One area we've struggled with, and from what we've seen it's a problem for a lot of users as well, is media support. Linux doesn't natively allow playing encrypted DVDs (because of proprietary coding and moral dismay), though there's a fix. So here is a roundup of our picks for media players. Beside the name of the programs I have listed the repository package name for easy install through apt-get.
Audio Players
There are three great media players, almost all identical actually. I've always been a Winamp fan in Windows, and they make a version of Winamp 3 for Linux. These are three apparent Winamp clones, but all good players which I haven't had trouble with. Beep Media Player (beep-media-player), XMMS (xmms), and Audacious (audacious) are great programs and play mp1, mp2, mp3, Ogg Vorbis, wav, raw, and au file support.
CD Players
Here is one category Jeremy and I disagree on, and it's only because he has had some compatibility issues on his laptop. I prefer KsCD (kscd) for its features and simplicity. It's a very clean program, and I like it for CDs. Jeremy prefers the Free Software Foundation's CD Player (gnome-media). I recommend trying them both and seeing which you like.
DVD Players
VLC Media Player (vlc) is great program with excellent DVD playback. It's also a full media player, though I prefer other programs for other media types, though if you like an all-in-one solution to your media playing needs I recommend VLC.
Photo Editing
Most likely everyone who has used Linux, almost any distro, for a length of time is well aware of Gimp (gimp). Gimp is like Adobe Photoshop, but free. It's a wonderful photo editor and can save in a wide range of file formats. I recommend picking up the gimp-data-extras package as well for additional features, especially for the professional or semi-pro digital artist.
Search Tillamook Rage
1.15.2008
1.09.2008
From the weather desk: Blizzard in Hell
Well it happened. The one thing I never thought I would live to see has happened, well aside from Israel and Palestine burying the hatchet for a group hug. Microsoft admitted to slandering competition and lying to cover their tracks, even falsifying "Knowledgebase articles" during this year's CES (Consumer Electronics Show).
The long and short of it is that Microsoft issued a patch for Office 2003 that blocked users from opening previous Microsoft formats and any competitor's formats, claiming the competition's formats were a security risk (because Windows itself isn't, right?). They went so far as to scare the less informed, claiming "They may pose a risk to you." In their defense, Stevie B was jumped by 3 OOXML documents and mugged earlier in the year, but you can't blame an entire format for a few bad seeds.
Now if you had to make an apology to millions of people, and the CES show, a highly publicised event, is going on right now, you might use your clout to be the bigger man and fess up during the show. Well, Microsoft came close. David LeBlanc made the apology in his Blog on MSDN. Who's David LeBlanc you might ask? Exactly. He's a programmer for Microsoft. Why not have Billy Boy or Stevie B announce it in their flair? Well, for one Stevie B might set fire to the stage and bite the head off of an audience member at random. And secondly it would be admitting they were at fault.
Another issue with this apology is that it isn't much of an apology. They say they were doing what was right, that they were very old formats, you know, like the new Corel formats. In fact, the only time the word apology appears is in the statement "We also recognize that we have not made any of this as usable as we'd like, and we apologize that this hasn't been as well documented or as easy as you need it to be." This is in reference to the file opening fix. Never do they apologize to Corel, their users, or the public they lied to. Isn't that like smacking someone and saying "Sorry I didn't give you ample warning."?
They also state "From the data we have on file opens, very few users open files in these formats, so we decided to modify the default behavior to this safer approach." From the data they have on file opens? This should send up a flag to some Office 2003 users. They're tracking file usage, in some cases at least. That I find a bit bizarre, I can see how it's useful for them when making new formats, but a bit "Big Brother"ish as well.
Good luck finding this story at the top of any major news networks, though we can always hope, right?
You can read the full "apology" here.
Side note: I hope nobody is offended or even believes the statements I make about Steve Ballmer, he's actually a very delightfully insane man and has never, to my knowledge, been jumped by any document or file format.
The long and short of it is that Microsoft issued a patch for Office 2003 that blocked users from opening previous Microsoft formats and any competitor's formats, claiming the competition's formats were a security risk (because Windows itself isn't, right?). They went so far as to scare the less informed, claiming "They may pose a risk to you." In their defense, Stevie B was jumped by 3 OOXML documents and mugged earlier in the year, but you can't blame an entire format for a few bad seeds.
Now if you had to make an apology to millions of people, and the CES show, a highly publicised event, is going on right now, you might use your clout to be the bigger man and fess up during the show. Well, Microsoft came close. David LeBlanc made the apology in his Blog on MSDN. Who's David LeBlanc you might ask? Exactly. He's a programmer for Microsoft. Why not have Billy Boy or Stevie B announce it in their flair? Well, for one Stevie B might set fire to the stage and bite the head off of an audience member at random. And secondly it would be admitting they were at fault.
Another issue with this apology is that it isn't much of an apology. They say they were doing what was right, that they were very old formats, you know, like the new Corel formats. In fact, the only time the word apology appears is in the statement "We also recognize that we have not made any of this as usable as we'd like, and we apologize that this hasn't been as well documented or as easy as you need it to be." This is in reference to the file opening fix. Never do they apologize to Corel, their users, or the public they lied to. Isn't that like smacking someone and saying "Sorry I didn't give you ample warning."?
They also state "From the data we have on file opens, very few users open files in these formats, so we decided to modify the default behavior to this safer approach." From the data they have on file opens? This should send up a flag to some Office 2003 users. They're tracking file usage, in some cases at least. That I find a bit bizarre, I can see how it's useful for them when making new formats, but a bit "Big Brother"ish as well.
Good luck finding this story at the top of any major news networks, though we can always hope, right?
You can read the full "apology" here.
Side note: I hope nobody is offended or even believes the statements I make about Steve Ballmer, he's actually a very delightfully insane man and has never, to my knowledge, been jumped by any document or file format.
1.04.2008
The Case of the Disappearing CD/CD-R/DVD Drive in Ubuntu (Xubutnu)
You might be interested in this post if you have a Feisty (7.04) version of Ubuntu or one of its derivatives and your CD/CD-R/DVD drive has disappeared. This problem manifests itself in different ways for different reasons and is kind of a pain to stamp out. This procedure has not tested on motherboards with SATA drives, but should solve the problem. In case you're interested, the problem stems from an issue with the libata driver that's built into the kernels used in the 7.04 (Feisty) versions. The libata library has been reverted in the later kernels that versions 7.10 and later have, so the problem has gone away.
This procedure was developed using Xubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn, but should work equally well for any Ubuntu derivative provided you know the locations of the applications (or their alternative applications) that I mention.
As always, please be careful following procedures from this or any site as they can leave you with a system that's damaged and a pain to fix if a mistake is made.
Intro
If you're like me, you appreciate a good mystery or magic trick, but not if it involves a vanishing piece of hardware that you use frequently. I've had problems with this for awhile and have just now gotten around to getting a good solution figured out. In this post I'm going to give you 3 different ways to solve the problem, ranging from a simple (but temporary) band-aid that should work, to installing a brand new kernel that fixes the problem permanently. If you're interested in a quick fix without much pain, read the first two sections, and if you're interested in the more involved but clean fix, read the last section.
Method 1: The Band-Aid
This method consists of leaving a CD in the drive every time that you shut your computer down. It's not a guaranteed fix, but it's easy to try. The CD you leave in the drive can be a music CD or a data CD, but I wouldn't use a bootable CD because you'll have to exit the boot menu every time. When the kernel checks the drive and sees a CD, it will recognize the drive and you'll be good to go once your Ubuntu system boots up. Just make sure that the CD is in the drive everytime you start the computer.
Method 2: The System Upgrade
Method 2 requires you to upgrade from Ubuntu (Xubuntu) 7.04 to 7.10. To do this go to Applications > System > Update Manager (in Xubuntu). Once the Update Manager window comes up, you will see an Upgrade button next to the text New distribution release '7.10' is available. Click this button and follow the instructions.
Method 3: The Kernel Upgrade
This method is not for the easiest one here, but is a good option if you have the fortitude. We're going to cheat and borrow the kernel from the Gutsy repository to get Feisty working correctly. Open the Software Sources dialog (Applications > System > Software Sources) entering your administrator password if prompted. Click the Third-Party Software tab and then click the Add... button. Type or copy deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy main restricted into the window that comes up (Figure 1) and click the Add Source button.
Figure 1
Now click the Close button on the Software Sources dialog and click the Reload button on the dialog box that pops (the one that says your software sources are out of date). Once the Software Sources dialog closes, you're ready for the next step. Open a terminal window (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and type or copy the following commands (you can right click on the terminal window to get the paste option), hitting the Enter key after each line. And yes, the second command starting with sudo is all one command. I would suggest copying and pasting that one.
This procedure was developed using Xubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn, but should work equally well for any Ubuntu derivative provided you know the locations of the applications (or their alternative applications) that I mention.
As always, please be careful following procedures from this or any site as they can leave you with a system that's damaged and a pain to fix if a mistake is made.
Intro
If you're like me, you appreciate a good mystery or magic trick, but not if it involves a vanishing piece of hardware that you use frequently. I've had problems with this for awhile and have just now gotten around to getting a good solution figured out. In this post I'm going to give you 3 different ways to solve the problem, ranging from a simple (but temporary) band-aid that should work, to installing a brand new kernel that fixes the problem permanently. If you're interested in a quick fix without much pain, read the first two sections, and if you're interested in the more involved but clean fix, read the last section.
Method 1: The Band-Aid
This method consists of leaving a CD in the drive every time that you shut your computer down. It's not a guaranteed fix, but it's easy to try. The CD you leave in the drive can be a music CD or a data CD, but I wouldn't use a bootable CD because you'll have to exit the boot menu every time. When the kernel checks the drive and sees a CD, it will recognize the drive and you'll be good to go once your Ubuntu system boots up. Just make sure that the CD is in the drive everytime you start the computer.
Method 2: The System Upgrade
Method 2 requires you to upgrade from Ubuntu (Xubuntu) 7.04 to 7.10. To do this go to Applications > System > Update Manager (in Xubuntu). Once the Update Manager window comes up, you will see an Upgrade button next to the text New distribution release '7.10' is available. Click this button and follow the instructions.
Method 3: The Kernel Upgrade
This method is not for the easiest one here, but is a good option if you have the fortitude. We're going to cheat and borrow the kernel from the Gutsy repository to get Feisty working correctly. Open the Software Sources dialog (Applications > System > Software Sources) entering your administrator password if prompted. Click the Third-Party Software tab and then click the Add... button. Type or copy deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ gutsy main restricted into the window that comes up (Figure 1) and click the Add Source button.
Figure 1Now click the Close button on the Software Sources dialog and click the Reload button on the dialog box that pops (the one that says your software sources are out of date). Once the Software Sources dialog closes, you're ready for the next step. Open a terminal window (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and type or copy the following commands (you can right click on the terminal window to get the paste option), hitting the Enter key after each line. And yes, the second command starting with sudo is all one command. I would suggest copying and pasting that one.
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-2.6.22-14-generic linux-headers-2.6.22-14 linux-headers-2.6.22-14-generic linux-image-2.6.22-14-generic linux-restricted-modules-2.6.22-14-generic linux-ubuntu-modules-2.6.22-14-generic
sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-2.6.22-14-generic linux-headers-2.6.22-14 linux-headers-2.6.22-14-generic linux-image-2.6.22-14-generic linux-restricted-modules-2.6.22-14-generic linux-ubuntu-modules-2.6.22-14-generic
If you're reading this quite a while after I've written it, you may want to check which kernel is currently available in the repository by opening a web browser and navigating to http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/gutsy/main/binary-i386/Packages.gz and searching for linux-backports-modules - checking the version number. The format that you're looking for should be something similar to the one above (2.6.22-14). Just substitute the version number that you find for the one in the second command above.
The last thing you need to do is to remove the Gutsy repository from your Third-Party Sources. This prevents any Gutsy updates that will break your system from creeping in later. Open the Software Sources dialog (Applications > System > Software Sources) entering your administrator password if prompted. Click the Third-Party Software tab and then click on the Gutsy deb entry (Figure 2) and click the Remove button.
Figure 2
Now click the Close button on the Software Sources dialog and click the Reload button on the dialog box that pops up (the one that says your software sources are out of date). Once the Software Sources dialog closes, you're finished.
You should now be all set. By upgrading the kernel you'll fix your disappearing CDROM/CD-R/DVD drive problem and you'll also get some really nice features like network hotplug too. Reboot your computer and enjoy!
The last thing you need to do is to remove the Gutsy repository from your Third-Party Sources. This prevents any Gutsy updates that will break your system from creeping in later. Open the Software Sources dialog (Applications > System > Software Sources) entering your administrator password if prompted. Click the Third-Party Software tab and then click on the Gutsy deb entry (Figure 2) and click the Remove button.
Figure 2Now click the Close button on the Software Sources dialog and click the Reload button on the dialog box that pops up (the one that says your software sources are out of date). Once the Software Sources dialog closes, you're finished.
You should now be all set. By upgrading the kernel you'll fix your disappearing CDROM/CD-R/DVD drive problem and you'll also get some really nice features like network hotplug too. Reboot your computer and enjoy!
1.02.2008
An update
Jeremy made some improvements to the DNS Speedup post, so if you used that you may be interested in making the changes. He noted that there is some "drift" in DNS addresses over time, so this should fix it.
We would like to thank the over 1,500 of you who have visited us in the past 3.5 months. Hopefully we've helped you. We always like feedback or suggestions, you can do so through comments or eonsproject (at) gmail.com.
Happy New Year!
We would like to thank the over 1,500 of you who have visited us in the past 3.5 months. Hopefully we've helped you. We always like feedback or suggestions, you can do so through comments or eonsproject (at) gmail.com.
Happy New Year!
1.01.2008
Where does Linux (and its users) fit in?
Happy New Year my fellow Tillamookians! It's been a bit since an update, I've been on involuntary sabbatical and Jeremy has been kept busy with the job(s) that pays the bills. We've kicked around a post like this for a while, but after reading this article from Linux Journal I decided to get on it. Besides, what else am I going to do while watching football?
I use Linux on my laptop, which I use more than my home desktops. I have one desktop with Linux, and one with Windows XP Pro. My parents have 2 computers with Windows 98 and 4 with XP Home. My fiancée uses XP Home on her desktop and Vista (does it matter which version, they're all painful?) on her laptop. So you could say I'm an OS outcast. I set up a desktop for my mom's classroom with EONS on it and she loved it, she preferred it to XP or 98. Then I told her it was Linux and she said she didn't know how to use it. Where is this going? I ask the same of Linux sometimes.
Most average users think they can't use Linux. They already do in a lot of ways though. It's used in car computers, phones, broadband routers, HD receivers, wireless devices, PDAs, and public computers. I've been doing some testing, I let average users try out a computer with EONS on it, and they always like it, they think it's a new version of Windows. When I ask them if they would want a Linux computer they always say they don't know how to use it and don't want to learn a new system. I find that really interesting.
Linux is more secure, so for careless users who are more at risk of getting viruses and spyware it should be advantageous. It's free and so is most of the software for it, which is good for users but bad for software companies. Unfortunately for most Linux distros though, their UIs are poorly designed and unintuitive for even those of us who have been using Linux for a while. That's where Windows, up until Vista, was far superior. My grandparents finally learned to use Windows 98 last year, I'm not about to hand them a Linux distro with a greatly different UI. For Linux to fit in and thrive in the desktop market it must adapt to the well designed Windows desktop and menus, and add built-in Win32 program support.
Where do Linux users fit into the desktop world? As a free software community most Linux developers are unpaid and are working in their spare time. It then falls on the users, not out of obligation but out of desire for better free software, to help report problems and do what they can to help. If a user wants to support a project they don't need to donate money or code, they need to donate documentation and support. Support isn't enough, the documentation needs to be tested and make sure that it is accurate on more than one computer. Linux needs the How-To books and the Quick-Start guides that Windows has had almost from the start. Sure there have always been these guides for server environments, but desktops are where most users are.
So what need does Linux fill now? It gives you all Windows does and more, but for a pricetag of $0, and last I checked that was less than Windows. And where do its users fit? They act as developers, users, writers, and testers. We want to encourage users of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) to always help however they are able, even if it's just spreading the word. Now go do some good and have a safe new year friends.
I use Linux on my laptop, which I use more than my home desktops. I have one desktop with Linux, and one with Windows XP Pro. My parents have 2 computers with Windows 98 and 4 with XP Home. My fiancée uses XP Home on her desktop and Vista (does it matter which version, they're all painful?) on her laptop. So you could say I'm an OS outcast. I set up a desktop for my mom's classroom with EONS on it and she loved it, she preferred it to XP or 98. Then I told her it was Linux and she said she didn't know how to use it. Where is this going? I ask the same of Linux sometimes.
Most average users think they can't use Linux. They already do in a lot of ways though. It's used in car computers, phones, broadband routers, HD receivers, wireless devices, PDAs, and public computers. I've been doing some testing, I let average users try out a computer with EONS on it, and they always like it, they think it's a new version of Windows. When I ask them if they would want a Linux computer they always say they don't know how to use it and don't want to learn a new system. I find that really interesting.
Linux is more secure, so for careless users who are more at risk of getting viruses and spyware it should be advantageous. It's free and so is most of the software for it, which is good for users but bad for software companies. Unfortunately for most Linux distros though, their UIs are poorly designed and unintuitive for even those of us who have been using Linux for a while. That's where Windows, up until Vista, was far superior. My grandparents finally learned to use Windows 98 last year, I'm not about to hand them a Linux distro with a greatly different UI. For Linux to fit in and thrive in the desktop market it must adapt to the well designed Windows desktop and menus, and add built-in Win32 program support.
Where do Linux users fit into the desktop world? As a free software community most Linux developers are unpaid and are working in their spare time. It then falls on the users, not out of obligation but out of desire for better free software, to help report problems and do what they can to help. If a user wants to support a project they don't need to donate money or code, they need to donate documentation and support. Support isn't enough, the documentation needs to be tested and make sure that it is accurate on more than one computer. Linux needs the How-To books and the Quick-Start guides that Windows has had almost from the start. Sure there have always been these guides for server environments, but desktops are where most users are.
So what need does Linux fill now? It gives you all Windows does and more, but for a pricetag of $0, and last I checked that was less than Windows. And where do its users fit? They act as developers, users, writers, and testers. We want to encourage users of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) to always help however they are able, even if it's just spreading the word. Now go do some good and have a safe new year friends.
12.18.2007
EONS: Some hard numbers
I recently did some testing of the latest stable build of EONS, 0.23.2. Here are some of those results:
System 1:
266MHz Gateway Solo 9100 Laptop
64mb PC100
4.3GB hard drive
DVD/floppy drive
No NIC or modem
System 2:
650MHz P3
128mb PC133
40GB hard drive
CD and CDRW
NIC and modem
System 3:
1GHz P3 Gateway All-In-One
384mb PC133
6GB hard drive
DVD
Wireless card
System 4:
2.8GHz P4 with hyperthreading
512mb DDR333
60GB hard drive
DVDRW and CDROM
NIC and modem
Startup times (from pressing the button to getting to the desktop):
System 1 - 2:23
System 2 - 1:02
System 3 - 0:51
System 4 - 0:41
Loading OpenOffice.org 2.2:
System 1 - 0:17
System 2 - 0:13
System 3 - 0:04
System 4 - 0:03
Loading Gmail.com on a DSL connection:
System 1 -n/a
System 2 - 0:15
System 3 - 0:10
System 4 - 0:08
Now let's compare those to the XP machine I have here.
1.67GHz Athlon XP
512mb DDR333
40GB hard drive
CDRW
NIC
Windows XP Pro SP2
Startup time - 1:13
Loading Word 2000 - 0:10
Loading Gmail.com (in Firefox for continuity) - 0:13
Now I thought that might not be entirely fair, so here's data from my personal computer, with XP Pro slapped on it:
1.6GHz Sempron 2800+
1.5Gb DDR400
2x 250GB hard drives, 8mb cache
DVD and DVDRW
NIC
Windows XP Pro SP2
Startup time - 0:40
Loading OpenOffice.org 2.2 - 0:06
Loading Gmail.com (in Firefox for continuity) - 0:09
A graphical view of the test results, shorter bars are better.
Then the same computer with EONS:
Startup time - 0:37
Loading OpenOffice.org 2.2 - 0:04
Loading Gmail.com - 0:02
So it looks like XP Pro can compete with EONS in speed, but look at the comparisons. The first XP machine, the 1.67GHz Athlon XP with 512mb DDR333 was comparable to 266MHz or the 650MHz running EONS. The 1.6GHz Sempron with 1.5Gb DDR400 was on-par with the 2.8GHz P4 with 512mb DDR333. In a pure hardware-hardware comparison it should have blown it away.
We hope to be ready for a full release of EONS in January or February, so keep coming back for more information and certainly more useful documentation.
"Tillamook on Wayne." "Tillamook on Garth."
System 1:
266MHz Gateway Solo 9100 Laptop
64mb PC100
4.3GB hard drive
DVD/floppy drive
No NIC or modem
System 2:
650MHz P3
128mb PC133
40GB hard drive
CD and CDRW
NIC and modem
System 3:
1GHz P3 Gateway All-In-One
384mb PC133
6GB hard drive
DVD
Wireless card
System 4:
2.8GHz P4 with hyperthreading
512mb DDR333
60GB hard drive
DVDRW and CDROM
NIC and modem
Startup times (from pressing the button to getting to the desktop):
System 1 - 2:23
System 2 - 1:02
System 3 - 0:51
System 4 - 0:41
Loading OpenOffice.org 2.2:
System 1 - 0:17
System 2 - 0:13
System 3 - 0:04
System 4 - 0:03
Loading Gmail.com on a DSL connection:
System 1 -n/a
System 2 - 0:15
System 3 - 0:10
System 4 - 0:08
Now let's compare those to the XP machine I have here.
1.67GHz Athlon XP
512mb DDR333
40GB hard drive
CDRW
NIC
Windows XP Pro SP2
Startup time - 1:13
Loading Word 2000 - 0:10
Loading Gmail.com (in Firefox for continuity) - 0:13
Now I thought that might not be entirely fair, so here's data from my personal computer, with XP Pro slapped on it:
1.6GHz Sempron 2800+
1.5Gb DDR400
2x 250GB hard drives, 8mb cache
DVD and DVDRW
NIC
Windows XP Pro SP2
Startup time - 0:40
Loading OpenOffice.org 2.2 - 0:06
Loading Gmail.com (in Firefox for continuity) - 0:09
A graphical view of the test results, shorter bars are better.
Then the same computer with EONS:
Startup time - 0:37
Loading OpenOffice.org 2.2 - 0:04
Loading Gmail.com - 0:02
So it looks like XP Pro can compete with EONS in speed, but look at the comparisons. The first XP machine, the 1.67GHz Athlon XP with 512mb DDR333 was comparable to 266MHz or the 650MHz running EONS. The 1.6GHz Sempron with 1.5Gb DDR400 was on-par with the 2.8GHz P4 with 512mb DDR333. In a pure hardware-hardware comparison it should have blown it away.
We hope to be ready for a full release of EONS in January or February, so keep coming back for more information and certainly more useful documentation.
"Tillamook on Wayne." "Tillamook on Garth."
12.11.2007
Merry Tillamook to all!
Well, it's that time of year. The year is almost done with, we're one step closer to tax season, and we're getting closer to a world without Steve Ballmer and his antics. Oh Stevie. We've had a good year, in 3 months we have had over 1,000 visitors and helped quite a few of you I hope. We have a nearly releasable version of EONS, our Linux-based OS optimized for the average desktop user. Due to our perfectionist natures, we prefer not to release it until we have 0 problems and have thoroughly tested it with all age and skill groups, but fret not young Tillamooks.
Now we can have some fun here. Following are the top 10 gifts we would like to see under our Tux-adorned Christmas trees, followed by the top 5 tech headlines we won't see in 2008. Some are headlines we would like to see, some we're glad we won't. So here we go, in grand countdown style:
The Top 10 Tillamook Gifts
10. A flux capacitor replica. Who among us hasn't seen the third major trilogy (behind, of course, the original Star Wars and Lord of the Rings), Back to the Future. Well now they're selling working replicas of the work of science and art, and by working I mean it lights up. Now your Toyota, Saturn, Geo, or bicycle can time travel with the best of them. Great Scott!
9. Atari Flashback 2.0. Who isn't a fan of retro gaming now? Even those who weren't alive to experience the joys of early game systems can appreciate the low resolution images and monophonic midi music. Now, if you aren't one of the lucky ones with an original system, you can at least enjoy a new system complete with a bunch of your favorite games. The system comes preloaded with 30 games and there are even websites with information on hardware hacks for the system.
8. ZaReason MegaLap. ZaReason is a California-based computer company who started by building computers out of parts from the local electronics recycler and installing Linux on them. They now sell their own custom systems with your choice of Ubuntu, Kubuntu, or Edubuntu installed. The MegaLap comes with 1GB DDR2 and a 17'' screen, more than enough for any Linux user on the go. And at around $1,500 it's a decent deal for a reliable system. They also sell much more affordable systems, for those of us with smaller pocketbooks, though I would still recommend Toshiba for high quality on the cheap.
7. Toshiba Gigabeat T series. I've been a fan of the Gigabeat since its inception, I even have the original Gigabeat. They have excellent audio quality, great battery life, and a high quality screen. They've typically gotten better reviews than iPods and have a far lower price tag, but don't do much in terms of advertising. If you're looking for a portable digital audio player I suggest you look no further than Toshiba.
6. Nintendo Wii. Alright, I admit this is probably on almost every tech gift list you'll see this year, but it's a lot of fun. Nintendo has always had good games, cheap prices, and reliable systems. The gyro-based controls are a lot of fun too, unless you swing wildly and clock grandma during a heated game of tennis. If you can find them, they're well priced and small enough to fit in an entertainment center.
5. Muse. Smart homes have been getting more affordable and easier to set up. Convergent living just made it easier, and with embedded Linux as well. The Muse is a WiFi system that, when used with their other systems, can control cameras, temperature, TVs, lighting, audio, security, and everything but your mother-in-law's mouth. If you want a smart home, look at the offerings from Convergent.
4. Tesla Roadster. I know, there's no way this would ever fit under a tree. And at a base price of almost $100,000 it won't fit in most wallets. But wow. Electric cars have been around for quite a while now, and electric motors accelerate much more quickly than gasoline or diesel engines. But with 248 hp, 0-60 under 4 seconds, 245 mile range, and relatively quick charges, coupled with a body rivaling most European cars or supermodels this one is a winner. Every environmentally conscious individual with a need for speed (and a lot of extra cash) should have one of these.
3. Asus Eee PC. Ok, so it's a poor name. But that and the small screen are as far as my complaints go. Imagine this: a solid-state, rugged laptop running Linux with WiFi. Now stop imagining and go look at the Eee PC. It has a 2-8 Gb solid-state drive, decent audio (so say those who have one), and 256mb-1GB DDR2. This thing would beat the pants off of my Toshiba laptop, if it wore pants. Can life get better under $400? Probably, but not much better right now.
2. Chumby. Sure, it has a funny name. And yes, it does look somewhat odd. But what's better than embedded Linux in a leather multimedia console? It has a 350 MHz processor, WiFi, USB, a touchscreen, and accelerometers. It will know when you're tossing it around! That puts it above some cats! It's fully hackable so you can load other software on it, or completely alter the hardware. My plan, should I be fortunate to find one under the soft glow of LEDs this holiday season, would be to load Android on it eventually and make it scream when thrown. Party on Garth.
1. OpenMoko NEO 1973. An embedded Linux phone? Hark, are they not things of legend only, mythical creations dancing like sugar-plums in yon noggins? Well this one is real, and from what we're hearing it actually works. Trolltech got our hopes up with the Greenphone, but this one may come through. Thankfully, Trolltech is backing the NEO 1973 which will hopefully prove to yield a quality product. There are even videos of people playing Unreal Tournament on the phone, why someone needs to do that boggles the mind, but apparently it's capable of it. Now will the software match the awesome factor of the hardware? That has yet to be seen, though there are some rumors lingering of a partnership with Google for the Android platform being shipped with the final version, though the legitimacy of those is in question. It's enough to make a geek downright giddy though.
The Top 5 Tech Headlines We Won't be Seeing in 2008
5. OLPC a success! The One Laptop Per Child computer, which is targeted to third-world countries has proved successful. Microsoft conceded in their attempts to put their operating system on the computers and allowed them to operate unabated with Linux. All hardware failures are immediately repaired by the now tech-savvy youth and the computers generate no waste. Miraculously, there were WiFi hotspots available to all the youth in the countries they were sent to, as well as adequate power grids, things unavailable at the time they were shipped. Now, thanks to the OLPC program, every hut and cave in the world has a laptop and the children are computer literate. Motombu Genericchild of Small Country #2 said "Gee, I might even start a new ecommerce site. It even stopped all the larger countries from dumping their electronics waste in my village! Now if only it could grow food for my family."
4. Linux overtakes Windows in the desktop market. In a recent poll, shocking everyone except the 6% who were already Linux users or Nostradamus, it was found that 45% of the desktop computers in operation are using a Linux operating system. Microsoft's Windows operating system has now slipped to 44%, the Mac OS now holds 10%, and the remaining 1% are men wearing suspenders who maintain Unix or OS/2 Warp are vastly superior.
3. Google goes belly-up. One time Internet search king Google closed shop this week. It turns out their Android operating system, YouTube, wireless networks, innovative and unobtrusive ad systems, and countless other projects weren't enough to keep them afloat. Yahoo spokesmen were quoted saying, "Neener neener neener."
2. Linus Torvalds wins Nobel Peace Prize for Linux Kernel. Inventor of the Linux operating system and kernel maintainer Linus Torvalds was finally recognized for his contribution to humanity. Linux has enabled thousands of those who would otherwise be unable to afford a graphical operating system to have full access to all the wonders of technology. After the awards ceremony Torvalds donated his prize to the public domain and his money to helping promote open-source software. In related news, Microsoft has launched a lawsuit claiming they hold undisclosed patents related to the prize, open-source software, Linux, and the name Linus.
1. Windows: FOSS Edition. In a stunning move by Microsoft they have adopted the Linux kernel and the GPL for their latest revision. After realizing most people don't want to go buy a high-end computer so they can have bouncing windows and more security holes than your average 7-11, the software giant moved to only free and open source software. Bill Gates went on to say "I figured we don't need to make any more money on our innovative code, which we created all on our own. We already bought the patent to the US Patent Office, so we are researching other revenue streams." Steve Ballmer, resident spokesman, was quoted saying, "We looked through our books and found out we violated some of our own patents and are failing to make ad revenue from Clippie, so we will be filing several lawsuits against ourselves. B'YAHHHHH!!!" The new version of Windows will be released in the third quarter of 2008 and will retail for $295 for Basic, $318 for Business, $459 for Student Premium, $689 for Safe and Secure, and $1,098 for Super-Ultra-Platinum-Premium. Office will still not be included and will retail for $9,000,801.
Now we can have some fun here. Following are the top 10 gifts we would like to see under our Tux-adorned Christmas trees, followed by the top 5 tech headlines we won't see in 2008. Some are headlines we would like to see, some we're glad we won't. So here we go, in grand countdown style:
The Top 10 Tillamook Gifts
10. A flux capacitor replica. Who among us hasn't seen the third major trilogy (behind, of course, the original Star Wars and Lord of the Rings), Back to the Future. Well now they're selling working replicas of the work of science and art, and by working I mean it lights up. Now your Toyota, Saturn, Geo, or bicycle can time travel with the best of them. Great Scott!
9. Atari Flashback 2.0. Who isn't a fan of retro gaming now? Even those who weren't alive to experience the joys of early game systems can appreciate the low resolution images and monophonic midi music. Now, if you aren't one of the lucky ones with an original system, you can at least enjoy a new system complete with a bunch of your favorite games. The system comes preloaded with 30 games and there are even websites with information on hardware hacks for the system.
8. ZaReason MegaLap. ZaReason is a California-based computer company who started by building computers out of parts from the local electronics recycler and installing Linux on them. They now sell their own custom systems with your choice of Ubuntu, Kubuntu, or Edubuntu installed. The MegaLap comes with 1GB DDR2 and a 17'' screen, more than enough for any Linux user on the go. And at around $1,500 it's a decent deal for a reliable system. They also sell much more affordable systems, for those of us with smaller pocketbooks, though I would still recommend Toshiba for high quality on the cheap.
7. Toshiba Gigabeat T series. I've been a fan of the Gigabeat since its inception, I even have the original Gigabeat. They have excellent audio quality, great battery life, and a high quality screen. They've typically gotten better reviews than iPods and have a far lower price tag, but don't do much in terms of advertising. If you're looking for a portable digital audio player I suggest you look no further than Toshiba.
6. Nintendo Wii. Alright, I admit this is probably on almost every tech gift list you'll see this year, but it's a lot of fun. Nintendo has always had good games, cheap prices, and reliable systems. The gyro-based controls are a lot of fun too, unless you swing wildly and clock grandma during a heated game of tennis. If you can find them, they're well priced and small enough to fit in an entertainment center.
5. Muse. Smart homes have been getting more affordable and easier to set up. Convergent living just made it easier, and with embedded Linux as well. The Muse is a WiFi system that, when used with their other systems, can control cameras, temperature, TVs, lighting, audio, security, and everything but your mother-in-law's mouth. If you want a smart home, look at the offerings from Convergent.
4. Tesla Roadster. I know, there's no way this would ever fit under a tree. And at a base price of almost $100,000 it won't fit in most wallets. But wow. Electric cars have been around for quite a while now, and electric motors accelerate much more quickly than gasoline or diesel engines. But with 248 hp, 0-60 under 4 seconds, 245 mile range, and relatively quick charges, coupled with a body rivaling most European cars or supermodels this one is a winner. Every environmentally conscious individual with a need for speed (and a lot of extra cash) should have one of these.
3. Asus Eee PC. Ok, so it's a poor name. But that and the small screen are as far as my complaints go. Imagine this: a solid-state, rugged laptop running Linux with WiFi. Now stop imagining and go look at the Eee PC. It has a 2-8 Gb solid-state drive, decent audio (so say those who have one), and 256mb-1GB DDR2. This thing would beat the pants off of my Toshiba laptop, if it wore pants. Can life get better under $400? Probably, but not much better right now.
2. Chumby. Sure, it has a funny name. And yes, it does look somewhat odd. But what's better than embedded Linux in a leather multimedia console? It has a 350 MHz processor, WiFi, USB, a touchscreen, and accelerometers. It will know when you're tossing it around! That puts it above some cats! It's fully hackable so you can load other software on it, or completely alter the hardware. My plan, should I be fortunate to find one under the soft glow of LEDs this holiday season, would be to load Android on it eventually and make it scream when thrown. Party on Garth.
1. OpenMoko NEO 1973. An embedded Linux phone? Hark, are they not things of legend only, mythical creations dancing like sugar-plums in yon noggins? Well this one is real, and from what we're hearing it actually works. Trolltech got our hopes up with the Greenphone, but this one may come through. Thankfully, Trolltech is backing the NEO 1973 which will hopefully prove to yield a quality product. There are even videos of people playing Unreal Tournament on the phone, why someone needs to do that boggles the mind, but apparently it's capable of it. Now will the software match the awesome factor of the hardware? That has yet to be seen, though there are some rumors lingering of a partnership with Google for the Android platform being shipped with the final version, though the legitimacy of those is in question. It's enough to make a geek downright giddy though.
The Top 5 Tech Headlines We Won't be Seeing in 2008
5. OLPC a success! The One Laptop Per Child computer, which is targeted to third-world countries has proved successful. Microsoft conceded in their attempts to put their operating system on the computers and allowed them to operate unabated with Linux. All hardware failures are immediately repaired by the now tech-savvy youth and the computers generate no waste. Miraculously, there were WiFi hotspots available to all the youth in the countries they were sent to, as well as adequate power grids, things unavailable at the time they were shipped. Now, thanks to the OLPC program, every hut and cave in the world has a laptop and the children are computer literate. Motombu Genericchild of Small Country #2 said "Gee, I might even start a new ecommerce site. It even stopped all the larger countries from dumping their electronics waste in my village! Now if only it could grow food for my family."
4. Linux overtakes Windows in the desktop market. In a recent poll, shocking everyone except the 6% who were already Linux users or Nostradamus, it was found that 45% of the desktop computers in operation are using a Linux operating system. Microsoft's Windows operating system has now slipped to 44%, the Mac OS now holds 10%, and the remaining 1% are men wearing suspenders who maintain Unix or OS/2 Warp are vastly superior.
3. Google goes belly-up. One time Internet search king Google closed shop this week. It turns out their Android operating system, YouTube, wireless networks, innovative and unobtrusive ad systems, and countless other projects weren't enough to keep them afloat. Yahoo spokesmen were quoted saying, "Neener neener neener."
2. Linus Torvalds wins Nobel Peace Prize for Linux Kernel. Inventor of the Linux operating system and kernel maintainer Linus Torvalds was finally recognized for his contribution to humanity. Linux has enabled thousands of those who would otherwise be unable to afford a graphical operating system to have full access to all the wonders of technology. After the awards ceremony Torvalds donated his prize to the public domain and his money to helping promote open-source software. In related news, Microsoft has launched a lawsuit claiming they hold undisclosed patents related to the prize, open-source software, Linux, and the name Linus.
1. Windows: FOSS Edition. In a stunning move by Microsoft they have adopted the Linux kernel and the GPL for their latest revision. After realizing most people don't want to go buy a high-end computer so they can have bouncing windows and more security holes than your average 7-11, the software giant moved to only free and open source software. Bill Gates went on to say "I figured we don't need to make any more money on our innovative code, which we created all on our own. We already bought the patent to the US Patent Office, so we are researching other revenue streams." Steve Ballmer, resident spokesman, was quoted saying, "We looked through our books and found out we violated some of our own patents and are failing to make ad revenue from Clippie, so we will be filing several lawsuits against ourselves. B'YAHHHHH!!!" The new version of Windows will be released in the third quarter of 2008 and will retail for $295 for Basic, $318 for Business, $459 for Student Premium, $689 for Safe and Secure, and $1,098 for Super-Ultra-Platinum-Premium. Office will still not be included and will retail for $9,000,801.
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