The problem What if your Windows installation is suddenly unbootable, you accidentally delete all your files, or the Geek Squad “accidentally” formats your hard drive without asking your permission or backing up your files first? Well, people who have learned from these kinds of experiences will tell you to learn to back up everything. Invest… Continue reading Recovering Windows files with a Ubuntu CD I: the backstory
Category: Computers
The effectiveness of “security through obscurity”
I don’t believe that security through obscurity is ideal or ultimately effective. I don’t believe it’s a generally good security approach. Nevertheless, it is not often the same as no security at all. Security through obscurity can have its place. A few years ago, when it was brought to light that the newest (at the… Continue reading The effectiveness of “security through obscurity”
Ubuntu: The Open Source Apple Challenger?
Mark Shuttleworth’s vision I know I’m not the only Ubuntu user blogging about Mark Shuttleworth saying he wants to make Ubuntu better-looking than OS X in the next two years. He also says I can’t say we will succeed at this, but we will make a significant attempt to elevate the Linux desktop to the… Continue reading Ubuntu: The Open Source Apple Challenger?
Why I finally embraced computer literacy
Computer illiteracy It’s very likely that you know someone who self-identifies as “computer illiterate.” That person may even be proud of being so. I was once one of these people. I was one of these people for a long time. In fact, I was quite offended when my Latin teacher in high school thought I… Continue reading Why I finally embraced computer literacy
The futile search for global hotkeys on iTunes for Windows
In the over three decades I’ve spent on this planet, relatively few of those years have I spent listening to music on a computer (desktop/laptop). Yes, in the old days, I listened to records. I think the first one was Def Leppard’s Pyromania. I spent a long time loving tapes, though, and making mix tapes… Continue reading The futile search for global hotkeys on iTunes for Windows
Sometimes Linux users crack me up
Hey, I’m a Linux user and have been for over three years. I love the community. They’re helpful and giving. They’re often idealistic. Sometimes, though, they’re a little bit crazy. Recently, Best Buy has started stocking boxed versions of Ubuntu in many of their stores. When news of this hit the Ubuntu Forums, there were… Continue reading Sometimes Linux users crack me up
Am I the only one who doesn’t like instant messaging?
I’ve never been able to get into instant messaging. I’ve tried it. I’ve even probably had ten or twelve instant messaging “chats” over the past ten years or so. It just doesn’t appeal to me. At my last job, almost everyone in the department was on instant messaging. I boycotted. I just didn’t see the… Continue reading Am I the only one who doesn’t like instant messaging?
Does Ubuntu need antivirus?
This is a very common question that comes up on the Ubuntu Forums from new users migrating from Windows. The answer, of course, is “No, Ubuntu doesn’t need antivirus.” Linux (and sometimes Mac) users often get accused of being smug or complacent for saying they don’t need antivirus, so I think I have to clarify… Continue reading Does Ubuntu need antivirus?
Fanboy isn’t just a generic insult. It means something.
Warning, for those who know me in person: This is an extremely geeky post. Proceed with caution. Just as forum users will sometimes fling the label troll against anyone who argues with them, many forum users (particularly in computer-related discussions) will throw around the term fanboy without making the term meaningful. Most of the time,… Continue reading Fanboy isn’t just a generic insult. It means something.
Firefox 3 Download Day: Good Publicity Stunt
Unless you keep up with tech news, you may have missed it, but this past Tuesday was “download day,” in which Mozilla was hoping to set a world record for downloads by encouraging its users to download Firefox 3 on its release day. I don’t think there was actually a previously held world record, and… Continue reading Firefox 3 Download Day: Good Publicity Stunt