09:05
- The push continues. I have six Astronomy Hacks completed and
off to my editor. In theory, I'm supposed to have 15 submitted to him
by Wednesday. Although I have several in progress, I'm not going to
make it to 15 in the next three days. That's okay, though. I talked to
my editors, and they said they aren't concerned as much with the actual
numbers as they are that I'm making good progress. Which I am.
I'll continue to post the hacks as I complete them over on the Subscribers' page.
It occurred to me last night that Microsoft has the same problem as the
broadcast television networks. Just as the "good" viewers--which is to
say those with desirable demographics--are abandoning the broadcast
networks for alternatives like premium cable channels and DVDs, the
"good" users--which is to say the opinion leaders and experts--are
abandoning Windows for alternatives like Linux and OS/X.
I can count on one hand the number of my expert friends who continue to
use Windows because they want
to. Many of them still use Windows, of course, but it's because they have to. They continue to use
Windows because their jobs require it, or because there's one critical
application that runs only under Windows. But very few of them are
happy about using Windows.
Windows has no mind share among experts and opinion leaders, and
increasingly little mind share among ordinary users. A few years ago, I
speculated that Microsoft might actually be pleased about the plague of
malware because it forced upgrades, both paid-for upgrades and free
upgrades that allowed Microsoft to sneak in more DRM and so on. But
even Microsoft must realize by now that the flood of malware and
security holes has made even ordinary users distrust Microsoft software.
Actually, I think the tipping point has already been reached and no one
noticed. Microsoft has permanently lost the trust, not just of experts,
but of ordinary people. Windows is perceived as something you use
because you have to, not because you want to. Not a few people have
actually stopped using computers and the Internet because they find it
too painful to continue using Windows and Microsoft applications. No
one, not even Aunt Minnie, trusts Microsoft software any more. And with
good reason.
Spam is part of that, certainly, as are viruses. But the real killer is
spyware, adware, and malware in general. I have sat down in front of an
ordinary user's PC and found literally scores of malware programs
running, slowing the system to a crawl. I will no longer even attempt
to clean up Windows systems for my friends. It's too much like Canute's
attempt to hold back the tide.
Instead, I tell them that I have a permanent solution for them, if
they're willing to put up with some minor inconveniences. Then I
install Xandros
Linux Open Circulation Edition for them in dual-boot mode,
explaining to them that they should only boot Windows if they want to
play games or if they absolutely have to use a program that doesn't
have a Linux equivalent.
Which brings me to some news. Although it's not up on their web page
yet as I write this, today Xandros is releasing Version 3 Open
Circulation Edition. I've been beta-testing it, and it's rock solid. It
uses the 2.6 kernel, KDE 3.3, and recent versions of most major
applications. It comes with Firefox and Thunderbird, although you can
easily download the Mozilla Suite, which I prefer. Xandros even
includes a trial version of Crossover Office, so you can play around
with running Windows apps like MS Office, Quicken, and Photoshop under
Linux. OCEv3 connects transparently to Windows networks, and it can
automatically resize Windows partitions, which makes it easy to set up
in dual-boot mode.
The only real limitation of OCEv3 is that Xandros has hobbled the
built-in CD and DVD burning. That's easily fixed, though. Just install
K3b, which is what I use by preference anyway.
If you've been thinking about making the change to Linux, Xandros OCEv3
is a good way to get started. I suspect Xandros will handle
distribution for it the same way they did for OCEv2. They make
available a free BitTorrent download, and charge $10 for an ftp
download. I suspect OCEv3 will be mirrored on numerous download sites
within the next couple of days. Go grab it and play with it. It may
just be good enough to push you over your personal tipping point.
Oh, yeah. I forgot to mention. PC Hardware Buyer's Guide: Choosing the
Perfect Components is now in the bookstores, or should be
shortly. We got an early copy the end of last week.
Tuesday, 15 February 2005
22:08
- Long day. I'd hoped to get three hacks done today and three
tomorrow, to meet my 15-hack deadline tomorrow. (Not that O'Reilly
really cares about 15 exactly, but I hate missing deadlines). I got two
hacks done today and most of a third. That leaves three and a bit for
tomorrow.
I took the evening off. Mary Chervenak and her husband Paul Jones came
over for dinner at 6:00. We sat around downstairs with a nice fire in
the fireplace and talked. It was nice. They left about 9:00 because
it's a school night for all of us. So, although my work ethic tells me
I should have spent that three hours finishing up today's third hack,
I'm glad I took the time off.
Wednesday, 16 February 2005
No
post.
Thursday,
17 February 2005
08:47
- I'm still cranking on Astronomy
Hacks. I'm posting the completed first-drafts of individual
hacks to the Subscribers' page.
I recently posted one about how to clean eyepieces and lenses safely.
Subscriber Roy Harvey replied with the letter of the month:
-------- Original
Message --------
Subject:
Clean Your Eyepieces and Lenses Safely
Date: Wed, 16
Feb 2005 18:21:27 -0500
From: Roy
Harvey
To: Robert
Bruce Thompson
You probably
won't want to use THIS one, but.....
Bird
enthusiast are out in the field with their optics even more than
astronomy enthusiast. We go out in all sorts of weather, boiling
hot with sweat dripping, freezing cold when breathing on the eyepiece
or even just looking through it fogs it up, fog, rain, snow, anything.
And we are often among bushes and trees, at the shore with salt spray
around, even out on boats. While our optics don't compare in
price to the highest end astronomical tools, many of us pay plenty - I
got a good price on my Swarovski ELs a couple of years ago, just under
$1200 with tax, and my scope/tripod was close to $1000 five years ago.
Anyway, my
optics have plenty of chance to get dirty, and I often must deal with
cleaning in the field.
I have used
lens cleaning tissues, regular cleaning fluids, ROR, air blowers,
brushes, microfiber cloths, just about everything except lens
pens. The approach I now use, in preference to all others, even
when not in the field, is probably not common in astronomical
circles. I use my tongue. Very, very gently, very, very
wetly. The tongue is very sensitive, and if there is any grit I
can feel it, and I can get it off without any harsh rubbing, with
plenty of lubricant. It is quite common for me to taste the salt
when I have been down at the shore. Once I don't feel anything on
the lens any longer, I use a circular motion to be sure I reach
everywhere. Then I finish off with one of the microfiber cloths
(if handy) or a tissue. Or the tail end of a cotton t-shirt,
anything soft, CLEAN and absorbent.
It is quick,
convenient, and it works very well, all without making me scared for my
lenses.
It is not
original with me. Peter Dunne is one of the most famous birders
around, and he uses the method. Note that he does NOT tell anyone
else they should use it, just that it is what he does.
Anyway, good
luck with your Big Push!
Thanks. I almost sprayed my Coke out through my nose. When I read your
message to Barbara, she suggested I immediately go downstairs and lick
our 10" mirror clean. I told her I wanted to start small, so I was
going to lick her binocular objectives.
Seriously, I'll give it a try, but on something cheap (and tasty).
00:00
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Saturday, 19 February 2005
00:00
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00:00
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Copyright
© 1998,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 by Robert Bruce Thompson. All
Rights Reserved.
