Ubuntu.

I've been using it on and off most of the day. It's looking pretty ship shape at the moment.

I was worried this morning when I realised I might not be able to use msn messenger on it. However, I dug around and sure enough I can. I looked in Applications Add/Remove programmes and everything I could want to use is pretty much there. The file organisation is different from windows, but I don't think it's anything I couldn't get used to.

My one bother is that I didn't purchase the windows xp cd with the computer when I bought it. I thought I didn't have the money to do so at the time. So, the only windows version I have is the one on the machine. I'd rather not un-install it, but it occurs to me that I might be able to back up the whole machine on writeable dvds. I'll have to check that out though, I think I can do that through my acer E-management software, so I may not need to worry much.

I'd have to download files for playing mp3 files. But that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

The only thing that does bother bother is that my acer inbuilt webcam doesn't work. Nor, does the memory card reader slot. Ubuntu seems blissfully unaware of them. However, the usb slots all function. It recognised my mp3 player and my camera. I was able to play about with a couple of photos off of it this morning.

I wondered why I want to change os, when really, windows has never given me any trouble to be honest. I'm a cautious web surfer so am unlikely to pick up any viruses. I also have Norton anti virus.

I'm aware that at the moment there probably are few viruses for Ubuntu/Linux, but not one os is invincible. Just like real life.

I want to do much more digging around with this. I've also wondered about installing it on my other hard drive, as this machine has two of them. Then, perhaps, I could boot up from either one and have the best of both worlds. Who knows? I need to find out...

Ubuntu.

I am currently running it through its paces. I downloaded it to a cd and booted my machine from it.

It's the first time I've ever used a different operating system from windows. It's a refreshing change. However, I am a fish out of water and have no idea where all the more intricate things exist. I am going to do a lot of digging around.

The desktop is pretty slick. I like the way you can switch between workspace's. Although I wonder if there's any real need. Although, I suppose that would probably cut out clutter on one work space. I could browse the web on one and work within the computer on the other.

There's the gimp image editor that I've had a brief look at. It looks to be fully suited and booted.

Firefox is there. Fabby.

There are some nice little games in the applications. There's an Ekiga softphone, that I will need to find out about and lots of other bits and bobs. All of which I will need to read up about.

The only thing that bothers me at the moment is that I can't yet use all the hardware on my machine. My memory card reader doesn't work. I tried loading up some pictures to the machine via it, but nowt happened.

It's refreshing to use something new. I don't know that I'll make the switch just yet. I need to find out much more before I do.

Which I can. I'll post the pictures once I'm back in old familiar windows. I really hope Ubuntu and other os's start to make their presence felt. It'll be good for computing.

Getting on with it.

Slowly slowly I'm getting there, I keep getting told I'm much better than those before me. That one of the last guys to be trained in the admin sat there with his head in his hands for half an hour. Not something I've done.

So the lady who's teaching me all I need to know is saying that my work is going well. Which is nice, even if it doesn't feel that way for me. But then I'm a virgo and I rarely feel that way anyway.

Also, completely unrealted to anything I've been writing about. The next time I buy a laptop or desktop, i'm going to wipe this machine and try out some different operating systems. I think i'm getting ready to try out some new stuff. I quite like the look of Ubuntu.

However, I am a novice at doing this stuff. So I'll definitly have to wait before I do anything to this machine. I need a new one before. I could afford it at the moment, but I'm sitting on my cash and I want to invest my money. So I can make much more.

I need it.

I'm also waiting for the cost of the x-box to drop. I heard rumours on the rumour mill... I need something to unwind with in the afternoon.

Anyway. I'm flippin tired. Really tired. These early mornings are heck! Although my sleeping pattern is starting to shift. No worries and after this month, people will be back from holiday and I wont have to be pulling 6 day weeks plus extra hours per day. I'm doing three days of ten hours this week. As one of the section coordinators asked me "Are you mad?" "Yeah.." was my reply.

So, next time it comes up. I think I'm entitled to say no.

Anyway. Food, dvd, sleep. I think that'll round off my day nicely.

Ciao.