Linux + GNU = Humans Enabled

Looking around on Google (or whatever one's favorite search engine); one can usually find everything they need in terms of tips for making GNU/Linux work optimally. But sometimes, you just want to do one specific thing, and although the required documentation is available, it may be questionable because you can't figure out if the fix exactly matches what you need for your system. Finding the fix online, along with too much information about how to implement it, is what happened in recent situation I encountered. A friend brought me his Gateway Laptop. The laptop was failing to boot (kernel panic) after some recent updates that were run. So I referred to my technical library, Google, and although I was able to find an answer, it wasn't immediately clear to how to implement the fix to my friend's specific situation. So for that reason, and for the reason of being able to quickly get of this jam in the future, I decided I would write up the specific steps that hel...

Sometimes even when a tidbit of technology one is studying is already very well documented, one still seeks to test it out for oneself to get a solid sense of the true behaviour of the subject. Plus, if you're like me, writing about a particular subject has the added benefit of committing it to memory. And so it is for the reason of teaching myself that I document these already well-known points about grep and xargs. Of course, as a side-effect, if another out there ends up learning from my writings too, that would be perfectly fabulous in my eyes as well. Basically, the question in my mind is this: How do I successfully grep(search) for something in a directory that contains hundreds of thousands, or perhaps more individual files? To illustrate an example: Using the grep command by itself to search through hundreds of thousands of files provides the following result on my Ubuntu 12.04 GNU/Linux system. The below directory contains 200,000 files. $ grep 'rubies'...

Evolution of Technology is truly amazing. In my previous open letter to computer video game makers entitled " Investigate the niche of GNU/Linux compatibility ", I wrote about how game makers should investigate the GNU/Linux niche market for computer-based video games. In the letter, I made a prediction that GNU/Linux would become the predominant platform of choice for computers everywhere within the next couple of years. For this reason, I suggested that computer video game makers port their games to GNU/Linux, or at least take steps to define the demand for games on GNU/Linux and ensure they were prepared to embrace the opportunity of GNU/Linux as the Universal Operating System. While I still fully stand behind the idea of porting software and games directly over to GNU/Linux, I now realize things are happening faster than I originally predicted. A few examples are: the movement of Linux into netbooks( no this has not failed, despite all the marketing from from the te...

Doing my part to bring out the truth about Linux on the Netbook. There's been a lot of buzz lately about netbooks, and many sources out there have not done their due diligence to debunk the myth of "Linux is Dead on the Netbook". C'mon people, don't just jump on the bandwagon and repeat the marketing spew, do some research and tell the truth! The real problem is that the vendors who are selling Linux on Netbooks are being mum about it, and so there's not much spoken proof of the true figures of Linux Netbook sells. Well here's what I say: " Linux IS NOT DEAD on the Netbook! ". Why do I believe this? Well, simply have a look at the screen-shots I captured TODAY(07-11-2009) at Dell, HP, and Target websites. Yep, every one of them provides a Linux netbook option. Now why would these prominnet computer sellers (and Target) be offering a "Dead" netbook? Doesn't make much sense does it. Here's a hint, because it sells! O...

Some weeks back, I wrote a blog entry entitled " Game Makers, Please Investigate the GNU/Linux Niche ". The article was aimed at computer game developers and asked game makers to investigate whether porting many of their popular games to GNU/Linux might be profitable and successful venture. I wrote the blog entry because time after time I see clues that indicate computer gaming can easily become a successful prospect on the GNU/Linux platform. Also, I wrote because I would like to see many more games ported to the GNU/Linux platform (well of course!). The truth is, when I think of real excitement and action in the world of computing and technology, I think of GNU/Linux. Consider this: The GNU/Linux way of thinking has brought an un-compiled, basket case of mix-matched(yet very useful and powerful) parts together to create a Desktop Operating System that has creatively morphed into literally hundreds of specialized distributions, each with a more specific style and application...

How YOU Can Help To Enable Humans with Technology and contribute to the GNU/Linux revolution? Helping is very simple actually... Just bootup to your favorite GNU/Linux distro, and surf the Internet. Yes, I said boot to GNU/Linux and simply surf the Internet! Why does this help? Because when you surf the Internet you leave behind a browser/OS stamp. When your browser stamp says GNU/Linux, you leave a message that says loud and clear "I'm using GNU/Linux and a Web Standards compliant browser - Program your webserver to work with me!!!" Don't be fooled about the impact you can have with such simple action. Website owners pore over their hit statistics on a daily or even hourly basis. When the website analysts see that you're surfing from GNU/Linux, they will get the message, and you will have helped to maintain open web standards, interoperability, and advancement in computing technology. Want to go a step further? Be a GNU/Linux advocate. Do you have to be a technol...

Here's my short writeup on how to be a more effective Ubuntu GNU/Linux user by using the Run Dialog to quickly start your most favorite programs. I do it all the time. Using the Run dialog to start xkill can get you out of a pickle. Need to take some notes in gedit real quick? Fire it up with the Run dialog. Need to connect to your Win-Neighbor? Fire up the Run dialog and enter smb://win-box/c$, and with a password - you'll walk right in. To start the Run Dialog, simply push the alt+f2 keys simutaneously. Doing so will bring up the Run dialog box that looks like this: To a get a program started from the Run dialog box you can either you can manually enter the command into the field provided and then click Run as shown here: Or you can click on a program in the "Show List of Known Applications" area and then click Run as shown here: You can run many graphical programs with the Run command, and you can even Run commands from a file or in the terminal in this fashion(th...

Dear Mr. Kevin Rose and Digg.com, Since there is an increasing demand for games to be ported to GNU/Linux and there are literally hundreds of games titles already available for GNU/Linux, we would like request that you add a "Linux Games" section to the Gaming section of digg.com. This will help to make a centralized, and useful resource for GNU/Linux users everywhere to find information about Linux Gaming on digg.com. Thank You. GNU/Linux Gamers and Diggers

January 11th, 2009 Dear Respected Video Game Maker; Sometimes it takes one heck of a company to show enough backbone to explore new and exciting markets for their products. One example of this type of company is Dell. I say this because, by selling Ubuntu GNU/Linux directly to users , Dell has taken a courageous and honorable turn away from the typical supporters of the OS monopoly. This truly does make Dell a power player. If you check around, you will find that many other companies are following Dell's lead to offer what users want, and what they need - technology that enables humans with GNU/Linux. Over the next 1 to 3 years, and beyond, we are set to see the glory of the GNU/Linux operating system take hold as the prominently used end user platform for computers everywhere. This is why it makes a whole bunch of sense for you to port your games to GNU/Linux. But don't take my word for it, checkout the links and information below that I've gleaned from the Inte...