Archive for September, 2008
September 21st, 2008
I’ve been using Ubuntu Linux for a while, but when two computers crashed in the same week, I thought I’d try a new distribution instead. I heard that Linux Mint was fantastic – it had the benefits of using Ubuntu’s vast repositories but some nice goodies as well as built-in media codecs.
Linux Mint comes in a LiveCD that doubles as an installer. It’s a lot more user-friendly than Ubuntu’s formidable installation menu. Click on the Install icon and Mint will do most of the work for you.
My main problem installing Mint is that it hosed my Vista boot record. (I had a new computer with Vista pre-installed and wanted to set up a dual boot on the same disk). After quite a bit of wrangling and googling, I discovered that the best way to set up a dual boot in Vista is through this terrific free utility called EasyBCD by NeoSmart. (You also have to tell Mint not to install a boot record under advanced options.) (more…)
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September 9th, 2008
If you’ve been watching cable news at all lately, you’ve probably seen the T. Boone Pickens ads for the “Pickens Plan” promoting wind power and natural gas as a way to American energy independence.
The way the ads were running, it seemed like Mr. Pickens was running for office. But he’s not. Who is this guy? Well, according to Wikipedia (which, we know, isn’t always 100% accurate but it’s a good place to start), Pickens is a Republican who made his fortune with oil.
I don’t really care which party someone comes from if they are making sense. While I may not agree with everything Pickens suggests, at least the guy is putting his money where his mouth is. For far too long our leadership has done nothing on the issue of oil dependency. (more…)
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September 4th, 2008
A theme at the Republican convention was offshore drilling. “Drill, Baby, Drill” was the mantra. I’m not a fan of drilling, but I have some mixed feelings on it. I don’t think it’s fair for environmentalists to expect the average American household to suck up $10/gallon gas in the name of protecting the environment. When people have a choice between spotted owls and putting food on the table, they’ll choose food first. So I believe the Democrats will also end up drilling too, simply because the outcry from average American will be too strong if gas goes up anymore.
Is there a way to minimize the environmental impacts of drilling? I think environmentalists need to find a way to compromise on this issue.
One positive note: At least both parties are discussing energy independence and alternate fuels.
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