Saturday, January 17, 2009

A new day


It is a new day and I decided to pick a non-mainstream language and learn it from the inside out. My choice was Python and I have been picking away at Dive Into Python since last Friday and so far so good. It is an interpreted language which means there are obvious limitations including speed, but for quick and easy jobs that require multi-platform support I think it will come in handy.

After I finish the book, I am going to write a web script to enable syncing in my new PasteBox project. This will allow sharing and multiple desktops to access the same data. It will allow me to use it in a real world application so I can get more familiar with the ins and outs.

Next I will be brushing up on my java, since it seems everyone is looking for java these days ;)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Windows 7: First Impressions


Since my hard drive died this week and I needed to re-install Windows XP I figured I would leave a little space for the newest edition of Windows. After an entire day and a few restarts I managed to grab the Windows 7 beta from Microsoft.

To start with I am impressed to say the least. The installation was a breeze, it installed all of the drivers except those for the built in card reader, but that is not the end of the world. And it installed the default Microsoft drivers for my Intel graphics chip, which does not allow me to use the TV out, but again this is a beta. The install went faster then my install of XP and was simple in asking me where I wanted it to live and it went about it's business.

On the first boot it loaded in a snap. Of course, the first thing I did was reconfigure the desktop and install Firefox. All of my regular applications installed like a charm.

The only thing I noticed right off that will take some getting used to is the new task bar. I have only been using it for an afternoon, so far it is a little akward, but I expect it will grow on me.

I originally got this Toshiba Satellite with Vista Home Premium and it chugged out of the gate, after 8 months I broke down and bought an XP license, now I am pondering a Windows 7 license when it is released. Since this machine was a steal at 800.00 plus an XP license 150.00 and a new hard drive this week 90.00 and a Windows 7 license at least 185.00 I am looking at the potential of a 1225.00 laptop with 3 different Windows licenses on it. I am starting to think Microsoft planned Vista this way on purpose.

I love it so far and fear for Ubuntu's grand future since Microsoft may have a new contenter.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

MySQL Enterprise Monitor Test Drive


In our quest to optimize our MySQL powered application I decided to take MySQL Enterprise Monitor for a test drive. It is easy a snap to install and configure the Service Manager and remote Agents on 2 different servers to test. The only real hitch was the Query Proxy, which I am yet to get working.

I figured for $2999 a year their support should be extremely responsive, and I was not disappointed as I received an email in approximately 10 minutes with some troubleshooting steps. Hopefully this issue will be resolved quickly so I can get on with testing the Query Analyzer (the reason for this experiment).

Otherwise the database and server monitoring is rather sophisticated and robust. However for 3k a year US it is a little steep for our operating budget. The plan is to start from the top and work our way down to something in our price range that meets our need to optimize our database and application query usage.

From what I can see MySQL Enterprise Monitor is definitely tops in that regard.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

I think their advertising is working


Serious, I got a new generation 8GB iPod Touch for my birthday over a month ago and I am more hooked on this thing then when I got it.  I am not sure what it is.  This is my first Apple product so I guess I am not used to the simpilicity of it all.  I grew up in Microsoft world, so simplicity is not a word I heard too often.  

Apple's advertising make it seem exciting to own an iPod Touch or iPhone 3G or MacBook or any Apple product, because when my Toshiba Satelitte dies (hopefully not anytime soon) I will most likely be investing in a MacBook as my next mobile office.

Don't get me wrong the iPod Touch is truly the "Funnest iPod Ever", with it's slick interface, fancy gestures and sturdy hardware design, but there is one basic function that would prevent me from replacing my Blackberry with an iPhone:  copy & paste.  

At the end of the day I don't own an iPhone, so really what am I complaining about.

(Image Credit:  Apple)

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex


I was already running Hardy Heron (8.04), but did not feel like working the other night so I thought I would waste that time upgrading to Intrepid Ibex. With a little help from TorrentFreak I was quickly on my way. It took about 3 hours over my wireless connection, but it was worth not having to reinstall applications and reconfigure every aspect of the OS to get it the way I like it.

My only complaint about the upgrade (and this is minor) is that it lost my saved wireless keys. Not a big deal for my home network, but a few of the other networks I visit on a regular basis use a ASCII Hex password which is a pain to re-enter.

According to BootChart I am booting at 38 seconds which is an improvement over not only Hardy Heron, but my XP install as well.

If you are looking for a cheap Windows alternative Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex is a good place to start.

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Missing in Action

Since my last visit a lot has changed.  Jobs, toys and location.
My hours of tinkering with Gentoo, Debian and LFS have given me what I needed to be responsible for the configuration and admin of 4 production quad-processor Sun servers all running Debian and hosting websites for a major media organization.

With a looming host migration I expect to be around more with a updates on what it takes to make the transition with near zero downtime.

Stay tuned.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Ubuntu validates as Genuine Windows

This is worth a share:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=475709

Since Wine can run as Windows 2000 or 98se I can see how this could happen. But it is still funny.