http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php Copyright 2010, Christian Smith Christian Smith en-US SPHPBLOG 0.5.1 http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090729-061634 In other news, I have officially decided to release my entire blog, going back to the beginning and including my blogspot blog into the Public Domain. You can now use anything I post here for any reason, anywhere. I have decided this change due to reading one too many stories of abuse of the copyright system and have decided that the public domain is where all of my personal works from this point going forth will placed. Have fun!]]> News http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090729-061634 Christian Smith Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:16:34 GMT http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=07&entry=entry090729-061634 http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090709-162533 I own a Blackberry (ATT) for personal use. I also only use Linux at home. I have come across a problem. RIM doesn't have a Linux client (or even Mac) for their desktop manager program. That is bad, of course, but i was thinking. Why have it closed source?
Okay, RIM doesn't make any money off of Desktop Manager itself. They make money off of their hardware phones and software to run on it. So why is the Desktop Manager closed source? What could it possibly be hiding? Why is closed source the only solution for businesses? If i looked at a project, and saw that this project doesn't need to be closed and it being open would actually be a plus, I would choose open, or at least argue for it. It seems that all of the software world sees Microsoft's success and must mimick their business plan for no other reason than they have this misconception that closed source = more money. In the case of the Desktop Manager, it doesn't, and it actually hurts them.
Yes I know, I am biased toward open source, but that doesn't mean that open source is a paraih of the software world. I say pick the style that works best for your customers. Don't pick something because of some misconceived illusion of profit.
Anyway, in other, not astounding news: Google Chrome OS. Saw it coming, and have to say, the implications are kinda frightening. It is supposed to run on a Linux Kernel (yay), but it may not have the ability to install *nix software (boo). It is to be open source (yay), but may still be closed into a strict license (boo). Alot of my concerns is what will happen to the Linux community. Will people want all other Linux's to standardize on Google's ideals? We can't even standardize on the Linux Standard Base. I wish we would, but that is a topic for later. I won't know how I feel about Google OS until it is released. I am much more excited about Wave.
Firefox 3.5 came out. Running it, same as the last in my opinion, just some small changes. boring. Still crashes at work.
Let's see.... i think that is about all I care about this round.

Oh, buy wireless cards with Atheros chips. They support Linux! now maybe Broadcom can get off their lazy asses. I support Atheros 100%.]]> http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090709-162533 Christian Smith Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:25:33 GMT http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=07&entry=entry090709-162533 http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090628-063011 EULA states:
The software is licensed, not sold. This agreement only gives you some right to use the software.
Excuse me? Only some rights to the software I bought and paid for? That is so nice. I'm glad my car manufacture didn't add that to their cars. It would be stupid to sell a car where you only have some rights to it. But we as consumers roll over and accept it from big corporations that sell software. Why?
We do it because we have always done it. We do it because the business types say we should. It is the only idea they understand. They don't understand that yes, you can get software that you own and can change. Instead of paying thousands of dollars on a useless product, you can take a free (as in speech) one and at least morph it to your own specifics. But because Microsoft does it this way, all software makers have decided (wrongly) that taking aways user's rights is the only way to make money.
I say we put our foot down and require more liberal terms of use. The GPL would be a good benchmark.
It's time for a tea party, my friends!

FAIL!: Microsoft to Charge DOUBLE in EU
Tea's served!]]> Ideas http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090628-063011 Christian Smith Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:30:11 GMT http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=06&entry=entry090628-063011 http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090613-113930
Am I the only one on the planet who is tired of that saying? "I want it to 'Just Work'". That's great, buck-o. It is amazing people's reaction to computers. Just Works(TM). That is a load of BS. Windows doesn't "Just Work" 99% of the time, but people make excuses for it. Mac doesn't ever "Just Work" (zing :) ), for me at least. And guess, what? Linux doesn't "Just Work" a good bit either(more so than Windows, in my honest opinion, though). But becuaes people have this percived usability on Windows, so anything that doesn't "just work" like Windows scares the shit out of them. Just because you are used to it does not mean that it "just works". A monkey trained to climb a tree with a ladder doesn't mean that the ladder is the best way for it to climb the tree.
I, personally, don't want my computer to "just work". I want to fiddle, I want my computer to break so I fix it. I want to tinker and fiddle. And if you call yourself a computer geek, and you want everything to "just work", then you lose much respect in my eyes. The whole point of our existence is to fiddle and play. That is why we get jobs fixing other people's mistakes (remember, 99% of businesses are Windows only. They hire an army of techs to just support the platform. Yea, so much better than Linux[sarcasm]). I like fixing things, I like things to not "just work". I hate the "Just Works" argument, made by idiots and tech people who aren't much better.
So if you want your computer to "just work", try Linux. It does more often.


On a more not Linux related note, I think I am going to pick up the bass again. Maybe I won't suck as much this time (doubtful).

Stay free, stay Open Source. ]]> Misc http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090613-113930 Christian Smith Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:39:30 GMT http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=06&entry=entry090613-113930 http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090604-182203 this great little website. It has some good stuff on it, though it is kinda a bit over reaching and will go right over most people's heads. That is okay, though. I firmly believe that the OS end game is soon, within the decade. Who will come out, I have no idea. Hopefully Linux, but maybe not.
Anyway, I have been looking closely at the GnomeShell idea. Seems Interesting, but alot of the complaints about it are the overall uselessness of it. It is like they decided to go the KDE route (which I am currently running {will give you my feelings on that sooner or later}). Alot of flash and pizazz, but not much actual useful innovation. I think I might like the idea, or I might never use it. I was never one to use Multiple Desktops, so that has limited appeal to me, any way. A huge downer is that I would not be able to change panels (which you can't now, but eh). I like tint2, I just can't bring my self to use any of the *box's and I didn't like E17 all that much. I just wish gnome-session didn't require you to have a gnome-panel always running. I wanted to completely switch over to the tint2, and use gnome-do to open programs and folders (which I do anyway) but you have to have at least one gnome-panel running. Big time bummer.
I have finally gotten fed up with the Linux > Windows argument. I will no longer say my OS is better (it is) or that windows/mac sucks (they do). I will just continue using my OS and continue pursuing for more rights from vendors, but I will not "evangelize". I will ignore anyone spouting BS and I will chuckle under my breath every time I hear "I got a BSOD". but I will not push Linux. Though just a warning, this blog will continue to be on the subject of Linux unless I find something better to talk about.
It's time to become better than them. I refuse to act like a Second Class Citizen because the big companies want me to be one.
They can kiss Tux's ass.
]]> IT http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090604-182203 Christian Smith Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:22:03 GMT http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=06&entry=entry090604-182203 http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090528-205951 What a huge can of worms that is. It is anywhere from 2.02% to like 5% depending on the tide, planetary alignment, and the general state of the polar ice caps. I don't know what to believe, or if I should care. I know Linux has a much bigger server share (duh) than desktop share, but I am not sure how much of that share is ever truly known. I know some people say Linux is at about 60%(some not) in the server market, but that still puts it at like 15% of the total worldwide market.
The real question is why we should care at all.
I don't really care about adoption by the "masses". While maybe I can finally get a day off from fixing computers, I doubt more market share will help that at all. The only thing I want is more market share for hardware vendors to sit up and stop being retarded. If you ignored 2%~5% of your market in any other business, you would be out of business in no time flat, but, because this is computers (and PC's specifically), this is Bill's Land(tm). I just wish I wasn't shoved out in the cold because I prefer a different OS from the rest of the world. At the very least they could open their documentation. Come on. Broadcom and Synaptics (two known anti-Linux hardware companies(or at least have spotty support)) aren't the only game in town, so it is not like they have anything to lose. Let FLOSS developers do their magic.
So, on a related note, any software/hardware I buy from this time forward I will always shoot an email off to the company asking for Linux support. I ask anybody who agrees to follow suite, and anyone who disagrees to, well, have a nice day, I guess. The only thing they can do is say no. And you never know, we may change the world (cough, sorry, got choked up there).

Oh and buy from System76. The furry animals will love you or something like that.
I know I will for future laptops (I still build my own desktops).

New banner. Not sure what I think of it yet. Please comment your opinions. I have no idea what I was going for, by the way, so interpret it the way you want.]]> Misc http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090528-205951 Christian Smith Fri, 29 May 2009 02:59:51 GMT http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=05&entry=entry090528-205951 http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090514-211431 It takes alot for me to even remember that there is a Miss America pageant, much less remember names and which state they are from. Obviously this year was epic. Not only did it come across my bow, but it is all I ever hear about on the news or talk radio. From what I saw of the clip of her answer to Mr. Hilton's question, everything she said falls completely under her freedom of speech (1st amendment to the United states of America constitution). So the answer was not eloquent, but I can forgive that. But now she is being bashed by ever left-wing nut case in the country(world). Who cares? She doesn't believe gays should get married, but guess what? Neither does the rest of California, obviously. So now she isn't entitled to her first amendment rights? Nice. I'm glad to know that the next time I say something, I may be publicly executed because some fuck-head got his panties in a wad. Guess what people? Read the actual words tot he first amendment:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."1
So to recap:
1) Gays should be able to marry (personal opinion)
2) Miss California was expressing her right to free speech
3) Perez Hilton can go to hell.

I support Free Speech.
Keep Freedom Free.

Atleast not everone is stupid]]> Ideas http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090514-211431 Christian Smith Fri, 15 May 2009 03:14:31 GMT http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=05&entry=entry090514-211431 http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090510-115431 more. If you read Sam Williams "Free as in Freedom: Richard Stallman's Crusade for Free Software" you see why GNU/Linux should be the name of the Operating System. Without GNU, we would be using an awesome kernel with no real programs. Linus Torvalds decided early on to use GNU programs because of their inherit portability. So the Linux community owes alot to the GNU project and RMS himself. (BTW, I recommedn Sam Williams book. I also have Eric Raymond's "The Cathedral and the Bazaar" and Linus Torvalds' "Just for Fun" to read next)
So Network World had an article on the Sun/Oracle deal (April 27, 2009 vol 26 num 16) and said, and I quote, "[tech insider] also faults Sun for pursing a 'non-capitalistic strategy' by emphasizing open source..."
So now you can't make money off open source? might want to tell Red Hat and Canonical. I think they might be amused by this. This kind of stupid high executive who thinks money is the only reason to have technology is a leech on the entire industry and I will personally lead a crusade to "educate" him. As well as the Network World editors. Open source is not anti-capitalistic. It is more capitalistic since it follows the supply and demand theory more closely than the proprietary system. If your product sucks, it falls by the way side. Open source people don't utilize their vast network of legal traps to force companies to use their POS software (cough, Microsoft).
Stay free, stay open source.]]> http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090510-115431 Christian Smith Sun, 10 May 2009 17:54:31 GMT http://www.senshikaze.net/blog/comments.php?y=09&m=05&entry=entry090510-115431