Topics from the "Why Linux is Better" web page:
- Forget about viruses.
- Is your system unstable?
- Linux protects your computer.
- Don't pay $300 for your operating system.
- Freedom!
- When the system has installed, why would you still need to install stuff?
- Forget about drivers.
- Update all your software with a single click.
- Why copy software illegally if you can get it for free?
- Need new software? Don't bother searching the web, Linux gets it for you.
- Jump into the next generation of desktops.
- Does your digital life seem fragmented?
- Choose what your desktop looks like.
- Why does your Windows get slower day after day?
- Do something for the environment.
- No back doors in your software.
- Enjoy free and unlimited support.
- Too many windows? Use workspaces.
- Don't wait years for bugs to be solved; report and track them down.
- Are you tired of restarting your computer all the time?
- Let your old computer have a second life.
- Play hundreds of games for free.
- Help other countries, and your own.
- Use MSN, AIM, ICQ, Jabber, with a single program.
- Get a great music player.
- Keep an eye on the weather.
Topics at that page discussing reasons to stick with Windows:
- There is proprietary software you can't live without.
- You're a hardcore gamer.
- You work in the book/printing industry.
- Your hardware is not yet supported.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Friday, December 25, 2009
Playing football -- worth it?
I have to wonder if that manly sport of football is worth it, especially after reading articles like this one from Sports Illustrated.
Former Oakland Raider Dave Pear is one of many former players suffering from injuries sustained during their careers.
"Don't let your kids play football," he says. "Never."
Think about that next time you're watching a game, celebrating the "toughness" of your favorite player. Or do we really care?
As long as it isn't my kid.
Former Oakland Raider Dave Pear is one of many former players suffering from injuries sustained during their careers.
"Don't let your kids play football," he says. "Never."
Think about that next time you're watching a game, celebrating the "toughness" of your favorite player. Or do we really care?
As long as it isn't my kid.
work ethic
"Hard work pays off," I like to repeat to my son.
It seems that kids in the U.S. too often don't understand that, though.
Check out Kara Miller's column at boston.com, "My lazy American students."
Loved this line:
If you’re used to playing video games like “Modern Warfare’’ or “Halo’’ all night, how do you fit in four hours of homework? Or rest up for class?
It seems that kids in the U.S. too often don't understand that, though.
Check out Kara Miller's column at boston.com, "My lazy American students."
Loved this line:
If you’re used to playing video games like “Modern Warfare’’ or “Halo’’ all night, how do you fit in four hours of homework? Or rest up for class?
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Free Office Suite App
The SoftMaker Office 2008 office suite is currently available for free at http://loadandhelp.com/home-en.html. They have versions for Windows and Linux. From their FAQ page:
What SoftMaker Office 2008 includes
- TextMaker 2008, the friendly, full-featured word processor
- PlanMaker 2008, the reliable, full-featured spreadsheet
- SoftMaker Presentations 2008, an alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint
- BasicMaker 2008 (Windows only), a BASIC scripting language
- Unrestricted software, can be used perpetually
- Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office
- Discounts on future versions
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Uncomfortable with Google? Other Search Engines
Does Google's privacy policy make you feel uncomfortable? Not me... I'm one of those who is guilty of repeating the phrase "Google is your friend." But it's a personal decision -- depends on what worries you about internet privacy.
Anyway, there are search engines that you might prefer using instead of Google.
ask.com gives tells you about the info they collect in their Privacy Policy. This article at cnet.com examines some of the major search companies, and ranks ask.com above AOL, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo.
Mozilla vet Asa Dotzler recommends switching Firefox's search from Google to Bing. I don't know how many people would feel much more comfortable with Microsoft's Bing than with Google, though.
Some others you might want to consider:
Scroogle Scraper
ixquick.com
eTools.ch
Whatever search engine you use, it's probably a good idea to take a look at their privacy policy.
And, if you're concerned about internet privacy, you might want to check out the Smart Computing article, "Is Your ISP On Your Side? When It Will & Will Not Protect Your Privacy," especially the concluding paragraph:
In The End, Privacy Is An Illusion. Yes, there's a trade-off for the convenience of using the Internet and e-mail: loss of privacy. Sure, you can send messages to relatives, friends, and colleagues quickly, and you have access to the world of online shopping, information, and entertainment. If someone wants to track your movements online, however, he can. After all, it's not that hard to do, and with today's laws, ISPs have more leeway than ever to give up your privacy in the name of security. Whether this new outlook has any effect on the average user, only time will tell; but the ISP, given the right pressure, certainly has the legal right to hand over a lot of information about you. You may want to think about that the next time you go online.
Anyway, there are search engines that you might prefer using instead of Google.
ask.com gives tells you about the info they collect in their Privacy Policy. This article at cnet.com examines some of the major search companies, and ranks ask.com above AOL, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo.
Mozilla vet Asa Dotzler recommends switching Firefox's search from Google to Bing. I don't know how many people would feel much more comfortable with Microsoft's Bing than with Google, though.
Some others you might want to consider:
Scroogle Scraper
ixquick.com
eTools.ch
Whatever search engine you use, it's probably a good idea to take a look at their privacy policy.
And, if you're concerned about internet privacy, you might want to check out the Smart Computing article, "Is Your ISP On Your Side? When It Will & Will Not Protect Your Privacy," especially the concluding paragraph:
In The End, Privacy Is An Illusion. Yes, there's a trade-off for the convenience of using the Internet and e-mail: loss of privacy. Sure, you can send messages to relatives, friends, and colleagues quickly, and you have access to the world of online shopping, information, and entertainment. If someone wants to track your movements online, however, he can. After all, it's not that hard to do, and with today's laws, ISPs have more leeway than ever to give up your privacy in the name of security. Whether this new outlook has any effect on the average user, only time will tell; but the ISP, given the right pressure, certainly has the legal right to hand over a lot of information about you. You may want to think about that the next time you go online.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Will Boise Get a Shot?
After USC's stunning loss at Washington, Iowa's upset win at Penn State, and Oregon's crushing win over Cal, it's probably too early to predict an undefeated season for Boise State. But the #5 Broncos seem to have no major tests remaining on their schedule. Only two of the teams ahead of them in the polls (Florida, Texas, Alabama, and LSU) can possibly finish undefeated before the start of the bowl season -- three of those teams play in the SEC, and only one can emerge undefeated after the SEC championship game.
If Boise State finishes without a loss, and there aren't two undefeated teams in front of them in the polls, will the BCS system reward Boise State with a shot in the BCS championship game?
Considering their questionable schedule strength, would they deserve it?
We'll see how things play out, but once again the BCS system is showing its flaws, only a month into the season. I have several issues with the way things are in college football right now -- having the AP and USA Today polls coming out before the start of the season is one thing (how can anyone know how good a team is before they even play a game?). Crowning a so-called "national champion" without a playoff is another.
Just to further expose the BCS for the farce that it is, I really hope that Boise State finishes undefeated and that not more than one team currently above them in the polls does. Then we'll see what the voters decide. It doesn't matter if Boise State goes on the the national championship game and gets crushed. What matters is that someone outside of the "Big Six" conferences gets a chance to compete for the title. What matters is that we somehow get the ball rolling towards a playoff system -- my hope is for a 16-team playoff.
If Boise State finishes without a loss, and there aren't two undefeated teams in front of them in the polls, will the BCS system reward Boise State with a shot in the BCS championship game?
Considering their questionable schedule strength, would they deserve it?
We'll see how things play out, but once again the BCS system is showing its flaws, only a month into the season. I have several issues with the way things are in college football right now -- having the AP and USA Today polls coming out before the start of the season is one thing (how can anyone know how good a team is before they even play a game?). Crowning a so-called "national champion" without a playoff is another.
Just to further expose the BCS for the farce that it is, I really hope that Boise State finishes undefeated and that not more than one team currently above them in the polls does. Then we'll see what the voters decide. It doesn't matter if Boise State goes on the the national championship game and gets crushed. What matters is that someone outside of the "Big Six" conferences gets a chance to compete for the title. What matters is that we somehow get the ball rolling towards a playoff system -- my hope is for a 16-team playoff.
Friday, September 4, 2009
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