Monthly Archive for May, 2006

Linux: The Verdict

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Callum
2 years, 2 months ago
in Techy
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You’ve heard me ranting about Linux for some time now, so what of it, what’s the final word? Should the world drop Windows and head for Linux en-masse? In a word, no.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I made the switch, and the more time that passes, the easier it gets. However, for the average user, it’s hugely more difficult to configure. Actually using the machine once it’s up and running properly is much the same as Windows. It’s probably easier than the switch from Windows to Mac OS X, which is pretty easy.

Linux is still way behind in configuration though. It’s fundamentally a command line operating system (settings are typed, not clicked). While most things can be somewhat customised by clicking, a number of things need you to get your hands dirty in the terminal. There’s no avoiding it. For the average user, it’s far too complicated.

The other major draw back is knowing what to do. With so many flavours of Linux available, there are always several ways to solve a problem. For example, it’s considered best practice to install drivers from a source called livna (new window). However, Fedora, the linux distribution I use, doesn’t tell you that. Other users will tell you, but it’s not Fedora’s policy. The average user doesn’t care, you just want it to work.

Linux’s single biggest advantage, I haven’t purchased one piece of software since installing. Neither have I *cough* borrowed any software! After installing Fedora, I can write documents, create spread sheets, open PowerPoint and other Microsoft files, browse the internet, send emails. Right out of the box, you can do everything you’d expect to with a computer. It’s not like on Windows where you spend the first few hours after install adding software.

So, in conclusion, for the techies out there, get yourself over, it’s worth the pain. For the average user, stick with Windows but watch this space.

Battle Scars

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Callum
2 years, 2 months ago
in Personal
. 1 Comment

Battle lines were drawn, teams divided, equipment dispensed, and finally, the guns were passed out, let the battle commence…

Thailand Bangkok Paintball Heading Out

The teams discussed strategy in advance of the full on combat.

Thailand Bangkok Painball Positions

There was a frantic dive for cover as the enemy opened fire.

Thailand Bangkok Painball Battle

The battle itself was heated, emotions were running high, it was a matter of life and death!

Thailand Bangkok Painball Yours Truly

Yours truly caught in mid ambush, needless to say there were several dead and many more wounded immediately after this picture was taken!

All that on a Sunday morning for less than a British tenner or fifteen of America’s dollars. You gotta love Bangkok! Check it out at www.PaintballBangkok.com (new window).

Gold Rush

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Callum
2 years, 2 months ago
in Personal
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Gold BarsHave you heard about the rising price of gold? Apparently it’s at an all time high, the Australian government had a tax bonus of around 10 billion Australian Dollars in the financial year just ended as a result of rising metal prices. Leading economists are predicting that the US Dollar is a currency of the past, it’s doomed, and that gold will skyrocket in the next few years. Check out Marc Faber’s Gloom Doom Report (new window).

As part of my recent tightening up of my online privacy, I’ve discovered a service called e-Gold. It allows you to buy physical gold online, and then make payments to other e-Gold customers or convert the gold into a standard currency through one of their associated agents. Unlike online services like PayPal, you don’t buy money with e-Gold, so you’re not subject to the standard money laundering regulations. You can create an account with a false name and send money anonymously from one account to another.

If you’re super cautious / paranoid you could create several accounts and load the money into one, transfer it to the next, and so on. While not strictly speaking anonymous, anyone trying to track you would be required to file court orders for each account, one at a time with e-Gold.

Aside from the privacy benefits, if you want to invest in the gold market, you can put money into an e-Gold account and then it’s value in your own currency (GBP, USD, etc) will fluctuate with the global price of gold. Check out this chart comparing gold against the US dollar (new window). It’s a hassle free way to invest in gold. The same company have sister services for silver, platinum and palladium, and funds can be transferred between the metals. For more information see the Wikipedia Article on e-Gold (new window) and the e-Gold Web Site (new window).

Just to be sure, this is not advice, any investments you make or money you lose are the result of your own stupidity, don’t go blaming me! :)

Online Privacy

Published
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Callum
2 years, 2 months ago
in Techy
. 4 Comments

Do you know how much information your friend Google has on you? Do you have a gmail account? Google use one, single cookie to track your usage of all their services, from Google searching to Goolge Mail or Maps or Froogle or anything else. If you have Gmail, they can link that cookie to your email address, your email history, your searching, do you also have Google Desktop?

So one, single, private company has a picture of your online habits that is exceptionally detailed. They know all sorts of things about you. What do they do with that information? Can you view it under the Data Protection Act (UK legislation), no. Do you know what they do with it? No. Sure, you know what it says in their privacy policy (have you read that by the way?) but do you actually know? No.

Google shrouds their search algorithm (the way they find things online) in secrecy to prevent abuse. So by definition, they’re a company that’s done very well keeping secrets. How sure can you be that they’re using your data as they’ve said? More to the point, why should you have to trust them? Do you have to trust the Yellow Pages?

If you’re concerned about your privacy online, check out Tor (new window), which is blocked in Thailand, and for more on Google, check out Google Watch (new window). Tor allows you to browse the internet almost completely anonymously.

Bangkok Fever

Published
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Callum
2 years, 2 months ago
in Personal
. 4 Comments

No, not a fever for Bangkok, but a fever in Bangkok. I survived the weekend’s debaucherous partying, however, I did come out of it a little worse for wear. I’ve spent a couple of days ill, and I’m only just getting back to work today although I’m still not 100%. Where’s your mum’s chicken soup when you need it I ask you?? :)

Presents Galore

Published
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Callum
2 years, 2 months ago
in Personal
. 1 Comment

After a surge of birthday greetings last weekend (better early than late right!) I was shocked as I checked my mailbox for the first time since I moved in.

Thailand Bangkok My Birthday Presents

A big thanks to Nadsy for the flowers, although I don’t remember giving you my address, you industrious little woman you! The award for the funniest card goes to Mum, check this out…

Thailand Bangkok My Birthday Card

Had me laughing for hours. Thanks to Auntie Linda and the gang, the James meister (aka Jimmy the auld yin) and Great Auntie Bess in all her greatness! Tom and Pink get top marks for presents and I’m off to check my bank account and see what Mum has in store for me… :)

Party On

Published
by
Callum
2 years, 2 months ago
in Travels
. 2 Comments

This will probably be my final post as a man of 23, for in just 6 hours (in my timezone) I’ll be graduating to join the millions of people who have survived 24 years on our fair green earth (assuming the party doesn’t get too out of control!).

The preparations have been made, the supplies have been purchased, the plan has been set in motion, in just a few hours we’ll be well on our way to the celebration of a lifetime!

So goodbye 23, it’s been a fun year with you, but now it’s time to move onto pastures new. Wish me luck… :)