I have been off the radar for a long time, what maybe 11 years? Since then, there have been many changes & advancements in the technology sphere. I have also gone through many evolutions since I last posted. So, what made me post today? Apollo 11 of course! On this day, at this moment, Apollo 11 started its moon injection and was on its way at Mach 31.4, to the Moon, (around 12:22 pm est, 1969 AD). For the live experience, go to Link below & I am hoping to maybe write more about this some time later on today. I am not associated with the team that did this, but think that its an awesome thing they did here and I salute them. Hope all are well!
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Linux: A continued love affair
Recently, I was asked why I use Linux by a non-user. My answer is simple: because, I love it! Now, this does not mean that I have a prejudice against those that use Windows or Mac. The truth of the matter is that I am of the opinion that each operating system has its place. I for example, still use Windows for certain games, but ultimately, it is true, that I prefer to use Linux. A more concise answer is that Linux does what I want it to do and when I want it. Control is absolute or can be limited, by choice. There is also a certain joy of being able to call on various program languages with ease and rapidity, that current users of Windows may not have. The Mac at least uses BASH, to a degree, so Mac users can have an understanding of the power of the console, if they choose to. This goes the same for Windows users as well.
Yes, Virginia(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes,_Virginia,_there_is_a_Santa_Claus), there is a console inside of the Windows operating system and it is magic. Before the GUI, it was the only way to do things and before that, people use to flip switches too. So, go on Virginia, tell me that doing things by console is as sad as working with switches and I will laugh at you! Now, Virigina may say: we have powerful IDE's that help us develop in other operating systems (including Linux), so why say that you love Linux because of development? I never said that was the only reason. I said that I love Linux because it gets the job done, just as you love Windows because, it gets the job done for you!
For example, I love the fact that I have the power to customize with ease my desktops. I love being able to use tools and commands with great alacrity in a robust CLI. Not everyone loves that, but then again, the users that I have migrated to Linux from Windows, despite the learning curve, find that with a Distro such as Ubuntu or Mint, they get the advantages of having a GUI desktop while the power and simplicity of the Linux CLI is simply an icon press away. That being said, it has been a long relationship for me and the Linux OS and I don't see myself changing my working habits any time soon.
So if you are a Linux user and you are asked, why do you use Linux, I suggest that you give the simplest and most obvious reason and respect the fact that someone may not agree with you. Remember, that in the end, all computers are alike. Ultimately, they use binary to compile the constructs that provide the user interfaces that we all use. We should be thankful for the diversity of Operating Systems in computing and learn to love the very best of each one.
Yes, Virginia(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes,_Virginia,_there_is_a_Santa_Claus), there is a console inside of the Windows operating system and it is magic. Before the GUI, it was the only way to do things and before that, people use to flip switches too. So, go on Virginia, tell me that doing things by console is as sad as working with switches and I will laugh at you! Now, Virigina may say: we have powerful IDE's that help us develop in other operating systems (including Linux), so why say that you love Linux because of development? I never said that was the only reason. I said that I love Linux because it gets the job done, just as you love Windows because, it gets the job done for you!
For example, I love the fact that I have the power to customize with ease my desktops. I love being able to use tools and commands with great alacrity in a robust CLI. Not everyone loves that, but then again, the users that I have migrated to Linux from Windows, despite the learning curve, find that with a Distro such as Ubuntu or Mint, they get the advantages of having a GUI desktop while the power and simplicity of the Linux CLI is simply an icon press away. That being said, it has been a long relationship for me and the Linux OS and I don't see myself changing my working habits any time soon.
So if you are a Linux user and you are asked, why do you use Linux, I suggest that you give the simplest and most obvious reason and respect the fact that someone may not agree with you. Remember, that in the end, all computers are alike. Ultimately, they use binary to compile the constructs that provide the user interfaces that we all use. We should be thankful for the diversity of Operating Systems in computing and learn to love the very best of each one.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The Coming Age of Ubiquity.. and the Death of Desktops and Laptops?
Ubiquity is the buzz word of the decade for the tech community and the hope is that all computing becomes ubiquitous. The major tech corporations are making us more and more dependent upon our cellphones and tablets, emphasizing 24/7 on-line activity. As a consequence, technology is everywhere and so the mantra starts out from the bowels of silicon valley: If we are not ubiquitous, then we cannot be productive. If we are not productive, it is because we are behind the times. If we are behind the times, it is because we do not use the cloud. If we do not use the cloud, it is because we do not feel completely ready to use our cell phones or padja-ma-call-its and tabla-whats-itz as our new desktop/laptop computers, therefore, we fail to be innovative, to be with it, to be, ubiquitous.
Try running a server on an I-pad or on Android OS. Actually you can run them, if you find the right programs, especially with Android (which is more OPEN). Yet, you will find that the idea is far fetched and it does get a bit out of hand. The truth of the matter is that with Microsoft's recent release of Windows 8 and the Surface RT, the coming age of Ubiquity has made itself manifest. Some of us are not willing to part with our maverick ways of creating our own operating systems from scratch or building mammoth towers of silicon wafers and gold strips. There are those of us who are really with it, who know that desktops servers are never going to go out of style and that people still get a kick out of that springy feeling from plastic keys. Did I mention the benefits of large screens versus a future of contact lenses and cataracts due to small screens?
The bet that Microsoft has made is a big one and probably the best. They know that they can no longer make a profit on making operating systems and office applications. Microsoft knows that the real money now is in following more of the Apple model, where hardware and operating system are one. Of course, this causes a great deal of difficulty for all of those OEM's out there who have for so many years been locked into contracts with Microsoft to exclusively install their OS on each machine, and that each machine must meet their expectations in order to receive the Microsoft Seal of Approval. There are many tech pundits out there, who I will not mention, who are sounding the death knell of desktops and laptops, because of this, yet, this is just not the case. Manufacturer's like HP and Dell can innovate and it gives them a greater opportunity to market to niche markets: gamers, enthusiasts, and those of us who still are enamored with the feel of a solid personal computing device at our disposal. We could imagine a future, maybe ten, fifteen years from now, where 50 year olds born in the 1970's will have to train themselves to work the CONN station of the Enterprise-D, typing on glass displays and swiping files with their finger tips, making keyboards, in the words of Montgomery Scott, 'quaint'. It is definitely a stark difference from my early teenage years, learning how to type on a 1945 Royal Typewriter in junior high school.
Eventually the various elements that both power and encase our computers will under go a metamorphosis, from metal and plastic to silicon and crystal : two pieces of gorilla glass fused together, displaying ultra-high resolution graphics at a whopping 4k (and this would be the low end model). Of course this model is for the old folks. It would come with skins to simulate laptops of the past. For the graduating class of 2037, the marketing people thought of everything: the glass would be two way, offering four displays and it could flash whatever you wanted, turning computer users into peacocks Just think what you can put onto the backsides of those displays....
How about this : The tablet could become a simple accessory to control the Holo-Vision's in the home, where some will get to see re-runs of the "The Big Bang Theory" as if you were actually sitting on the sofa with Howard and Penny (wait a minute holograms..... now that is the future of computing). Then someone will say: why make a Holo-Deck, keep it simple, stupid: implant chips into users brains, have contact lenses which display super high definition micro-graphics unto the retina. After having mapped out the sense of touch from every appendage of our body and its effect upon our neurons, we can recreate the sensations, perhaps make it even more intense. It would be like being in your own world (sound familiar, Neo?). If you work hard enough, we can lease this out to you. It will be the new currency: artificial experiences. Have I gone too far? More than likely yes, but the day when holographic spreadsheets can float at the tips of our noses or when even writing this blog is just a blink away, is the day when truly we could say adios to our clunky computers.
Try running a server on an I-pad or on Android OS. Actually you can run them, if you find the right programs, especially with Android (which is more OPEN). Yet, you will find that the idea is far fetched and it does get a bit out of hand. The truth of the matter is that with Microsoft's recent release of Windows 8 and the Surface RT, the coming age of Ubiquity has made itself manifest. Some of us are not willing to part with our maverick ways of creating our own operating systems from scratch or building mammoth towers of silicon wafers and gold strips. There are those of us who are really with it, who know that desktops servers are never going to go out of style and that people still get a kick out of that springy feeling from plastic keys. Did I mention the benefits of large screens versus a future of contact lenses and cataracts due to small screens?
The bet that Microsoft has made is a big one and probably the best. They know that they can no longer make a profit on making operating systems and office applications. Microsoft knows that the real money now is in following more of the Apple model, where hardware and operating system are one. Of course, this causes a great deal of difficulty for all of those OEM's out there who have for so many years been locked into contracts with Microsoft to exclusively install their OS on each machine, and that each machine must meet their expectations in order to receive the Microsoft Seal of Approval. There are many tech pundits out there, who I will not mention, who are sounding the death knell of desktops and laptops, because of this, yet, this is just not the case. Manufacturer's like HP and Dell can innovate and it gives them a greater opportunity to market to niche markets: gamers, enthusiasts, and those of us who still are enamored with the feel of a solid personal computing device at our disposal. We could imagine a future, maybe ten, fifteen years from now, where 50 year olds born in the 1970's will have to train themselves to work the CONN station of the Enterprise-D, typing on glass displays and swiping files with their finger tips, making keyboards, in the words of Montgomery Scott, 'quaint'. It is definitely a stark difference from my early teenage years, learning how to type on a 1945 Royal Typewriter in junior high school.
Eventually the various elements that both power and encase our computers will under go a metamorphosis, from metal and plastic to silicon and crystal : two pieces of gorilla glass fused together, displaying ultra-high resolution graphics at a whopping 4k (and this would be the low end model). Of course this model is for the old folks. It would come with skins to simulate laptops of the past. For the graduating class of 2037, the marketing people thought of everything: the glass would be two way, offering four displays and it could flash whatever you wanted, turning computer users into peacocks Just think what you can put onto the backsides of those displays....
How about this : The tablet could become a simple accessory to control the Holo-Vision's in the home, where some will get to see re-runs of the "The Big Bang Theory" as if you were actually sitting on the sofa with Howard and Penny (wait a minute holograms..... now that is the future of computing). Then someone will say: why make a Holo-Deck, keep it simple, stupid: implant chips into users brains, have contact lenses which display super high definition micro-graphics unto the retina. After having mapped out the sense of touch from every appendage of our body and its effect upon our neurons, we can recreate the sensations, perhaps make it even more intense. It would be like being in your own world (sound familiar, Neo?). If you work hard enough, we can lease this out to you. It will be the new currency: artificial experiences. Have I gone too far? More than likely yes, but the day when holographic spreadsheets can float at the tips of our noses or when even writing this blog is just a blink away, is the day when truly we could say adios to our clunky computers.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Big Apple, Patent Mind
Consumers are human beings. They love products that bring meaning to their lives. Steve Jobs would have agreed to this. The idea was first shown back in 1984, with that famous Apple commercial of a man throwing a big sledge hammer against a gigantic screen. But now, we are not in 1984. Steve Jobs has passed, and although one must wonder what is going through the mind of Tim Cook, whether or not he is simply following a bequest perhaps from Jobs himself regarding these current sorties of lawsuits, or if he is actually thinking that these patent infringment lawsuits can be a win for Apple, I feel that what is happening now is actually starting to look petty and quite sad. If it is true that Apple will now go after the Samsung Galaxy S3 series of phones, and perhaps even other products by the manufacturer, whatever gains they think they will get, I can only assume will pale in comparison to the loss of consumers their actions may cause. Apple needs to remember that they are a publicly owned company, and that in turn, this means that they have an image to protect and maintain. If these lawsuits were designed to put the fear of God into their competition, this is a wasted effort, they are fighting the wrong battle.
For one thing, they are going to be dealing with nation states who, after trying to adjudicate whether Samsung is infringing on Apple's patents, will find in favor of Samsung, for example, Japan. When District Judge Tamotsu Shoji announced his ruling, he stated "It's hard to believe the products belong to the range of technologies of the claimant". This litigal black eye may only be a shiner, but could form what I believe to be an uproar from consumers all over the world. Apple represents the United States in technology and the world thinks that we already swing too big of a bat. If enough of the 'Fan Base' get's it into their heads that these lawsuits are wrong, Apple will lose position and money. With these patent lawsuits going on, if I were an investor, I would think twice before buying an Apple share, since I judge the performance of a company just as other investors in the market do, by their earnings per share. If we have people all of the sudden bailing out of purchasing Apple devices or trading them in because of these lawsuits, I see the EPS going down. Another question I would ask is how much is it costing Apple to actually do all of these lawsuits? Upon reading the PC World article, "Apple Targets Galaxy S III, Note in Latest Legal Action" (http://www.pcworld.com/article/261800/apple_targets_galaxy_s_iii_note_in_latest_legal_action.html) I started to read some of the comments in the blog. If you get a chance, do the same. You will find some people using the words like "hate" and a sentiment of cessation of purchasing Apple products. Some will be switching to Android, just because they are disgusted with the actions of Apple. As of the writing of this blog entry, which began on September 1st, 2012 at 12:20 pm EST, I still saw no real pro-Apple people commenting, and the reason for this? Because some of their owners are normal consumers that love Apple, but may start to hate the actions of the corporation in general. Of course, you will have some that will come out and say, "Apple has the right to protect their creation.". However, the current problems in Patent law now are that corporations keep testing boundaries, and some of the rulings being done are short-sighted, if not down right incompetent and the actions taken by Apple will have terrible repurcussions in the future, that will impact Apple negatively, not positively.
In conclusion, I want to remind Apple that what has made them loved by many is the 'feeling' one gets from using an Apple device. This feeling is substantially different from using a Samsung device, not only because of the function of the devices, but because of the history, but in any relationship, history only goes so far. Eliminate the history by your present actions, and lose the love of the consumers and that of Wall Street as well and all of that liquid cash will go down the drain of ignominy.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
N900, Long Overdue
Some may be asking why I have taken so long to go ahead and do a review on this device? Part of the reason has been my past experiences with the Nokia N800. With an open source device of this type, you really have to wait until the community has worked with the device to really see its potential. In the case of the MAEMO/LINUX/Hacking community, it usually is about six months, but I chose the cycle of "a year n' two"... that is one year, two months, as the maturation period for this sort of device. I should be ready to give a full review within the next couple of weeks, with something a bit different.... I will be talking about the various hacks that are available with this device, testing those hacks, discussing best tutorials for the device and its customizations, etc. It should keep this blog busy consistently through the end of the year, just on the subject of the N900.
I am not in the position to go and say that I will throw away the IPHONE 3g for this device, although after losing some very precious rare videos recently, I very nearly went dashed it to a thousand pieces, I have my reasons for selecting this device, which the review will show soon enough. I have noticed far too many threads on YouTube, and other blogs sites, where the opinion has been basically to tell other users that they suck for being part of a proprietary lie, or on the other side that N900 sucks because its full of open sores.... very childish, not very smart. In all honesty, it comes down to what the device can do for the user. It is my hope that within the next few months I will be able to keep this type of objectivity going.
Til then,
mrgnu
P.S.
GO JETS!!!!!
I am not in the position to go and say that I will throw away the IPHONE 3g for this device, although after losing some very precious rare videos recently, I very nearly went dashed it to a thousand pieces, I have my reasons for selecting this device, which the review will show soon enough. I have noticed far too many threads on YouTube, and other blogs sites, where the opinion has been basically to tell other users that they suck for being part of a proprietary lie, or on the other side that N900 sucks because its full of open sores.... very childish, not very smart. In all honesty, it comes down to what the device can do for the user. It is my hope that within the next few months I will be able to keep this type of objectivity going.
Til then,
mrgnu
P.S.
GO JETS!!!!!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Xoom Xooming above $799.00
Watch the Benjamin's folks!! It appears that Motorola's Xoom is rumored to be priced above $799.99. Various sites like Engadet and Tablets Planet are reporting of a leak where at the minimum we are looking above $799.00 for the newest and most powerful entry into the Android universe yet. However, despite the sure possibility of high price, Motorola may be trying to follow the profitability trend of the Samsung's Galaxy Tab, whose price point remains high above the $600 mark, but has sold over 1.6 million units to date. As far as the Xoom information goes this is merely buzz, and not official. Forays into Motorolas site still show that its in the coming soon stage. We will keep you updated as more information comes in.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Predictions in Phone and Mobile Technolgy for 2011
If one puts two and two together, they will get four. We live in amazing times, where two plus two is starting to equal five, which, I actually love, since that little extra one is not going to hurt. No, not one bit. If I may opine...
First, we have seen two main platforms, plus one, rising to prominence: Apple, Android and now Windows Phone 7. The first is programed in Objective C, restricted to using only MACS for development. The second in JAVA with its SDK from Google, with packages available for Linux, MAC OS, and Windows, and the last of course, Windows Phone 7, which can use the free tools available from MSDN, using Visual Studio Express etc...
Apple has set the bar for how a mobile device can create a definitive end user experience, that can envelop all aspects of the users life. However, it is my belief that Apple knows that the IPHONE is reaching the end of its product cycle. Apple may not be thinking about having the MAC of Phones here, although in many ways, it can be considered that this is what has happened, and wherever demand lies, they can always fill that demand, but there is only so much that can be done with the current IPHONE product. HTC has been bringing forward innovations, and to my surprise, Microsoft may have created what appears to be the next level for phones in respects to their current platform. The combination between HTC and Windows Phone 7 is bringing about what I believe the next level in mobile phone technologies, specifically focusing in on the cloud. The Android platform is also in an excellent position, a place that should have Apple worried, or else why should they not worry? I would like to posit my theory on why Apple does not need to be concerned.
Apple loves IPAD. Apple knows that even staunch Windows users are using their IPAD. While users of Linux may still want to go to an Android Pad, there are linux aficionados buying their IPAD. Apple hit the mark with the IPAD, which begs the question, will it move this product to the next level? I believe yes. So... here is my prediction for 2011:
Apple will come out with a 5 gen IPHONE.
Apple will come out with a 2 gen IPAD that will be a merging between a portable MAC BOOK and IPAD, which may not even be called IPAD. It will be a fully functioning laptop computer.
Apple's fifth gen IPHONE, in hardware design, will be the last generation for the phone.
IPAD or whatever it will become, will be a menace to companies like HP, Samsung, Dell, Archos, Nokia, and others that have ideas or intentions to build tablet computers.
IPAD will become a menace to Microsoft and Sony in gaming consoles, since the IPAD development will also center on gaming and pushing the limits of whatever processor will be in the IPAD.
* (this one is a bit iffy, but I m throwing it in anyway) Apple will secure the control of media devices, creating an IPAD that will supplant tv top web interfacing devices like the Roku Box, Boxee and merge the technologies in Apple tv seamlessly with their IPAD or IPAD like device.
It will have a sharper display, and higher resolution HD, if possible.
The laptops and net-books, especially INTEL'S Atom processor, that I touted almost two years ago as becoming mainstays, will start to see reduction in sales, since the new device will be a phenomenon.
I am predicting these things as they befit the natural order. I am sure there are others out there that may think the same as I, but I have no insider information. I only see these things coming to pass, and if I am wrong so be it. I am placing bets that all of my predictions come to be, if not some of them, either which way...
so says mrgnuopensourceman... let's see if this is another successful prediction...
First, we have seen two main platforms, plus one, rising to prominence: Apple, Android and now Windows Phone 7. The first is programed in Objective C, restricted to using only MACS for development. The second in JAVA with its SDK from Google, with packages available for Linux, MAC OS, and Windows, and the last of course, Windows Phone 7, which can use the free tools available from MSDN, using Visual Studio Express etc...
Apple has set the bar for how a mobile device can create a definitive end user experience, that can envelop all aspects of the users life. However, it is my belief that Apple knows that the IPHONE is reaching the end of its product cycle. Apple may not be thinking about having the MAC of Phones here, although in many ways, it can be considered that this is what has happened, and wherever demand lies, they can always fill that demand, but there is only so much that can be done with the current IPHONE product. HTC has been bringing forward innovations, and to my surprise, Microsoft may have created what appears to be the next level for phones in respects to their current platform. The combination between HTC and Windows Phone 7 is bringing about what I believe the next level in mobile phone technologies, specifically focusing in on the cloud. The Android platform is also in an excellent position, a place that should have Apple worried, or else why should they not worry? I would like to posit my theory on why Apple does not need to be concerned.
Apple loves IPAD. Apple knows that even staunch Windows users are using their IPAD. While users of Linux may still want to go to an Android Pad, there are linux aficionados buying their IPAD. Apple hit the mark with the IPAD, which begs the question, will it move this product to the next level? I believe yes. So... here is my prediction for 2011:
Apple will come out with a 5 gen IPHONE.
Apple will come out with a 2 gen IPAD that will be a merging between a portable MAC BOOK and IPAD, which may not even be called IPAD. It will be a fully functioning laptop computer.
Apple's fifth gen IPHONE, in hardware design, will be the last generation for the phone.
IPAD or whatever it will become, will be a menace to companies like HP, Samsung, Dell, Archos, Nokia, and others that have ideas or intentions to build tablet computers.
IPAD will become a menace to Microsoft and Sony in gaming consoles, since the IPAD development will also center on gaming and pushing the limits of whatever processor will be in the IPAD.
* (this one is a bit iffy, but I m throwing it in anyway) Apple will secure the control of media devices, creating an IPAD that will supplant tv top web interfacing devices like the Roku Box, Boxee and merge the technologies in Apple tv seamlessly with their IPAD or IPAD like device.
It will have a sharper display, and higher resolution HD, if possible.
The laptops and net-books, especially INTEL'S Atom processor, that I touted almost two years ago as becoming mainstays, will start to see reduction in sales, since the new device will be a phenomenon.
I am predicting these things as they befit the natural order. I am sure there are others out there that may think the same as I, but I have no insider information. I only see these things coming to pass, and if I am wrong so be it. I am placing bets that all of my predictions come to be, if not some of them, either which way...
so says mrgnuopensourceman... let's see if this is another successful prediction...
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