The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.
Francois-Marie Arouet, better know as Voltaire
1694-1778, Writer, Essayist, and Philosopher
1694-1778, Writer, Essayist, and Philosopher
There are two types of people in this world. Those who write their own script and those who have their script written for them.
Me (reinaldo bravo)
Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.
Napoleon Hill
1883-1970
1883-1970
Why I use the GNU Linux Operating System
Computer I use:
5 year old laptop, running windows xp. 512MB RAM 120GB hard drive
What I need my computer for:
- Word processor & slide-show presentation software (MS word and powerpoint)
- Email client with calendar facilities
- Ability to listen to music, watch dvd’s and burn onto cd/dvd
- Software to manage and edit photos/pictures
- Capacity to create a PDF from a word document
- Program for business and UML diagrams (low priority)
- Program for project management (low priority)
- Software for video editing (low priority)
- Security software – either antivirus, spyware, firewall
- Instant messaging/voip software
Reasons why I use Linux and not Windows XP:
- Cost
- Access to software
- Faster to run on an old computer – this means that my laptop’s fan isn’t always on high and doesn’t heat up as much.
- Ability to run new operating system without having to upgrade any hardware
If I were to update my operating system using windows there would be many costs involved. First off I would need to purchase a license for Vista or Windows 7. Microsoft Office is a must as works is so primitive it must’ve been invented in 1993! Well, MS Office would cost me anywhere between $200-$400. Antivirus is another must do, a decent solution could cost $100 (unless I use a free one). Well that’s just the basics, all the image and video editing software, project management software and PDF stuff costs more bucks.
And then what? Well, last time I checked Vista needed at least 1GB RAM to run the basic version. This means buying additional RAM for my laptop. I was lucky to be given a laptop last year for my birthday. It had 3GB RAM, exciting righ? WOW, super fast right? Yeah right! It ran at about the same speed as my 5 year old laptop on XP. I don’t know why this was, did my new laptop come too bloated with crapware pre-installed. Was it the OS that abused my hardware way too harshly. I still don’t know.
What I do know is that when I installed linux as a dual boot on that laptop, it ran a lot better.
What can you do on Linux? Is it only for internet users or can you do normal activities on it?
You can do basically everything on Linux. What do you need? Many people mention that playing games is a set back as most manufacturers don’t factor in Linux for their market. This might change. Everything else works well.
What do I use Linux for and what programs do I use?
I use linux as my everday system. I hardly ever need to boot my computer with XP.
- I’ve got a program to manage my email, calendar and contact lists. I’ve got a program that updates my microblogging accounts (eg twitter, identi.ca)
- I have an office application suite. Word processor, slide presentations, spreadsheets, databases, project mngt software, drawing programs, PDF
- Watch DVD, listen to MP3. Ability to use my DVD burner
- Photo editing and video editing thanks to google picasa and pitivi
- Free antivirus and firewall
- Multiple programs that handle instant messaging and VOIP
- Even access to cloud computing on a small scale (user level). This means I can upload folders and files to the internet for online backup or sharing purposes with other people. Think of it as web based email account but for files, not emails.
Am I happy? You bet!
Is my 5 year old laptop worth keeping? Ofcourse!
The other beauty is that I can get the latest operating system every 6 months and it never needs me to upgrade my current computer. If you guys are too scared to try something new then I don’t recommend trying linux. If you think MAC and Windows are the only systems worth using then don’t try linux. If you wont use any system that your workplace doesn’t use then by all means DON’T TRY LINUX.
…but if you’re curious to see if your old computer can actually run faster, with less fan noise then think about it. You don’t even need to delete your windows instalation to try linux. You can have both systems coexisting in the same box and you decide each time you start up which one you want to run. This is called dual-booting and I use it.
Here is an article I wrote explaining how to dual-boot: http://rbravo.net/2009/06/12/open-source/dual-boot-windows-vista-and-kubuntu-linux/
There are more relevant and updated ways of doing this however, you’ll have to find them on the net.
Goodluck
When I think back on all the crap I learned in highschool,
It’s a wonder I can think at all…
Tips for students going to university
There are two types of people that are about to embark on a uni degree.
- Those who are going because their parents want them to go
- Those who are going because they want to go
Well actually, there are probably more groups than that but my drift is, you’re going for yourself or someone’s pressuring you to go.
It’s important that you appreciate your chance at uni. If you embark on a degree that isn’t at the top of your desired list, then there’s a strong chance that you’ll have trouble succeeding
I am speaking from my own experience. There was a lot of pressure for me to get into uni although I also had high hopes to finish a degree. I started off doing a degree (IT) that required no previous experience. I thought it was the degree for me but after two semesters, I realised that I wasn’t IT material – as far as programming goes anyway.
It’s quite normal to make errors in choosing your first degree. Most of us are only 17 years old when we are made to decide. Sometimes it’s what you’ve always liked but realise that it may not be right for you or something else is that bit more interesting.
Tip 1
Don’t decide on a degree because there is a shortage of that profession in the workforce. Shortages don’t last forever, however being stuck in a profession you are not that interested in for the next 45 years might not be too thrilling – that is if you can pass all the units and graduate first.
Tip 2
Don’t listen to people when they tell you “Oh don’t do ‘x’ degree, there is no work in that field anymore”. Or when they say “You must study this degree, it’s the degree of the future, it pays so well”. For every person giving you this style of advice, there are others that can argue the other way. This is your decision so be critical and careful with any advice given to you.
Tip 3
Don’t think you are wasting your time by going to CIT/TAFE/Technical school first to try out the discipline. Sometimes it is easier to start off your field of study in a technical school where the course builds up slowly with perhaps less requirements and then move into the university equivalent after two years. In some cases you can be exempt from the first year of the uni degree. It is much better than going straight to uni from college and being overwhelmed and failing half of your units for the first two years.
Tip 4
While at uni if you feel that this degree is not for you or cannot really see yourself getting through to the end, don’t spend too much time thinking and start viewing possible alternatives as soon as possible. Go and see the course convenors for the other degrees that interest you and talk to them about your position. Don’t be afraid to change degrees, it is common and far better to make that decision while at uni rather than 5 years into a job you cannot stand.
Tip 5
You should really only go to uni for yourself. You need to see and be convinced that it’s worthwhile to be there. If you’re not there for yourself you will start to resent the degree you are studying and the whole process as well. This will delay your graduation time and cause you problems with your grades and might even affect your employ ability once graduated.
Your time at university costs money and of course your ability to work full-time while studying. It can feel like a short time or it could extend to far-longer than you thought acceptable. If things aren’t going well, the best option is to take a semester or even a year off to re-think your goals and life-long expectations. I believe you need to be happy and satisfied not only at the end of your degree, with the cardboard in hand but also during. If you are not enjoying the study process then something is clearly wrong and it might get worse if you don’t re-evaluate your options.
In the end it’s your life. So enjoy what you are studying, make the most of your time at uni and good luck with your career and the rest of your working life.
Old school vs new school part 3
The Weber Barbecue Kettle
Portuguese marinade on Chicken Maryland cooked using indirect method
There are two articles that touch on this concept written before. You can read them here: Part I; Part II
When most people speak of barbecues today, we are referring to gas burners underneath a hot plate. Not many people buy charcoal these days. You go to a store and 1 out of 12 barbecues will be a charcoal barbecue.
Why have our preferences changed?
- Less mess created with gas burner
- Lighting coals takes a long time
- During summer, charcoal barbecues are banned on bushfire warning days
- Hazardous fumes while coals are lighting
- Environmental impacts of charcoal briquettes used
- Ash goes everywhere on a windy day
- More time spent on cleaning up afterward
- Risks of getting burnt are greater by accidentally touching the bbq
- Too much smoke created during cooking process
I am a recent owner of the Weber kettle but its great to have access to a tried and trusted method of cooking meat. I was a child since the last time we owned a charcoal barbecue. During this absence we used a 4 burner gas bbq for outdoor cooking. I definitely missed the taste of charred meat done by the coals.
There is more work and preparation time needed to cook this way, as well as more mess to clean up afterward. Although, I think it is worth every minute.
I am new to the indirect method of cooking. This is what the Weber bbq kettle is most known for. I tried it the other day but committed several mistakes. Details below.
- The grilling plate was not pre-heated above the coals before the chicken was added
- The lid of the kettle was taken off at various times to check on progress (mainly due to excitement, anxiety and curiosity). Doing this would reduce the temperature of the oven every time, delaying the approximated finish.
- Not enough coals were used
I will take on board the mistakes of the last bbq as I continue to learn about the world of charcoal cooking. I can’t wait for this weekend’s session as I plan to cook some steaks and sausages.