For better or worse, I am rapidly approaching the 62nd anniversary of my appearance on Planet Earth. My father is dead, and my mother's mind is fading so I can't say for sure what my parents were hoping for me in November 1946. However I suspect it wasn't much different than any other young parents of the day.
The world had just come through a Great Depression and the Second Great War of the 20th Century. Things had been pretty bad, and my parents had to be hoping for a better life ahead.
I'm sure my wife's parents had the same hope for her three years later, and they hoped big-time when they immigrated to Canada from Italy in 1956. Things had to be better for the kids.
And they were. Maria and I came from humble beginnings but we always had enough to eat and wear growing up, plus we had the opportunity to get a good education. As a result we had long and satisfying careers, saved our money and are enjoying a comfortable retirement so far. We've had our ups and downs but nobody would deny we had a better chance in life than our parents did.
When Sarah was born in 1977 the world was still under the spectre of Nuclear War, there was stagflation in the economy, uncertainty about the future of Canada. Yet as young parents we had hopes for her, hopes she would have a better life than we did. Certainly we were able to give her more opportunities for learning and travel, and provide her with a few more luxuries than we had as children. She did us proud - went further in school than we did, has excelled in her choice of career, married a fine young man, and now is expecting our grandson.
And what of their hopes for him? The world is now facing the threat of terror, the possibility of another Depression, the depletion of resources, Climate Change...the list goes on and seems to deny the possibility of a better life than his parents and grandparents have had. Yet babies continue to be born, young parents continue to hope.
Perhaps a better life is in the cards for our young grandson to be. He should have all the opportunities for learning and development as an individual as his grandparents and parents have enjoyed. Beyond that is a lot of hope and prayer - prayer that he'll grow up to be a kind, loving and life affirming person and leave the world a better place for his being in it.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Closing Windows - Not Yet
Although I'm still a long way from being a Linux guru, I have progressed steadily in knowledge to the point where I feel comfortable using it as my primary computer operating system. In fact my newest desktop is Linux only.
My experiences with Microsoft Vista on my neighbor's new Compaq desktop have led me to conclude I don't want to have Vista on any machine of mine - ever. For a while I was thinking that maybe I'd dump Windows completely and go over to Linux cold turkey as it were. But I decided it isn't time to do that - yet.
I don't use Internet Explorer or Outlook Express. Firefox and Thunderbird Mail work great and they are basically the same in Linux or Windows XP. So the online experience is the same with both systems.
Windows XP runs fine on the older hardware I have it installed on (upgraded Dell Dimension 4100 from 2001.) XP will be supported with another Service Pack and with security updates until 2014. I don't care about eye candy and desktop glitz. In fact I have XP looking like Windows 2000 right now. There's no rush to get rid of it.
There are a few things that I still prefer to do with XP, frankly:
(1) Income tax. Quick Tax is Windows only. I could use Quicken's online service or Ufile I suppose, but I prefer having the software on my local machine.
(2) ACDSee photo management software. It's still the best, and I'd have to see if it works under WINE emulation in Linux. Not sure, but it's fine in Windows XP.
(3) Slide scanning. My old Minolta Scan Dual II can be made to work in Linux but it's designed for XP. Its software will never, ever run in Vista though.
(4) Roboform. The best password manager in the world. I'd really miss it if I went to Linux only.
In conclusion, I'd say that God willing I'm going to explore every opportunity to do things the Linux way over the next six-odd years. When XP finally is no longer supported, or I can't keep it running on my old Dell, then it'll be Linux time. Any new machine will never run a Microsoft O/S. Trust me.
My experiences with Microsoft Vista on my neighbor's new Compaq desktop have led me to conclude I don't want to have Vista on any machine of mine - ever. For a while I was thinking that maybe I'd dump Windows completely and go over to Linux cold turkey as it were. But I decided it isn't time to do that - yet.
I don't use Internet Explorer or Outlook Express. Firefox and Thunderbird Mail work great and they are basically the same in Linux or Windows XP. So the online experience is the same with both systems.
Windows XP runs fine on the older hardware I have it installed on (upgraded Dell Dimension 4100 from 2001.) XP will be supported with another Service Pack and with security updates until 2014. I don't care about eye candy and desktop glitz. In fact I have XP looking like Windows 2000 right now. There's no rush to get rid of it.
There are a few things that I still prefer to do with XP, frankly:
(1) Income tax. Quick Tax is Windows only. I could use Quicken's online service or Ufile I suppose, but I prefer having the software on my local machine.
(2) ACDSee photo management software. It's still the best, and I'd have to see if it works under WINE emulation in Linux. Not sure, but it's fine in Windows XP.
(3) Slide scanning. My old Minolta Scan Dual II can be made to work in Linux but it's designed for XP. Its software will never, ever run in Vista though.
(4) Roboform. The best password manager in the world. I'd really miss it if I went to Linux only.
In conclusion, I'd say that God willing I'm going to explore every opportunity to do things the Linux way over the next six-odd years. When XP finally is no longer supported, or I can't keep it running on my old Dell, then it'll be Linux time. Any new machine will never run a Microsoft O/S. Trust me.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Vista Free Computing
I had a couple of totally new computing experiences earlier this month.
I bought my first clone computer after 25 years - everything else I've ever had has been branded (for better or worse.) Also I got my new desktop with no operating system at all.
After a never ending sequence of Linux junkers I wanted to see what my favorite O/S would do with a modern system.
So I headed down to Everbest Computer in Nepean and they built me a new box - AMD X2 4600+, 2 GB RAM, DVD-ROM, Western Digital 320 GB Hard Drive, ATI X1250 Integrated Graphics. What's even better was they didn't insist on any Microsoft Tax - no Vista or XP installed as part of the package. Without that bloatware I saved about $400, brought it home and installed Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon myself.
Now I have a great new system that just flies...I knew Linux was good on middle aged hardware but I never expected it to be as great as it is on relatively state of the art machinery. So I am now officially Vista Free for the foreseeable future.
I bought my first clone computer after 25 years - everything else I've ever had has been branded (for better or worse.) Also I got my new desktop with no operating system at all.
After a never ending sequence of Linux junkers I wanted to see what my favorite O/S would do with a modern system.
So I headed down to Everbest Computer in Nepean and they built me a new box - AMD X2 4600+, 2 GB RAM, DVD-ROM, Western Digital 320 GB Hard Drive, ATI X1250 Integrated Graphics. What's even better was they didn't insist on any Microsoft Tax - no Vista or XP installed as part of the package. Without that bloatware I saved about $400, brought it home and installed Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon myself.
Now I have a great new system that just flies...I knew Linux was good on middle aged hardware but I never expected it to be as great as it is on relatively state of the art machinery. So I am now officially Vista Free for the foreseeable future.
Adios Old Friend
We said good-bye to an old friend a couple of weeks ago.
Our 1995 Dodge Neon gave up the ghost after 13 years, 150,000 km and countless trips in and around Georgetown and lately Ottawa.
We had noticed a smell of gasoline in the garage and then when I took the Neon out for a drive there was a trail of gas on the road behind me. This is not a good thing.
Having been warned about a rusty gas tank last summer, I expected something dire. The Arnprior Chrysler service dept. informed me that in addition to the leaking gas, I had rotting brake lines, and bad front end steering components. The total bill to fix it was about 5 times what the Neon was worth. We could not justify it at the age of the car.
So one of the most fun-filled and at the same time exasperating cars I've ever owned had its plates removed and went to the wrecker.
In its heyday it went like a rocket, cornered like a snake on sandpaper. At the same time it was noisy, had a poorly designed 3 speed transmission, rode like a lumber wagon and had the worst wind noise I've ever seen - thanks for those frameless windows, Chrysler!
I fixed the A/C twice, had the inevitable head gasket repair, tire replacement and various computer glitches an old car will give you. But I loved the old beast.
The Neon's spot in our garage is now occupied by a Jeep Compass - very smooth, great view of the road, sophisticated continuous variable transmission - a delight to drive. But I still get a lump in my throat when I go out there and get in.
Our 1995 Dodge Neon gave up the ghost after 13 years, 150,000 km and countless trips in and around Georgetown and lately Ottawa.
We had noticed a smell of gasoline in the garage and then when I took the Neon out for a drive there was a trail of gas on the road behind me. This is not a good thing.
Having been warned about a rusty gas tank last summer, I expected something dire. The Arnprior Chrysler service dept. informed me that in addition to the leaking gas, I had rotting brake lines, and bad front end steering components. The total bill to fix it was about 5 times what the Neon was worth. We could not justify it at the age of the car.
So one of the most fun-filled and at the same time exasperating cars I've ever owned had its plates removed and went to the wrecker.
In its heyday it went like a rocket, cornered like a snake on sandpaper. At the same time it was noisy, had a poorly designed 3 speed transmission, rode like a lumber wagon and had the worst wind noise I've ever seen - thanks for those frameless windows, Chrysler!
I fixed the A/C twice, had the inevitable head gasket repair, tire replacement and various computer glitches an old car will give you. But I loved the old beast.
The Neon's spot in our garage is now occupied by a Jeep Compass - very smooth, great view of the road, sophisticated continuous variable transmission - a delight to drive. But I still get a lump in my throat when I go out there and get in.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
4 Classes of Linux Hardware
Sure, you can install Linux on a brand new PC, but my experience with it has been as a means to resurrect or at least resuscitate older hardware. I've found that when it comes to fixing up older machines there appear to be 4 basic classes of Linux candidates, namely:
(1) Gently Used
These machines tend to have a fast Pentium III, Celeron or AMD processor, lots of RAM, and a fairly decent hard drive and video card. It probably runs (or ran) Windows Me originally.
The likelihood of getting one of these at a garage sale or recycling depot is low. People still think they have value (they don't) so they are currently still in use or gathering dust in a closet for a few more years. The only ones I've encountered are my own rebuilt machine or one my neighbor was about to retire that I fixed for her.
These machines run just about any desktop version of Linux you want and play MP3s, have good graphics, and so on.
Verdict: A pleasure. I wish more of these were out there.
(2) Used
Here you'll get slow Pentium III or Celeron, not much RAM, barely usable hard drive and video. These machines usually ran Windows 98 and are slightly older. They are starting to show up in recycling stores or second-hand outlets. They were cheap when originally purchased (although the clones are better than name brands like Compaq.) To be useful they need added RAM - which is pretty cheap - and maybe a larger hard drive. It's not worth adding more than 256 MB of RAM though.
They'll run the more resource hungry desktops like Gnome and KDE plus browsers like Firefox, albeit at a more leisurely pace. They'll do better with a lighter Linux desktop like Xubuntu or Vector Linux.
Verdict: Generally OK but add some memory.
(3) Junk
These feature Pentium II or K-6-2 processors, poor video, and low RAM and hard drive. They usually ran Windows 95 although some have Windows 98 on them now. These are easy to get and harder to fix up.
I have a Compaq Armada laptop that falls into this category. I picked it up cheap at a recycling outlet.
It has a nice 20GB hard drive and a pretty LCD display, but needed 128 MB of RAM to maximize its memory capacity before it was worth installing anything. Even with maximum memory it cried out for a lighter Linux desktop so I installed Vector Linux, and now run it with Fluxbox ( a very light window manager). It now has a wireless card I got for $30 or so.
Verdict: Surprisingly OK if you know what to do.
(4) Real Junk
Here you'll have a Pentium 133 or less, low RAM that is expensive to upgrade and has a maximum that is 80 MB or so, crappy video and miniscule hard drive. Often these pigs don't even have a CD-ROM. These always run (or ran) Windows 95. You often get these at a second hand shop, but people should really pay to get them recycled rather than donate them to anyone.
I have a Fujitsu 735Dx laptop like this. It took a lot of research to find a version of Linux that could be installed on it without a CD-ROM, was very, very lightweight and yet useful. The only one I found that I like is called Deli Linux.
A machine in this class struggles to do anything these days. It won't play MP3s very well (if at all,) it barely has enough memory to run a modern browser like Firefox 1.5 (and version 1.5 isn't all that modern, believe me.) The other Deli Linux browsers that are lighter than Firefox - Dillo or Konq-E - don't display web pages very well.
Verdict: Interesting curiosity. Useful to learn about Linux but should not be given away to a normal computer user. Geeks only.
(1) Gently Used
These machines tend to have a fast Pentium III, Celeron or AMD processor, lots of RAM, and a fairly decent hard drive and video card. It probably runs (or ran) Windows Me originally.
The likelihood of getting one of these at a garage sale or recycling depot is low. People still think they have value (they don't) so they are currently still in use or gathering dust in a closet for a few more years. The only ones I've encountered are my own rebuilt machine or one my neighbor was about to retire that I fixed for her.
These machines run just about any desktop version of Linux you want and play MP3s, have good graphics, and so on.
Verdict: A pleasure. I wish more of these were out there.
(2) Used
Here you'll get slow Pentium III or Celeron, not much RAM, barely usable hard drive and video. These machines usually ran Windows 98 and are slightly older. They are starting to show up in recycling stores or second-hand outlets. They were cheap when originally purchased (although the clones are better than name brands like Compaq.) To be useful they need added RAM - which is pretty cheap - and maybe a larger hard drive. It's not worth adding more than 256 MB of RAM though.
They'll run the more resource hungry desktops like Gnome and KDE plus browsers like Firefox, albeit at a more leisurely pace. They'll do better with a lighter Linux desktop like Xubuntu or Vector Linux.
Verdict: Generally OK but add some memory.
(3) Junk
These feature Pentium II or K-6-2 processors, poor video, and low RAM and hard drive. They usually ran Windows 95 although some have Windows 98 on them now. These are easy to get and harder to fix up.
I have a Compaq Armada laptop that falls into this category. I picked it up cheap at a recycling outlet.
It has a nice 20GB hard drive and a pretty LCD display, but needed 128 MB of RAM to maximize its memory capacity before it was worth installing anything. Even with maximum memory it cried out for a lighter Linux desktop so I installed Vector Linux, and now run it with Fluxbox ( a very light window manager). It now has a wireless card I got for $30 or so.
Verdict: Surprisingly OK if you know what to do.
(4) Real Junk
Here you'll have a Pentium 133 or less, low RAM that is expensive to upgrade and has a maximum that is 80 MB or so, crappy video and miniscule hard drive. Often these pigs don't even have a CD-ROM. These always run (or ran) Windows 95. You often get these at a second hand shop, but people should really pay to get them recycled rather than donate them to anyone.
I have a Fujitsu 735Dx laptop like this. It took a lot of research to find a version of Linux that could be installed on it without a CD-ROM, was very, very lightweight and yet useful. The only one I found that I like is called Deli Linux.
A machine in this class struggles to do anything these days. It won't play MP3s very well (if at all,) it barely has enough memory to run a modern browser like Firefox 1.5 (and version 1.5 isn't all that modern, believe me.) The other Deli Linux browsers that are lighter than Firefox - Dillo or Konq-E - don't display web pages very well.
Verdict: Interesting curiosity. Useful to learn about Linux but should not be given away to a normal computer user. Geeks only.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Lego Set
The more I work with Linux, the more I am impressed with how different it is in its approach to the user than Microsoft Windows.
Take for example the user interface. The Windows XP or Vista desktop is essentially a unified seamless block of steel, whereas a Linux desktop is more like a Lego set.
Windows provides a standard look and feel with its icons, backgrounds, window appearance etc. This is great if you have the hardware to run Windows well but what if you don't? It'll be slow or crippled or won't run at all.
Linux is far more flexible. A typical graphical user interface for Linux is made up of three interdependent components:
(1) X Window System - this basic means of displaying graphics in a window (it's called "X" generally) has been around in one shape or another since 1984. X is the standard way a Unix-based operating system displays stuff. However on its own it can't do much. It requires a manager.
(2) The Window Manager. The window manager tells X how and where to display its windows. There are a variety of these around and the combination of X and some sort of window manager is pretty much all you need to get things running graphically in Linux. One of the best lightweight window managers is called Fluxbox and I use it on my old Compaq laptop. Fluxbox is Zen like in its simplicity - no icons, no easy graphical way to set up a background. A right-click brings up a basic list of applications like your web browser, but that is it. To make the system more user-friendly, the window manager needs:
(3) The Desktop Environment. Add this in and you are really getting close to a Windows type of operating system. The desktop environment adds a file manager, icons, toolbars - pretty much all the eye candy. It comes at a price though. All the extra graphics requires more powerful hardware to run at a reasonable speed.
The two most sophisticated Linux desktop environments are called Gnome and KDE. Both of these look and feel great if you are running a powerful enough computer system. They are sort of like Windows XP in their system requirements. However both of them are bog slow on an old PC like my Compaq Armada from 1998. There is a third desktop environment called Xfce which is lighter and faster, but it's not optimal for really old slow machines.
I found that the best solution for the Compaq was to forget about a sophisticated desktop environment entirely and just install the window manager Fluxbox. Then I added in a file manager called Rox-filer. Rox allows you to set a wallpaper background and add a few icons on your desktop if you want. This Flux-Rox combination is perfect for an old slow computer and still looks good.
It takes a bit more time to roll your own desktop but this is the beauty of Linux. At the end you get a fast and responsive system that satisfies your needs and in the process you learn more about his interesting alternative to Windows.
Take for example the user interface. The Windows XP or Vista desktop is essentially a unified seamless block of steel, whereas a Linux desktop is more like a Lego set.
Windows provides a standard look and feel with its icons, backgrounds, window appearance etc. This is great if you have the hardware to run Windows well but what if you don't? It'll be slow or crippled or won't run at all.
Linux is far more flexible. A typical graphical user interface for Linux is made up of three interdependent components:
(1) X Window System - this basic means of displaying graphics in a window (it's called "X" generally) has been around in one shape or another since 1984. X is the standard way a Unix-based operating system displays stuff. However on its own it can't do much. It requires a manager.
(2) The Window Manager. The window manager tells X how and where to display its windows. There are a variety of these around and the combination of X and some sort of window manager is pretty much all you need to get things running graphically in Linux. One of the best lightweight window managers is called Fluxbox and I use it on my old Compaq laptop. Fluxbox is Zen like in its simplicity - no icons, no easy graphical way to set up a background. A right-click brings up a basic list of applications like your web browser, but that is it. To make the system more user-friendly, the window manager needs:
(3) The Desktop Environment. Add this in and you are really getting close to a Windows type of operating system. The desktop environment adds a file manager, icons, toolbars - pretty much all the eye candy. It comes at a price though. All the extra graphics requires more powerful hardware to run at a reasonable speed.
The two most sophisticated Linux desktop environments are called Gnome and KDE. Both of these look and feel great if you are running a powerful enough computer system. They are sort of like Windows XP in their system requirements. However both of them are bog slow on an old PC like my Compaq Armada from 1998. There is a third desktop environment called Xfce which is lighter and faster, but it's not optimal for really old slow machines.
I found that the best solution for the Compaq was to forget about a sophisticated desktop environment entirely and just install the window manager Fluxbox. Then I added in a file manager called Rox-filer. Rox allows you to set a wallpaper background and add a few icons on your desktop if you want. This Flux-Rox combination is perfect for an old slow computer and still looks good.
It takes a bit more time to roll your own desktop but this is the beauty of Linux. At the end you get a fast and responsive system that satisfies your needs and in the process you learn more about his interesting alternative to Windows.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Treadmill Music
For the past 15 years or so - in fits and starts - whatever exercise I've gotten aside from walking outdoors has come on a treadmill.
I'm on my second one now. My original analog-controlled Vitamaster ran (after a fashion) for 13 years and I left it behind in the basement in Georgetown when we moved to the Valley. Now I have a Horizon Fitness T62 - much smoother and more powerful with automatic incline adjustment and digital everything.
Aside from the machine itself, there is one indispensable accessory to keep me motivated and active - music to accompany the walk. The way I've played music has also changed dramatically since 1992 - and I daresay for the better. Here's a list of what I've used:
Stage 1 - FM radio on a "ghetto blaster".
This was my very first attempt and it was OK I suppose for a beginner. The advantage was quick and easy setup - just turn the radio on and dial up a classic rock station like Y95. Disadvantages were annoying though. I usually started my exercise section when the station had 10 minutes of commercials in between long sets of music. Then I'd usually get Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" or something else that wasn't really up-tempo walk rock. Time to move on.
Stage 2 - Cassette tapes.
This was certainly better as I got to pick the music - no commercials either. Disadvantages were that I had to tape the music myself, make sure I started the tape at the beginning so I'd have 45 minutes of continuous rock to exercise to. Also the dam' tapes kept getting stretched by the awkward mechanism in the blaster, or small sections were erased without warning. I was soon looking for a better solution.
Stage 3 - CDs on a better ghetto blaster.
This was my preferred music source for many years. The advantages were that the music stayed clear and clean. I had a CD burner by then so I made my own CDs from my collection just as I had with tapes. No particular disadvantage other than I had a lot of CDs kicking around the basement.
Stage 4 - portable MP3 player.
I adopted this method when MP3 players shrank to the size of a cigarette lighter and I could stick one in my gym shorts. The advantage was size and portability. No big ghetto blaster any longer. However I hated ear buds and even with a good set of mini earphones the dangling cord kept getting in my way. Also I had a limited selection of songs - my player was only 128 MB. Add to that the fact that the battery would often die in the middle of a walk, and I needed another way. Fortunately I didn't have to go back to CDs.
Stage 5 - MP3s on a Linux computer.
Sarah's old Dell Dimension 4100 was perfect for this. I set it up in the basement near the treadmill, installed Ubuntu with Rhythmbox and 700 MP3s on it. Now it blasts away while I walk and never dies, seldom repeats and never gets in the way. The only disadvantage is maybe I now have too much choice - but hey, I can live with it. I think I've found my long term answer for walk rock.
I'm on my second one now. My original analog-controlled Vitamaster ran (after a fashion) for 13 years and I left it behind in the basement in Georgetown when we moved to the Valley. Now I have a Horizon Fitness T62 - much smoother and more powerful with automatic incline adjustment and digital everything.
Aside from the machine itself, there is one indispensable accessory to keep me motivated and active - music to accompany the walk. The way I've played music has also changed dramatically since 1992 - and I daresay for the better. Here's a list of what I've used:
Stage 1 - FM radio on a "ghetto blaster".
This was my very first attempt and it was OK I suppose for a beginner. The advantage was quick and easy setup - just turn the radio on and dial up a classic rock station like Y95. Disadvantages were annoying though. I usually started my exercise section when the station had 10 minutes of commercials in between long sets of music. Then I'd usually get Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" or something else that wasn't really up-tempo walk rock. Time to move on.
Stage 2 - Cassette tapes.
This was certainly better as I got to pick the music - no commercials either. Disadvantages were that I had to tape the music myself, make sure I started the tape at the beginning so I'd have 45 minutes of continuous rock to exercise to. Also the dam' tapes kept getting stretched by the awkward mechanism in the blaster, or small sections were erased without warning. I was soon looking for a better solution.
Stage 3 - CDs on a better ghetto blaster.
This was my preferred music source for many years. The advantages were that the music stayed clear and clean. I had a CD burner by then so I made my own CDs from my collection just as I had with tapes. No particular disadvantage other than I had a lot of CDs kicking around the basement.
Stage 4 - portable MP3 player.
I adopted this method when MP3 players shrank to the size of a cigarette lighter and I could stick one in my gym shorts. The advantage was size and portability. No big ghetto blaster any longer. However I hated ear buds and even with a good set of mini earphones the dangling cord kept getting in my way. Also I had a limited selection of songs - my player was only 128 MB. Add to that the fact that the battery would often die in the middle of a walk, and I needed another way. Fortunately I didn't have to go back to CDs.
Stage 5 - MP3s on a Linux computer.
Sarah's old Dell Dimension 4100 was perfect for this. I set it up in the basement near the treadmill, installed Ubuntu with Rhythmbox and 700 MP3s on it. Now it blasts away while I walk and never dies, seldom repeats and never gets in the way. The only disadvantage is maybe I now have too much choice - but hey, I can live with it. I think I've found my long term answer for walk rock.
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