Third day of Linux Experiences

Hey Folks,

I'll start by saying that one of the first things I did today was to open up my computer using Windows, just because I had to do one annotation in OneNote. Afterward I switched back to Linux and been working since.

The first thing I did was to attempt to open my personal life goals journal (done in Word ooxml format) using OpenOffice. Bad Luck. The formatting of the document (had pictures, text boxes and all that stuff) was really messed up, so I started looking out for a way to install Microsoft Office 2007/2010 on my Linux OS. The idea of this experiment is not to get 100% open source (after all by the Open Source Purity standards I shouldn't even have Ubuntu Restricted Extras and the propietary drivers installed, after all) but to get a computer in a really good condition for a regular user to be able to use it without having to put up a lot of effort. After all the Ubuntu idea is to have a computer to be able to be used by everybody and we have to take into account also that there are a lot of things that are propietary/company made.

On the other hand I had a particular problem yesterday, I started using my computer on battery and without the cooling board (it has fans connected via USB) to check out how long would the battery last. It lasted about the same as using it with windows and seconds after I connected it back again to power the computer shot down because of overheating (This HP Tablet PCs really have a overheating problem). and using it today I've felt it warms up as much as using it on windows. So there I have one mith debunked, Linux computers can use the same resources as Windows ones.

So far the experiment has been really good. I haven't had the need or desire to get to windows far beyond the OneNote (and posibly any job I HAVE to do with MS Office and can't be done with anything else (Sorry folks but though OpenOffice does a nice job I receive lots of ooxml type files that just don't open right on OpenOffice).

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For those who ask what kind of job I'm doing to know how much power I'm asking to my computer:

To quickly resume what has been my work so far. I've worked with three virtual desktops provided by the compiz interface, managing both (at first just one) of the cores on a on demand/power save energy profile and listening to music or having a movie played in one desktop; chatting via aMSN (really cool program) and browsing the time loss pages (facebook, mail, etc) on the second desktop and using a browser with 5 to 15 open tabs on the third desktop.

Think Different

That's what the Mac people said some time ago, and that is a really true statement regarding Operating Systems and one of the first things to take into account when you are entering into an unexplored territory.

This past Saturday I installed Ubuntu Linux in my computer and had a very good impression of it. At first I had a lot of trouble installing the wireless driver, attempting first to make work an open source driver I ended locking it up to the system and being unable to remove it to put the right one, so by being am ignorant on the issue I took the easy path and reinstalled the system.

Beforehand I must say I've been a Windows user pretty much my entire life and been a little far from Linux so far, due mainly because of my past job experiences. Nevertheless I truly think that you must really commit to following the rules also regarding software and that's quite an issue in a region where over 50% of the software isn't legal. Though I have all of my software legal (except one or two games, they're really expensive) I know for a fact lot of people don't have legal software and don't mind not having it, and as part of my training as a computers consultant focusing on the little user I should really get to try Open Source alternative for those people who can't afford proprietary software.

Once this issue was sorted out and the correct drivers got installed I started Experimenting

with the system, first getting the so acclaimed Compiz visual effects to work (they're really cool by the way), later putting the system a little bit more like I'm used to (Have a confession to make, love the menu bar on the bottom and the desk as clean as possible, Windows Style).

So far I've had really good impressions. among those are:

• Compiz: really cool effects. Have to keep on browsing all it's options.
• Less processor use, thus less computer overheating (I have an HP Tablet PC and they suck with the heating issue.
• More responsiveness: I have a 2.1 Ghz processor, I'm limiting it to only 5252 Mhz and having the same response, even better considering the computer isn't overheating.
• Loads of software, free, ready to use and really easy to install. Even easier than the windows software (when using Ubuntu Software Center or debian packages, so far what I've been told is that installing without one of these installers can be a real pain in the ass.

And some issues:

• Initially the problem with the wireless driver (hate being on cables nowadays)
• A little bit of confusion with all of the Compiz functions. (A brief side description of the functions would be great)
• Lacking to address the issue with the other peripherals (tablet, fingerprint, etc)
• Ubuntu restricted Extras. Thanks to Zack Whittaker experiments and the readers comments on my second install that was one of the first thing I installed. This should be default in the installation (and leave the Purist Open Source crap behind, both propietary and Open Source can co-exist).

On overall effect I really enjoyed the Linux experience and it gives me the chance to keep using the files stored in my Windows partition, so the most likely thing is that I'll keep using the system at least for a week having an intense use. Though I don't commit not to get to Windows from time to time I'll be using Linux most of the time, and I guess I'll be having a good experience. On the other hand I'm starting semester right now and will attempt to keep using Linux as most as I can. It's good for my personal experience and good for my computer (less overheating).

On a final note, thanks for Zack Whittaker for doing the experiment and giving me the push to start doing this experiment and loads of thanks to his readers for giving me the chance to receive third-hand experience advise.

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On a separate note for those techies who wonder what's my computer's configuration:

• HP Pavilion tx2500 Tablet PC
• AMD Turion x2 64 2.1 Ghz dual core processor
• 3 Gb RAM
• 250 GB hard drive, 60 Gb dedicated to Linux, 190 to Windows.
• Ati Radeon 3200 HD graphics card, using ATI/AMD propietary FGLRX graphics driver
• Wacom active passive integrated Tablet (not working the passive part yet)
• Digital persona integrated fingerprint reader
• Multi-card reader (not tested yet, though it appears to be detected by the system)
• Multimedia Buttons (working most of them to my amazement)
• Multimedia infrared control (not working)
• Iomega 1 TB driver (mounts and dismounts perefectly)
• Broadcom Wireless card using Broadcom STA Driver
• Installed OSs: Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and Ubuntu 9.10 x64

Thinking about User Interface

Zack Whittaker is doing an interesting experiment that is going for 48 hours fully Open source. That got me thinking about the Office suites issue. Being extremely simplistic you can either go for Microsoft's Office 2007/2010 or go for OpenOffice 3.2 (I know on both ends, open source and propietary, there are lot's more suites and those will also have part on this post).
The major difference between this two suites is the User Interface, on one hand we have the office fluent interface (a.k.a Ribbon) and we have on the other hand the old icon and toolbar based aproach of OpenOffice (and most of ther office Suites). reading about OpenOffice's Rennaissance project got me thinking what would be the ideal User interface for an office suite, taking into account all the functions this type of programs have and what are User Interface paradigms that were a good option in the past but nowadays are old fashion.

When you get to think of that you see some new User interface ideas that have started to take shape, one of this is the removal of the menus on top of programs to be replaced by other type of functions (Windows Vista/7, office 2007, Google Chrome, etc) the minimalistic approach of some other programs, like Google Chrome, you see they are fond to the users, 'cause user just want to work on the stuff the program is supposed to do and not be bloated by all the characteristics the program has to offer.

Taking this into account, what would be your ideal User interface for a Office suite? Which rules should you follow?, which should you leave behind?

Birth Statement

Today us the first day of the rest of my life, anything I did right or wrong in my past life stays there and I bring with my only the teachings these experiences gave me. Now is the time to break the bonds that tie me to that past 'cause in front of me there's only an unexplored road ready to be ridden. So I'll get in my horse called today and I'll conquer this way.

El tiempo y el amor

Esto es una transcripcion de una conversación que tuve con una amiga, la coloco aqui sin editar para que conserve su escencia inicial. Para leer la idea central solo lean lo que esta en negrilla:

Licuc, coleccionista de cerebros hermosos. says (11:50 a.m.):

*en todo caso el tiempo está pasando rápido, muy rápido

*incluso acá me parece que la vida corre

Alvaro Camilo says (11:50 a.m.):

*no puedo estar mas de acuerdo contigo

Alvaro Camilo says (11:51 a.m.):

*por eso toca dejar que el tiempo pase, uno disfrutar los momentos, apreciar una tarde de sol, un viento que sale volando ligeramente, una tarde de cometas, de contar cuentos, de jugar

Licuc, coleccionista de cerebros hermosos. says (11:52 a.m.):

*ah eso es muy divertido, el viento, las goticas de agua que se fugan con él, las que vienen de las fuentes, más cuando hace calor

Alvaro Camilo says (11:52 a.m.):

*claro, totalmente

*como cuando salio el arcoiris cuando estuvimos en sumapaz o que nos bajamos al lago y disfrutamos el momento de tomar las fotos

Licuc, coleccionista de cerebros hermosos. says (11:53 a.m.):

*qué machera

Alvaro Camilo says (11:53 a.m.):

*toca disfrutar el trabajo que uno haga, sea tratando de promover a que la gente lea, tratando de darle una asesoria a la gente en tecnologia, tratando de hacer que renazca un teatro o que la gente descubra el potencial que tiene

Alvaro Camilo says (11:54 a.m.):

*y toca apreciar la labor que hace cada persona y darle a esa persona todos los recursos y el tiempo que necesite para hacer las cosas bien, toca dejar de correr, porque el mundo hoy en dia por ponerse a correr se ha olvidado de disfrutar el momento y simplemente les pasa por encima como les pasa una nube siendo soplada por un fuerte viento

Licuc, coleccionista de cerebros hermosos. says (11:55 a.m.):

*huy pero estás de un poético

*te va a tocar abrirle paso a esas ideas

Alvaro Camilo says (11:55 a.m.):

*espera que todavia esta rodando la pluma

Alvaro Camilo says (11:56 a.m.):

*dejar que el campesino se tome el tiempo para darle el amor a la tierra y que esta le devuelva los frutos de ella que sean mucho mas sanos y saludables porque han sido creados con amor y pureza

Alvaro Camilo says (11:57 a.m.):

*cuando el campesino nos entrega esos frutos llenos de amor al mercado ayuda a que tengamos mejor estado de salud fisica, cuando aprendemos a apreciar el trabajo bien hecho y con amor encontramos que crecemos mas como personas

Declaracion de dia final

Hola mundo,

Empiezo esta declaración con el primero programa de computador que uno hace porque en estos tiempos es momento de regresar a las raices.

Declaro que estoy muriendo, no se cuantos dias mas vaya a vivir pero a partir de este momento me dedicare a hacer aquellas cosas que me mantengan vivo.

• Comer bien
• Hacer ejercicio
• Cuidar de mi familia y mis amistades
• Disfrutar la labor que hago para tener sustento
• Gozar lo que me provee la naturaleza
• Escribir
• Leer lo que me gusta

Tengo 60 dias contados a partir de la fecha para cumplir esta declaracion y comenzar a ejecutarla.

Espero para entonces seguir vivo...

La comunicacion ahora

Les diria que cerraran los ojos para imaginarse esto pero pues tienen que leer, entonces simplemente imaginense esto.

Erase una vez un sitio donde toda la gente que vivia en el planeta vivia junta, un planeta donde sin importar donde estuvieras si quisieras hablar con una u otra persona lo unico que tenias que hacer es llamarla por su nombre y hablar con esa persona, como si estuviese justo al lado tuya. En este mundo toda la gente podia escucharse los unos a los otros e incluso aquellos mas brillantes en ese mundo podian hasta enviar al aire sus pensamientos.

La facilidad para comunicarse de las personas permite que aprendan lo que deseen aprender, que escuchen lo que deseen escuchar, que lean lo que deseen leer y que esten donde deseen estar en el momento que lo deseen.

Lastimosamente en este planeta hay unos seres que no aceptan que se de comunicacion abierta entre la gente sino que luchan arduamente por impedirla a como de lugar bien llenando la comunicacion de basura o peor aun, luchando arduamente por acabar con todas las formas en que la gente se pueda comunicar, buscando cambiar el arte, la musica, la risa y la belleza de la comunicacion sin limites por un mundo en silencio donde no se piense ni se comunique sino que solo se haga.

Este mundo es nuestro hogar ahora, podemos comunicarnos con quien queramos y tener a esa persona como si estuviese al lado nuestro a pesar que esten a muchos kilometros de distancia, incluso cruzando mares de distancia, podemos ver lo que deseemos, aprender lo que deseemos, escuchar lo que deseemos, leer lo que deseemos. Pero nuestro dia a dia nos nubla y no deja apreciar todas las bellezas que tenemos hoy en dia y para colmo de males hay gente perversa que desea restringir todo lo creado.

Es momento que reflexionemos un poco en eso.