Archive for July, 2006

I’m not a Computer Nerd… (or more FREE software)

Published by
Michael Gerard
at 20 July 2006 in Links and Technology. Closed

There was a comment placed on the site recently by Json over at Broken Soap Box, he said:

I don’t have a vendetta against Mr. Gates or his empire, but if you’re tired of Windows for whatever reason, take it a step further. Use linux :D After a short learning curve that left patches of hair missing from my head, I’ve been Windows free for quite a while now, and I don’t regret the decision at all…. aside from finding a decent FTP app, that is :D

Alright, I’ll fess up, I too have a linux box hidden in the corner… It’s my trusty pal Ubuntu, whom I try to teach new tricks as often as possible. Seriously, though, when mentioning free software, I was slack in forgetting to mention the grand-daddy of it all- Linux. Whatever the flavor you choose or use, Linux is great (and FREE) OS, although geared moe toward “computer users” than the average Joe Public consumer, each year it becomes friendlier and more accessible to the masses.So thank you Json, you’re quite right, Linux is a great alternative. Although I still think the MS-empire is evil.

If you too would like to indulge in some free OS bliss, give Ubuntu Linux a whirl on a secondary or old box. It’s fun, you might like it…

del.icio.us Links for 2006-07-16

Published by
Michael Gerard
at 16 July 2006 in Links. Closed

Here are some more places on the net you might like, but you don’t have to take my word for it… Oh, wait, yes you do…

Where in the world is michael-gerard.com?

Published by
Michael Gerard
at 9 July 2006 in Technology. Closed

If you frequent my blog you might have noticed its absence over the past month and a half. What is going on, you ask? It’s a long story, but here it is in a nutshell…

As you might know, I host eight websites. It is both easier and more economical for me to just use my own computer rather than pay monthly for hosting. That all works perfectly until… Well, enter Murphy and his damnable law. Here’s the breakdown.

12 May 2006 :: My poor, poor PowerMac G5 suddenly stops booting. A quick Apple Hardware Test shows the Logic Board to be bad. Call Apple, get a case number, and give the computer to CompUSA.

23 May 2006 :: Hurrah! My big aluminum baby comes home with a shiny new logic board and power management unit. But still doesn’t work. Call Apple, get a case number, and give the computer back to CompUSA.

12 June 2006 :: One month, no computer. CompUSA installed a new processor, but to no avail. Depression sets in.

23 June 2006 :: One month, eleven days, and still no computer. Albeit, CompUSA does have another logic board, processor, and power management unit on order.

21 June 2006 :: I recieve an invitation to a poorly timed interview (just guess where my entire portfolio is…) On the bright side, I was inspired to borrow my buddy Shaun’s Mac Mini and get as many of the sites as I could back up (since the only backup of the databases for the others is on the G5… argh!)

26 June 2006 :: CompUSA gives up and sends the system back to Apple.

29 June 2006 :: Apple gives up and notifies me that they will be replacing my system.

Sometime soon… michael-gerard.com will reappear with all your favorite posts and downloads on a brand spankin’ new PowerMac G5.

So, does this story have a moral? Is it, don’t take your computer to CompUSA? Well, in fairness, it was going to be. But honestly, CompUSA’s incompetence has had wonderful results. My dual 2.5Ghz PowerMac G5 will be replaced with a quad 2.5Ghz G5 with today’s equivalent of all my built-to-order options. But I digress, the moral of this story is that patience pays off. So take that Murphy.