Released to the public on October 22 Canonical’s latest and greatest Ubuntu yet “Karmic Koala 9.10“. For many folks using a Linux distribution probably ranks up there with a visit to the dentist, but I have to say that as the kernel keeps improving in leaps and bounds the software wrapped around it can just work on the majority of hardware without issue.
Sure many folks may try it out and find out that it ‘does not work’ with their specific hardware, but compared with last years 8.10 the numbers are down with the sad exception of two particular vendors; ATI and Intel. ATI recently dropped support for much of their older hardware, but then released a new series of drivers that do support. Thankfully using the older drivers or using the open source communities versions can at least get them working, if you have problems with the more supported drivers. Intel on the other hand has basically thrust it’s middle finger up at the linux community with a blatant refusal to provide open source to allow many distributions to be able to integrate support, so for many it means booting to a broken system, and downloading proprietary drivers and praying it works. Obviously this isn’t the end of the world, but from my perspective a seriously ‘good’ reason to avoid using Intel hardware, especially if you want to use wine to run Windows games or applications, you’d do so much better with non-Intel chipsets. nVidia has the best support out of the box for most people not only linux users, but also windows users that it’s becoming a staple requirement. Don’t get me wrong, Intel does provide drivers, but do not expect them to work directly from installation. In some cases the generic drivers get installed and it works, in other cases you’re faced with non-working hardware and off to the various support forums seeking a solution. Thankfully they are available.
In my situation I decided to get a new laptop and specifically bought a Compaq CQ60 which features NO Intel or ATI hardware, simply so I could avoid any hassles. I’m pretty good at fixing these issues, but if I am spending money and the amount is equal, why buy something with hardware that will not work? So without further adieu, I release my notes on installing Ubuntu 9.10 x64 on this laptop.
Continue reading 'Ubuntu 9.10 “Karmic Koala” Release Candidate – Installation Notes'»
Computers & Tech
7, 9.10, ATI, beta, boot, Canonical, change, Compaq, copy, core, download, driver, drivers intel, EAC, error, file, fix, Game, generic drivers, good, install, intel chipsets, intel hardware, Karmic, leaps and bounds, Linux, linux distribution, md5, method, methods, nvidia, older drivers, open source communities, OS, password, problem, proprietary driver, proprietary drivers, RC, rush, solution, ssl, system, torrent, Ubuntu, video, visit to the dentist, windows, Windows 7
For those that have been following me since January of this year you may be aware that I took advantage of downloading the open beta version and testing it on a few machines.
I had really good luck with various systems and even installing it in VMware. My only real hangup was my main gaming rig which runs Windows XP SP3, simply refused to detect the DVD drive. Which was very strange since it was booting and running the setup from the very same drive. All the VMware machine I build used the same drive also although I’m aware VMware does use it’s own drivers but that was it. Every other box, method I tried worked without major problem
Today Saturday Oct 24, 2009 I took the liberty of installing both Windows 7 Ultimate x64 AND Ubuntu Desktop 9.10 Karmic Koala Release Candidate x64 on the exact same laptop a Compaq presario CQ60 laptop which came with Vista Home Basic which I really did not want. If you want to find out about my Installation for Ubuntu check out the next story. I’m publishing this one first so it should be the one right after or the newer one.
Continue reading 'Windows 7 Release – Installation notes'»
Computers & Tech
7, 9.10, application crashes, ATI, beta, beta version, boot, bot, chat box, Compaq, compaq presario, download, driver, evaluation version, exact, fix, gaming rig, good, hangup, install, Karmic, media server, method, nvidia, old version, open beta, OS, pc, problem, RC, site, system, Ubuntu, Ultimate, update, upgrade, video, vmware, windows, Windows 7, windows xp sp3
How many times have you discovered that your hard disk is filling up even though you are not installing any applications. You think ‘do I really have that much data’, or you store your data on a separate drive from your OS and applications (something we recommend to all clients and friends) and cannot understand why your OS or application drive keeps filling up.
Chances are its because of the applications themselves either downloading content into it’s application directory, or it uses the windows ‘Application Data’ directory to store temporary or cached data, some cases even permanent data remains in these directories.
A good example of this is Google Earth that keeps it’s cache database in your Apps Data directory, and can easily exceed several gigabytes in size.
Or maybe you love the convenience of the “My Documents” directory and accessing it directly from the start menu, but don’t have enough room for your data.
Continue reading 'Moving Directories In Windows — Using Junctions'»
Computers & Tech
7, application directory, Apps, aspx, ATI, BSD, bsd users, cache database, cached data, copy, data, data directory, doc, download, file, good, google, install, junction, Linux, method, microsoft, moving, OS, paces, problem, RC, shell, site, solution, Store, symbolic links, system, unix linux, virtual drives, windows, windows 2000 pro, windows application
Received an email this week that looks like your typical spam and it comes with a DOC file attached to it. I included the md5 in the subject for ease of tagging and searching.
It is boring stuff, but it seems very familiar. I am sure this template of spam (if you will) has been sent to me before. Its subject says its from Ms. Cynthia Chalker (From Canada), but the reply to is a South African address, and it’s using msn.com/hotmail.com as the method of delivery (apparently).
And like it says, I have a winning notification that I have won the South African…something. But I have won. Phone number to call to claim my winning prize, and a DOC file attachment.
Obviously I have not won anything. This could be a very simple attempt to get you to call and give information away, or for them to convince you to charge your credit card for processing fees I am not certain.
Continue reading 'Unknown DOC file in email a7b207839f751a525f2328f3a07e7cb9'»
Security
chalker, claim, content type, core, doc, email, file, hotmail, lottery, md5, message id, method, microsoft, microsoft smtpsvc, nx, OS, phish, RC, return path, scam, spam, spam traps, unknown, update
I saw this comment today on a malware site and I normally read them to see how folks troll malware sites looking for blame.
Folks, malware is your problem, not anyone elses. I am constantly reminded how people fail to understand that its their actions and choices that cause the infections, and today social engineering is a big reason.
Even malware experts are not immune from falling victim to their tricks. Its been like this for years and outside of the increase in targetted attacks,
its still the #1 reason.
Continue reading 'Editorial: Understanding why Malware infects your PC'»
Security
7, adware, atm, bad, boot, bot, canadian government, change, claim, close, computer, criminal, cyber, data, doc, download, EAC, email, exact, falling victim, file, fix, free assistance, Game, good, good software, google, gui, honesty, infect, innocent victim, install, lifesaver, list, login, malicious software, malware, malware removal, method, methods, microsoft, moreso, mvp, online, OS, pc, phish, phishing, prevent, problem, RC, scam, shell, site, social engineering, software tool, solution, sping, Store, sun, system, system integrity, time protection, time troubleshooting, trend micro, unknown, virus products, windows
Comments Off 
