More Screenshotty Goodness!

WOW! Now I realize why all the linux-heads out there were always so insistent that linux rocked, and was stable, and awesome and easy, when I could clearly see that it was not particularly stable, or easy.

They knew what I didn't know; that with a bit (OK, a lot) of tweaking, a linux system really rocks! There is a pretty high bar set for entry even still, no matter what your local linux-head tells you about linux being "Ready for Prime Time", or "Ready for You and Grandma", but Hoo Boy!! The rewards for persistence are, to quote a well known Chubby Cartoon Dad, "Freakin' Sweet!"

Now I am blazing along, with a laptop computer that is considered so under-powered that it cost less than most USED laptops. I just noticed that I was sitting on the sofa at the airport, running (1..2..3..uh...) let's just say a "whole bunch" of programs ,on battery power, running a high-speed wireless connection, without any slowdown of anything at all! My Battery lasts a ridiculously long time, too, under normal conditions, and I can use my laptop as a portable, battery powered, "boom box" for literally hours, without needing to plug in.

Some people annoy you with pictures of their Kids/Grankids. Some people Annoy you with pictures of their Pets/Grandpets. I am going to annoy you (just this once) with more beautiful pictures of my pride+joy in action. As usual, Click to see the whole enchilada, full size.

If you want to learn German, Go to Germany.

Likewise, if you really want to learn linux, then make it your sole operating system. It doesn't make it any easier to learn, but it forces you to learn it anyway. I had been meaning to make the switch from Windows to linux for quite a while, but I approached it the same way I approach really, really cold water, on a really warm day. I dipped a toe in, then, as soon as it became uncomfortable, yanked it back out, telling myself I would do it for real next time.

Then some spyware came by, and like a schoolyard bully, shoved me facefirst into the icy waters of linux, and I have spent the last ...week? 2weeks? I don't even know how long... sputtering and coughing up boot configurations and driver incompatibilities, and shivering from the shock of the sudden immersion.

But now, I am starting to adjust, and the environment feels more familiar. I am still only doggie-paddling through the graphical interface, but I have managed to get a few things set up the way I want, and I am able to look forward to the day when I will cut through the waters with dolphin-like grace and ease.

Thanks to everyone for being patient with me through my blogging hiatus while I suffered through this period of adjustment.