Linux desktop

There are some impressive desktop themes employed by Linux users -- I present the following as examples. See for yourself if there is anything for Mac OS or Windows to compare with the wizardry possible in Linux.

Perhaps one of the themes below will be to taste -- if not, you can create your own!

Running Linux by stealth

Chers lecteurs: I re-read the Linux wikipedia article in French today -- which is good for practising the language, the text being very long. But one thing struck me as interesting, dubious though it might be: a reference to a French article written by a fervent Linux-advocate enticed me to read on. In this article, the French Linux crusader cheerfully champions the choice available respecting pre-installed operating systems on PCs sold in Argentinian department stores -- a virtually unheard-of circumstance elsewhere. He shows photos of Linux computers.

But in a later article, he laments this choice's disappearance in this same country. All PCs destined for consumption would only be pre-installed with Microsoft -- the latter decided to reclaim market share, using its time-honoured ham-fisted method. Subsequently, an Argentinian company which had sold its own brand of Linux pre-installed computers sued Microsoft. The case is still before the courts. Well, so much for choice.

Now, if one buys a computer without intending to use Microsoft, one may still, in theory at least, reclaim the expense for pre-installation of any Microsoft products (the installation always being mandatory as per the secret agreements Microsoft has with manufacturers). This expense is known as the Microsoft tax. The process of reimbursement, however, is lengthy and tedious. It is not for the feint of heart, and should only be done on principle, since the $100 and something dollars thus reclaimed hardly justifies the year (or at minimum a few weeks) of to-ing and fro-ing with the computer's manufacturer. All the same, there is a body in France representing those wanting to reclaim this tax - set up by our French author.

I was thinking, maybe there might be a guerrila way of marketting Linux (which is almost always free, Red Hat being an exception). Well, as it happens, PCjacking is one such way. http://www.manucornet.net/pcjacking/ On this website a mad Frenchman recounts his going to retail stores and secretly making display computers run Linux with a Live CD (using the Knoppix distribution). The computers themselves are not affected, since the operating system runs off the CD and RAM, and not the hard-drive. The author shows us a few photos of computers so 'jacked'. And he leaves CDs around the shop with a message to passers-by that they needn't spend the rest of their lives condemned to use Windows. By such a stunt, he is protesting the lack of choice in his country. And his article presents an alternative situation in Argentian, ignorant of the aftermath.

Anyway, piqued by this article, I found, through a Google search, an article by a student who had 'jacked' a university computer, and another by an IT expert advocating using Live CDs on public terminals -- that is, 'jacking' them -- for security reasons. Yes, security: for Microsoft systems may be compromised by evil programs recording your activity and sending the data to third parties -- think about that next time you do your eBanking at an internet cafe.

So the idea in my previous post wasn't a novel one -- though I certainly didn't know anything about 'jacking' at the time.

Which brings me to my conclusion. Here is some Linux fun, in video form. Enjoy.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1y7uw_linux-fausse-pub_shortfilms (Linux Penguin Tux brings dead computer back to life)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpOlcm-X9cc (Tux meets a robot)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDSpP405O00 (Tux meets the MSN butterfly in the ring)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RThvuhjDH0g (Tux is saved by the faulty programming of Microsoft)

Victory for Internet Explorer

On some machines you've no choice but to use Internet Explorer -- this one, for instance. The circumstance is an annoying one, for there are many features of Firefox, or Chromium for that matter, which are unavailable on Microsoft's version.

On the sly I downloaded Firefox on this computer; but its installation was disabled, for running '.exe' files, including that of the Firefox set up, was blocked by the 'administrator'. As Internet Explorer is the standard browser on many machines, one has to put up with it, dunce program though it is.

However, I had an idea, not yet tested, that might allow me to use my preferred Linux operating system, secretly if you will, so that I might have my way without effecting changes to the host computer -- the idea: use a Live USB. That is, I would install Linux on a USB stick, bundled with my programs and files, and run it on public machines like this one; I should only have to reboot. Everything would be swell. But perhaps the person in charge of the computer would take a dim view of my freedom -- such people restrict access to everything in order to minimise harm, not caring about my chagrin.

My idea, then, might be frustrated before I even get the chance of testing it. Microsoft wins. Sorry, Tux.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22694253@N00/446208089

First entry

This being the beginning, I should take the opportunity to introduce myself. I am a resident of Melbourne, Australia; an afictionado of literature and theatre; a student of the French language; and as of late a mad Linux user - I am others things, too, but at this particular moment I can't recall them. I intend to dedicate my blog to my experiences with Linux, particularly the Ubuntu distribution; but I will discuss other distributions when I get a taste for them. In addition, I will cover my experiences with Microsoft and Mac, since those operating systems are unavoidable. My research for the company Clockwork PC will afford me a wealth of material to draw on. So I will treat you to the left overs -- good ones, I assure you; for I am a first-rate left-over chef.

Not that I expect too many readers here. No, no, I disclaim such ambition. I am sure you have more important things to attend to -- like Youtube and Facebook. And I respect that. But should you come here, do make yourself at home, and I hope you have an enjoyable time.