So I finally got my Linux box up and running to a reasonable degree. I've actually been pleasantly surprised at the level of compatability I've had with windows machines. A lot of little utilities like Url Action Edit (a program I use with considerable frequency that doesn't have an install), all the way down to the big stuff like Half-life 2 has all been up and working great. I'll definitely need to get a new stick of RAM, because my bargain 1Gig stick seems to have decided to stop working.
For the time being though, it's nice to finally have my money where my mouth is: I've made a lot of claims about the feasability of Linux as a replacement to Windows, and now I am a Linux user too. Not to say that I hadn't used linux before, just that I never used it as my main operating system. I have to say that after really immersing myself like this, I can see a lot of the holes I never really saw before. Mainly, it's the things like finding out how dificult it can be to get software you need. Or even know what software you need. I needed a rather pathetically large amout of help (considering my computer knowledge) to figure out how to play most videos. It took a painful amount of time to work out getting Flash player to work, and even then it's still a little buggy because it's beta. Though Linux flavors like Ubuntu have opened up the floodgates to slightly less computer inclined persons, Linux is still pretty difficult to get into. I should note, that outside of making it work the first time, it has never really failed. Alright, not entirely true, but there's only one or two consitant problems and I won't be getting into it today.
So anyway, this weekend I'm going to do a whole bunch of college vists. Awesome? Kind of, but also blindingly inconvienient. I have a research paper due monday, and I also am going to end up missing a physics competition and a whole slew of other things that makes me sad. So this weekend is going to suck, but I think that after it's done and I finish all of my college apps, I'll actually be fairly well set, and won't be stressing out so much. Blah, this entry is too "me" oriented. I need to actually write some new articles on something interesting...
Posted by Kickmyassman at November 9, 2006 11:17 PMHow the mighty have fallen. Linux, once the king amongst all other OS's, is now back amongst the peasants. Or is it? Kit's seemingly wise remarks on the stability of the throne have kept it in power. But is there some trickery behind this? Perhaps Kit is too afraid to acknowledge that his wisdom has failed the people of his blog, for with that knowledge, they might leave it forever. Only time will tell.
Posted by: Ben T at November 10, 2006 02:36 PMI'm nothing close to knowledgeable (nor am I interested, for that matter) when it comes to Linux, but in the places where it crops up I've noticed that the great majority of its proponents are really *aggressive* supporters, like Mac users with more technical experience and better debating skills. Take the iPodLinux project (http://ipodlinux.org/Main_Page), for example. When I first heard about it from a friend, it was billed as some sort of noble endeavor that would (shock, how genius) do such things as put games and applications on your MP3 player. But if you try and interpret the directions on how to get it up and running, it's very easy to get lost in the gobbledeygook until you're back to not caring. As I said, maybe I'm just being ignorant here, but Linux in all my run-ins with it has never really struck a positive chord.
Posted by: Eric at November 10, 2006 04:17 PMI am testing something
Kit, since the PS3 and Wii are launching at the end of the week, I'd be really curious to know about your view on the whole thing. Plus, it would make for a good entry. Just a suggestion!
Posted by: Andrew at November 14, 2006 11:20 PMKit, since the PS3 and Wii are launching at the end of the week, I'd be really curious to know about your view on the whole thing. Plus, it would make for a good entry. Just a suggestion!
Posted by: Andrew at November 14, 2006 11:20 PM