Ubuntu 8.10

Ubuntu 8.10 is out today. You can download a copy for yourself at http://www.ubuntu.com. If Ubuntu is not the Linux for you, then check out some of the other Linux Distros I've tried and liked. The Pre-release version has been out for a while, I have not tried it but will definitely get the 8.10 on the release date, today! For those of you who already use Ubuntu, you can update your current install with the following console command apt-get dist-upgrade.

I found and interesting article about the founder of the Ubuntu project on The Register.

Have you tried Linux? Have you tried Ubuntu? How do you like it? How do you compared it to OS X and Windows Vista or XP?

Just Zip It

I'm not sure where the name 7-Zip came from, but I know it has helped me in more than 7 occasions. ;) I know its a bad joke, I couldn't help myself. Perhaps one of my readers is more knowledgable in the history of the name 7-Zip.

7-Zip is one of the best file compression programs I've used, and the best part - its FREE! It can work with most of the major compression formats such as 7z (natve format), ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR. It can also open files compressed with RAR, CAB, ISO, ARJ, LZH, CHM, MSI, WIM, Z, CPIO, RPM, DEB and NSIS. Just some gobbledygook for those who are into compression schemes, you know who you are.

I've used this application to open compressed files from unix systems such as GZ and TAR files, as well as extract files from Linux ISO disc image files. I've also used its command line capabilities to schedule backups for some computer systems.

If you need a file compression program, I highly recommend 7-Zip. You can find it here. It's available for windows, mac and unix. Though only command line versions are available for the unix based systems.

What application do you use for file compression?

Seven Linux Distros

I've mentioned that I have some interest in Linux. So I thought I would mention a few of my favorite distributions and why I like them. I recently discovered a distribution called NimbleX, its one of the smaller distributions and has some OS eye Candy built right in using Compiz. You can find a review of it here. I lean mostly toward LiveCDs that give you an easy way to install the OS, once you've tried it.

So here is the list:

1. DSL - Great for older hardware, including 486 pcs, yes those are still around in some corners of the US. The whole OS distribution fits in at under 50 MB. That's less than most standalone Microsoft applications. This is loaded with very light applications. This can run from CD, USB or HardDisk.
   
2. Puppy Linux - Great for older hardware as well, based on Slackware from what I've read. I think it might be more familiar to the MS Windows audience, and DSL has actually been using JWM for the last several releases. I use this on an old P3 pc at home to watch Videos and DVDs. This can run from CD, USB or HardDisk.
   
3. Vector Linux - Nice lightweight OS, with some eye-candy for those that like it. Has several Windows Managers built-in.
4. Linux Mint - Based on Ubuntu and has built-in multimedia codecs. So right out of the box (or ISO) install, you can watch DVDs without any fuss. I currently use this on one of my older machines.
5. Ubuntu - The most popular Linux distribution for the general population masses to date. Dell even installs this on some of their machines. The newest release 8.1 will be out on 10/30
6. gOS - A bit of a Mac OS X clone, especially the 3.0 gadgets release. Also based on Ubuntu if I'm not mistaken.
7. SliTaz - Probably the smallest fully workable distribution I've found to date. It is a "micro" distribution and has a good number of applications built-in. You can find some basic instructions on how to use this distro here.
   

You can find these and other Linux Distributions at Distrowatch. Have you tried Linux? What distribution do you like and why?

I'm a Mac, I'm a PC, I'm a Linux

With all the advertising about operating systems and what is better, it got me thinking about the other OS, Linux. Technically, Linux is just a guideline of sorts, its the core of the OS but other pieces get put in such as Window Managers and Desktop environments. Put all this stuff together and you have a "Linux distribution". There are many mainstream distributions, the current most popular one being Ubuntu and its derivatives. I use Linux from time to time. My opinion of the OS wars, use the OS and app that best suits the job. Make sure you have the skills and tools you need to do your job and that's that. Sometimes, I find doing things on windows easier, sometimes mac, and sometimes Linux. You can find hundreds of Linux distributions on Distrowatch.

Both Apple and Microsoft have been attacking each other via their current advertising. You can find Microsoft's current advertising blitz here. You can find the Apple commercials here. I even found some Linux commercials on YouTube, see below.



I also came upon this one that you may enjoy.



Happy advertising everyone!

Alternative Windows Shells

For those who do not know what a computer system Shell is, its basically the program that gives you the page you see on your screen at any given time. The default Windows Shell is Windows Explorer (not to be confused with Internet Explorer).

I recently discovered two alternative shells for Windows and thought I'd share this information with you. I came upon a post on lifehacker.com and it got me curious. I used to test all kinds of windows shells years ago, just to see what they look like and how they function. So what's the benefit you say? Sometimes a change of scenery can help you think and changing a shell is like changing a scene and your interaction with your desktop. These shells are very minimalistic and may not be what some of you want, but for those curious, its fun to test.

The first shell, which I'm familiar with from the Linux world is called Blackbox. I've used Blackbox before for Linux, but never realized there was a windows port. I just tried it out (no need to install) and I like it so far. Its very minimalistic and gets rid of all the icons on your desktop. It hides it all so you can work without XP desktop distractions.

The Second is called Emerge, I've yet to play with it, but from what I have read, it takes a little time to setup to your liking. So I'll give it a shot when I have a chance later this week.

Have you tried any alternative Windows shells? What was your experience like?

How to fix 90% of windows problems!

Reboot!

Some of you may think I'm joking, but I am stating the fastest and easiest fix for most basic windows ( and application hang/crash ) problems. Even the most experienced technical support person can sometimes forget to make this simple fix. I've worked in the pc technical support field for many years and I know forget to do this from time to time.

I'm not bashing windows, because I've personally had similar experiences in the Mac OS and Linux. It usually has nothing to do with the OS itself, although sometimes it does. The issue usually arises due to problems with the application you are using, which in turn hangs the rest of the system.

For more complex issues, this quick reboot will not solve your problem. The best thing to do in that situation is to do a google search first and then go from there.

What do you think? Am I right in stating this will solve 90% of most basic pc issues? When was the last time you did a reboot to fix your pc problem? What's your quick fix solution?