Slow Start

Seems like a nice day today from the light beaming into my bedroom where I've set up my main computer system. Finally have it up and running and am starting to feel "normal" in my computing activities as a result. Funny how you get so used to certain software that you've specially selected over the years.

I'm still running Ubuntu Linux for most of my day-to-day tasks.

http://www.ubuntu.com/

I tried an installation of Kubuntu (based on the KDE desktop instead of the Gnome one) and had it running nicely but couldn't get the dialup to work (I'm using a dialup connection presently as kind of a digital penance and deprivation mode -- and because it's only $5.50 a month ). Switched to get SuSE 9.2 Pro installed on that partition but had problems accessing the DVD after it was installed.

So tried Kubuntu again, this time it seemed to not like its new digs and refused to boot properly. Don't know what that's about but after running Partitionmagic over the system (probably a bad idea given that it doesn't do REISERFS file systems) I've now got a couple of partitions that are not happy campers. They are likely fixable but I don't have the time for it at the moment.

I liked what I saw with Kubuntu but now I'm a bit gunshy on trying it again.

Need to setup my digital camera now that the big machine is up and download some of those travel photos. Also got some back from the non-digital part of the trip which are on CD.

Since I have some panaramic multipictures of the BIG things one finds in Zion National Park, I'll probably be using the freebie Autostitch software to make things whole and more enjoyable.

http://www.cs.ubc.ca/~mbrown/autostitch/autostitch.html

More news on the London bombings. Evidently they are finding suspects as Muslim families are starting to note their missing children. Time will tell more on this.

In the day-to-day department, I've been taking walks every day to the local grocery and have found a nice little nook in their deli area to get some reading done once I get there. Midwestern style coffee for 50 cents. One free refill. :)

The big downside for that store is that they changed the name from Hinky Dinky to Sun-Mart. Capitalists are no fun anymore. Kind of like how my apartment complex has been bought out by a mega-real estate investment trust (REIT) and seems to have that kind of less personal feel as a result. Instead of one guy in the office running things they now have three. Maybe that and the buy out helps explains the higher rent from what I recall. Of course things do change over five years too. :)

By the late afternoon, I sometime end up getting a turkey sandwich and garden salad to go with the joe but feel guilty about all the packaging that goes along with that purchase. I should start bringing my own cup with me to at least eliminate that styrofoam container.

Finished reading the latest Hopedance magazine ( hopedance.org ) that mentions me as part of their 50th issue celebration. Nice to be noticed in print. The issue is excellent and has many very thoughtful articles and news items. I need to get a bundle to hand out to the local progressive and Green community for extra inspiration.

Lots still to do just on moving in. Seems like a "Forever War" there.

Slow Start

Seems like a nice day today from the light beaming into my bedroom where I've set up my main computer system. Finally have it up and running and am starting to feel "normal" in my computing activities as a result. Funny how you get so used to certain software that you've specially selected over the years.

I'm still running Ubuntu Linux for most of my day-to-day tasks.

http://www.ubuntu.com/

I tried an installation of Kubuntu (based on the KDE desktop instead of the Gnome one) and had it running nicely but couldn't get the dialup to work (I'm using a dialup connection presently as kind of a digital penance and deprivation mode -- and because it's only $5.50 a month ). Switched to get SuSE 9.2 Pro installed on that partition but had problems accessing the DVD after it was installed.

So tried Kubuntu again, this time it seemed to not like its new digs and refused to boot properly. Don't know what that's about but after running Partitionmagic over the system (probably a bad idea given that it doesn't do REISERFS file systems) I've now got a couple of partitions that are not happy campers. They are likely fixable but I don't have the time for it at the moment.

I liked what I saw with Kubuntu but now I'm a bit gunshy on trying it again.

Need to setup my digital camera now that the big machine is up and download some of those travel photos. Also got some back from the non-digital part of the trip which are on CD.

Since I have some panaramic multipictures of the BIG things one finds in Zion National Park, I'll probably be using the freebie Autostitch software to make things whole and more enjoyable.

http://www.cs.ubc.ca/~mbrown/autostitch/autostitch.html

More news on the London bombings. Evidently they are finding suspects as Muslim families are starting to note their missing children. Time will tell more on this.

In the day-to-day department, I've been taking walks every day to the local grocery and have found a nice little nook in their deli area to get some reading done once I get there. Midwestern style coffee for 50 cents. One free refill. :)

The big downside for that store is that they changed the name from Hinky Dinky to Sun-Mart. Capitalists are no fun anymore. Kind of like how my apartment complex has been bought out by a mega-real estate investment trust (REIT) and seems to have that kind of less personal feel as a result. Instead of one guy in the office running things they now have three. Maybe that and the buy out helps explains the higher rent from what I recall. Of course things do change over five years too. :)

By the late afternoon, I sometime end up getting a turkey sandwich and garden salad to go with the joe but feel guilty about all the packaging that goes along with that purchase. I should start bringing my own cup with me to at least eliminate that styrofoam container.

Finished reading the latest Hopedance magazine ( hopedance.org ) that mentions me as part of their 50th issue celebration. Nice to be noticed in print. The issue is excellent and has many very thoughtful articles and news items. I need to get a bundle to hand out to the local progressive and Green community for extra inspiration.

Lots still to do just on moving in. Seems like a "Forever War" there.