I already did a reinstall of windoze yesterday, despite the absence of any indication that I should. I have a unending compulsion to do that. Like this machine of mine needs a cleansing every now and then. It needs to be purged of its sins, so to say.
Today's the first time I let it go online. I had to update the virus software and a few other drivers, so might as well blog while everything downloads. BTW, you should give Free Download Manager a try. It's a great program that has helped me manage those downloads I need to momentarilty halt when I go offline.
Surfing, I chanced upon Sacha Chua's livejournal blog (doesn't that sound redundant?). Saw a link there for site for setting up online bookmarks. What makes it unique from other sites though is that it rates your posted bookmarks and compares them with other users' bookmarks. Kind of like blogroll meets friendster. You can access mine by typing in http://del.icio.us/daysleeper or by clicking the link I provided in he links section of my sidebar.
Next up? Installing a linux partition. After waiting 2 hours for the windoze install to finish (plus another hour to update drivers and install software), I'm going to find out how long it takes to install a fresh copy of linux.
Now for some more surfing. Ciao :-))
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
S.O.S.
I've been meaning to completely reinstall windoze for a week now. I think I got hit by a worm, see. Isn't that frustrating? With the auto-update on, two firewalls (both free) and two anti-virus programs (1 free, 1 on a one-year free trial) on and updated, you still get hit.I was supposed to reinstall last Sunday, during my off. I chose to sleep instead. So now, I'm waiting for my next day off.
I already got a test setup of Mandrake running on s seperate partition. All I need now is to find out how to do stuff. I excitedly tried stuff out this afternoon. I was all excited just trying out small stuff on the terminal (its the linux equivalent of the DOS prompt). Can't get online yet, though. One of the first things I did find out about modems is that not all modems are created equal. I bought one of those cheaper modems that you plug inside the guts of your computer. Well, it turns out they don't work on linux because software runs the darned things instead of old fashioned elctronics (chips and stuff). There are linux drivers but they cost as much as an external modem that can be bought at a local store. So why didn't I buy the external modem in the first place? The internal one I have cost a third of the price. Well now I have to buy an external one. Makes you think if everything cheap is worth it at all.
Incidentally, I found the following links for linux newbies while browsing the forums at PinoyPC.Net : The Linux Documentation Project, The Linux Newbie Adminstrator Guide. It's quite overwhelming when your met with hundreds of thousands of links when you google "linux guides", so those links from forums are really useful. Users recommending stuff to users. Well, that's it for today.
I already got a test setup of Mandrake running on s seperate partition. All I need now is to find out how to do stuff. I excitedly tried stuff out this afternoon. I was all excited just trying out small stuff on the terminal (its the linux equivalent of the DOS prompt). Can't get online yet, though. One of the first things I did find out about modems is that not all modems are created equal. I bought one of those cheaper modems that you plug inside the guts of your computer. Well, it turns out they don't work on linux because software runs the darned things instead of old fashioned elctronics (chips and stuff). There are linux drivers but they cost as much as an external modem that can be bought at a local store. So why didn't I buy the external modem in the first place? The internal one I have cost a third of the price. Well now I have to buy an external one. Makes you think if everything cheap is worth it at all.
Incidentally, I found the following links for linux newbies while browsing the forums at PinoyPC.Net : The Linux Documentation Project, The Linux Newbie Adminstrator Guide. It's quite overwhelming when your met with hundreds of thousands of links when you google "linux guides", so those links from forums are really useful. Users recommending stuff to users. Well, that's it for today.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
The Ex...
I was finally able to visit Dave last Monday. I finally got copies of Mandrake ( a Linux distribution) that he promised me. In an unexpected turn of events though, I crossed paths with an ex-girlfriend.
When I got there a little past ten, I looked for Dave. My first hunch proved correct. Things rarely change in small towns. I got to the right office, but there was no Dave in sight. I waited around for a few minutes, still no Dave. I decided to ask a few people if I was in the right place. I was beginning to worry because I was standing in the corridor on the second floor of the town's municipal hall, a stranger to all these people passing by. I was there alone, standing in front of the unlocked doors that now held their LAN servers. If things go haywire around here, witnesses would point to the only suspicious fat stranger standing in front of a restricted but unlocked infotech room- me. Anyway, after 15 minutes of self-induced paranoia, I heard Dave call out my name from the other end of the corridor.
After dispensing with the cursory catching up, we went downstairs to the other offices that had the proper cd-drives to make copies of the software he promise to give me. I met a few people who were also old acquaintances. One of them happened to be the boss of one of my ex's (para namang napakarami) . He told she was out for the day. I breathed a sigh of relief.
Dave and I then went about our business, catching up and talking about what we were doing with our lives. While on our way up after a brief merienda outside, I stopped by the stairs to talk with an old sis and kumare of mine. While chatting away, I saw a young woman make her way towards my direction. Her face was familiar, but I could not remember where I knew her from. When she was within hearing distance, I said a polite "hi" and unconsciously waved my hand towards her. She smiled back and proceeded to knock on one of the office doors nearby. It was at that moment that it dawned upon me that she was actually my ex's younger sister ("ading", as they called them in Ilocano). She peeped her head into the door and when she stepped back, there she was -- the ex!
She was wearing her hair shorter now, hair she swore she wouldn't cut short when were together. It was a testament of the thought I had when I was trying to compose in my head (what to say to the ex???) while keeping my conversation my with kumare alive. I had moved on when we parted ways. Judging by the way she looked, she had done the same. I wanted to say that blinded as I was by my queasy sentimentality, I chose to move on quickly when we parted. But no words came. Only a gush of perfunctory words came out meant to continue my conversation with my kumare. I managed a smile and waved at her. I was still a motionless, awkward mess. And then that was it. She went on with her business and left me to my conversation.
After a few minutes, she passed my way again (I was still there with my kumare, silly me). She asked if we'd like to come inside their office . I gave a polite, "sige, ok lang kami dito."
Then, it was time to go. I came back to Dave's office and packed my stuff. I said my goodbyes with express promises to visit again. When Dave and me passed by her office window, I waved goodbye to Ruby and mouthed a silent "goodbye." And as I was riding the tricycle with Dave (who graciously offered me a ride to the highway where the buses passed) , he asked about another one of my ex's. I replied that he was talking about Maricel, the one that got away. He replied he wanted to ask her out during those times (some ten odd years ago), but he felt that she had already fallen in-love with another torpe that happened to be me. I almost spoke out loud when I thought, "they're part of my past and they will stay that way. sweet memories they are, but stay that way they will. memories"
When I got there a little past ten, I looked for Dave. My first hunch proved correct. Things rarely change in small towns. I got to the right office, but there was no Dave in sight. I waited around for a few minutes, still no Dave. I decided to ask a few people if I was in the right place. I was beginning to worry because I was standing in the corridor on the second floor of the town's municipal hall, a stranger to all these people passing by. I was there alone, standing in front of the unlocked doors that now held their LAN servers. If things go haywire around here, witnesses would point to the only suspicious fat stranger standing in front of a restricted but unlocked infotech room- me. Anyway, after 15 minutes of self-induced paranoia, I heard Dave call out my name from the other end of the corridor.
After dispensing with the cursory catching up, we went downstairs to the other offices that had the proper cd-drives to make copies of the software he promise to give me. I met a few people who were also old acquaintances. One of them happened to be the boss of one of my ex's (para namang napakarami) . He told she was out for the day. I breathed a sigh of relief.
Dave and I then went about our business, catching up and talking about what we were doing with our lives. While on our way up after a brief merienda outside, I stopped by the stairs to talk with an old sis and kumare of mine. While chatting away, I saw a young woman make her way towards my direction. Her face was familiar, but I could not remember where I knew her from. When she was within hearing distance, I said a polite "hi" and unconsciously waved my hand towards her. She smiled back and proceeded to knock on one of the office doors nearby. It was at that moment that it dawned upon me that she was actually my ex's younger sister ("ading", as they called them in Ilocano). She peeped her head into the door and when she stepped back, there she was -- the ex!
She was wearing her hair shorter now, hair she swore she wouldn't cut short when were together. It was a testament of the thought I had when I was trying to compose in my head (what to say to the ex???) while keeping my conversation my with kumare alive. I had moved on when we parted ways. Judging by the way she looked, she had done the same. I wanted to say that blinded as I was by my queasy sentimentality, I chose to move on quickly when we parted. But no words came. Only a gush of perfunctory words came out meant to continue my conversation with my kumare. I managed a smile and waved at her. I was still a motionless, awkward mess. And then that was it. She went on with her business and left me to my conversation.
After a few minutes, she passed my way again (I was still there with my kumare, silly me). She asked if we'd like to come inside their office . I gave a polite, "sige, ok lang kami dito."
Then, it was time to go. I came back to Dave's office and packed my stuff. I said my goodbyes with express promises to visit again. When Dave and me passed by her office window, I waved goodbye to Ruby and mouthed a silent "goodbye." And as I was riding the tricycle with Dave (who graciously offered me a ride to the highway where the buses passed) , he asked about another one of my ex's. I replied that he was talking about Maricel, the one that got away. He replied he wanted to ask her out during those times (some ten odd years ago), but he felt that she had already fallen in-love with another torpe that happened to be me. I almost spoke out loud when I thought, "they're part of my past and they will stay that way. sweet memories they are, but stay that way they will. memories"
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Computing and its Complications
There was a time when everything was simple. When technology was not as invasive on our lives. It was there to help us with what we needed to do, but we could care less if it were not there. Today, computing has encroached every facet of our daily grind. So much so that decisions on the direction computing must take carrries many social and political implications. Computing has defined a new divide of have's and have-not's. Those who have access to technology and those who have not. Those who have access to the internet and those who have not. Ultimately, those who have not will sink deeper into the despair of social and (more importantly) intellectual poverty.
Bridging this digital divide is an alarming concern. Here are two articles that emphasize that point: Activists Urge Free Open-Source Software , Digital guru floats sub-$100 PC .
Bridging this digital divide is an alarming concern. Here are two articles that emphasize that point: Activists Urge Free Open-Source Software , Digital guru floats sub-$100 PC .
Yet another flavor...
Dave gave me another tip. Another Linux distro for people who are used to using Windows. This one promises to be easier on us Windows users who would like to try Linux. Its called Xandros and I found these reviews online: ,PC World's Techlog: Xandros - a Linux for Windows Users, DesktopOS.com:Xandros Desktop OS 3 is a Windows XP replacement. You can download Xandros' Open Circulation Edition (re: FREE) here: http://www.xandros.com/products/home/desktopoc/dsk_oc_download.html
Friday, February 11, 2005
Petition
I stumbled on this article about the dangers of software patents...
The Coming Software Patent Crisis
Then I came to know that our very astute legislators (whose palms are eternally greased, I'm tempted to add) plan to put into law the granting of software patents in the Philippines. So I signed this petition, out of disgust...
Petition Against Software Patents in the Philippines
You should sign it too. If not for your future, for your child's future.
The Coming Software Patent Crisis
Then I came to know that our very astute legislators (whose palms are eternally greased, I'm tempted to add) plan to put into law the granting of software patents in the Philippines. So I signed this petition, out of disgust...
Petition Against Software Patents in the Philippines
You should sign it too. If not for your future, for your child's future.
What Dreams May Come?
Why is open source software important to an ordinary joe like me? Why should it be important to you? Think about it in the way I do.
Eventually, technology will become so pervasive that it will occupy every facet of our lives.
Take a peek at the Oxygen project of MIT.It envisions that someday computers will reside in our walls, roofs and roads. It envisions an environ that will assist us in everything we do, much like the omni-present computer in the scifi series Star Trek. Just imagine addressing the computer from anywhere within your house (or office space, for that matter) to ask it to turn on the airconditioning or adjust the lighting or keep the espresso machine churning. LOL (that last bit is a personal favorite). Computers will one day help us in a "human-centric way" unlike ever before.
When that day comes, guess what else will become just as pervasive? The software that runs it. Prety soon, the stuff that weaves the storyline of the movie series the Matrix will become real. We too will see the "code" that runs everything. To adapt, man will learn to use software like he does the spoken word today. He will use it to "talk to the walls" so to speak, to have the technology at his disposal do his bidding.
And where does open source come into all this? Open source seeks to make technology available to everyone who wants and needs it. It seeks to give back the power over software to those who really matter -- the people who use it. If this future I envision were to come true, wouldn't a monopoly of paid software be like paying for the oxygen we breathe?
Get to know more about free software. Free, as in freedom. Visit these websites today: The Open Source Initiative, The Free Software Foundation, Open Minds Philippines.
Eventually, technology will become so pervasive that it will occupy every facet of our lives.
Take a peek at the Oxygen project of MIT.It envisions that someday computers will reside in our walls, roofs and roads. It envisions an environ that will assist us in everything we do, much like the omni-present computer in the scifi series Star Trek. Just imagine addressing the computer from anywhere within your house (or office space, for that matter) to ask it to turn on the airconditioning or adjust the lighting or keep the espresso machine churning. LOL (that last bit is a personal favorite). Computers will one day help us in a "human-centric way" unlike ever before.
When that day comes, guess what else will become just as pervasive? The software that runs it. Prety soon, the stuff that weaves the storyline of the movie series the Matrix will become real. We too will see the "code" that runs everything. To adapt, man will learn to use software like he does the spoken word today. He will use it to "talk to the walls" so to speak, to have the technology at his disposal do his bidding.
And where does open source come into all this? Open source seeks to make technology available to everyone who wants and needs it. It seeks to give back the power over software to those who really matter -- the people who use it. If this future I envision were to come true, wouldn't a monopoly of paid software be like paying for the oxygen we breathe?
Get to know more about free software. Free, as in freedom. Visit these websites today: The Open Source Initiative, The Free Software Foundation, Open Minds Philippines.
Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Baby steps
I've been putting off trying to learn Linux for too long. Yesterday, I was going through different chats when I chanced upon an old friend. He was telling me about Linux. I've been harboring a interest for it ever since I ordered a Bayanihan Linux cd online. I was actually more curious than anything else. I also wanted to support the project by buying the official cd. Blame the nationalist in me. I too harbor a deepseated fuming anger against Gates and his kind, just like Francisco Nemenzo.
Now, I feel my mindset shifting to a more determined one. My learning curve's a bit steep, but I want to learn enough linux to be a considered a casual user. I don't dream of becoming an expert. I want enough skill to be able to do the things I want with the software without asking for a holding hand. Someday, maybe. Right, Dave? The hardest part is the first step. Wasn't it Lao Tzu that said, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," or something like that? I start walking today...
Now, I feel my mindset shifting to a more determined one. My learning curve's a bit steep, but I want to learn enough linux to be a considered a casual user. I don't dream of becoming an expert. I want enough skill to be able to do the things I want with the software without asking for a holding hand. Someday, maybe. Right, Dave? The hardest part is the first step. Wasn't it Lao Tzu that said, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," or something like that? I start walking today...
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