What's the GBZ?

OLPC Tablet

2010-05-29T13:37:00.000-05:00

OpenOffice.org vs MS Office Products

2010-04-23T09:00:00.003-05:00

For years I have been using OpenOffice.org as my primary productivity tool. Word processing, databases, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files and more are all done easily (and inexpensively).

It is easy to use, easy to learn and free of any strict licensing agreements. And also free for the price of a download. (If you can't download, I will gladly send a recent version on a CD along with other software).

A quick check saw that Office 2010 is retailing for $150. For anyone getting a new PC, please tell the salesman that you are going to save some bucks and get software that you can use on your new computer and your old computer and your neighbor's computer and ...

Yes, telling the world about FLOSS is my passion.

Life Purpose - Saving a Friend $75.99

2009-08-08T09:27:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I feel like my face will turn blue trying to help my friends save $75.99 (or more). That is the special sale price (two days only) at CompUSA for the low end Microsoft productivity suite. Included is a comprehensive set of writing tools that help you create and share content, a powerful presentation tool that allows you to create professional-looking presentations, a powerful tool for creating spreadsheets, and analyze and share information, and a digital notebook.

Not bad for a home user or for a student off to school.

But I have ALL those things and more on my laptop for FREE. I use Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS). Since it is usually free as in beer, there is no money spent on advertising and it is not promoted in retail stores. Part of my life's purpose is to spread the word about FLOSS.

OpenOffice.org and wikidpad have all the functionality mentioned above plus a database solution that allows you to effectively track, report and share information.

For FREE.

Help me spread the word. I don't want to be a blue man.

Billy and Beverly at Dr Banjo's Jam Camp

2009-08-04T16:37:00.003-05:00

This photograph was taken at Dr. Banjo's Jam Camp prior to MerleFest in 2002 by a fellow jamcamper. Unfortunately I do not remember his name. If you were there and know the photograher's name, please contact me so that I can acknowledge him! Thanks!

Beverly is "honey-colored" and "sunburst" and about the prettiest, sweetest sounding Kay-Englehardt URB in the whole US of A.

Learn more about bluegrass music at the International Bluegrass Music Association website.

Viral System For Getting Twitter Followers

2009-07-22T16:33:00.002-05:00

If you are using twitter (and who isn't these days!), you will definitely want to check out this free and viral following system.

It costs nothing ever, and even includes 3 free bonuses just for trying it. It will automatically grow your twitter followers for you once you start the system.

Its free, its viral, its fun, its cool, and it works.

http://www.twitteringfortraffic.com/whatsthegbz

Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class

2009-07-21T17:54:00.004-05:00

(Click for an 8-minute audio overview and description of the program. - http://www.worshipguitarclass.com/aff.htm?w=wcgs&p=a1192 -)

7 Reasons I Recommend Learn To Play the Guitar
with Jean Welles' Worship Guitar Class

1. Lifelong Enjoyment.
Playing provides a creative outlet, joy, and comfort.

2. Be a Blessing to Others.
Play for and with others, with their take-anywhere instrument.

3. Worship the Lord.
"Praise Him with stringed instruments" (Psalm 150:4).

4. Experience Immediate Success.
No previous music background is necessary.

5. Learn in the Convenience of Your Own Home.
No need to spend time going out to lessons.

6. Start Anytime.
And at any age, it's never too late to start!

7. Save Money.
Save hundreds of dollars compared to private lessons.

For more information visit:
http://www.worshipguitarclass.com/aff.htm?w=wcgs&p=a1192

TweetLater - I'm at the Beach!

2009-07-11T11:31:00.005-05:00

Of all the social media programs popping up, I have definitely found Twitter the most fun and enjoyable. Multiple accounts support my passions and my business. At times things can get a little confusing!

My favorite Twitter tool is very quickly becoming TweetLater!

TweetLater allows me to schedule tweets, track keywords, vet new followers, shorten urls with bit.ly (so I can track clicks on links), send welcome DMs and more. And it is all for FREE!

Sure there is a professional upgrade version of TweetLater which has more features. But even the free version easily saves me two or three hours a day. Every day! So I can use those hours more productively at the beach.

Check out TweetLater today! And I'll see you at the beach!

New Linux.com Community

2009-05-14T11:40:00.005-05:00

The Linux Foundation has launched the new Linux.com website. This promises to be an exciting, growing, interactive resource for Linux in particular and for Open Source in general.

For the community, by the community!

You can join the community at Linux.com/community

Tuz Replaces Tux to Heighten Awareness of Tasmanian Devil Threat

2009-04-02T19:56:00.005-05:00

Some major events have taken place recently that I am just now learning about.

One is that Tux, the Linux mascot, is going on a walkabout. One rumor has him working as a barber for a while. While he is gone, the new mascot will be Tuz, a Tazmanian devil.

This major change was approved (initiated?) by Linus Torvalds himself to bring attention to the plight of the Tasmanian devil.

You can learn more about the Tasmanian devil and the deadly tumors which threaten their existence at Save The Tasmanian Devil.

This is the first I was aware of communicable facial cancers.

Linux Radio Spots and Helios

2009-02-02T08:57:00.004-05:00

Helios and the Linux Community are encouraging the use and development of radio ads (spots) for promoting Linux, specifically, and FLOSS in general. Links have been provided to some basic audio tracks which can be used under Creative Commons licensing.

Ideas and clips are being sought, as well as funding for awards for the most creative use of these tracks. Many people have still not heard of Linux so these radio spots could be their first introduction. The basic tracks are of very good quality.

More info here:
http://linuxlock.blogspot.com/search?q=radio

Philosophy of Harv's Hamshack Hack CD

2009-01-23T13:37:00.003-05:00

Reprinted here is the philosophy of Harv's (AI9NL) Hamshack Hack

There should be hundreds ... thousands ... of CD's like this one available in the Amateur Radio community. Each and every interest group ... homebrewers to DX'ers, Antenna modelers to EmComm ... should have there own collections of software and systems. We are quickly approaching the era when the greater part of our radios will be built at the keyboard. Solder splatters on the floor and the smell of burning rosin in the air are quickly fading into memories.

LINUX is soooo Ham! You can take it apart, rebuild it, add to it, or subtract from it. You can engineer, re-engineer, or reverse-engineer the entire system. No one will say stop, but many will lend a hand to your effort. The guys we used to call "Elmer's" are now known as "gurus". They are equally knowledgeable, resourceful, and obliging. The big problem for many older hams is that these "gurus" may be only 12 years old! LINUX provides an exceptionally wide range of tools to help you complete your project. At its very roots, Linux is a sharing, co-operative, community effort ... the very basis of things "Ham".

The future of our hobby, regardless the course and meanders it eventually follows, will be bound to our computers. Your next "transceiver" may very likely be a PCI plugin card. If we greet the need to learn how to manipulate new tools as an imposition, rather than a creative opportunity, then we deserve to loose our bands to BPL ... or whatever the next outrageous corporate exploitation proposes.

Barack Obama - The First Open Source President?

2008-11-07T12:31:00.003-05:00

Alex Castellanos, a CNN Analyst, discusses future President Obama's acceptance speech in relation to the definitive essay "The Cathedral and The Bazaar". He raises the question "Will Obama introduce a bottom-up government for the communication age versus the old top-down government of the industrial age?"

Interesting to me was hearing about the FLOSS (Free/Libre Open Source Software) paradigm shift in a political, government leadership role by someone far outside the software world.

View the video on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-4afdMalVA

The Cathedral and The Bazaar essay is available for free viewing at
http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/

Version 08.10 of the OpenDisc and OpenEducationDisc Release

2008-10-10T20:30:00.002-05:00

The new versions have just been released. I blogged about the OpenDisc and the OpenEducation Disc here. These discs are a great introduction to the world of FLOSS (Free/Libre Open Source Software).

Learn more at theopendisc.com

One Million Laptops for Venezuela School Children

2008-10-01T10:32:00.002-05:00

Oil rich Venezuela will buy a million Classmate notebooks for school children, based on Intel's reference design.

According to the BBC, the $3 billion deal is part of a bilateral trade agreement with Portugal. The machines will be built in Portugal and use the Atom cut down microprocessor and will come with broadband connections and digicams.

Full article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7642985.stm

Open Life: The Philosophy of Open Source

2008-09-25T14:05:00.001-05:00

The recently published 'Open Life: The Philosophy of Open Source' introduces readers to many entertaining and thought-provoking ideas, such as “Are all nerds courageous? Is laziness a virtue? Why did Stephen King leave a horror story unfinished?”. The author answers some and leaves others open for reflection after our journey into the Open Life.

The Philosophy of Open Source is currently a highly discussed and not yet understood concept in the computer and IT worlds. However, the philosophy is impacting many both inside and outside the technological realm. Almost everyone has been exposed to it and has been impacted by it. This book defines terms, clarifies ideas and introduces leaders within the Open Source Movement. A portion of the book is devoted to explaining how Open Source is being applied in non-technical areas.

According to author Henrik Ingo, "There is currently a strong trend of Open Source methods being applied in all kinds of fields, and I wanted to write in a style understandable to everyone, yet interesting enough also to people who already know a lot about Open Source would like to read it too".

In keeping with Free Software and Internet trends, the book is available to read or download online for free or can be purchased in real paper-print format. Donations can be made to the author who shares part of that donation with others. Either way, 'Open Life: The Philosophy of Open Source' is sure to entertain and enlighten.

Here is the link to learn more: http://www.openlife.cc/

Mark Shuttleworth Interview About Ubuntu

2008-09-06T09:30:00.003-05:00

Interview with Mark Shuttleworth, who funds the development of Ubuntu, a Linux distribution based on Debian, through his company Canonical Ltd.

OpenDisc and OpenEducationDisc

2008-05-18T22:30:00.001-05:00

Dear to my heart is the OpenDisc (and the closely related OpenEducationDisc) project which aims to introduce Windows-users to the many benefits of Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS). Dozens of high-quality programs are available for easy distribution via a single CD (or simple download from the OpenDisc website). On the disc is a screenshot and description of each program so you get a feel for each program before installing.

Programs are included for office productivity, internet, photo-editing, instant messaging, drawing, multi-media, games, mind-mapping, and more. The programs have been carefully selected for quality, ease of us, stability, and appropriateness for home and small office users. All programs install and uninstall cleanly. The disc is intended as an introduction into the exciting world of FLOSS.

All the programs are distributed under an Open Source License (OSI-approved) and thus can be installed on many computers, not just yours but your friends and your families also. The programs can even be modified with the freely available source code. The disc can be freely copied and handed out.

Last week, the latest version (08.05) of the OpenEducationDisc was released. The OpenEducationDisc is an extension of the the OpenDisc with additional programs deemed especially useful for students and for teachers. This version includes updated versions of all included programs and has added some newer programs from the previous disc.

To learn more, visit the OpenDisc website -- http://theopendisc.com/ --

As mentioned, the disc as well as all the programs can be freely downloaded from the Internet. If you do not have Internet access but would like the OpenEducationDisc (for free), please contact this blogger.

Getting To Carnegie Hall

2008-05-07T09:25:00.001-05:00

The visitor was lost while wandering around New York City, looking for Carnegie Hall.

He stopped a distinguished looking gentleman and asked, "Sir, could you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?"

The distinguished looking gentleman replied, "Practice, Practice, Practice!".

You see, the gentleman he asked was a world famous conductor of a symphony orchestra that played Carnegie Hall often. He knew that nothing comes easy.

Whatever you desire is achievable but you must work to achieve it.

There really is no better time to be alive than right now. Opportunities abound. Get busy!

The New F-word

2008-04-24T11:48:00.003-05:00

I am a fundamentalist. Better make that a Fundamentalist with a capital F!

There are certain absolute truths that are basic to my foundation. Without certain foundational (Fundamental) principles which must be adhered to there really is no need for principles at all!

A great concern of mine has been the number of Christian leaders who have been denouncing Fundamentalists as extremists. My heart aches for those who believe such teachings.

The same holds true with open source.

In yesterday's AP article, Nicholas Negroponte's quote "One can be an open-source advocate without being an open-source fundamentalist." really cut to the core. Either you are a person of principle or you are not.

In my faith and in open source, I am proud to be a Fundamentalist!

"a technology that could revolutionize how we educate the world's children" is now joining with proprietary interests which stifle education and the sharing of knowledge. With regrets, I can no longer support OLPC1

Ubuntu Desktop Training Available

2008-04-18T11:33:00.002-05:00

Canonical Announces Ubuntu Desktop Training

Online Course Designed for Corporate and Home Users

London, UK April 14, 2008 - Canonical Ltd., the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu, today announced training for corporate and home desktop users to get started with Ubuntu.

The Ubuntu Desktop Training program provides simulations, practical exercises and information to make daily tasks easy. No prior knowledge of the Linux-based operating system is required, although computer literacy is a pre-requisite. ...

Read More

Eben Moglen: How To Change The World

2008-04-15T14:50:00.002-05:00

Today I have been viewing some Eben Moglen video interviews at Linux.com. Mr. Moglen is the Founding Director of the Software Freedom Law Center. He is a skilled speaker and interviews well.

One that I particularly like is "How To Change The World."

The videos can be viewed Linux.com and YouTube. I prefer Linux.com which uses the ogg open standard format.

Russian teacher takes on global software giants

2008-04-13T22:13:00.002-05:00

Here is an update on Alexander Ponosov

Click Here For Latest News

You may recall that Alexander Ponosov was imprisoned and fined for allegedly using conterfeit Microsoft Windows on his schools' computers last year. He claims the software was pre-installed. (Is your software legit?)

Russia along with Brazil, India, China, Malaysia and others strongly advocates Open Source Software in schools.

Read More about Open Source Software in schools by Clicking Here!

Everex Now Targets MySpace Users

2008-04-10T12:04:00.002-05:00

Everex continues to create new niche markets for their products. The latest entry ia a mini-PC targeted towards the 100,000,000 MySpace users.

Featuring enhanced graphics, animations and a new icon dock, which aggregates the latest MySpace and Web 2.0 entertainment media sites, users of this new MyMiniPC can surf, email, blog, IM, Skype, rip and compute, all with the power of an Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core processor and the gOS Space 2.9 operating system.

gOS (Good OS!) is a Linux-based distribution and is custom designed to use Google, MySpace and other “Web 2.0” apps. gOS Space 2.9 utilizes MySpace's recently released API.

The Social Media Networking World

2008-04-03T22:49:00.006-05:00

Yesterday I attended a networking event sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce. While there I met several members of InSocialMedia.com

InSocialMedia is dedicated to building relationships with anyone involved with Internet marketing and the Social Media world. The social networking site is presented by Chris Patterson, CEO, Interchanges.com

Here is my profile screenshot:

Here is the link for InSocialMedia.com

Is The Time Right For Linux???

2008-04-02T21:10:00.003-05:00

Is the time right for Linux PCs to emerge
(AP)

AP - The free Linux operating system handles big tasks like running supercomputers and ATMs. Now Linux has a chance to finally crack Microsoft Corp.'s hold on computing's most visible domain mainstream PCs because of the rise of innovative, inexpensive machines.

Newsflash

2008-01-02T13:49:00.000-05:00

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by itslef but the wrod as a wlohe.

More On The OLPC G1G1 and Now T-Mobile

2007-11-23T10:33:00.000-05:00

There is still one week left on the "Give One Get One(G1G1)" campaign which is the promotion to give an XO laptop to a child in a poor county and also get one for yourself. The cost is $399 of which $200 is tax-deductible. One of the sponsors is now adding a one-year complimentary T-Mobile HotSpot access.

The offer is worth a look. Currently I pay $20 a month ($240 per year) for AT&T wireless access which works fine and is available at most McDonalds, The UPS Stores and Barnes and Nobles and other places. I could drop that and switch to T-Mobile, saving $240, which brings the G1G1 cost to $159. Add in the tax deduction and the XO laptop is quite reasonable.

The unique appearance would certainly draw attention at a Starbucks and would be a great conversation starter to promote Free/Libre Open Source Software.

More info is available at - http://www.laptopgiving.org -

Thoughts on $199 Everex Desktop PC (gPC,gOS) at WalMart

2007-11-06T13:18:00.000-05:00

Since November 1, WalMart has been offering a $199 desktop pc (no monitor included) via their online website. I believe it can be purchased online with delivery arrangements made to your local WalMart. The web address is
- http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7754614 -

This new offering is creating quite a buzz in the world of low-cost computing and in the FLOSS (Free/Libre Open Source Software) - http://flosstoday.com/ - world.

Why?

Primarily because it runs gOS - http://www.thinkgos.com/ - instead of WindowsXP or Vista.

gOS is new and is "An alternative OS for the masses". gOS may stand for green Operating System or it may stand for Google Operating System. That's for the bloggers to sort out.

Do I like the pc?

Yes, it is an ideal pc for 3 out of 4 computer users. It can't compare to the $4000 gaming pc that your son wants for Christmas or the $2800 media center pc that your brother-in-law just had installed in his home theatre.

That is not the target market.

Most people are not gamers and I only know a handful of people with a home theatre.

Word-processing, e-mail, internet, flickr, slide presentations, spreadsheets, databases, blogger, etc are all available and are more than adequate for most users.

The pc does fall into the category of "Internet appliance" as it requires a broadband internet connection. Goodby dial-up, hello cable/dsl.

Is it a google pc? Google has long used a GNU/Linux/Ubuntu-based operating system in-house. This may very well be a marketing test to see how much interest there may be for google to enter the os world.

Meanwhile anyone looking for a quality, low-cost pc can take advantage of this bargain.

TheOpenDisc and OpenEducationDisc

2007-10-19T17:22:00.000-05:00

Interest in the OpenCD since Software Freedom Day and our local press reports has been both gratifying and stimulating. Comments received have been very rewarding.

Well, times do change and I believe the following change will be for the better of the FLOSS (Free/Libre Open Source Software) community. The OpenCD project is no longer supported but a new project, TheOpenDisc, has been announced.

Chris Gray, project lead for the past eighteen months, is now in charge of TheOpenDisc - http://www.theopendisc.com/ -

Peter Kemp, formerly of OpenEducationCD, will be joining Chris on OpenEducationDisc - http://www.theopendisc.com/education/ - which is an extension geared to schools and students. Peter recently won the prestigious School Projects Award from the British educational charity, Teach First - http://www.teachfirst.org.uk/ - for his work with FLOSS.

The two main goals of the project are:

* To provide a free alternative to costly software, with equal or often better quality equivalents to proprietary, shareware or freeware software for Microsoft Windows.
* To educate users about Linux as an operating system for home, business and educational use.

The majority of programs featured on OpenDisc are also available on Linux. (Program list with versions is available at the wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenDisc -)

Chris and Pete hope to release updated versions regularly so software will always be fresh.

Time To Switch?

2007-10-14T11:22:00.000-05:00

If you use a computer, it's a pretty safe bet that you will have heard of Microsoft Windows. The best way to explain the job that Windows does for your computer is to imagine it as a kind of brain. It's the 'intelligence' that knows how to print a document or display a mouse pointer or connect to the Internet. If we were to refer to this 'brain' by its proper name, we'd call it an operating system.

What you might not know is that there are other operating systems out there for your computer, many of which work better than Windows, some of which are even free!

Let me introduce you to my favourite operating system. It's called Ubuntu, and it's my favourite for many reasons. If you stick with me, I'd love to explain why.

Click Here To Read Full Article

New Free Open Source Certification

2007-09-12T10:13:00.000-05:00

The UK ICT Hub's FOSS in the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) project is developing a new certification for Free (Libre) Open Source Software in the non-profit sector. This is being done in partnership with the Linux Professional Institute (LPI). Read more about it at:

https://group.lpi.org/publicwiki/bin/view/Examdev/FOSK

FLOSS In Church Today!

2007-08-14T15:10:00.000-05:00

Churches are ideal places for FLOSS (Free/Libre Open Source Software).

Some reasons for using FLOSS and the Linux operating system are affordability (either no-cost or low-cost), scalability (one computer or many), security (crackers prefer Microsoft©), stability (immune to most viruses), upgradability (you have the source code), versatility (runs on just about anything), and more.

Even Romans 12:2 commands the Christian church to use FLOSS!

A new resource is now available to promote FLOSS in the Christian community. Help spread the word!

FLOSS In Church!!!

(FLOSS In Church is sponsored by FLOSSToday.com and GBZ Technology)

New Issue of Full Circle Magazine

2007-07-29T00:58:00.000-05:00

New issue (number 3) of Full Circle Magazine, the independent ubuntu magazine is available online new. This month's issue includes:

* Xubuntu install step-by-step - Alternative Disc!
* How-To: Get a Stunning Ubuntu Desktop, Learning Scribus part 3 and Ubuntu in Photography.
* Review of Ubuntu on a Macbook.
* Preview of several new Compiz Fusion effects.
* Letters, Q&A, MyDesktop, MyPC, Top5 and more!

Click here now

New Software Freedom Day 2007 Press Release

2007-07-18T11:23:00.000-05:00

A new press release about Software Freedom Day 2007 (SFD2007) is available at:

http://softwarefreedomday.org/PressReleases/18072007

If anyone can help get this out by posting on slashdot, or any other
news forums, that would be great!

Full Circle Magazine Issue #2 Available

2007-07-09T15:09:00.000-05:00

ssue 2 of Full Circle the official ubuntu magazine is now available. This month issue includes:

* Ubuntu Flavour of the Month - Kubuntu
* How-To - Ubuntu on the Intel Mac Mini, Virtual Private Networking, Learning Scribus Part 2 and Ubuntu for your Grandma!
* Review - System 76 Darter
* Top 5 - Widgets-MyDesktop, MyPC and more!

Click here now

Linux 500 Tux Racer At Indianapolis

2007-04-12T11:22:00.000-05:00

An ambitious plan to sponsor an Indy 500 Linux Racer has been announced by the Lobby4Linux group. The Tux 500 Project hopes to make Linux a common, household name by sponsoring a car at one of the largest, most recognizable sporting events in the world. With a race day crowd estimated at 350,000, a U.S. television audience of 5.5 million households, along with an audience of millions of people worldwide, the Indianapolis 500 on May 27 offers an incredible opportunity to create a Linux buzz heard around the world. A one dollar PayPal contribution is being requested from Linux users to support this project.

Learn more here

Hacker Puzzle (Hacker Quiz) Skill Diversion

2007-04-10T10:33:00.000-05:00

Have a few minutes to spare? Need a relaxing (or frustrating?) diversion? Interested in trying out your hacker skills? Here is a fun little way to pass some time on Friday afternoon while waiting for the five o'clock whistle.

Pass it around to your friends and co-workers but don't let the boss catch you!

"Welcome to the FreeStuffHotDeals.com Hacker Puzzle! To solve this puzzle you will have to find secret files on our server."

Click here to start

Before year end, $200 Laptop

2007-04-04T18:08:00.000-05:00

The manufacturer of the OLPC XO Laptop, Quanta, plans to manufacture a commercial version of the laptop for less than $200 and have it available before 2007 is over.

Click to read more

Vista - Arrogance & Stupidity

2007-03-29T02:53:00.000-05:00

Upgrading to Windows Vista has been banned by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), technology giant Texas Instruments and other corporations and government agencies. These organizations are evaluating their options, but overseas it's turning into a stampede to get out of Microsoft software.

Click To Read More

Newsflash

2007-03-13T12:41:00.001-05:00

Low Cost Laptop at Circuit City

2007-03-09T11:50:00.000-05:00

The e-mail I received today from Circuit City featured a $399 (after rebate) laptop computer. Nice laptop that I had seen in the store with 512MB of memory, 60GB hard drive, dvd burner, etc.

The reason why such a low, almost-a-closeout price???

Microsoft Vista pre-installed!!!

USA Today on Vista

2007-03-08T10:18:00.000-05:00

I continue to see poor reviews in the mainstream press concerning the new Microsoft products, not only Vista but also Office 2007 and Internet Explorer 7. Here is one from Andrew Kantor in USA Today!

Glad I use Mozilla Firefox, OpenOffice.org, and Ubuntu!!!

A Million Penguins

2007-03-04T11:04:00.000-05:00

If a million monkeys with typewriters could write the complete works of Shakespeare, what could a million penguins do?

Find out at this Penguin Books site!!!

Dell Slowing Down Linux Support?

2007-03-02T13:39:00.000-05:00

Dell seems to be waffling a bit on it's Linux ideas.

Too bad. From what I have heard and read about Vista, now is the time for a progressive company to capitalize on the Linux potential.

Wonder if Bill had a talk with Mike about OEM pricing.

Read about the Dell slowdown here...

On Educating Children

2007-02-26T17:51:00.000-05:00

This comment by Nicholas Negroponte was in response to criticism of the layout of the One Laptop Per Child prototype. I agree that we need to stop training and start educating kids!

"In fact, one of the saddest but most common conditions in elementary school computer labs (when they exist in the developing world), is the children are being trained to use Word, Excel and PowerPoint," Negroponte wrote in an e-mail interview. "I consider that criminal, because children should be making things, communicating, exploring, sharing, not running office automation tools."

Read the entire article at Low-Cost Laptop Could Transform Learning

Astroturfing or Sincerity

2007-02-24T22:18:00.000-05:00

Dell's new information-seeking website, DellIdeaStorm, may be astroturfing or may be a very sincere attempt to regain lost ground in the PC world.

Either way Dell has generated a lot of buzz in the FLOSS world. And a lot of requests for Linux or no OS computers. More than 80,000 registered visitors have voted for pre-installed Linux.

Visit the DellIdeaStorm website and share your feelings with Dell.

One Laptop Per Urchin?

2007-02-22T16:43:00.000-05:00

Recently I noticed that Laptop.org, the updated information website for the One Laptop Per Child program, utilizes the Google Analytic urchinTracker.

How can it really be FREE?

2007-02-21T15:03:00.000-05:00

The other day I visited a local computer retailer and was shocked and appalled at some of the things the sales staff was telling prospective customers. So much was inaccurate and incorrect. The sales staff was probably just parroting what the sales trainers and sales managers taught them but the fact is the information was totally wrong. There are alternatives to Microsoft (and other proprietary) products. Indeed, for one example, OpenOffice.org provides full functionality and compatibility with Microsoft Office Standard 2007. The big difference? Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is available at Amazon.com for $351.99. OpenOffice.org is available free; free online to download, free to burn on CD at the local library, free by contacting me, free to pass around.

So I stood in front of the store for a while to hand out Ubuntu Linux and TheOpenCD for free. No takers. Consumers feel that if it is any good then why is it free?

Certainly one reason is nobody advertises free software. ie, "my hairdresser's first cousin in Miami knows all about computers and never heard of FLOSS or free software".

I think I may start advertising TheOpenCD with full functionality and compatibility of Microsoft Office Standard 2007 for only $176. Same features, half the Amazon.com price.

Fifty per cent savings. Limited time only. School discounts available.

Tell your friends.

What's A LUG?

2007-02-19T11:27:00.000-05:00

LUGs, or Linux User Groups, have long been an integral part of the Free Software Movement. Linux enthusiasts and those interested in learning more about Linux would meet, share ideas, install software, help each other and in general promote Linux. While Linux was the primary focus, other FLOSS products were supported in sub-groups.

Many LUGs have achieved significant name recognition (this is sometimes known as "branding").

With the growth of FLOSS and the multi-platform nature of so much FLOSS, it is apparent that FLOSS needs to carry it's own banner.

FLOSS is now the umbrella which covers not only Linux, but also Apache, MySQL, PHP, Python, OpenOffice.org, GIMP, Blender, and so many others. However the need does exist to align closely with the LUG community and create a cohesive entity.

One possibility it to change slightly the LUG programs by switching Linux User Groups to Libre User Groups. The term Libre (from the Latin work Liber) conveys the "free as in freedom" concept of FLOSS. This modification is a natural outgrowth which builds upon the LUG foundation and allows for expansion within an already existing organization to include not only Linux, but all the pieces of the FLOSS pie.

Bad Vista Campaign Promotes Free (As In Freedom) Software

2007-02-16T12:09:00.000-05:00

The BadVista campaign advocates the freedom of computer users by opposing adoption of Microsoft Windows Vista and promoting free (as in freedom) software alternatives.

With your help, the campaign will:

Organize supporters into effective actions protesting Microsoft's daylight theft of our freedoms
Aggregate news stories cutting through MS Windows Vista marketing propaganda
Provide a user-friendly gateway to free software adoption

Learn more at the Bad Vista website

The Saga of Alexandr Ponosov

2007-02-13T11:45:00.000-05:00

Russian middle school principal, Alexander Ponosov,
faces five years in a Siberian prison camp and a
fine of 266,000 rubles (approximately $10,042).

Why???

Alexander Ponosov purchased computers for the students
in his school, which is located in the Perm region which
lies in the Ural Mountains, between Moscow and Siberia.
Pre-installed Windows came with the computers.  Unfortunately
(and unbeknownst to Alexander Posonov) the pre-installed
software was counterfeit, pirated software.

Software piracy is big business and it is well known that
the three biggest offenders are China, India, and Russia.
Microsoft has asked these countries to crack down on the
piracy.

Mikhail Gorbachev has asked Bill Gates to intervene and
drop the charges.  Officially Microsoft has stated that
is not them but the Russian government enforcing the law.
Microsoft has stated "We do respect the Russian government's
position on the importance of protecting intellectual
property rights."

Later reports do say that Microsoft actually is the plaintiff
in this case.

Apparently no action will be  taken against the sellers of
the computer with the pirated software. The Russian
prosecutors appear to be cracking down on unsuspecting end
users and not the software pirates themselves.

Russian President Vladimir Putin calls the whole affair ridiculous
and announced at his weekly press conference that "It's
ridiculous to just arrest a chap for using computers".

(edited 2/21/2007 - Charges against Alexander Ponosov have
been dropped but Russian schools are rapidly migrating to Linux
and other Free Software.  Microsoft escaped with only a black eye
which has not been widely reported stateside.)