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Sunday, May 22, 2005
Show #146
toc | toc
Today’s news items
11a-Noon
Zack in Santa Monica - wireless networking
WDS
Clark in Joshua Tree - modem install problems
Modem died and he can’t get any internal or external modems working
Helen in Costa Mesa - erasing
Nancy in York, PA - AOL keeps disconnecting
Upgrade to the latest AOL software
Noon-1p
Christian in Dover - WiMax
Line of sight?
Mark in Santa Ana - bootable Linux
I like SuSE
Knoppix Mame
Linux’s Pal, writes -
SimplyMEPHIS Linux HERE, much easier to understand, run from CD and install (will auto create a co-existance partition with Windows on same HDD).
Matthew S. adds: For different Linux distributions, I’d love to encourage most of you to take a look at http://www.distrowatch.com And here you can take a look at most(if not all) of the distributed Linux versions designed by others. You can even order some free Linux CDs from certain distributions who send them out.
Rishabh (aka Shooby) in San Jose - ipods with Linux
http://pag.csail.mit.edu/~adonovan/hacks/ipod.html
Mom Friendly Linux is OSX Tiger
Leo,
You were talking to a caller about Mom Friendly Linux. My mom and dad are both using old Micron P3 333′s that I spec’d for them about six years ago. They are in need of new machines. I have been evaluating Ubuntu Linux and have found that it is very Mom friendly, but the caller asked specifically about synching an iPod with the computer. There I think that he is going to find problems. Also, putting Mom on Linux is going to necessarily commit him to be her IT guy forever. He sounds like he is nearing college age and may not be around for long enough help her solve the various and sundry Linux problems that she may have from time to time. Therefore my recommendation is that they consider a Mac Mini for Mom.
I am a DOS / Windows guy from waaaaaay back and I recently bought a Mac mini with OSX Tiger. I am simply blown away. Unfortunately I am seriously tied to the Windows world. I am a professional software developer that works on consulting projects for large corporations and there is just too much money involved for me to switch away from Windows/.NET. But my Mom and dad are about to be introduced to Mac OSX Tiger.
It seems to me that a Mac Mini would be perfect for his Mom. No spyware, No viruses and eaaasy synchronization with her iPod, plus, he can drop into the unix prompt anytime.
btw, I love the wiki. This is to r0×0r.
Thanks,
Phillip
Linux’s Pal, writes -
Mac OS X is hardly Linux, and with all the contrivences in the last two versions Panther and Tiger, it’s not even recognizable UNIX or BSD for a day-in-day-out UNIX admin (me).
If you realy want an effortless Linux OS that you, your sister, your uncle Bud and your Mom and Dad can even install themselves, let alone use more effortlessly (and less buggy that OS X Tiger), than you want FREE SimplyMEPHIS Desktop Linux (I use it on a three year old HP PIII notebook). SimplyMEPHIS Linux only runs on PC’s, Intel PII’s or AMD K6′s 600MHz and above generation processors.
It even comes with OpenOffice, Audacity audio editor, a PhotoShop clone, etc. and will co-exist with Windows on the same hard drive. You can download SimplyMEPHIS Linux HERE, choose SimplyMEPIS−3.3.1.iso. Once downloaded it will allow you to create a Bootable or Installation CD using Roxio Easy Media Creator, Nero or other CD creation software. This IS a UNIX based OS for the 97.7 percent computer hardware that anyone can install and use.
Shooby, writes -
Philip, I am 13, and my mom is looking into macs, and is not exactly ready for the dip. However, I’m getting an emac this summer, and will get her used to it. Anyways, just letting you know that I’ll be here to be her IT guy for a good 5 more years.
Shooby, writes -
Is there any input about this VLOS Kevin Rose was talking about a few days ago? Also, I have tried Mandrake and Fedora, but they’re not exactly “mom-friendly”. Moreover, about Mepis, does it support iPods, or do I have to do that hack that Leo posted above?
Jenny in Los Feliz - iBook purchase on eBay
Why are so many iBooks available on eBay. It’s not that there’s something wrong with iBooks, it’s just that people often upgrade laptops and sell the old one on eBay. If the seller has a good rating there’s no reason not to buy a used computer that way. Do read Ebay’s safety suggestions.
Reporter, from LA -
Oh, you might want to read this for an answer Jenny:
Apple recalls 128,000 PowerBook, iBook batteries.
.. and Do read - Apple’s “complaints” Discussion Board Check out the various forum lines, especially about LCD problems and the “usage” forum, it’s damn right scarry!
- is RAID necessary
He’s got a multi-user network with three people posting to a central database. His consultant spec’ed a Dell Server with RAID, but it’s $3000. I defer to your consultant, but RAID probably is not necessary with just a few users.
Andy suggests IBM’s iSeries AS/400 Models
Archie in Venice - looking for cell phone with recorder
His Siemens SL-45 has an unlimited voice recorder. Looking for one here. The Treo 600 and 650 support voice recording with the addition of 3rd party software like mVoice. I’d imagine that any phone based on Microsoft’s PocketPC or Smartphone OSes should work, too.
1–2p
Richard in Fullerton - XP Service Pack 2 clobbered his system
It can do that. The safest way to install SP-2 is to download the IT install or order the CD from Microsoft, do a clean install of XP, then immediately install SP over it. Read my article on Installing Wndows? for more details. Read more about Service Pack 2.
Randy in Hisperia - System Restore won’t work
His sister’s system is infested with spyware, but he can’t do a system restore to cure it. In all likelyhood, the spyware has disabled System Restore. System restore may be of dubious usefulness in repairing spyware infestations anyway.
Robert_ writes -
Right clicking my computer→properties→system restore, is only the system restore settings!!
to actually perform a system restore goto start→programs→accessories→systems tools→system restore
Ken in Camron - nicad battery charging
He tried using NiMH batteries in his NiCAD phone - they wouldn’t charge. I’d be really careful mixing battery types. You’re risking fire and explosion from incompatible charging systems. This article talks about the charging differences between NiCad and NiMH - and they seem almost identical but it still makes me nervous.
Chet in La Canada - voice recognition
The best is Dragon Naturally Speaking.
Joan in Calabasas - Norton 2004 to 2005 upgrade
Just insert the new disk and run the installer.
Dave in Mission Viejo - moving hard drive to new XP
I used to think you could move a hard drive containing XP from one system to another, but I’ve heard enough stories of data corruption etc to think that this is a bad idea. Backup, put the drive in the new machine, and reinstall XP.
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