel like unplugging and unhooking everything, and pulling the system out again. Maybe later...
Oh well...
Well, you get the picture.
The Cube works quite well. Granted, it still runs slow on the online videos, even with YouView. But everything else seems to be going along OK.
I found my thumb drive, and ended up copying over a bunch of Classic software. (Strangely, MacWrite had trouble starting, so I zapped it off. I'll stick with WriteNow...) I even went out and downloaded TenFourFox, which I'm using now. Even reset the Dock to the cool "magnifier" view. (Yeah, I know...)
The only oddity: I can't get a DVD into the drive. Not sure what's going on there. I pulled the system out of its casing when I first got it, but noticed no problems with the optical drive. But it's like there's something blocking the drive. Hmmm... Since I've got everything hooked up now, I really don't feel like unplugging and unhooking everything, and pulling the system out again. Maybe later...
Oh well...
A Little Success
Finally!
I FINALLY excavated out my desk, and installed the new Macally keyboard and Apple Pro Mouse on the Cube. And it works PERFECTLY!!! I'm typing on it right now, and it's excellent. I love the keyboard.
Granted, this is a 450 Mhz G4 processor, Running OS X 10.4 Tiger, so it boots a bit slow. But once it's up and running, it's fine. And I'm currently just using the installed version of Safari for now. (The previous owner installed Firefox, which I appreciate. But I'm going to install TenFourFox when I get 'round to it...) After I get the browser situation taken care of, I'm going to installing YouView for my YouTube needs, and then I'm going to get some scads of Classic software installed in the Classic apps folder. (I'm hoping the Cube will recognize the extra USB port on the keyboard, so I can just copy the software over on thumb drives. I've already got a bunch of stuff on one of my thumb drives... Now, if I can just find it...)
My desk is so cramped now, what with the Mac Mini and the TAM taking up real estate. If I'd clean the mass pile of junk and old DVD's off of one side, I could get a good bit more space. But that would take effort, and...
They called the Cube the "silent supercomputer", and they're right. There's hardly any sound out of the thing. The hard drive is unnervingly quiet. I haven't tried the optical disk yet, but will here in a bit.
I had to install a separate monitor for the system, along with the new keyboard and mouse. It wouldn't take to the KVM switch at all. Now, I'm looking at the Macally + ProMouse, and thinking strongly about switching it over to my Mini, to use with it. But I just can't bring myself to hook the old iMac keyboard and puck mouse up the Cube. (And I like the puck mouse. I'm weird that way...)
Hmmm... The previous owner has the system monitoring utilities up and running While it looks cool, I can do without it. Bit of a waste of memory.
So many things to do... But I'm happy. It's such a classy. cool computer.
Kid in the candy store time....
I FINALLY excavated out my desk, and installed the new Macally keyboard and Apple Pro Mouse on the Cube. And it works PERFECTLY!!! I'm typing on it right now, and it's excellent. I love the keyboard.
Granted, this is a 450 Mhz G4 processor, Running OS X 10.4 Tiger, so it boots a bit slow. But once it's up and running, it's fine. And I'm currently just using the installed version of Safari for now. (The previous owner installed Firefox, which I appreciate. But I'm going to install TenFourFox when I get 'round to it...) After I get the browser situation taken care of, I'm going to installing YouView for my YouTube needs, and then I'm going to get some scads of Classic software installed in the Classic apps folder. (I'm hoping the Cube will recognize the extra USB port on the keyboard, so I can just copy the software over on thumb drives. I've already got a bunch of stuff on one of my thumb drives... Now, if I can just find it...)
My desk is so cramped now, what with the Mac Mini and the TAM taking up real estate. If I'd clean the mass pile of junk and old DVD's off of one side, I could get a good bit more space. But that would take effort, and...
They called the Cube the "silent supercomputer", and they're right. There's hardly any sound out of the thing. The hard drive is unnervingly quiet. I haven't tried the optical disk yet, but will here in a bit.
I had to install a separate monitor for the system, along with the new keyboard and mouse. It wouldn't take to the KVM switch at all. Now, I'm looking at the Macally + ProMouse, and thinking strongly about switching it over to my Mini, to use with it. But I just can't bring myself to hook the old iMac keyboard and puck mouse up the Cube. (And I like the puck mouse. I'm weird that way...)
Hmmm... The previous owner has the system monitoring utilities up and running While it looks cool, I can do without it. Bit of a waste of memory.
So many things to do... But I'm happy. It's such a classy. cool computer.
Kid in the candy store time....
Monday, January 14, 2013
Uhm...
I'm just wondering what it signifies when you wake up with the song "Mexican Radio" repetitively stuck in your head...
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Space...
I just spent a goodly amount of time, using my Christmas-gift Amazon Kindle Fire HD to watch YouTube videos on the International Space Station. Fascinating stuff. If you get the chance, do some searching, and watch. Honestly beats the heck out of old Star Trek reruns.
I was particularly amused by a series of Q&A videos done by Astronaut Greg Chamitoff. Apparently people could email in questions, and they were given to Chamitoff to answer. The questions are fairly lightweight, and some are quite offbeat. But Chamitoff answered them with a good sense of humor, and gave some interesting answers. (I was particularly caught by one answer where he talked about the "smell of space." Odd, but fascinating...)
Of course, me being me, I had to do something odd and tenuously related to the subject at hand, so I ended up dragging out one of my old IBM (Lenovo) ThinkPads, and started putting it through it's paces. Why, you may ask? Well, because the ThinkPad is the only laptop cleared for use on the I.S.S, of course. (Watch those videos. The damned things are everywhere.)
So, I've got my old Lenovo R40 out, trying to do upgrades. This one is running WinXP, and Microsoft gags on the upgrades. Mainly because 1) I'm running XP, and (by far the worst crime) 2) I don't have Explorer set up as my default browser. (Blasphemy!!!)
I'll probably be damned to watch the Ballmer Monkey Dance for all eternity....
And, yeah, I know this is all pretty pathetic. But we strive to make the totally unnecessary a way of life here...
Now, will someone explain to me why they're not running Oddities on the Science Channel?
I was particularly amused by a series of Q&A videos done by Astronaut Greg Chamitoff. Apparently people could email in questions, and they were given to Chamitoff to answer. The questions are fairly lightweight, and some are quite offbeat. But Chamitoff answered them with a good sense of humor, and gave some interesting answers. (I was particularly caught by one answer where he talked about the "smell of space." Odd, but fascinating...)
Of course, me being me, I had to do something odd and tenuously related to the subject at hand, so I ended up dragging out one of my old IBM (Lenovo) ThinkPads, and started putting it through it's paces. Why, you may ask? Well, because the ThinkPad is the only laptop cleared for use on the I.S.S, of course. (Watch those videos. The damned things are everywhere.)
So, I've got my old Lenovo R40 out, trying to do upgrades. This one is running WinXP, and Microsoft gags on the upgrades. Mainly because 1) I'm running XP, and (by far the worst crime) 2) I don't have Explorer set up as my default browser. (Blasphemy!!!)
I'll probably be damned to watch the Ballmer Monkey Dance for all eternity....
And, yeah, I know this is all pretty pathetic. But we strive to make the totally unnecessary a way of life here...
Now, will someone explain to me why they're not running Oddities on the Science Channel?
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Nostalgia
So, I've been off in la-la land as of late. Let the New Year pass me by, and didn't even make some sort of silly posting as my birthday rolled past. (No, I'm not telling...)
In any event, I've been letting myself get lost in my personal little nostalgia trips. And, as I note below, I've been thinking about my old college and university days. I tend to look back with really thick rose-colored lenses, particularly at my "starving student" days at the university. It's the closest I'll ever get to a "romantic" period in my life, and you know how that goes. (Mostly it was just bland, and parts of it were actually kind of lousy, but I'd rather not go into that...)
Still, I started thinking about techie parts of those "good ol' days", and found myself firing up the old Mac emulator to make me feel more "in the mood." A dose of MacWrite facilitation, and we're off on another stream-of-consciousness rant. Just thought I'd pass it along...
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