Yesterday was a red-letter day for me. I ditched Windows Vista (Home Basic), and installed Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Linux as my one-and-only operating system.
I had been thinking about it for a while, trying out different programs, and working up my nerve to not use Spider Solitaire under Windows, with its cool graphics, ever again.
When I was about 97% sure I wanted to go for it, I started the process of backing up my files to a DVD. First, I was going to use the Windows Back-Up software, but it had so many restrictions on what it would back up, that almost put me at 100%. Then, I used Roxio CD/DVD Creator to make my backup, and it hung up, then wouldn't respond when asked to stop. That really pushed me over the top.
I inserted the CD of Ubuntu, and let 'er rip. Within about an hour, I had a basic, usable system. Today, I have been seeking out and installing some cool software that is not part of the basic system. You can do a lot of real work with the basics, but there are a few things I wanted. The first was GnuCash, an accounting program. I also downloaded Audacity, Gimp, a web server, a CD ripper, and some other interesting-sounding titles. When I was looking at GnuCash, I found two other "simple home banking" programs, and downloaded them, too. I plan to eventually set up a CMS package, such as Word Press or Drupal.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Week in Review
My mom was sent from the hospital to a nursing home Friday. Friday evening, we took her some clothes and saw where she was staying.
I started two fires on some dead-tree stumps.
Saturday morning, two friends from work came out to pick Agarita berries. We helped them get started and tended my fires. We got cleaned up and drove to Austin to an Austin Ballet recital that our granddaughter, Emily was in. After the recital, we shopped at Sam's and ate at the Texas Roadhouse.
Sunday was a day of rest. I had to, I was so sore from working on the tree stumps.
Monday, one of my friends had a jar of agarita jelly for me. After work, we went straight to Luling to fill out paperwork at the nursing home, then met our new tenants at the mobile home we rent out. They are a very nice young couple.
This afternoon after work I have a meeting at Bedichek Middle School of our knitting class. It is a celebration and reflection on the semester we just finished.
I started two fires on some dead-tree stumps.
Saturday morning, two friends from work came out to pick Agarita berries. We helped them get started and tended my fires. We got cleaned up and drove to Austin to an Austin Ballet recital that our granddaughter, Emily was in. After the recital, we shopped at Sam's and ate at the Texas Roadhouse.
Sunday was a day of rest. I had to, I was so sore from working on the tree stumps.
Monday, one of my friends had a jar of agarita jelly for me. After work, we went straight to Luling to fill out paperwork at the nursing home, then met our new tenants at the mobile home we rent out. They are a very nice young couple.
This afternoon after work I have a meeting at Bedichek Middle School of our knitting class. It is a celebration and reflection on the semester we just finished.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Back Again
I didn't intend to stay gone so long, but I was playing around with another piece of software and a free web-hosting site. I think I just need to write, and not worry about where things are kept, or exactly how they look.
I intend to do some writing about knitting, cycling, simple living, and probably my imminent(?) retirement (about a year away).
I have been busy with some volunteering in the public schools, and working with my land, etc. I really need to get back into writing. As I get older, I cannot do all the things I once could do, nor do I have time to do some things, but I can keep busy, I can do some things, and I can write about them. This will not be a political rant blog, so if you're looking for that sort of thing, this won't be for you.
I intend to do some writing about knitting, cycling, simple living, and probably my imminent(?) retirement (about a year away).
I have been busy with some volunteering in the public schools, and working with my land, etc. I really need to get back into writing. As I get older, I cannot do all the things I once could do, nor do I have time to do some things, but I can keep busy, I can do some things, and I can write about them. This will not be a political rant blog, so if you're looking for that sort of thing, this won't be for you.
Six of one, half dozen of another
Published on another website on October 7, 2009.
Very busy month shaping up for October.
I’m involved in AIR Austin, which culminates on Oct. 24 in an all-day rally. AIR is the Accessible Internet Relay.
Last weekend, we spent one day at the antiques/junk fair at Warrenton/Round Top.
This weekend, we’re going to Houston to see the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science (Sat), and the Central Texas yarn crawl (Sun).
The yarn crawl is actually Oct. 9-12, so I’m going to try to visit a few of the local shops on Friday during lunch and after work, then drive out into the hill country on Sunday.
I just got a new laptop, a Dell 1545. I will never buy another HP or Compaq computer again. This Dell has them beat all over.
Tomorrow night, Oct. 8, is the annual fund-raising banquet for Central Texas Life Care, which we will attend.
I’ll probably miss Octoberfish, Oct 16-18, because we’ll be painting cabinets on the 17th.
I’m hoping that November will be a little less busy.
Very busy month shaping up for October.
I’m involved in AIR Austin, which culminates on Oct. 24 in an all-day rally. AIR is the Accessible Internet Relay.
Last weekend, we spent one day at the antiques/junk fair at Warrenton/Round Top.
This weekend, we’re going to Houston to see the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science (Sat), and the Central Texas yarn crawl (Sun).
The yarn crawl is actually Oct. 9-12, so I’m going to try to visit a few of the local shops on Friday during lunch and after work, then drive out into the hill country on Sunday.
I just got a new laptop, a Dell 1545. I will never buy another HP or Compaq computer again. This Dell has them beat all over.
Tomorrow night, Oct. 8, is the annual fund-raising banquet for Central Texas Life Care, which we will attend.
I’ll probably miss Octoberfish, Oct 16-18, because we’ll be painting cabinets on the 17th.
I’m hoping that November will be a little less busy.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A Very Pleasant Evening
The next few posts will be all about SXSWi, or South by Southwest Interactive 2009. I would have posted every day since Friday, March 13, but I couldn't get any connectivity at the Convention Center with the exception of the connection stations scattered around the building. I don't know why this happened, I saw many others using the wi-fi. Since I didn't get that done, I will blog about my experiences, beginning with the last very pleasant hour, and working back to the beginning, however long it takes.
What made this a very pleasant evening was not the barbeque at The Iron Works, as good as that was. No, it was a very serendipitous happenstance that placed me in the presence of a man whose writings have been entertaining and enlightening me for many years in the pages of the Linux Journal. I had dinner with Doc Searls and a friend of his, Joe Andrieu.
Doc and Joe are working together on a project to enable Vendor Relationship Management using open software and a web-based service. Sounds very interesting. This concept is to give the customer control over their relationships with the many vendors they do business with, in much the same way companies manage their relationships with their many customers. An idea whose time has come.
Doc was very interested in my story, as I was in his. We are one month apart in age, so we had a lot in common. We touched on topics as diverse as genealogy, geography, geology, social media, the Web, and Linux. He even asked me the identity of the loud obnoxious birds outside his hotel, which I recognized from his description as Grackles.
Tomorrow, I'll post some photos from SXSW, and share some of my other experiences.
What made this a very pleasant evening was not the barbeque at The Iron Works, as good as that was. No, it was a very serendipitous happenstance that placed me in the presence of a man whose writings have been entertaining and enlightening me for many years in the pages of the Linux Journal. I had dinner with Doc Searls and a friend of his, Joe Andrieu.
Doc and Joe are working together on a project to enable Vendor Relationship Management using open software and a web-based service. Sounds very interesting. This concept is to give the customer control over their relationships with the many vendors they do business with, in much the same way companies manage their relationships with their many customers. An idea whose time has come.
Doc was very interested in my story, as I was in his. We are one month apart in age, so we had a lot in common. We touched on topics as diverse as genealogy, geography, geology, social media, the Web, and Linux. He even asked me the identity of the loud obnoxious birds outside his hotel, which I recognized from his description as Grackles.
Tomorrow, I'll post some photos from SXSW, and share some of my other experiences.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, Feb. 23 Dedication Ed Werland Room
Monday, February 23rd, was Frankie's and my 39th wedding anniversary. It was also the day the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department named and dedicated a training room to the memory of Ed Werland. (Photo: Cindy Werland, son-in-law Louis, and daughter Vanessa)
The party was well attended, and everyone had a great time. 
(Photo: Julia visits with Richard Roberts)
(Photo: Frankie visits with Carol Ann and Bobby Werland)
We carpooled over to the building at Airport Commerce Park. Frankie and I took Julia Gregory, Dyanne Cortez, and Karen Pianka.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Weekend-before-Last
We had fun on Feb. 14-16. First, there was the Texas Loves Ravelry pary at The Knitting Nest in Austin. Frankie and I met Marguerite and Geoff, Julia, and Julia's neighbor Anna. We all had lunch at The Texas Roadhouse. Mmmmmm steaks. After that, we picked up Emily at her dance class.
On the way back to Lockhart, we stopped at the Airport Pulga, and Emily got to see some chickens, rabbits, pigeons, burros, etc.
Back home, we had bike-riding lessons. My brother-in-law, Paul, had found some bikes in a thrift shop for $5 each, and one was just Emily's size, so I adjusted the handlebar and seat for her, and we took turns pushing her around the yard. Then we discovered a ramp off the driveway, and she could get a start off that and head (slightly) downhill. She got to going about 30 yards at a stretch. We had another old bike (a Walmart special, got free), which I adjusted and sprayed with WD-40, and we took turns riding that one along with her.
On the way back to Lockhart, we stopped at the Airport Pulga, and Emily got to see some chickens, rabbits, pigeons, burros, etc.
Back home, we had bike-riding lessons. My brother-in-law, Paul, had found some bikes in a thrift shop for $5 each, and one was just Emily's size, so I adjusted the handlebar and seat for her, and we took turns pushing her around the yard. Then we discovered a ramp off the driveway, and she could get a start off that and head (slightly) downhill. She got to going about 30 yards at a stretch. We had another old bike (a Walmart special, got free), which I adjusted and sprayed with WD-40, and we took turns riding that one along with her.
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