While I was working on rescuing an old iBook (Tangerine clamshell) I heard Leo, the KFI tech guy, suggest Xubuntu to a caller. So, I grabbed the live CD ISO of Edgy Eft (version 6.10) and gave it a try, all I can say is wow! The developers have put together a very nice distro for low powered PC’s. Using Xubuntu I was able to confirm that the iBook hardware was OK and make an extra copy of all the data files in preparation for re-installing Mac OS-X. For a more in-depth review see Xubuntu Gets Edgy by Caitlyn Martin over at the O’Reilly site.
Can't get Joost? Try Instant Media
I haven’t yet been accepted to try out the Joost system. In catching up on netcasts this week I heard that the Podfather, Adam Curry hasn’t either so at least I’m in good company.
I don’t think I’ve written about the Instant Media program before, It’s an IP TV aggregator program that I use to get DL.TV, Cranky Geeks and Vintage Tooncasts. The IM program is for Windows XP only but that covers most of the worlds broadband internet users. I have been using this program for a long time now and I like it!
Per Ardua Ad Astra
Thanks to Dr. Phil Plait for reminding me of the anniversary of this tragic event.
Apollo 1 fire: 40 years ago today
I was only seven years old when this happened but, I still remember how sad I was at the loss of some of my heroes. Growing up in the sixties, the NASA Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts inspired my lifelong love of science. They risked their lives on every mission to expand the boundaries of science. His blog post talks about it better than I can.
FYI – Per ardua ad astra means, Through difficulty to the stars.
Overcoming Bias: Outside the Laboratory
PZ Myers (Pharyngula blog) has pointed me to an excellent thought provoking article.
Overcoming Bias: Outside the Laboratory
Of course now I’m going to end up spending hours reading other posts at the Overcoming Bias site.
This is the TRUTH?
What do you think? Visit this link: The Science Creative Quarterly
Some very funny products
If you need some joke gifts check out BlueQ.com
Why is the age of rocks important?
A great article with an answer is here: “300 million year old rock”
Free IPTV from the Skype founders
An article in this weeks EETimes, Skype founders prep free Internet TV, lead me to check these guys out: Joost. First look seems very interesting, I’ve applied for the beta program. I’ll post about my experiences soon.
Kent Hovind sentenced
Thanks to Pharyngula for this post: Kent Hovind: 10 years! I’m glad to see that even a right-wing fundametalist law breaker gets what’s coming to them.
Sadly he has so many crazy followers I suspect he’ll get his fines paid and continue to preach his nonsense from his jail cell. So far I have not met a single evangelical preacher who appears to be in any business other than taking advantage of the emotions and lack of intelligence of their followers. They all seem to be in it only for the fame, power and money it brings them.
TurboCAD Learning Edition
As I’ve pointed out on my web pages, I think TurboCAD Learning Edition is an excellent 2D CAD program. Sadly it is no longer available from the publisher. However TurboCAD Learning Edition is still available at FreeCAD.com.
Paul Hutchinson's Blog 