I twittered this the other day, but thought it would be worth a blog post.
Screen capture of my NPR RSS feed from the other day.
I understand that the president is supposed to put the best foot forward, etc., etc., but how indicitive of the his last term in office is this!?
Enjoy. 
I’ve really been feeling the Linux itch lately and with some extra time on my hands post surgery, I finally did something about it.
My friend Dustin turned me on to the Wubi installer a while ago and this was the perfect time to give it a spin.
Wubi - Ubuntu Installer for Windows
From the site: “Wubi is an officially supported Ubuntu installer for Windows users that can bring you to the Linux world with a single click. Wubi allows you to install and uninstall Ubuntu as any other Windows application, in a simple and safe way.”
From the get-go I am very impressed with wubi. Hands down the easiest linux install I’ve ever performed. The installer file creates a folder on your harddrive. You select the installation size, set a username and password and set the desktop environment.
Once you’re done with these preliminary settings, the installer downloads the Ubuntu install files, adds an entry for in the boot.ini and then asks to reboot the system.
With the new boot.ini entry, you have the option during the boot process to boot into Window or Ubuntu. Select Ubuntu to finish the installation. This is where the process was really impressive for me. The installer creates an ext3 file system inside the Ubuntu folder created in your Windows install. Instead of having to partition out your hard drive, Ubuntu is installed into this folder and runs self-contained.
The installer must have a massive driver database as well. I run an HP Compaq 8710p laptop, and the install had all the drivers for this machine. Everything worked post install, wireless, video, sound. I didn’t have to add any drivers.
It also has a good selection of pre-installed applications including Firefox 3, Open Office, audio and video applications and all the administrative tools you need for the o/s.
If there’s a downside to Wubi, it’s that you don’t get any advanced configuration options during install. If you’re a more advanced user and like to be in control of what gets installed and what doesn’t, this isn’t the install you’re looking for. But, Wubi’s purpose is to be a one-click solution to installing Linux on a Windows machine, and it works beautifully.
If at the end of your test drive, you decide that Linux isn’t for you, simply boot back in to Windows, open up Add/Remove Programs and there’s Ubuntu waiting in the list. Follow the usual uninstall procedure and it’s gone.
If you’ve ever been curious about Linux, this is the best introduction out there. Give it a test drive.
Wow.. let me blow off some of the dust. It’s a little stale in here.
Between vacation, crazy work load and a surgery, the last few weeks have been full to say the least.
We went to New Mexico 3 weeks ago for a nice relaxing vacation. It was great to get away. Upon return, it was non-stop work and doctor appointments leading up to my gallbladder surgery last Thursday.
I’m working remotely today, still on the mend. Things are returning to normal again though and blogging will resume as well. Check out the Flickr page and the Twitter updates for a recap of the last few weeks.
Until next time…
-Franken-belly
In preparation for my CT scan this afternoon, I have to ingest these two bottles of Barium Sulfate Suspension. From drugs.com, “Barium sulfate increases the absorption of x-rays as they pass through the body, thus delineating body structures, in which barium sulfate is localized.”
I’ve already put one of these horrific concoctions down. That was an awesome experience, especially since I haven’t eaten anything since lunchtime yesterday. I’m not exactly sure how to describe the consistency… It’s probably somewhere between pepto and wet cement.
And after all this, I still don’t get my results for two days…
I have finally finished uploading the pictures from Memorial Day. Take a look and let me know what you think.
It was a great trip. I’d never been to the Petrified Forest or Canyon de Chelly.
The Petrified Forest is a very cool place that everyone should experience once. However, I don’t know that I’d go back unless it was with someone who hasn’t been there yet. Canyon de Chelly on the other hand is amazing. I would definitely go back.
Firefox Mobile concept flaunted in Mozilla video | The Social - CNET News.com
Check it out! Looks very promising.
Neither! It’s a gallbladder!
I’ve had an experience that few men have. I had an ultrasound. No, I’m not the subject of some experiment to get a man pregnant; I am suffering from symptoms that point to Gallbladder problems. So yesterday I got to be on the receiving end of that strange goo they dump on you and the poking and prodding of the ultrasound tech pushing around on my already irritated abdomen.
It’s always interesting to see what comes up on the screen when you watch an ultrasound. Sometimes, you can make out a kidney or a rib, but most of the time it really looks like static on a tv screen.
The most frustrating part of the whole experience is that the ultrasound techs never tell you anything. They don’t even buy you a meal first before groping all over your body.
The conversation consisted of, “take a deep breath… now relax.”
I know. I know. They can’t tell you anything cause if they’re wrong or miss something someone might sue them… but can’t they at least say something so you know they’re human and not just a robotic extension of the ultrasound machine?
I don’t have the results yet, and don’t really have an idea if it is my gallbladder or not since the android taking the pictures wouldn’t say anything to me. I will hopefully find out by Friday.
To hype up the release of FireFox 3, the folks at spreadfirefox.com are calling for Download Day 2008. They want to set a record for the most downloads in a single day.
Sounds like a good deal, right? All you have to do is get Firefox 3 during Download Day to help set the record for most software downloads in 24 hours - it’s that easy. We’re not asking you to swallow a sword or to balance 30 spoons on your face, although that would be kind of awesome.”
Spread Firefox | Download Day 2008
I’ve am a huge Firefox fan. It’s all I use for browsing and have been using since it was Firebird. What about you?
*UPDATE* Firefox 3 release data has been announced for June 17th!
Music is really a huge part of my life; I’ve dabbled in all sorts of music experience from the enthusiastic listener - to wanna-be guitar hero - to dj and remixer.
I thought I’d take a moment and share a great downtempo radio station for your listening pleasure. Tune in and enjoy.
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cerebral twitter
