The Great Geek Manual

Getting sick of your “Hang in there!” kitty poster? Looking for something a bit more macho and lot funnier? Check out these Star Trek Inspirational Posters. There’s fifty in all, covering all of most memorable moments from your favorite classic sci-fi series. Read the rest of this entry » » »

“Today, you can do everything you want with a Linux desktop, except play the latest games. Even there, Linux is catching up. So, why do only a handful of people run Linux instead of Windows? Here are my top-four reasons why Windows wins and Linux loses.”

Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols has written a thought-provoking article at DesktopLinux.com. He believes that the four reasons that Windows in winning out over Linux are:

1. The installed base (The number of systems already using Windows)
2. PC vendor support
3. Hardware vendor support
4. Software support

I agree with all four reasons, but I think he’s left off an important point. Marketing!

My fifty-six year old mother got her very first computer for Christmas this last December, and she didn’t know the first thing about using it. She didn’t know what the touchpad was called (or what it did), she didn’t know how to turn it on, she didn’t know what to do once it was on, but she recognized Windows when it booted up. Why? Because she has heard the words “Microsoft” and “Windows” twenty times a week on television, either in commercials or in the news, for the past twelve years. That is what Linux needs to do. They need to shift their focus from the tech guys in the basement to the doddering old men pushing the retirement age who still say the word computer as if it’s in quotes. Because by the time they understand what Linux has to offer, everyone will.

Wired debuted their pilot science television program on PBS last Wednesday, inventively named “WIRED Science.” I missed the program, because my local affiliate didn’t carry it. Luckily, however, the entire pilot is available online. I just finished watching it, and it was great for PBS programming. I especially enjoyed the interview with Elon Musk, the billionaire behind Paypal. Among other recent achievements, he has founded Tesla Motors, a manufacturer of completely electric sports cars. Other segments included a look at the rocket belt, an explanation of the technology behind plasma televisions, and a look at stem cell research.

Apparently PBS is airing three pilots, one of which will be picked up to premiere in the Fall, so once you’ve watched the pilot, let PBS know what you think.

Raspberry Jam
by Brendan Procé

Some things you don’t want to hear about the jar of raspberry jam you’re holding if you’re 10 feet up the “trail” from your sole companion who is, like you, freezing to death in knee-deep snow on the wind-whipped face of this Godforsaken, spruce-and-pine-covered mountain and it’s the only thing either of you has to eat:

“I’m going to kill you for that raspberry jam.”

“I’m thinking of ways I can murder you for your raspberry jam.”

“I’d club you to death for that raspberry jam even if we were back in the suburbs.”
Read the rest of this entry » » »