akikoo.org » Open source

Time for new gadgets

Aki Karkkainen — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:07:51 +0000

My Windows XP machine crashed some days ago, which actually helped me to finally stop using Windows as my primary machine at home. Why bother when I have Linux and Max OSX too? (Luckily I had separate partitions on my Windows disk for the data, and also a backup of that data ;-) )

But it’s never easy – not even with Ubuntu. I tried to configure ING Home’Bank application to access my bank account, and after a couple of hours I was ready to give up, until I found out other people had problems with it too. The good thing is that the community is always there to share the problems and to help.

I also bought a new camera, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18, and an mp3 player, Cowon iAudio7. I’m very happy with both of them: if you need an easy to carry SLR-like bridge camera (with 18 times optical zoom!) that takes good photos, this is what you need. As for the mp3 player, an 8 Gb iAudio7 is cheaper than iPod Nano, and it supports the file formats I need (namely OGG, FLAC, and mp3, of course).

In fact, it’s much more relaxing to take photos and listen to music than writing to blog (this is my third post this year) ;-)

Ubuntu Linux 7.10 “Gutsy Gibbon” released

Aki Karkkainen — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:16:49 +0000

Could 2008 be the year of the Linux desktop? With the latest release of Ubuntu Linux (7.10), I believe for me it will be the year when I finally drop Windows and continue using only Mac OSX and Linux. At home, that is. At work, it might be a different story.

As a former Gentoo Linux user and current Ubuntu enthusiast, I have to say that I’m quite thrilled with latest developments in desktop Linux. One thing is for sure: I won’t touch Windows Vista if I have a choice.

See a Wired review on Ubuntu, and go on, download and install Ubuntu — it’s very easy, and free. You probably won’t look back.

Why Open Source and Ubuntu Linux could succeed in Brussels

Aki Karkkainen — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:39:49 +0000

Today, while feeling miserable and being fed up with Belgian weather, I remembered someone has said: there is no bad weather, just bad clothes. Well, in Brussels you can’t find rubber boots (so I bought trekking shoes instead). And you can’t use your umbrella because the wind will tear it down in seconds. So what can you do? Stay in your car? NO! Stay home and play with your favourite Linux distribution, for example ;-). That’s what I did today.

Two years ago, a friend recommended Gentoo Linux for people who want to learn about Linux (as opposed to just using it). So I installed it the hard way, from source — only to prove myself I could do it. It took me hours and days. After that first experience, I have installed Gentoo Linux 3–4 times. During these last two years I’ve used the system 10–15 times. It’s a fantastic distribution which you can optimise and customise as much as you want. The problem is I don’t have time to do that. Although the Gentoo handbook is a great resource, simple things are not always easy on Linux.

Then I discovered Ubuntu Linux. It took me 30 minutes to install it, and another 30 minutes to quickly check the basic settings. Everything works out of the box, even a USB stick which never worked for me on Gentoo Linux. As I said, I don’t have too much time on my hands. With Ubuntu Linux, I can instantly start using the system, and then *if* I have time, I have the possibility to learn more about the inner depths of this great operating system called Linux.

I’m seriously considering dropping Windows altogether and keeping only my 12-inch PowerBook G4 and Ubuntu Linux desktop. Secondly, I miss the sun which is why I’m considering moving to Southern Europe (half-kidding). How could we encourage people in Belgium — and all around the globe — to use open source software, not only in public sector, communities and SMEs?

If you live in Belgium, start here. Otherwise, start here.