Why do I love Linux?

Let’s get the facts straight.

I am not an expert on Linux, I am just a Linux enthusiast. I have not used Windows Vista enough to really comment on whether Vista sucks or not (yet). I do not analyze market news to judge whether Microsoft’s policies are anti-competitive or evil. I do read up on these and must confess most of the ideas in my head are mere copies with no research by myself. If somebody asked me whether “Microsoft wants to kill Linux” I would say “Yes” without actually believing it. I have not contributed to Open Source and at present going don’t think I ever will (??). I have convinced a few people to try Linux, out of which some stuck to Linux. I like to play video games and play it on a Windows XP machine, frankly , because the gaming on Linux is still a pain.

Then, why do I love Linux ?

Before I answer that, I must mention why ask myself this question. A friend of mine send me this article which makes quite a lot of sense to me. I don’t hate Microsoft or Windows, though I am bored of the latter. And that’s what prompted me to think about my stance and write this post.

So, why do I love Linux ?

I love Linux because its free and it works. Why pay for something when you can get the equivalent (or better) for free? I can even look at the source code that makes it work if I wanted to. I love Linux for the choice it gives me , not just in the form of various flavours/ distributions, but also the general choice of breaking free from proprietary OSes. Tweaking and tuning a little bit here and there to get your system up and running ends up to be a more satisfying experience than having everything work out of the box (though that’s what everybody wants). I agree Linux is not for everybody (yet) , but it’s definitely for me.

:)

Sourced from GiantMike.com  

LOGO, Commodore 64 and me

Reading this article on Wired about LOGO brought back some pleasant memories. LOGO was thought to us back in school in my 6th Grade. FORWARD 100, LEFT 90,  RIGHT 90, PENUP. Back then I found it fascinating watching that Turtle create images. That was also the first time I got to use a modern PC with Hard disk and a CPU tower. Both the PC and LOGO made me a frequent visitor to the Computer Lab in my school.  My friend used to tell me that he installed games (we are talking about Doom, etc..) onto his computer, which I just couldn’t understand and made me more curious about it. I think I must have spent hours all together asking him to explain to me how he does it step by step.

The reason for not understanding what installation meant is that I had only used the Commodore 64. It had no hard disk and no CPU tower. Just a monitor, Keyboard, joystick, mouse (which was totally useless as there was no Graphical UI. Later, however, I purchased an Add on module which generated some UI) , a Floppy Drive and no Windows. Initially I used to play games on it (Rambo, Carnage, Defenders of the earth, etc..) and later moved on to a bit of BASIC programming. I think right then I knew I would have to get a job programming with Computers when I grow up. Anyways, this C64 kept me going till my 10th Grade. It was then that we finally got a new PC. The C64 was quickly packed up and stashed away with all the other junk in my house. It still remains there.

WINDOWS VISTA AERO VS LINUX UBUNTU BERYL

Are you one of those people who went ahead and payed the premium for the AERO experience with Windows VISTA? Not to mention the amount invested into the hardware upgrade to support that? Watch this video and feel free to kick yourself for that stupid decision!

If you want to see more of a related project [Compiz Fusion] watch this.

Linux is not Windows

Came across this great article titled “Linux is not Windows”. This article should be read by any one trying to make a foray into Linux. It prepares you mentally for that jump to Linux and sets your expectation right.

Coffee Horror

Last Sunday me and a few friends went to Cafe Coffee Day. You can imagine my shock when the menu arrived. The whole goddamn menu was shaped like a MS Window. A quick scan around the place confirmed the worst: the whole place was endorsing MS latest offering Vista. Come on, can’t i have cup of Hot Chocolate in peace.

They even have a Coffee specially for Vista. And just when i think it can’t get any worse, i spot this little paragraph on the menu:

Imagine a TV without channels, or a mobile without a SIM card. That’s just what your PC would be without Windows – a worthless box. Windows is the heart, soul and brain .. blah blah blah

This coupled with the fact that I was sitting opposite a moron who believes that Windows is the only way makes Swen very, very angry.

Hats off to MS

Anybody see the latest Microsoft advertisements on TV? Must say its neat. They are focusing on theie crystal clear advantage -> user friendliness. People ready ..

success ??

the one chance i thought i had to make difference has just passed. Nope i didnt get the MS internship. And nope, i have nobody to blame. Just me. So S***** here i come. One part of me doesn’t regret this. Its because i know I’m a survivor. And i refuse be torn apart by this. Learn from it. The way to success is not just one road.

Day full of twists and turns

The day started just like any other would. Me getting up very late and surprisingly making it for the counseling.
today was the farewell day. a day when things are supposed to get really emotional.
as i entered class i there was something written on the board.

If the class is tidy, there can be a class meeting chaired by the HOD at 10.40 tuesday the final day.

Who did the jackass think he was .. chairing a meeting if the class is clean. The president? But nobody really took notice . because by the time the first break started, there were at least 50 paper balls in front of the class thanks to the generous effort by my classmates. I am not really close to all the individuals in class except for the malu gang . but i love the class as a whole. they have the same attitude i have: couldn’t care less.Anyways class was just routine. And then came the bombshell … The MS offer fell through :was not suited for the position. It didn’t really crush me. Maybe its because i think their decision was valid . I wasn’t totally suited for that position. or maybe because i went into denial. Or i was just taking it really well . Am not sure though. But i think that the farewell would make me cry. Mainly because of the bad news i received. At the time my mind was like

Farewell to ideas, farewell to hopes , farewell to friends, farewell to all. So much for breaking the mediocre factor.

But nothing happened. i did not really feel anything. Numb I’d say. More of rejection than that of leaving. I am not sad, and I’m pretty sure of that. And then back to my room. I was back to normal . Having accepted my fate and settling with S*****. And there it was another interview by MS for a different position. this time more in my field than before.Never give up hope, for hoping makes life worth living …

1 more day to go ….

MS 2nd round

yep , i just completed round 2. went pretty well. I prepared quite a
bit for it. And as usual hardly nothing came from it. At least not
directly. Because i read this one thing about optimizing code and that
really helped. Results in a week.