Apple evil too? Review of Ubuntu 11.4 Linux

We've all know that Microsoft Windows is an inferior product as an OS that doesn't stand up to macs or linux and that their only reason for still being business if from the residual effect of the 90's as everyone is super familiar with their OS and is used in most standard offices. But can the same be said perhaps about Macs?

I recently got a busted up laptop that had been running windows for about 2 years and needed a hard disk changed. I had my local computer fix it shot repair it and now just needed an operating system. A basement style hacker friend of mine recommended that I put Linux on it as its "a great OS to put on an old piece of sh(BBEEEP) computer" - to quote his words.

So I went to their website and downloaded the latest version of Ubunty, 11.4

After downloading the iso, I burnt it to a disk and then put the disk into the laptop, started it up. It installed pretty quickly and seemed to go without a hitch. The slide show that proceeded as the OS was loading onto the system mentioned that their is also a video editing tool that is now standard with Ubuntu just like GIMP is. I haven't checked it out yet but will certainly also review that after sampling.

Onwards with my Ubuntu 11.4 experience: The OS is lightning fast, which I obviously like. The whole system, however, is set up completely differently from anything I have seen before. It took me a little while to figure out how it all worked, but I must say that it is much more organized than a slob like me is used to. Its super fast, and multi-tasks very effectively.

Why is Ubuntu free? Why does Microsoft charge for their freezing-up software that barely works and Ubuntu doesn't cost? We all know the tale of how Linux is free and all, but MACs are also Linux based but are closed and only work with their own hardware. I dare to say that Linux Ubuntu 11.4 might not only be better than windows, but might even outshine MAC's in some areas of the market.

Problems with Ubuntu 11.4
I found a few issues after installing Ubuntu that might just be hardware issues on this old laptop, but here they are:
Had an issue connecting certain USB devices. I connected the mouse and had no problems, and connected a digital camera and had no problems, but then when I tried connected a cellular modem or my MP5 player, it would just not show them connected to the system. The best I could muster out of that USB cord was a power-charge to those devices, but unable to read them.

Overall I recommend Ubuntu for anyone that has an old computer or laptop that is just too painful to use windows on. As an alternative to windows that is free and that makes old PC's run ever-so-sweet, I highly recommend it. And quit using those crappy microsoft windows!

Bill Gates' Microsoft iPad - Cartoon Maze

Editoral Cartoon Maze in Larger and Printable Format

Can't solve the maze? Click here for the maze solution
Editorial Cartoon Maze of Bill Gates telling his team of monkeys to make a microsoft version of the iPad.

I drew this cartoon in April of 2010, when the ipad was just coming out. It hilarious how now a year and half later (what took them so long) we actually do have some Microsoft tablets coming out and they indeed suck! I am no prophet, this was a no brainer prediction.

Google VS Microsoft, Lesser of two evils?

Microsoft has a strong reputation of being a computer freezing machine. Too bad we can use microsoft to freeze "Global Warming" - that would be hilarious. The critical aspect of the operating system that microsoft markets as "Windows" still has code within it that originates from the 1980's.

Google is now coming out with Chromebooks and android and apple devices are cutting away large swaths of marketshare from the declining microsoft.

I have found some computers for sale without microsoft on them, as the market for users that can put on their own operating systems such as ubuntu and other linux operating systems.

Lets hope that google maintains their "Don't be Evil" mission statement and doesn't becoming like MS and force us to choose between evils.

Bill Gates' Microsoft iPad, Cartoon Maze by Yonatan Frimer

Bill Gates' Microsoft iPad - Cartoon Maze


Editoral Cartoon Maze in Larger and Printable Format
Can't solve the maze? Click here for the maze solution

Editorial Cartoon Maze of Bill Gates telling his team of monkeys to make a microsoft version of the iPad.

Want more Y.Frimer mazes? check out these links:
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Ink Blot Mazes - Maze ArtBuy maze art

Microsoft proves its part of conspiracy theory.

I have a friend who claims Microsoft makes their software bad so that they can sell you their updates. I always thought he was a quack, till I came across this article.

Microsoft debuts 'fix it' program

Many PC problems can be very frustrating to find and fix

Microsoft has launched "Fix It" software that keeps an eye on a PC and automatically repairs common faults.

The software basically adds the automatic diagnostics system in Windows 7 to older versions of Microsoft's operating system.

The software, currently available as a trial or beta version, is intended for users of Windows XP and Vista.

The package also tries to anticipate how security updates will affect a PC before they are installed.

Bug watch

Once installed, the software gets updates about known issues with Windows or any connected devices, and regularly checks to see if a host machine has fallen victim. Once fixes become available it will tell users they are ready or attempt to apply them.

The software has onboard fixes for about 300 of the most widely encountered problems that stop Windows working as it should.

The software also maintains a list of the hardware and software on a machine so if the automatic fix does not solve a problem, it will be able to help users supply detailed information to Microsoft's support staff about what has gone wrong.

Those signing up and downloading the Fix It software can use it on several different machines.

The free software can be downloaded from Microsoft's support pages. Windows XP users wanting to use it must have Service Pack 3 for the operating system installed.

The Fix It service began in late 2008, when Microsoft began using the logo to highlight automatic fixes on its support pages that dealt with very common problems.

Anyone clicking on the logo kicked off a download that tried to fix that problem automatically.

Microsoft, like many other software firms, has built a vast database of faults and problems as technology built into Windows reports back about crashes and other bugs that machines encounter.

The source for this article can be found here

Scotts Valley startup, VirnetX, wins $105.6M in suit against Microsoft

SCOTTS VALLEY — A federal jury in Texas awarded VirnetX, a small, publicly held company in Scotts Valley, $105.75 million Tuesday in a patent infringement case against Microsoft Corp.

An "extremely pleased" Kendall Larsen, VirnetX president and chief executive officer, called the nine-figure award "tremendous" and said it "verifies our belief that our patents are foundational and important." Larsen founded the 12-person company in 2005 to commercialize a patent portfolio derived from a Central Intelligence Agency security project. The company's patents relate to virtual private networking, technology that allows Internet users to securely communicate and collaborate over the Internet. The company holds over 48 U.S. and international patents and pending applications which it intends to use in the development of a licensing program and new software products.

The patent infringement suit was filed in 2007 and claimed that Microsoft had purposely violated existing patents in eight products that generate billions of dollars in annual revenues and include Windows Vista, Windows XP, Server 2003, Server 2008 and Office Communicator.

After years of pre-trial hearings, a jury began to hear the case on March 8. The jury decided Tuesday that Microsoft had infringed on two VirnetX patents and had done so willfully or with knowledge, which opens the door for VirnetX to request injunctive relief.

The case is far from over as Microsoft is expected to appeal.

"We look forward to the appeals process as further validation of our patents," Larsen said. " With this landmark decision behind us, we can now fully concentrate on our licensing program, Secure Domain Name Registry, essential 4G security patents, and Gabriel Connection Technology Beta." The company's target market is estimated to be more than $100 billion and the company has been cited in recent months as a good buy within the investment community. In December, however, the company reported a third quarter loss of more than $2.2 million. The company reported a loss of nearly $10 million for the first nine months of 2009 and an accumulated a debt of more than $33 million.

Yet, with every favorable court ruling, VirnetX has watched its stock price rise. It went from $1.05 a year ago to $6.29 Wednesday.

The Scotts Valley Drive office was buzzing with news this week.

"It's not every day that you win against the largest software company in the world," said Greg Wood, director of corporate communications. "This goes a long ways in validating our patent portfolio."

Help get rid of that Microsoft frustration by solving one of these mazes!

Team Of Monkeys Lumberjacks Maze.
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Team Of Monkeys Maze By Y.Frimer & RSL

Maze of Lumber jack monkeys

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Maze of a team of monkeys for:
Bluetooth and voice recognition technology
Arrows mark the entrance and exit to the maze.

Team Of Monkeys Maze By Y.Frimer & RSL

Maze of a team of monkeys for bluetooth and voice recognition technology

Can't solve the maze? click here for the maze solution
Click here to download Team Of Monkeys lumberjack maze in higher quality

Want more mazes by Yonatan Frimer? check these out:
Team Of Monkeys Maze - Maze Cartoon
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Team Of Monkeys MD - Cardialogy Monkeys

Team Of Monkeys Maze By Y.Frimer & RSL

Team of monkey doctors, jump starting a human patient

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Should Microsoft employees openly use iPhones?

Should Microsoft employees openly use iPhones?

It's like Katie Holmes telling Tom Cruise she prefers Brad Pitt's movies. It's like Rupert Murdoch's wife googling a Wall Street Journal article to get past the paywall. It's like Reggie Bush telling Kim Kardashian that her sister Khloe is cuter than she is.

This is hurt, anguish, and embarrassment all wrapped up in one corporate migraine. The problem, you see, is that there are quite a few people at Microsoft who love the iPhone. At least that is what an article in The Wall Street Journal is suggesting.

The article offers stories of Steve Ballmer himself pretending to stomp on an employee's iPhone. It tells of Microsoft employees being sheepish about exposing their Apple-made contraptions in meetings. It even suggests that as many as 10 percent of Microsoft employees might be in the thrall of the Cupertino King.

Is he reaching for a stray iPhone? Surely not.

(Credit: D.Begley/Flickr)

Naturally, there will be those who suggest such behavior is heresy. Ballmer, according to the article, explains that when his father worked for Ford, the family only drove Fords. But in those days, corporations were slightly different beings than they are now. People believed they had a job that would last forever, rather than one that might not survive the next clever little financial ruse from some halfwit on Wall Street or the next pandering to Wall Street by a halfwitted CFO. Employees offered loyalty, because they thought it would be returned. What hope is there now of that?

It is, though, a ticklish area. Does an employee's preference for the iPhone suggest that Microsoft products aren't good enough? Why, yes it does. At least for them. But does that have to be a bad thing?

Ad agencies sometimes become (even more) neurotic when they entertain clients whose products many at the agency don't use (or even privately loathe). The truth is, you can create fine ads to sell Daewoo cars without ever driving one. You can happily sell a bank where you don't have an account. Please may I also confess that I've done successful campaigns for both baby shampoo and tampons, while, strangely, not being a user of either?

If the Journal's tales are accurate, then perhaps the different behaviors of Microsoft employees say more about the people than the products.

If there are those who harass iPhone users, that reflects those people's management styles. If there are those who are embarrassed about being seen with an iPhone, then perhaps it might just suggest they are worried about their careers and desperate not to inspire ire. Are those the kinds of employees that thrive at Microsoft?

While some, such as Microsoft software engineer Eugene Lim, reportedly use their spare time to give public talks about developing apps for the iPhone, others sneak around not wishing to be seen as traitorous.

There seems even disagreement amongst senior Microsoft figures about how this issue should be handled, though in 2009 the company reportedly performed a little tweak to its corporate cell phone policy. You only get your service fees reimbursed if your very smart phone uses Windows Phone software.

At heart, though, perhaps the message that resonates most personally and most deeply in the heads of both management and employees might be: "Why couldn't we have made that? Are we really not cool enough?"

This article sponcored by Team Of Monkeys Maze
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