dGuruWu.com

1. Because real computer geeks dislike Microsoft for their bullying tactics in the software industry, invention of their proprietary web standards, and bloated software code.
2. Because Ubuntu is open-source, free, and the source code for most programs and the operating system is generally freely available, therefore easily improved upon and modifiable, whereas Microsoft software is closed-source, paid for, and modifying the operating systems or programs developed for it is likely illegal and next to impossible.
3. Because real computer geeks love the power of being a root superuser at the command line yet also can appreciate the simplicity and ease of a GUI of point-and-click.
4. Because real computer geeks like the idea of knowing that they can re-compile their own kernel, even though most would not bother with it; they would rather not have unnecessary software, processes and device drivers from loading.  In comparison to Windows’s ability to seemingly attract every possible program, process, or applet to auto-start at boot without seeming user awareness or control, Ubuntu is clean, doesn’t auto-start much of anything, and fully kills processes and programs when they’re closed.
5. Because Ubuntu is virtually unaffected and impenetrable to all forms of today’s malware, adware, and viruses, whereas Windows is like a magnet for all things malware.
6. Because real computer geeks think most “regular” people are stupid, and don’t want to use what they use; they are counter-culture type people.
7. Because many real computer geeks are also software developers and would rather work as a team in a transparent, collaborative environment for humanity where most of the software developed largely becomes part of the public’s property under the GPL, rather than the property of a profit-focused, questionably ethical corporations, knowing that they can always get a well-paid job doing a variety of different things that they love to do, and don’t want to work for the evil empire where there is no job security if you can’t do what your told.
8. Because real computer geeks believe in our 1st amendment rights and security to the uttermost and believe that every Microsoft operating system is of questionable integrity due to the fact that nobody really knows what’s going on under the hood of the compiled code.
9. Because real computer geeks believe that their operating systems should be able to be installed from what originated as a freely downloadable iso image (as opposed to a pirated bit torrent copy of one), which requires no serial numbers, product keys, or activation, and they know that if they really need or want to run Windows, they can install it as a virtual operating system as a virtual machine within Ubuntu, even running multiple sessions and flavors of Microsoft operating systems simultaneously ~ whether DOS, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8 (pre-release), Home, Pro, 32bit and/or 64 bit.
10. Because Ubuntu can be run as a desktop system or enterprise server, it is cool, sexy, and efficient and could easily begin to overtake Windows as the dominate desktop operating system in the next decade as it matures into a really fine product, which runs faster on equivalent hardware than Windows, and as Microsoft seems to have lost their mind with the changes to Windows 8.

Be Sociable, Share the Wealth, Don't Be an Information Hog!

• 

Firefox 5 already?  Seems like Firefox 4 just came out.

Read more about it here or here.

Be Sociable, Share the Wealth, Don't Be an Information Hog!

• 

Contra Costa SBDC

The last 3 Wednesdays in a row I have attended seminars put on by the Contra Costa Small Business Development Center related to teaching small businesses the basics of how technology applies to a small business.  ”Wait a second?  Aren’t you a technological guru?  How come you need to get edumucated?”

Well first off, anyone who is an expert in one area of technology, is probably an idiot in another.  Technology is so diverse and rapidly expanding in all directions, it’s important to stay abreast of what others are doing and exposed to because it’s easy to develop tunnel vision.

I have always believed that in whatever level of knowledge one has, that you should teach it.  Teaching what you’ve learned cements the material and helps you understand, remember, and process it better.  By creating a business around educating others, the natural side effect is I become my best student.  I’m usually not that far ahead of my clients in the information department in a lot of areas, it’s just that I choose specific areas to focus on, and have such a wide breadth of knowledge, that really keeps me in business.

The classes I have taken so far are:

• e-marketing
• e-commerce
• project management

I don’t have my laptop, workbook and notes with me now so I won’t get into the details of each class, but I can say that the classes are well worth going to for someone who is interested in getting some guidance in the landscape of technology.  Oh and did I mention they are FREE?

For me it’s more of a chance to get a refresher, but in the case of yesterday’s class ~ project management, I learned a lot about different web hosted project management solutions (so say bye-bye to Microsoft Project).  Between Smart Sheet, Central Desktop, and Base Camp, the one I liked the most was Base Camp, which happens to be the choice of our instructor.  As time goes on and bigger projects are implemented involving sub-contractors and various clients, web hosted project management services will have to replace my shoot-from-the-hip style of doing business.

For more information of coming events visit the Contra Costa SBDC Events page.  Oh, by the way, it looks like their site is designed in… you guessed it, Drupal!

Be Sociable, Share the Wealth, Don't Be an Information Hog!

• 

In this lesson, it’s WordPress again.  Remember, repetition is the key to learning and mastery with technology.  In this video example we will post an article on the upcoming Challenge Match with Allison Fisher and Eleanor Callado at The Broken Rack.

See the final product here:

• Allison Fisher vs. Eleanor Callado ~ 2011 Challenge Match

Be Sociable, Share the Wealth, Don't Be an Information Hog!

• 

This lesson explains how to add a new page under the People section for concordhistory.com.  In this example we are adding information about Dave Brubeck and his family.

Be Sociable, Share the Wealth, Don't Be an Information Hog!

• 

This lesson explains how to post a news article in WordPress for concordhistorical.org.  In this example the news article is in regards to the historical commemoration of Dave Brubeck’s childhood home, and will also be posted in slightly different versions on concordhistory.com.

Be Sociable, Share the Wealth, Don't Be an Information Hog!

•