Linux on Raspberry PI

I've received my Raspberry Pi a while ago, probably more than 2 months ago, but still didn't get the time to start working on it.  I haven't even decided what I want to do with it... a backup server, maybe a squid proxy server, maybe my own proxy server to reach from the internet, I haven't made up my mind.  I'm also planning on buying an enclosure.  I'll try to start updating this blog more often....  stay tuned.

Cheap linux box

  My trusty laptop batteries started to deteriorate.  I also realized that editing pictures over the network via the NFS isn't that effective.  The problem was that I didn't tag my pictures properly, since I didn't think I would ever want, or need to create picture collections of say family, or travel etc...
  I decided to build a box, for under $250 I got a pretty good deal.  I already had the monitor, since I used the laptop with dual monitors, and I had 2 Hard drives as well.  Final build :

• MSI s775 G41M-P28
• Intel E6600 3.06Ghz
• 8 GB DDR3 Memory
• 2x 500GB SATA drives using Software raid 1
• Intel GMA x4500 built in graphics
• 22" LG 1680x1050
• TP-Link Gigabit Router 
• OS Ubuntu 12.04

  I hope it turns out to be good, I still need to think of a backup strategy.  Having a NAS which has a media server, I don't think I need to store the music and video files on my local HDD...

Made the jump to 11.10 Oneiric

Before this version, I had 10.04, but was intrigued by getting the latest and baddest.  So I finally decided to  make the jump.  After disabling Unity, and getting Gnome to work almost as it was, a classical view.  Not perfect yet but I think I can live with this.  I've also been experimenting with Archlinux, which I think is a great distribution, and I think I will have that on my budget box that I am building.  One thing that I need a computer for, is surfing, reading and sometimes photo editing.  So I don't need a speed deamon, yet, not that weak that makes my current laptop look like speedy gonzales.  So stay tuned for more on the new new cheap box, and what I build on it.

I became a tablet owner

And no its not an iPad, although I was very tempted since I have a Mac book pro @ work, but I had the iPhone and I was glad to switch over to android.  When the first galaxy tab came out the 7" one I hesitated then, and it was a good decision. The op system on that is the same as my phone, so I though a phone with a huge screen.  It was worth the wait for the Galaxy 10.1 It's not perfect by no means but it is on the right track.  I am waiting for the update to 3.1 or 3.2 with Samsung 's add ons.  As I have managed to get the tab to hang a few times already. 
  So you may ask why a tab,right? After all its a touch screen computer. Well to be honest for what I use my laptop for this tab is perfect,reading news, facebook and emails.  I will still need my laptop for photo editing that's for sure, but for daily regular use the tab will do.  Also its the 3G version, which means I have internet access anywhere I want.  Stay tuned for more info on this little device.  Naturally this won't include a comparison unless I borrow some one else's iPad. But so far I am happy with it.  Check out their page.. http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxytab/10.1v/index.html

Will linux catch up to the hype of iPad?

I've been thinking about getting an iPad, but naturally I looked around at the competition.  From what one of my friends sent me, link to some no name Android based iPad clones, made in china.  Well I think those will cause more harm to the market than good for the Android Tablet sector.  Many of those have the cheapest components, but even the OS is not upgradeable.  The screens are touch screens but not capacitive, I've heard many users complain that when you press an icon it activates the icon next to it.  All these will contribute to give Android based tablets a bad name.  While the big manufacturers such as Samsung are planning to release some really good, higher quality Android tablets, but at 4 or 5 times the price.  Will Apple dictate this sector just because they came out with it first?  Will it be the same like with the iPhone?  Although I was an iPhone user for about a year, I have switched to Android.  What caused me to switch was that I managed to damage the iPhone and it's price in the market is not realistic.  I love my Android based HTC wildfire.  Well see how the tablet market will change.  I see a tablet more and more useful for everyday surfing, reading blogging than a laptop.

Upgraded to Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

I finally upgraded to the latest release of Ubuntu.  The upgrade went smoothly and with out issues this time.  As the last time I had problems with my graphics card after the upgrade.  At this time I can't tell if it's worth the upgrade or not.  It's stable and running fine, but can't really say it's any faster.

Switched from OpenSuSe to Ubuntu 9.10

Well, I was really satisfied with OpenSuSe, I just had one problem in OpenSuSe. It couldn't handle dual displays well. Not sure why, but I wasn't able to use my External LCD. So I tried the live CD from Ubuntu 9.10 and it worked just fine. So I backed up my files, and did a clean install of Ubuntu 9.10 on my Inspiron 1318. And honestly I am more than satisfied with it. VPN setup was a snap, it even automatically identified and installed my WiFi card, which I had to do manually in OpenSuSe with Ndiswrapper it worked but in Ubuntu it was automatic. Which is great. Anyhow, I am glad I switched to Ubuntu.