Monday, May 25, 2009

Do we need our own Linux?

I downloaded a pre-release version of Bayanihan 5, the upcoming version of the state-sponsored Linux distribution, hoping to put it through its paces. Unfortunately, a few technical snags prevented me from making all but the most cursory review of what is by nature a complex product. After all, to get a fair reading of an operating system, you ought to have installed it and used it for at least a week. I only had two days, if that.

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Monday, May 18, 2009

Smart and easy wireless access

WE crossed the threshold to become a mobile-connected society years ago. In 1999, the number of cell phone users had already caught up with landline subscribers; a year later, they outnumbered them by a ratio of 2-to-1. By the end of 2008, there were about 68 million cell phone subscribers, while the number of landline users languished below 5 million. While Filipinos clearly prefer mobile phones, most broadband Internet services continue to be based on landlines or co-axial cable. This too may change, however, as mobile service providers begin offering competitive wireless alternatives to DSL and cable Internet.

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Monday, May 11, 2009

Ubuntu on my netbook

With desktop effects activated, I can bring up thumbnails of all active windows and choose the one I need with a simple mouse gesture.

In the weeks since setting up Ubuntu 9.04 and the programs I need, I’ve been using the Aspire One as full-featured notebook at work—connecting to the company network, browsing the Web, communicating online, and writing and editing documents.  In fact, with Jaunty Jackalope, this netbook feels just like the little engine that could.

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Netbook wallpapers

To complete the experience of running Ubuntu 9.04 Netbook Remix edition on my Acer Aspire One, I created a few wallpapers that designed with its screen in mind (1024 x 600). Click on the smaller image to see the full-size file, then right-click and save to download the file to your computer.

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Monday, May 04, 2009

Is Twitter for twits?

JUST to be provocative, I was going to write a column entitled “Twitter is for twits”—but two things prevented me from doing this. First, a quick Google of my prospective title showed that Bryony Gordon of The Telegraph in the UK had already used a variation in his opinion piece “Twittering is for twits with nothing better to do. A second reason I didn’t entitle this piece “Twitter is for twits” is that I felt I should be fair. A number of people I knew and respected were on Twitter and I thought I shouldn’t knock it until I’ve tried it. So I did.

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