Since I use Linux exclusively, and have to interface with clients using various Windows technologies, open standards are an important aspect of our tech-life. For example, we use OpenOffice to read Word/Excel/Powerpoint files, and so on.

One thing that comes infrequently is the need to login to a corporate virtual private network (VPN) that uses Cisco's Easy VPN.

On Dell's web site, there is an Ubuntu extolling its virtues.

Overall this is very good publicity for Linux, Ubuntu and Open Source, even though I disagree with some wording (e.g. on why Linux is secure).

Here are the highlights

10) Ubuntu is simple and elegant
9) Ubuntu is designed for the Internet
8) Ubuntu is "social from the start"
7) Ubuntu plays videos, songs, and movies easily
6) Ubuntu is secure
5) Ubuntu boots up fast
4) With Ubuntu, you have access to 1,000’s of free software programs
3) Ubuntu with OpenOffice is compatible with Microsoft® Office and Adobe® Acrobat®
2) Ubuntu is based on Linux®
1) Ubuntu comes pre-loaded with select Dell desktop, notebook, and netbook computers

Many years ago, I wrote about why tapes are still the most efficient backup method. I also wrote about using tape backup on Linux for a home network.

My daughter Suhaila likes to draw and paint.

She wanted to get a tablet that she can draw with, without the awkwardness of using a mouse for a task that is better handled by a pen.

So, when Staples had a $50 off sale ($249.99) on the Wacom Intuos 4 (Small) tablet, there was finally a chance to get it at a lower cost.

I have been a Kubuntu users for many years now.

So, when Kubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) was released, I took the plunge and upgraded my laptop from Kubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala), which I have been running shorty after its release in October 2009. Lucid is an Long Term Support (LTS) release, with security updates for 3 years on the desktop. Hopefully I will be staying with it for at least 2 years and skipping the 6-month releases in between.

This post details what I have found so far on Lucid, whether good or bad.

The other day I helped a client deal with a SYN flood denial of service attack. This article describes the symptoms, diagnosis and solution from a Linux server point of view.

Definition

So I upgraded my Toshiba A300-07F from Kubuntu Linux Jaunty Jackelope 9.04 to Kubuntu Karmic Koala 9.10.

As I mentioned in the post linked above, I had issues with the wireless card, which is an Intel 5100, using the iwlagn driver. I had to download the driver from the Linux Wireless web site, compile it, and get the firmware from Intel's web site.

A few days ago, I got a Toshiba Satellite A300-0F7 15.4" laptop, and proceeded to install Kubuntu Jaunty Jackelope (9.04) on it. I chose the 64-bit (amd64) version to install.

The following article highlights several areas that I struggled with, and solutions, where possible, in the hope that this would help someone.

To minimize the risks of returning the laptop to the store, I usually take a live CD of the operating system I intend to install, and test the demo unit there. This at least gives me an idea of what areas need work, vs. those that work out of the box.

Here is yet another example of Drupal being used as the basis of a custom "distro".

Ubuntu now has UbuntuDrupal which is used for the LoCo's (Local Communities).

Its original aim is to make Drupal easier to setup (which they describe as "painful") and run for these communities. They say that it has grown to be a "general development suite".

Here is where the code is on Launchpad. The numbering of the releases is confusing, since 6.2.0 does not correspond to a released Drupal version.

A hilarious video on The Matrix running Windows. Really funny, and a mention of Ubuntu too.

Via Matt Assay.