GZ Expat, Part II

Counting it Down...

Life Without Windows...Ubuntu VPN Resolved; Fathers Day

The final link in the Ubuntu puzzle has been solved.  After hours of scouring the Ubuntu Forums (there is an overload of information contained in there and questions repeated over and over...particularly for the problem I have been experiencing), I finally stumbled across the answer I was looking for. That post and others made me believe that you just cannot connect to a VPN server (especially a Windows server) while running on a static ip address.

All I had to do was go back into the Network Manager and save my static ip settings as a location...then, click on the 'enable roaming network' and viola...VPN connection.  Now, if I want to connect on the VPN, I just have to go shut the static ip off...and then when I am done, if I need the static ip, I can go switch it back on by changing the 'location id' on the Netwrok Manager.  Not ideal, but it works. 

So, for the past couple days, I have been full on Ubuntu.  The only thing I need Windows for is MS Money and Nero (I really like the DVD burning software of Nero and I really don't want to switch to something that is a bit more cumbersome).

OK...so this is about as geeky as I can get...but Ubuntu is so much fun.  When I find problems I can scour hundreds of pages of information on people trying to help eachother out of the jams...while not having to pay someone at Microsoft to maybe help me out if I am nice. 

Fathers Day:

Tai-Tai took me out on Sunday to go shopping and have lunch.  The shopping trip was to the department store to pick out a new phone for myself.  My current phone is only a year or so old, but the face keeps falling off of it, especially in the humid weather.  The glue gets all gummy and it bubbles up and falls off.  PITA! 

So, we looked, but I just couldn't buy anything without first checking it out on the internet.  All of the phones available here have only Chinese language operators manuals...so, its better to get the full scoop online to compare.

I promised Tai-Tai that I would look it up after we got home from lunch, and if I liked it, I would go to a store in which the prices are a little bit lower and pick one up there at lunchtime.  So, I did. 

I'll be sure to try and snap some photos and get some pics uploaded for all to see.  The phone is much more of a serious camera with phone attached...not much in terms of any other capabilities.  It's just what I really wanted.  I don't do the mp3 player that much on my current phone and I don't really need all the GPS and crap that it comes with either.  I like taking pictures and having a decent quality camera with me for those times when I need it is a bonus for me.

Life Without Windows...Ubuntu...Part II

Ubuntu is back on my computer.  This time, I did a proper install...partitioning off my hard drive and giving it enough space to breathe, without working through Windows. 

So...the first order of business was to download and install 162 package updates, which are still in the works.  Once those are completed and I reboot...we'll see how things are going.

I am resigned to the fact that I will have to keep Windows going, for only one program...as there aren't any decent alternatives (that I know of yet) for MS Money.  Other than that, I really enjoy the learning experience of poking around Ubuntu, as well as the lightweight feel of the thing.  It's not only the feel...I partitioned off 10G for the operating system program files (not including my personal documents and settings) and after installation, there is still 6G left over. 

I'll let you know more tomorrow about how things go with the installation.

Life Without Windows...er...Ubuntu?!

This isn't what I expected. 

Last night I switched back to Ubuntu (now that the Stanley Cup Finals are over and the games are safely in hand) and made a couple adjustments and got that bloody static IP to work on it.  The changes were incredibly simple...it was just a matter of searching for the right answer in all the great info that is out there on how to use Ubuntu.

After i finished up that, there were a load of updates waiting for me in download and install.  So, once I was finished for the night, I clicked the icon, noticed it would take 4 hrs to download (love my connection speeds here) and walked away...g'night.

This morning, I woke up to a frozen screen.  Sometime during the night, we lost the connection...the computer was locked up solid, so I shut it off and switched it back on; selected Ubuntu as my operating system...black screen.  Nothing. 

Reboot again and pop into Windows XP...no problem.  Everything functioning normally.  Once again, reboot and try to fire up Ubuntu.  Black screen...nothing.

Figuring I hadn't made that many changes to Ubuntu in the first place and I pretty much remembered what worked and what didn't, I decided to uninstall it via Wubi, and then try and reinstall from the original version I had before.  So...I do that. 

Black screen.

I'm incredibly sad.  I really liked Ubuntu and I wanted to use it as my primary operating system (needed to keep Windows for a few programs that just don't translate into Linux)...but, now I cannot even get it operating on my system any longer.  I know there is some piece of code out there that is preventing it from operating...but I haven't a clue where to start. 

Life Without Windows - Paused

My foray into Ubuntu 8.04 has been put on temporary hold.  I ran into a snafu with running Azureus and locking in a static ip address.  You see...I cannot live without my bit torrent access.

While attempting to find a replacement for MS Money in Ubuntu this weekend (which, BTW, I have determined cannot be done, despite what people say about this program), I was booting back and forth between Ubuntu and Windows.  After I was finished with what I was doing, I went back into Ubuntu and found that Azureus was no longer working properly.  So, I started checking into ports and IP addresses.  After searching around, I found that Ubuntu uses dhcp addresses exclusively and every time I booted up, it would change my ip address, rendering any port and static ip I had set on the router useless. 

I did a fair bit of poking around and found that I can change the ip address in Ubuntu, its just a bit more involved than I really ever become in my operating systems.  Up to this point, Ubuntu had been surprisingly easy to use and learn...but this one item really threw me for a loop for a bit. 

I booted back to Windows, because I know how to set the static ip up in there.  Once I got it reset in Windows and my router all squared away with an open port, I left the desktop on Windows for the time being.  With the Stanley Cup finals underway, I just don't want to run into any problems that could preclude me from hooking up with my next fix for a game.  So, for now, I am back to Win XP...but, I miss my Ubuntu.

Life Without Windows; Ubuntu 8.04

Ever since I first heard about Ubuntu, I've had one eye on it.  I was especially drawn to it after the past year of struggling with Vista on a newly puchased laptop.  If someone were to ask you what the opposite of Windows was, they might say Mac...but I say Ubuntu.  It's light, simple, easy to use and the one thing it has on both Microsoft and Apple...it's free.

I downloaded the latest version (8.04) about a month ago, along with the latest version of Kubuntu.  I would boot the CD's and run the light version of both to get a feel for each of them and which one I thought I preferred.  Kubuntu is graphic.  A beautiful interface that is very easy on the eyes and simple to find what you need.  Ubuntu is more simpler and more friendly for a home user (hell, there are games included with Ubuntu...not Kubuntu). 

After a few trials, I wanted to take it a step further and get Ubuntu on my hard drive and really figure out if its what I wanted.  I thought about buying an extra laptop...cheap...just to load the system on and see what it could do.  But, Tai-Tai shot that one down.  Then, I read several blogs that had people installing an extra hard drive and loading it on that.  That's cheaper.  But, with 8.04 you get the option of actually loading it as though it were any other Windows program.  It asked you to set aside some disk space for the install and off it goes. 

I had some initial problems with this, as the CD's I had burned wouldn't read properly.  So, I had to open the ISO file on to my hard drive and then install it from the hard drive.  Took a little work...but it was faster loading.

Once Ubuntu loaded and Windows rebooted, I was given a new boot screen in which I could decide which system to boot to - default was Win XP.  Once you select Ubuntu, it takes you right into the system.  They say the disk speed is a little slower...but, I could hardly notice.  Just a couple more updates of software and you are ready to roll with it.

Getting bit torrents to load and share was a task while I figured out the port settings and static ip address inputs for the computer...but got them going.  I am still struggling with getting WiTopia running...I have done everything they have said, but it just doesn't want to connect.  I've looked into replacing MS Money and that appears to be a long shot.  I may have to just start over if I completely dump Windows.

Bottom line, this operating system is fantastic.  I love the simplicity and how light it feels and operates.  There isnt' a load of crap in there that I don't want...there is a catalog with a load of crap that I can download and install if I want to...but they don't force it on you from the get go.  Bravo.  The graphics aren't as good as Vista or XP...but, I think that will come around with more upgrades. 

The more I test this and the more comfortable I get with it...the more likely I am going to say good bye to Microsoft.  Ubuntu is built by the users, so they thoroughly understand the consumer.  Microsoft has gotten completely out of touch with their consumer and have produced systems that are more what they want, rather than what we want (ever notice this downturn with MS sort of started when Bill Gates stepped away from the business??).

UPDATE:  Randomly clicking things works...I got my WiTopia VPN connection rolling.  Next step...importing MS Money (which I hear is nearly impossible).

The Laptop Saga Continues

It's been stewing for a while and today I finally did it.  Tai-Tai has been struggling with the laptop...you remember, the one that came installed with Vista...and I finally dug into it and cleaned it up. 

When booting up, it would take, at a minimum, 15 minutes to complete its sequence.  And, after it completed all of that, the networking wouldn't work and many of the security features as well.  It was just getting to be a pile of junk that we wanted th throw against the wall.  So, I dinked around with some of the settings...nothing seemed to help.  Then, I went where I have never gone before...recovery disk. 

I backed up as many files as I could...including emails with all those product keys for software I foolishly purchased for this monster.  Rebooted into the 'safe' mode, since that was the only way I could get the computer to work at a decent rate...and I clicked on the recovery partition that HP set aside on the machine. 

I started the process around 4:00pm...and have now just finished up reactivating, downloading and setting up all of the major software bits that are needed; it's 10pm.  I am happy to say that the recovery disks worked nicely...the entire machine is back to factory settings and it works like a charm.  Strange.  Wonder if in 6 months I will have to do this again?

After completing the recovery disks...the first thing I did was download Thunderbird and Firefox and try and get those set up.  After struggling a bit with T-bird, I finally remembered about the port settings and made a quick change...presto...it worked.  Firefox was an easy download.  Then, there was the reactivation of MS Office...which took me a while to find my account with them...but I finally did and go the activation code.  Norton was the final straw...but the activation code I had was expired...so an email went out and I received a message fairly quickly asking for more information in order they can assist me. 

All of that...and I cooked pizza's on the BBQ too!  Yikes. 

So, I can say it again...Vista sucks.  I should never have had to do this.  I think it is from some software I downloaded to help out with video and photo work...obviously, most software is not compatible with Vista...even some of the stuff that came on this box.

Virus' are bad

It's my own fault...but, my new, blazing fast desktop was infected with these three virus...and its dead.  I have to reload Windows and all of the other programs.  But, at least my documents are still safe and sound as they were kept off the C: drive with Windows.  It figures...the day before the holiday, something like this happens. 

Be sure to load and run your anti-virus software often...ahem. 

Computer Updates

I spent the better part of yesterday cleaning up and updating versions of software that I have been using.  The most expensive of which...Microsoft Office and Money.

Imagine this...I clicked on the icon for the Trial Update on the desktop.  Up pops this keen little interface to sign up for the trial version of any office platform you would like.  Well, I already did that, I wanted to figure out how to upgrade to the full version.  There was a link there to click that said something about 'enter your activation key', so I did that.  The computer opened Word and threw up a new document.  That was it...I have this blank document staring at me.  What next??????

So, I went online and poked around with Microsoft and found my account and found where I could enter in all the info to pay for my version of Office.  I began entering my information...as my billing address is a PO Box, it tells me that I need to enter a 'shipping' address with a valid address.  Uhhh...but you aren't 'shipping' me anything, I am downloading!!  OK...shipping address it is.  Click.

Error.  Your shipping address cannot be a PO Box.

It ISN'T!!  My billing address is!!  No matter what I tried to do, it wouldn't allow the billing address to be different from the shipping address.  Ugghghghgh.  So, I changed it and it worked. 

Then, I get the key to unlock the program...what do I do with it???  No instructions.  I look it up on MS and the instructions are:  In MS Office 07, click File, then...  First off, in Office 07 there is no FILE item on the menu...unlike every other version they have ever had.  So, I went back to the initial trial program I noted above...did the same thing as before...and I got the same blank Word document in return.

HTF do you enter the code?!?!??!?!  After much poking and prodding (and out-loud bitching), I decided to go to the 'About' option in the help file...presto!  There it was.  Entered the key and I was on my way.

1 hour.  Why couldn't they write clear instructions to take you exactly to this location?? 

Next up...Microsoft Money 2007.  Again, I have been using a trial version and decided to go ahead and buy the full version.  I've been using Money since 1996, I think and I am used to the interface...it makes sense.  This is one program that MS makes that I sort of like.  Anyway, I go for the trial upgrade...there is a link on the program when I initially open it, click.  Verify my information...click to upgrade.  Done.  It begins downloading the latest version and I am on my way. 

10 minutes.

Same company...two completely different interfaces for purchasing software.  WHY??!! 

I must say though...the ability to post directly to your blog from Word 07 is a very cool feature that Tai-Tai will be using frequently.  But, they have completely changed up the icons and interfaces of each of the big three of programs...its confusing for veteran, established users of PowerPoint, Excel and Word.

And then I think of Ubuntu...in which these big three programs are included in the operating system...for free.  <sigh> 

Fun with Photos

I've been using Adobe's Photoshop Album Starter for a couple years, mainly to just organize and easily upload pictures from my camera to the computer.  I don't really do a lot of editing of photos that I take, but I have always been interested in picking up the full version of the starter kit, Photoshop Elements 5.0. 

I use Photoshop at work and in one word it is...complicated.  You really have to take some time to practice and learn all of the nuances of the system in order to get it to work for you.  When I downloaded 5.0, I was thinking it would be similar...but its actually pretty easy to use.  It combines the interface of the photo album edition, with the complexity of the raw Photoshop program.  I like what I see so far.

One of the things I do miss about the old days of photography is the simplicity of black and white photos.  When I started taking pictures back in high school, the ease and savings of purchasing a 100 foot roll of Tri-X film and rolling my own 36 exposure rolls was fun.  Spotting photos and viewing them in black and white eyes takes time to learn and with the advent of digital film, I seem to have lost my eye for it.  But, with this new Photoshop technology, it's simple to convert pictures to black and white and see what they look like.   But, admittedly, there is something really cool about working in a darkened room with a red glow on new prints you have just developed.  The surprise you get when the photo comes into view and the surprise of the depth in the shades of gray.

So, as I continue to update and upload photos to my photoblog, I hope to enhance them a bit more with this new tool I've picked up.