Leaving behind an old paradigm can be hard; you've found ways to work around the various failings of your OS; (and they all have problems) it's a bit like staying in a failed relationship--you know there are other, possibly better choices out there, but you prefer the safety of what you know.
But the number of choices is part of the problem; it's bad enough that you're in the market again; but let's face it, you're not the looker you once were.
And besides, there are so many other fresh faces you have to compete with now, so you just know it won't be easy.
If you do decide to take the plunge there are ways you can brighten up your appearance; you can lose some weight, go for a more basic look, or even go retro.
If that doesn't work for you, you can get a snazzy new wardrobe, something that accentuates your slimmer lines.
Should you be really desperate, you can get a mail-order bride/husband, but mum's the word.
Perhaps you have the opposite problem; too many suitors; (or are they stalkers, working for the government?) if that's the case you can go really low-profile to get rid of the pests.
Whatever you decide, be assured in knowing that there is a big community to support you and buck you up when you're feeling low.
If, in the end, you decide to stay where you're at, then that's all right, but why not at least take a look at what's on offer? We won't tell a soul. And, you know, the first one is free.
Ahem, back to your regularly scheduled Linux-fest. Sorry about the proliferation of links above, but I just wanted to see how far I could take that particular metaphor.
I've been reading several Linux books recently, including Ubuntu tips, tricks and hacks; Getting into Ubuntu; Linux for Dummies; and the Linux Bible. With the exception of the last one, all of them are severely dated, though by now they have likely come out with subsequent editions that update the information; though with the rate of change in the Linux world, especially in the last six months or so, it'll be hard to keep up.
The last book I mentioned, The Linux Bible, is a recommended read for those who want to really understand the guts of their OS; I'm discovering something new on just about every page.
Intel announced that they are going to partner with Ubuntu on a handheld device coming this fall, to coincide with the release of Gutsy Gibbon; couple that with the fact that Dell is selling Ubuntu systems, and with their weight behind a request for more device drivers, that situation can only improve; LinuxMCE is a new MythTV frontend that allows you to wire your entire house with PVR's IP cameras, use your cellphone as a remote, and have your PVR follow you around from room to room, i.e., to show whatever it was showing in the living room in the bedroom as you enter. Pretty nifty.
As Ubuntu just seems to be getting more and more mainstream and easier to use, I think it's the OS to stick with for the medium term; I had planned to switch to Debian until Suse 10.3 came out in the fall, but with Linspire announcing that they will be giving Canonical users (to start) access to their click 'n run warehouse (for free!), and Ubuntu Multimedia Edition shortly to debut, it seems the best choice for now.
I may have to get a new test machine, because you really need to install and run these distros a bit before you can get a feel for what they are really like. I wouldn't want to shortchange folks by just cutting and pasting from others' reviews; not only would it deprive me of the excuse of running a ton of Linux distros (which I love to do), but it would just be the wrong thing to do. Kind of like breaking in through the Rear Window--I'm coming through the front door, thank you very much.
Ubuntu in the news: From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Rob Helm, Directions on Microsoft research director, said he has been running Ubuntu off and on for about a year on his home computer and has also tried a variety of other Linux distributions.
"It's really the first one that I felt comfortable using as a home user," Helm said. "Some of it, I hate to admit it, is just eye candy. It has a better visual design, just a better-looking user interface" compared with the other Linux distributions he has tried.
Microsoft? OK....
From Cnet news:
SAN MATEO, Calif.--Spurred by customer demand, Zimbra has completed a version of its open-source calendar and e-mail server software for Canonical's Ubuntu version of Linux.
And please note that Zimbra will be chosen by Comcast as their messaging service...
From eweek.com
quoting Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu:
Microsoft has claimed that the application ecosystem around Linux is nowhere near as strong as it is for Windows, and Shuttleworth said that was a good story and might actually be true in some instances.
"I would never tell anyone to deploy Ubuntu everywhere without thinking about it. What is powerful in life is to really know what your options are and then to make the right decisions. In many cases, Microsoft has established a strong sector lock and has lots of developers who only use that platform," he said.
More can be found at the latest Ubuntu newsletter.