Showing a Tux to a Butterfly

I am at my partner’s parents this week and while here her father watched to me to show him how to install Linux onto an old vista laptop slightly past it windows sell by date. So as it was only Linux I had to hand I went through the installation of Crunchbang 11 on the laptop to which he was impressed just how easy it was to install modern Linux’s now.

If you know Crunchbang Linux you can customise the desktop look and menus I set up the desktop very similar to my current desktop on my own laptop shaggy. This part probably mystified him as it is a lot of editing of text files but the results are always very is satisfying. I also loaded up all the software packages he may need all of which were included bar around two in Crunchbang.

So now I have left him a laptop which looks similar to windows with the usual Linux bent to it which he can explore and find out just how to use Linux in anger or just have an old Windows Vista Laptop which is now usable once again.

But one thing that struck him all the way through was just how usable even a set up Crunchbang Linux was and the fact it used the resources on the Laptop infinity better than Windows Vista ever did. Lets put it this was the Linux sound drivers used the speakers on the said laptop so much better along with number of other bits of hardware.

All this proves is that it takes a gentle push to convert the growing number of dissatisfied Windows users out there towards Linux or someone to show them Linux is not the bugbear both Apple and Microsoft claims it to be!

Linux: Driving a Point Home!

After using Linux for over a year now with a fraction of the problems and issues I had when I used Microsoft Windows other than issues both of my own making and poorly written third party software.

In these years contrary to those within the Computer Industry and those users who have fell for the propaganda within the said Computer Industry I have done exactly the same as I would of done if I had a Windows Computer. If anything I have managed to do more things on my Linux computers which could not of been done in Windows because of the limits Microsoft puts on it’s own operating systems!

I have also fun in these years Linux again contrary to the propaganda from within the Computer Industry is no harder to use or set up than Windows itself as some of the Linux Distributions look remarkably the same as Windows XP or even Apple o/s.

I am and I will continue to drive this point home to people out there as it needs to be done so as this point needs to be continually hammered out to computer users out there especially those users who are not happy with Microsoft Windows 8 and those Windows xp users dreading the upgrade to newer Windows operating systems.

The point being computer users do have a real choice of operating systems out there and the big Computer Companies are denying you the right of this choice by spreading lies and misinformation about alternative operating systems and software!

Linux: A Rebel Yell!

I was bored so I changed my desktop on my laptop, shaggy, again so it sort of more suited the wallpaper I had chosen for the background. I was pleased with the effect I got as it certainly went together well or so I think but hey that is the most important thing.

It also got me thinking that Linux allows people like myself can create desktops we are comfortable with rather than large majority of Windows Users who are given a desktop by Microsoft with no ability to change it other than colours and positions of tiles in the case of Windows 8.

Basically Microsoft forces the users to accept their desktop regardless of the fact most users cannot use it or dislike the desktop they are provided with by Microsoft.

You might say Linux Users like myself cry a Rebel Yell against the desktop fascists like Microsoft and Apple by creating our own customised desktop in a small defiance to their attempt to control the minds and souls of the computer users!

The following is the current desktop of the laptop in question which will change when I fancy a change:

Falling in Love with Crunchbang Again!

Recently I decided to reinstall Linux back on to my laptop after I tried out a number of things on the Laptop which resulted in the previous Linux, Linux Lite, being corrupted. So I decided to try the current test copy of Crunchbang 11 which last time I tried on the same Laptop failed and much to my surprise it worked first time out of the box.

If anything Crunchbang worked even better than the previous Linux Lite which I always found to be a bit slow and resource heavy as it’s desktop was Gnome 2 based. I should not of been surprised by this as I have always found Gnome desktops to be slow on most of the computers I have used.

It looks like that both Crunchbang and Debain have progressed a lot in the last year as now both Linux’s load on newer hardware so much easier and result in a more stable operating system on said modern computers.

So now I have Crunchbang on all my computers at home both Crunchbang 10 and Crunchbang 11 all with customised openbox desktops and once again I am falling in love with Crunchbang Linux as I am finding it a very pleasant, stable and easily fixable Linux to use. Though as I have said before it is not best Linux for new user of Linux but most definite one of the better Linux’s for the more experienced users or someone who really wants to learn more about Linux in general.

The following is the current desktop of the laptop in question which will change when I fancy a change:

Ubuntu: Following the Steps of Windows 8!

It seams it is not only Windows 8 which is having problems with users disliking the desktop look and ease of use as both Ubuntu’s Unity and Gnome 3 have not been received well by the Linux world for very similar reasons to Windows 8 in the Windows world.

As in Windows 8 Linux users are finding Unity or Gnome 3 difficult to use and not intuitive on Desktops and Laptops in so much a front end consisting of Application Icons really only works on touch screen tablets and smart phones. They may look pretty but for serious users of computers it is totally impracticable and considering Linux is used by more serious users both Unity and Gnome 3 were not exactly a good idea.

But unlike Windows users Linux users have a choice of distributions so can use their feet to install other Linux’s which suit their needs and are doing so. But both Ubuntu and Gnome 3 are sticking to their guns rather than admit defeat not such smart move in the Linux world.

Ubuntu itself is not the most popular Linux among Linux users any more strangely Linux Mint popularity has increased mainly because it has a more traditional desktops favoured by large majority of Linux Users. The only reason Ubuntu is near the top of most downloaded because of it’s high profile with new users to Linux otherwise it would be nowhere near the top.

One thing from personal experience Ubuntu, and I suspect Gnome 3 desktops, suffer from one major flaw exactly like Windows 8 it is very resource heavy and slows the computer down!

In conclusion both Ubuntu’s Unity and Gnome 3, exactly like Windows 8, on computers are ill-conceived ideas on their creators part as such desktops are only appropriate for tablets/smart phones and not serious computers where the desktop detracts from the computers usability!

Windows Blue: The Last Stand for Microsoft!

Last week Microsoft announcement they are pushing forward the release of Windows Blue to next month from October which should include the return of the Start button and program menu and the accompanying claim they are actually listening to their users which frankly still has a very hollow ring to it.

This release is nothing to with Microsoft listening to their users but Microsoft trying to save Windows 8 itself which frankly has not gone down well with both the users and industry itself reflected globally in increase of sales of tablets and an over 10% drop in Desktop and Laptops.

Basically Windows 8 has not taken off and much like Vista before it has has not gone down well with both users and industry who now universally dislike or find the new mono front end to the desktop unusable. Add to this the fact not everyone likes the modifications Microsoft have done to the back end which frankly make the operating system difficult to use commercially.

This week by this announcement Microsoft have admitted they have made a big mistake releasing and changing the desktop in Windows 8 something a lot of users like myself have said since it’s release. It has been a disaster for them and computer industry in general which has suffered because of the release of Windows 8 especially in the retail sector who have stubbornly stuck to Windows 8 regardless of the fact it has damaged their profitability at a time they did not need it.

You could say Windows 8 is Microsoft’s own Coke in so much they changed it hoping the users would like the change but they have discovered like Coke the users did not like the new operating system so like Coke Microsoft will have backtrack to save Windows 8 as they now have no choice to do so.

In conclusion Microsoft must get Windows Blue right this time as this is their last chance to get Windows 8 right as if they don’t it could spell the end of Microsoft’s domination of the operating system market as both the users and computer industry will vote with their feet and start to seriously look for alternative operating systems which all users can use and revive the flagging Desktop and Laptop sales.

This is the last stand for Microsoft!

Why Do People Continue to Put Themselves Through Hell?

Once again here my partner’s Windows computer is playing up yet again less than a month after it was reset because of a previous problem. This in turn yet another set of problems which have occurred regularly with her Windows computer some of which have also meant the computer has been reset yet again.

It has got so bad here even my partner is now considering removing Windows of her computers and replacing it with Linux because of the constant problems she has had with Windows xp and Windows 7 on two separate computers. It was much the same reason why I removed Windows off my own three computers.

This got me thinking just why do people continue to put themselves through this hell?

This is regardless of the growing number of people like myself who made the jump to Linux who have found our experience with computers has become less stressful and problematic. Add to this we keep telling everyone and show by example over time Linux gives exactly the same functionality as Windows without the constant problems and with as wide range of software packages.

But because the large majority of computer users are nether given the choice of operating system by the retailers, fell for the propaganda of the Computer Industry itself or sheer plain ignorance or sheep mentality they will continue to put themselves through the hell of windows and Microsoft will continue to produce the poor operating system because of this.

As I have said before it is about time people woke up to what is going on and actually listened to those who use computers with alternative operating systems that there is a real viable choices out there regardless of what the big computer industry corporations are saying as they are blatantly lying to them about the lack of choice!

What Does Linux Give Me?

Simply Linux gives me back both the magic and control back which has been sadly missing with the more mainstream operating systems.

People like myself with the more mainstream computer operating systems have missed the fact we had more control over the operating system, software and desktop we had with the older computing operating systems something Linux gives us back. The one thing modern operating systems, other than Linux, do not allow you to do this, that is to customise them or even have control over the operating system itself.

Linux and it’s ilk gives us back a much missed control and customisation over the computer operating system and the computer itself. Add to this an added satisfaction of actually working with computer on a lower level, creating our own desktops even down to installing your own combination of packages on the computer itself.

Linux is ideal for people like myself hobbyist computer enthusiasts who love to tinker with computer software and computers in general. As the Raspberry Pi success has shown I am not only one be it young or old who have missed tinkering with computers.

Linux’s Fight Against the Sheep!

What has become very clear to me in discussions about Linux with people in a number of social web sites is there are a core of both Window and Apple users who are so closed minded to a point they will not even consider using anything outside of their respective operating systems.

I would admire their loyalty to their operating systems if their loyalty was not coloured by their own ignorance and the fact that their opinions have been coloured by the corporate propaganda of the big American Software and Hardware Industry itself!

These people believe any operating systems outside of their respective operating systems are difficult to use, does not have software they need and not serious contender to their own operating system all again fed to them by their own operating system manufacturer.

What makes these people even worse if anyone dares to question their choice of operating system their answer is to both ridicule and feed a whole stream of corporate propaganda which proves why their operating system is the best and other operating system is bad.

All the time they sit behind their walls not even really looking at the alternatives even to a point of ignoring Open Source Software because they are told that is bad and substandard too by said same big American Corporations.

Then these people wonder why the more open computer users who are prepared to try alternatives treat them with disrespect or just get plain annoyed at them because of their closed minds and ignorance especially when they try to back up their arguments with usual corporate propaganda!

In the end these people do more damage than good as they start to drive a wedge between the groups of different users that is Apple, Windows and Linux at a time when the computer industry needs to be more open and cooperative to move forward as it is frankly dying on its feet because of both Apple’s and Microsoft’s lack of innovation and ability to light the spark of peoples imagination!

The biggest lie and most damaging lie these Sheep spread is that Linux users as a whole are totally anti Apple or Windows which frankly is not totally true. There are those Linux Sheep who are as closed minded but I believe large majority of Linux community is more concerned with the fact the user has a real choice within the market place.

My personal view the lack of choice within the market place is killing off the computer industry and choice will being back a much needed vitality for technology to move forward again. It has produced a very sterile environment for users who are not going to buy anything as there is nothing new out there.

If these people had actually be watching the computer world currently it really lacks a life and spark for a long time if anything it has been frankly boring. Why do they think the Raspberry PI sold so well, not because it was a Linux Computer, but because there are people out there who want to mess around with computers again something which has been killed off by the nature of the computer market now.

In conclusion these sheep users of any sort are doing more damage than good and it is high time they actually woke up and thought for themselves!

Scrappy-Doo Gets a Makeover!

It has been a while since I tweaked my Linux Desktops and because I have to sit in front of the Linux Computers because I have to stay in the office in the house because it is only room we can keep warm I thought it was high time I did.

So I have been busy with a few minor changes to the desktop itself and some of the packages running on the Linux Computer itself for packages which suit my needs and likes more. The biggest change being an application menu on the left end of the tint2 panel on top of the menu using a little trick I got from the Crunchbang Forum. I found I needed it because it useful when I have a number of windows open as the normal right hand click menu only works on a free space on the desktop.

As for the Linux Packages on Crunchbang I have replaced the file manager with Nautilus and the Terminator terminal with Gnome Terminal as it allows me to open a terminal in Nautilus. Over the next few weeks I aim to update other packages as I don’t really need to update the base Linux as such as it still does what I need.

What does come out of this just how flexible Linux desktops are as I can mix Gnome and other desktop packages with Openbox and get a working desktop more to my liking. Such flexibility puts another nail in Windows coffin here was Windows never gave me ability to really customise the desktops and base packages to how I actually use the desktop.

So the following is the resulting tweaked desktop which looks slightly different to previous one.

Linux is not Devil Incarnate!

I will keep repeating this until people wake up and stop believing the lies spread by those within the computer industry and retailers who claim Linux is difficult to use, unstable and preserve of the hacker and the such.

I repeat these are all lies about modern Linux which in recent years because of the repeated failure of both Microsoft and Apple to produce operating systems which were more user friendly than their earlier versions of their operating systems has developed into one of the more usable operating systems with innovative features.

Strangely we have thank Microsoft’s operating system Vista for the spurt of Linux development in recent years as frankly Vista, like ME, was a very poorly written operating system which was not even welcomed by the computer industry itself. This one catalyst turned Linux from a geeks operating system into a serious operating system which can be used by all user.

Now with Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 8, which has not gone down as well with the users in general especially when they get to use it regularly we will see Linux develop once again in leap and bounds again.

In my everyday talks with customers at work the more and more so called normal users are starting to consider alternative operating systems like Linux more and more as they are starting to cotton onto the fact that Microsoft’s Windows 8 is far from a viable operating system other than on a tablet or smart phone.

All this is now backed up by Linux and it’s distributions which now provide desktops and operating systems which are far more stable, usable and even easier to set up than Microsoft’s Windows 8 whose desktop is far from user friendly any more on computers if anything extremely confusing for normal users.

Add to this the reduction of maintenance and driver problems Linux has over Windows in the end Linux is far better bet for an operating system for a normal user than Microsoft’s Windows 8.

In the end Linux will survive the lies of the computer industry and retailers and if anything as people are getting wiser to the lack of choice and it will come back to bite them as customers get wiser to their lies and people like myself tell them why a lack of choice is bad!

Monzilla’s Firefox Joins the Melee!

Now it is the turn of Monzilla’s Firefox to join Ubuntu by demonstrating their new operating system for smart phones which I suspect like Ubuntu they will do a tablet version. It is certainly different to the other Smart Phone operating systems in so much it runs closer to the hardware behind it which they claim means it can use the hardware behind it even better than the other smart phone operating systems. I find this very interesting as if it true it will mean Firefox could get even more out of the hardware than the other smart phone operating systems which potentially mean more interesting and powerful apps for Firefox.

What I found so fascinating was the fact that the whole front end on top of the Firefox base was created using a mixture of HTML, CSS and javascript rather than android which potentially could mean Monzilla’d Firefox smart phones could be far more customisable than other current smart phone operating systems. Basically some one with the right knowledge could create their own smart phone front end which suits their needs which will appeal to the more geeky out there. But as always it is a double edge sword as it will mean it is easier for people to cock up their phone totally.

All I can say Monzilla’s Firefox smart phone operating system looks another exciting prospect for this year and potentially like Ubuntu could make the smart phone and tablet market for more interesting especially for those people who love to customise their user interfaces. But I don’t think they will end up dominating the market but get the big boys like Apple and Google thinking about their products. As for Microsoft’s tablet operating system this is just another nail in it’s coffin especially in Europe as it just keep rubbing in the fact Microsoft have totally failed to effectively break into the smart phone market!

The following is a clip from YouTube which shows a nice demo of the new Monzilla’s Firefox smart phone operating system:

Windows 8 is not the Success Microsoft Would Have Us Believe!

If we were to believe Microsoft and it’s associates we would believe Windows 8 and Office 2013 have been an success and it will change the way people use their computers. But I work in a retail company which sells computers, tablets and the such and that is not what I have seen on the ground or heard from talking to customers who on the large majority are not overly impressed with Windows 8 and Office 2013 if anything very dubious about both products for different reasons.

In truth from personal observation in the store people have been buying Tablets /iPads more than Laptops as people discovered they could do the same things on a Tablet/iPads they usually do on a Windows Laptop for a fraction of the cost and hassle. In these hard economic times that is the most important thing to customers who really do not have the cash to spare.

This has been further borne out by reviews elsewhere which say exactly the same thing. Basically we should really take with a big, I mean big, pinch of salt when Microsoft say that Windows 8 and Office 2013 is success as on the ground it simply is not. It looks from where I am Microsoft and it’s associates are being very selective about the truth in so much they are lying by exclusion in so much they simply ignore the negative stuff and highlight the good stuff.

All Microsoft problems here are further compounded as computer staff within businesses IT departments get hold of Windows 8 whose comment basic go along the line it is very good for home use but it makes the serious use of a computer very difficult . This from personal experience can be a kiss of death within the businesses world of IT who need operating systems, like Windows 7, which make it easy load and use more heavy duty software not more difficult as Windows 8 is!

In conclusion I think Microsoft have totally misjudged the market trends and it has hashed up the release of Windows 8, Office 2013 and associated hardware on to the market especially here in the United Kingdom. The whole release process what poorly implemented and poorly advertised on Microsoft’s part her in the United Kingdom to a point they depended on the major Retailers here to do their work which frankly was a mistake as said Retailers on their part had no spare cash to do Microsoft’s work so they only made a token effort with no Microsoft support.

So those of us who are actually observing the domestic market at the coal face away from the hype of Microsoft’s press machine are seeing and hearing Microsoft’s Windows 8 and Office 2013 is not the success Microsoft would have us believe!

Linux: It’s Hard not to Spread the Word

After changing all my computers to Linux and moving away from using Windows the hardest thing I am finding is not to spread the word just how good Linux is now. I am turning into a Linux bore both in my everyday life and in the virtual world Second Life.

But after years of the lack of choice of what operating systems I could use which meant due to a lack of money I could only use an operating system which needed constant maintenance and fell down at drop of a hat which was Microsoft Windows. My current situation with Linux is such a relief and made using my computers a pleasure not a chore as it used to be.

So it is not surprising I am becoming a Linux bore and want to spread the word as everyone deserves a trouble free computing something they simply do not get with Microsoft Windows especially when I witness at first hand the constant problems poor users have with Windows definitely not their own fault but that of Windows failing to do it’s basic job.

Personally Linux users should far more vocal to other users as I believe none else is going to be especially within the IT Industry itself. So we may end up a group of Linux bores but it is for good cause to get people to wake up to the fact there is a real choice of operating system out there which now includes Linux and it’s derivatives!

Fuduntu: Once More to the Breach my Friends

While doing the cleaning I tested an old laptop which over a year ago looked like it had died finally though the laptop had gone through a repair from a large retail company who failed to repair it. I found it fired up and worked after a years rest much to myself and my partner surprise. It was one of he more pleasant surprises of this week we did not start off as well as we both expected.

So ceasing the opportunity and taking advantage of the laptop working, though how long it will last is anyone’s guess, and because it uses a Nvidia graphic card I thought I tried loading Fuduntu on it and after the second attempt it worked. The first attempt I had loaded on the incorrect Nvidia graphic driver which meant the machine failed to reboot. My mistake was to use the package Jockey to load the graphic driver rather than using the drivers provided by Fuduntu themselves.

So now once again I have a laptop which runs Fuduntu which frankly I am pleased about as it is one of my favourite Linux to use. Just hoping I do not break it and the laptop again.

A final comment Fuduntu once again showed that the common misconception that Linux is difficult to set up is frankly wrong as it worked out of the box and much like Windows the only major problem being the Graphic Drivers either produced by AMD/ATI and Nvidia who frankly should know better by now!