I might use Linux, but I wouldn’t recommend it
I’ve been using Linux as my one and only operating system at home for about 14 months now (12 months with Mandriva and the last two with openSUSE). During that time I’ve successfully managed to kick my dependency on proprietary software. Switching to OpenOffice.org was a major help because the need for MS Office was keeping me on Windows, and since Apple are too full of themselves to release a mid-range system without a monitor or an operating system that doesn’t treat me like a moron, Linux was the obvious choice. But I’d be lying if I said I was in computing heaven…
Another year another operating system (openSUSE defeats Mandriva)
About this time last year I decided that Linux simply wasn’t good enough and returned to Windows XP. A week later I discovered that Mandriva was actually up to scratch, and so I ditched Windows and moved completely across to Linux. Since then…
Mandriva 2008: The perfect distro for KDE + Compiz
My attempts at switching to Linux since Christmas have been finicky and largely unsuccessful… until today when I installed the x86_64 free DVD version of Mandriva 2008. The things this distro configures perfectly and without effort, all out of the box, are endless. If you prefer KDE and want a bit of eye-candy with Compiz, look no further than Mandriva…
Distro hopping all the way back to Windows XP
This past week I have evaluated five Linux distributions to see if any of them would make suitable replacements for Windows XP so that I could avoid Vista. Sadly, Linux proved to be far more finicky and troublesome than I expected. Take it from me, if Windows XP is behaving itself, then don’t try to fix what ain’t broken; stick with what works…
The world’s most useless “recovery” CD
At first sight you might think that the Windows XP installation CD might contain an operating system, but more importantly, some sort of tool that could prove useful if your computer should ever run into trouble. The CD has a nice, blue, cloudy watermark on it and the interior rim has a shiny hologram. Clearly, there must be some goodness locked inside – it just oozes quality…
The migration of a fussy Windows user to Linux
I’m a very fussy user when it comes to my operating systems and I have managed to get by with Windows XP for a long time, but its days are numbered. Vista is looming and I refuse to install that rubbish, so I have chosen Kubuntu 7.10. Normal Ubuntu users might be wondering why I chose Kubuntu. To demonstrate just how fussy I am, I installed Kubuntu because…
Retail therapy cures all
I’m not exactly suffering from any malady that I can think of, apart from a general case of apathy regarding most things, but my spirit is somewhat lifted after receiving a care package from Buywell Just Classical in Western Australia. It has been quite some time since I last purchased some classical CDs so I decided to fill in a few gaps in my collection…