I have been using Ubuntu (a Linux operating system) for years now. (Other Linux distributions for years before Ubuntu)  I have loved using Ubuntu and other Linux OS’s.  The whole concept of using a “Free” operating system is genius in so many ways.  I won’t get into all the reasons and/or my opinions.  The main reason for me is, Why be “forced” into using a proprietary system only the way “they” want me to use it.  With “Free Open Source Software” (FOSS) one is free to use it and distribute it as you see fit.

On to the troubles:  Ubuntu (Version 8.04-codenamed Hardy Heron) is AWESOME.  My only “beef” is with wireless support.  Previous version 7.10 worked flawlessly with my laptop.  When I upgraded to 8.04 wireless died.  Searching the Ubuntu forums and other on-line sources provided some fixes.  Wireless now works on my laptop but it is unbearably slow (10-40K) compared to windows our my wired PC (250-400k).  Ubuntu themselves don’t seem to be too concerned about it. (in my opinion)  I am, by far, not the only one having this issue.

Right now in the tech world, there is alot of talk about Linux OS’s building up for a “market” dominance battle.  I am 110% in support of this!  I find it kinda hard for this to happen if Ubuntu (the dominant “contender” in the Linux world) can not work out this “basic” hardware issues.

I am currently writing this post via Safari on Windows Vista. (What is it with me using Micro$oft today?!)  It installed when I updated iTunes.  I didn’t know that Safari has been available of Windows since last summer.  

I can’t say that I’m impressed with it. (at all)  No complaints really, just doesn’t have anything better than Firefox.  Actually it doesn’t have anything of use except basic web browsing. (Maybe the Mac version is better, wouldn’t know, not a Mac guy).  To me Firefox is by far better.  Better extensions, plug-ins, overall usability.

Today I thought I would boot up my laptop to Windows Vista. (Just so that I could be reminded on how much I loath Micro$oft.) After waiting like 5 minutes to finally get to the point were I could use Windows, it prompted me for updates.  Yeah, usual windows stuff.  So, I updated and it restarted.  After the restart (and waiting another 5 minutes) it yet again prompted me for updates.  Wow! Windows needs updates, who would have thought?!  This time it was Vista service pack 1.  Anyway, after and hour and 6 minutes, Vista is up and running.

Later in the day I was adding some tracks to my MP3 player via Rhapsody (terrible software by the way) and a dialog box popped up asking to update iTunes.  I had forgotten that I had iTunes installed!  (I used to have an “old” ipod.  Junk now…won’t recharge…replaceable battery…don’t get me started!!!).  I let iTunes update.  To shorten this all up…iTunes DOESN’T work with other MP3 players besides ipods and iphones!  Wow!  Here is Mac (Apple) and their proprietary stuff again!!!

Why must we “conform” to “big business” and all that.  Sure we don’t HAVE to but it is pretty hard not to.  Example being my Rhapsody account.  The idea of subscribing to a music service is AWESOME.  I can listen to all the music I want, at anytime, anywhere…oh! there’s the catch!…only ANYWHERE if you use their software (Windows only) to upload to an MP3 player…hence why I booted up Windows today.

See, if you suffer through all my ranting it will eventually make sense (mostly, kinda, probably not)

I recently got an invitation to join a new “community” within my childrens school to talk about and be a part of how the school chooses and runs technology within the school.  So, I went to one of the meetings.  My expectation of the meeting was to discuss were the school stood on the use of technology (mainly computers) and to talk about improvement.

To make a long story short, the “Tech” person in charge at the school introduced us to a person whom the school had hired to “manage” the computers and network within the school. (The “school” consists of 4 different schools, 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high school).  This person went on to tell the group about how the school “must” replace all the computers in the school so that they can all be upgraded to Windows Vista.  (By the way, this community was given “authority” to make budget recommendations to the school board concerning all technology matters.)  This upgrade of all the computers and software would cost the school 10 of thousands of dollars!

To shorten this further, I spoke up and asked if using Open Source software (software that is fully customizable and without the need to pay huge licensing fees to proprietary companies) was a viable option.  The response that I received from the third party tech guy was “a laugh”.  He went on to tell me how that type of software is “impossible” to manage.

In conclusion, doing my own research into the third party company, I found out that this company was a Micro$oft sponsored company and that they made money by getting schools to go exclusively Micro$oft.

I was subsequently “uninvited” to any future meetings.

Personal feelings:

Feels like the big bureaucracy of big companies like the pharmaceutical, oil, and big corporate America coming down and squashing innovation and progress.

Side note:

My kids’ school is a private school that is not government funded (except for the food program).  Money is tight to say the least.

Click here to read about the tax savings of Open source in schools (we are talking Billions…yes, with a B)

Click here to read about the philosophy of “Free” software in schools

This is a new “personal” log that I am starting…don’t know how it will go.  You may or may not be happy with what you find here.  Some things that I post on this blog may or may not be “controversial”.  This being my personal blog, I may write some things that others disagree with.  I may also start ranting and raving about things of no interest to anyone.  I guess that is kind of the point though.  Having said that, this post will act as a “disclaimer”.

To “disclaim” further, this blog in no way is affiliated with anything that I do on a “professional” basis. (Meaning my career.)  The opinions given on this blog are just that, personal opinions.

Hello Neo! Follow the white rabbit!