Linux is an Free and Open Source Operating System that is the brainchild of Linus Torvalds, a Finnish software engineer. It may be altered and redistributed, free of charge (if you redistribute it, you must leave the source open in the same fashion) and it comes in a variety of flavours (AKA "distributions" or "distro's"), such as Ubuntu, Debian, SUSE, and Redhat/Fedora.
Each flavour of Linux caters to a slightly, or even vastly, different audience and most of the popular flavors are free, as long as you are willing to use the online Linux community for support in lieu of a support subscription. Most Linux software applications are also free (in the same manner).
Now, Linux's biggest strength is that it has tens or hundreds of thousands of developers, with different backgrounds and strengths, from all around the world contributing to its source. Its biggest weakness is that it has tens or hundreds of thousands of developers from all around the world contributing to its source. Yup, that's right, its biggest strength is also its biggest weakness. Let me explain.
While the plethora of Linux developers have different strengths, they also have different tastes. This means that software that is created is often more secure and more efficient because there are more people to review and improve the code in their respective areas of expertise. This is the driving benefit of Open Source Software (OSS) (aside from it being free, of course). Other benefits include potentially faster application development (if planned properly), increased reliability, better features, and greater innovation.
The problem comes in the differing tastes of developers. Since developers are often unpaid, they tend to focus on projects of personal interest, rather than projects that can help to make Linux more competitive against Windows and MacOS. The result is that there are a wide variety of software to fill the needs of micro-niche markets and fewer to fill larger markets that would drive competitive innovation for the operating system.
I read in a tech blog today that porting World of Warcraft to Linux would cause a massive shift of Windows users to Linux. I couldn't agree more! Having well over 10 million users, World of Warcraft is a huge player in online gaming. If Linux could pluck even half a million or a million of those users, allowing them to play World of Warcraft (without having to paying for Cedega or other Windows-Emulation software, or have to deal with WINE's bugs and quirks), it would be inevitable that developers would follow suit and Linux development would accelerate.
As for me, I just sit, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for Linux to finally get its chance to shine in a world of corporate giants like Microsoft and Apple.
Friday, March 19
Thursday, March 18
Recent Times
There has been a lot of development in my life lately. A year and a half ago, I had an extroversion explosion. I became addicted to people! Whether it was playing, talking, or just playing, I grew so dependent on being around people that I was constantly reaching out for interaction. I thrived off of the energy of other people, and continually sought to bring more positive people into my life. A result of this extroversion has been a significantly increased friends base and vastly increased level of popularity.
I once was known simply as the person that everyone knew and that knew only a few. This fact was simply because I stood out: I asked questions in class, provided feedback at work, and was active at church. I didn't go out of my way to meet people, let alone to get people to meet me.
Oh, how times have changed! Now, I have a large peer group because I make myself known. I introduce myself to new people regularly, I attend smaller parties when I can, I continue to be a contributing member at work and school, I'm even more active at church and in church activities, and I spend a lot of my time with people who enjoy spending time with people.
The overall effect on my life: I've received support through part of the hardest time of my life, and have managed to return to a state of happiness and relative stability! I wish for God to bless all of my friends, especially those who have been there for me in recent times, and thank Him for the great blessing that they have been to me!
*Raises the proverbial glass for a toast*... to my Friends! :)
I once was known simply as the person that everyone knew and that knew only a few. This fact was simply because I stood out: I asked questions in class, provided feedback at work, and was active at church. I didn't go out of my way to meet people, let alone to get people to meet me.
Oh, how times have changed! Now, I have a large peer group because I make myself known. I introduce myself to new people regularly, I attend smaller parties when I can, I continue to be a contributing member at work and school, I'm even more active at church and in church activities, and I spend a lot of my time with people who enjoy spending time with people.
The overall effect on my life: I've received support through part of the hardest time of my life, and have managed to return to a state of happiness and relative stability! I wish for God to bless all of my friends, especially those who have been there for me in recent times, and thank Him for the great blessing that they have been to me!
*Raises the proverbial glass for a toast*... to my Friends! :)
The Bill Engvall Approach to Life
Some of you may be familiar with Bill Engvall. If you're not, that is somewhat of a tragedy.
Bill is renowned for his comical (and, seemingly justified) dispassion for "stupid people." He explains this anti-affinity in the following manner:
Yeah, yeah. I know what you're thinking... there would be many people who don't agree with this philosophy. It would violate human rights charters and create an imbalance in society where instead of there being a considerable gap between rich and poor, there would instead (or additionally) be a gap between "smart" and "stupid." We'd find discrimination against those seen as less intelligent, and they would be consigned to work in burger joints and socially necessary jobs while those of high IQ would work according to their passions, desires, and affinities (ironically, Mr. Engvall could remain in the exact same profession). The disparity this view could create would seemingly offset any potential benefits and would likely (re)form the free continent we live on back into one of heavy discrimination, and of slavery and abuse of the "lesser" peoples.
Obviously, I don't believe in a world like the one described above. However, just as a common man may dream of a life on a sunny beach with beautiful women, as far removed from reality it may be, I dream of a what life would be like if obligation to help others arose out of their use common sense and their willingness to "RTFM" (Read The Flippin' Manual).
Without considering the plethora of disadvantages and problems to such a world, the benefits seem almost miraculous. Better educational systems, greater economic competition, immensely superior creativity, and flourishing technological and economic innovation could all possibly develop. Of course this is an idealistic view but, at least for me, it's interesting to think of. I'd also imagine that anyone who's worked in customer service for any extended period of time would probably sympathize with me :P
Bill is renowned for his comical (and, seemingly justified) dispassion for "stupid people." He explains this anti-affinity in the following manner:
I just hate stupid people. They should have to wear signs that just say "I'm Stupid." That way you wouldn't rely on them, would you? You wouldn't ask anything. It'd be like "Excuse me... Oh! Nevermind. I didn't see your sign!I often wonder to myself what the world would be like if we adopted this kind of approach? I wonder if people would try harder to figure things out on their own, if common sense would become the norm, and if natural competition would foster greater intelligence?
Yeah, yeah. I know what you're thinking... there would be many people who don't agree with this philosophy. It would violate human rights charters and create an imbalance in society where instead of there being a considerable gap between rich and poor, there would instead (or additionally) be a gap between "smart" and "stupid." We'd find discrimination against those seen as less intelligent, and they would be consigned to work in burger joints and socially necessary jobs while those of high IQ would work according to their passions, desires, and affinities (ironically, Mr. Engvall could remain in the exact same profession). The disparity this view could create would seemingly offset any potential benefits and would likely (re)form the free continent we live on back into one of heavy discrimination, and of slavery and abuse of the "lesser" peoples.
Obviously, I don't believe in a world like the one described above. However, just as a common man may dream of a life on a sunny beach with beautiful women, as far removed from reality it may be, I dream of a what life would be like if obligation to help others arose out of their use common sense and their willingness to "RTFM" (Read The Flippin' Manual).
Without considering the plethora of disadvantages and problems to such a world, the benefits seem almost miraculous. Better educational systems, greater economic competition, immensely superior creativity, and flourishing technological and economic innovation could all possibly develop. Of course this is an idealistic view but, at least for me, it's interesting to think of. I'd also imagine that anyone who's worked in customer service for any extended period of time would probably sympathize with me :P
Tuesday, March 16
About This Blog
So here's the deal: This blog is intended to be a sort of public journal for myself. As such, you are more than welcome to read the contents herein and make comments and provide feedback as you see fit. I only ask that you keep be considerate of others who may read this blog and refrain from swearing or derogatory language.
Thanks, and enjoy your stay!
Thanks, and enjoy your stay!
A quick post to kick things off:
Now I have a place to play and to express myself while letting those look on who choose to so do.
I would say "Welcome to my blog," but as the content of the blog has not yet come to fruition, I do not yet have much to welcome you to. Also, while I may call this a new home for my thoughts, and while everyone is very much welcome to be here, be warned: Some content that surfaces here could make some visitors uncomfortable.
Also noteworthy is the fact that the content here will often go without proper citation. Why? The quick answer is simple: I'm lazy. The complete answer is, well, I'm too lazy to answer that right now.
And so, seeings how you've been warned of who I am and what content could be like here... please do try to enjoy your stay :)
Cheers
I would say "Welcome to my blog," but as the content of the blog has not yet come to fruition, I do not yet have much to welcome you to. Also, while I may call this a new home for my thoughts, and while everyone is very much welcome to be here, be warned: Some content that surfaces here could make some visitors uncomfortable.
Also noteworthy is the fact that the content here will often go without proper citation. Why? The quick answer is simple: I'm lazy. The complete answer is, well, I'm too lazy to answer that right now.
And so, seeings how you've been warned of who I am and what content could be like here... please do try to enjoy your stay :)
Cheers
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