An Update

Life has been a bit hectic. Still doing job hunting, which does horrible things with much of my time. Being sick has done horrible things with what remained.

Still learning PERL when I get a chance and quite enjoy it. Also hoping to get in to Python, but time’s a bit of an issue.

Also still running Ubuntu 8.10, though I will occasionally drop to Windows XP.(This is extremely rare, currently.)

Funny, this site doesn’t even “rate” for being spammed. I rather hope it stays like that, for a good long while.(The fact that there’s not much to actually read here probably helps)

Aliases

So, I discovered that the terminal can handle aliases.

Here’s my first two(and possibly last two):

alias update=’sudo apt-get update’

alias upgrade=’sudo apt-get upgrade’

For some reason, I tend to prefer the command line for installing/updating packages. These two aliases cut out a bit of typing in regards to updating.

Things I Do to Make Ubuntu ‘Right’ For Me

Just some simple commands I issue when I first install Ubuntu, to make my life a little easier. I do these via command line, but they sould also be available in the Applications > Add/Remove… and System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager.

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

- This installs various non-free things. I like ‘em.

sudo apt-get install amarok

- Music player. Can replace this with ’sudo apt-get install exaile’, but I prefer Amarok.

sudo apt-get install smplayer

- Video player. SMPlayer is a front-end for MPlayer. This installs it, too.

sudo apt-get install comix

- Comic book viewer. Opens and displays various .cb* files.

sudo apt-get install akregator

- Installs RSS feed reader. For KDE, but works fine for me under GNOME.

sudo apt-get install geany

- Text editor I tried due to boredom. Adding it to my ‘install first’ list.

Of course, you can combine them all into a single command line:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras amarok smplayer comix akregator geany

Ubuntu 8.10

I recently installed Ubuntu 8.10 and I’ve been digging it.

I’ve had other forays into using GNU/Linux, mainly with Ubuntu. While they’ve all been quite successful, I eventually would head back to Windows.(Usually after my tinkering caused some issue that I couldn’t solve.)

This time, though? I think I’ll be sticking with it.

I have a dual boot setup with Ubuntu and Windows XP.(Actually, it’s a triple boot setup as I also have Kubuntu installtion on the hard drive.)

The only thing I’ve actually ‘had’ to boot into Windows for is playing Grand Theft Auto IV.(Even that, I haven’t done much.)

Everything has worked fine with minimal tinkering.(I had to use a wired connection during install, since they can’t ship my wireless card’s driver with the CD. Once installed and updated, I downloaded and installed the driver via the handy “Hardware Drivers” application, in System > Administration)

Maybe if I get less lazy I’ll post the steps I did upon install.(More for myself than my imaginary audience. I always forget crap like this.)

Happy Funtime Crashing

Just here for the ATI crew. Umm…hey, ATI guys!

Like I mentioned, it seems to have been caused by the Folding@Home GPU client. Or possibly some interaction between it and Fusion.

If there’s anything else needed, you can comment here or drop me an email.(Check the report I sent.)

Here’s the bluescreen message:

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

The problem seems to be caused by the following file: ati2vag

If this is the first time you’ve seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

The device driver got stuck in an infinite loop. This usually indicates problem with the device itself or with the device driver programming the hardware incorrectly.

Please check with your hardware device vendor for any driver updates.

Technical information:

*** STOP: 0×000000EA (0×8AAB16F8, 0×8AAD4D80, 0xA70D9CBC, 0×00000001)

ati2vag
Beginning dump of physical memory

Imagery:

Kubuntu 8.10

Have Kubuntu 8.10 running on my computer, now. I like it. Biggest problem I had was burning the .iso. Turns out that if you have a 64bit system(which I do), you must install using the 64bit version.

Only issue I had was needing to hit F4 to run the installer in ‘Safe Graphics’ mode. Once it was installed it detected my graphics card(Asus EAH4850) just fine and correctly set my resolution to 1680×1050.(Which Ubuntu 8.04 didn’t manage. I imagine Ubuntu 8.10 could do it, too.)

Can see my desktop here, if you feel the need.

In non-computer “news”, I took my GED test today. Feel pretty good about it. Had to get up at 5AM to get there, though, by bus. Blargh.

Ow. My Brain.

I have entirely way too much going on. Between job hunting, studying for my GED(gasp!) and studying other things(XHTML/CSS, for starters), I’m really not certain how I’m getting any sleep time in.

I’m also playing Unwritten Legends and, though ‘on break’ till Issue 13 drops, City of Heroes.

On top of that, I’m reading up on Dungeons&Dragons 4th Edition.

I think that, somewhere along the way, I accidentally figured out how to bend time.