For the Love of Geeks

I have been remiss in my Linux updating.. I have see a lot of Linux news to be excited about, but just haven’t been talking about it…

So, my two highlights…

1. KDE 4.1 alpha has been released. It is rough, and buggy but gives us a very good look at the features that are going to be available in this round of KDE. I am in process of playing around with it, and loving every minute of it. Here is a place you can get your copy : [ KDE 4.1 Download ]

2. Ubuntu Version 8.04, code-named “Hardy Heron”,  was released last week. VERY cool. Ubuntu has long been touted as the possible “replacement” for consumers to use instead of Windows. While I have been skeptical of that in the past, just because consumer users are generally having problems with that stubborn cup holder that keeps sliding back into the computer, I think that this release may be the first major step towards that goal. So, go download your ISO and get it installed [ download ]

There are lots of cool features for both of these items, but they are plentifully listed through the blogosphere so I will refrain here, and just let you explore and discover.

Indiana Jones has a new trailer… and of course it is already online…  The new trailer gives more information about what the skull is, why everyone should want one, and a brief reminder that no matter what weapon you use against Indy, he will escape..  YEAH!

So, I am more and more excited about all of this.  This summer seems like it is going to FRAKING rock
on the movie front.. Iron Man, Indiana Jones, X-Files, Dark Knight, The Incredible Hulk (a good version this time) , Hancock…

Yes, I did fail to mention Star Wars - Clone Wars, which will be an animated movie occuring between episode 2 and 3, and which I “believe” is going to be the setup for the animated TV series for Clone Wars.  I failed to mention it, because Lucas has lost his credit with me, and will have to show proof of the awesomeness of this movie before he gets any play from me.  (I know he’s sad about that)… LOL

So [ Gizmodo ] is reporting that Scientists from Pennsylvania State University in State College suggest that we should put mirrors over half of the moon in an effort to attract the attention of alien life…

Wow.. really. I mean, setting aside the very real costs involved in such an asinine project, do they really think that Aliens, who would be worth meeting, have completely missed all of our “advanced” methods of reaching out to them that have been used for years by SETI, but would completely notice the galactic equivalent of compact makeup mirror.

I suppose, it may attract a race of aliens so enamored by their own good looks that they must fly millions of light-years to look at them selves in our huge moon mirror.  Of course, one of two things would then happen.  1. they would never bother to make contact with us, since they would likely just sit staring at themselves on the other side of the moon.

2. the sun’s reflection would blind them, hence sending them into a “blind” rage and they would destroy all life on earth.

Hmm, so I guess the real question is are these “scientists” from Penn State really trying to make contact with aliens, or are they trying to waste all of our money, while at the same time furthering their unltimate endgame of complete world desolation.

Just something to think about.

Stephen J. Cannell, has recently teamed up with New Video to bring several of his classic 80’s and 90’s shows to iTunes. As of this Monday, episodes of Wiseguy, Hunter, The Greatest American Here, and others are available for download from the iTunes Store

Rock on!  Lately, since Hollywood has apparently run out of ideas, all of these OG 80’s shows are being re-done. (see the “new” Knight Rider.) Don’t get me wrong, sometimes they can be very good shows. (See Battlestar Galactica).  Sometimes they go horribly, horribly wrong though and end up screwing up my childhood memories…

So, now, I will be able to review those memories from the original shows. Yeah!

or at least part of it.

According to [ Gizmodo ] AT&T will now give a similar “contract price” for iPhone reducing the price to 199.00.  If you buy directly from Apple, the price will be the same as before, but no need for contract.

I think this will be cool, and will definitely help get the iPhone into the hands of the currently price shy.  So Rock ON! AT&T it is about time you did something to make me smile..

Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It’s for creative, resourceful people of all ages and backgrounds who like to tinker and love to make things, and I am so stoked to be going this year.

May 3rd and 4th, Maker Faire will be running in San Mateo California. Thursday I will be driving up and meeting up with the guys from [ GWC ] to help them put together their project for the Faire. These were the guys that who also put together a [ Viper Simulator ] for the fine folks at Popular Science, which if I remember correctly will be touted at the Maker Faire, at least I hope so, since I really want to try it out.

I will be taking photos, lots of photos, and I will post a few here, but I am sure that I will have to finally get a flikr account or something to host them all for everyone to see.

If you have a specific photo request (something at the faire you would like to see, but can’t make it) let me know and I will make a point to get over and take some shots for you.

Also,  there will be a Bay Area meetup for Fans of Battlestar Galactica, and the GWC, so if you would like to meet up with me and the GWC crew, let me know and I will give you the details.

ROCK!

I love this …. and it is so true!

I do not however like [ wordpress ] CONSTANTLY changing how images are handled in posts…

Recently it was released that Dell will continue to package XP as an OS for new computer systems that they sell. Microsoft has stated that they will considered a downgrade license purchase.

Dell will take advantage of a licensing option in Vista Business and Vista Ultimate that lets PC makers provide XP under the Vista license, which Microsoft calls a “downgrade” license. (Enterprises with site licenses have these same rights with any version of Vista.) In essence, the user is buying a Vista license that it can apply to XP, and Microsoft can still claim a Vista sale.

What that means is that Microsoft considers you a Vista user, except that you are running XP.. What I find funny is that they are doing this for the sole purpose of clinging to the fantasy that Vista isn’t the worst thing since ME.

What I find potentially disturbing about this is whether this will sully the true market penetration of Vista. If the hundreds of thousands of Dell computers sold are running XP and Microsoft is “pretending” that they purchased Vista, how will we know the true success/failure factor of Vista?

So, I stand behind this video just pointing at the awesomeness…. Check it out…

Transformers Stop Motion - Awesome! - Watch more free videos

If you’re asking what I am talking about, then you are clearly missing out. [ Mahalo Daily ] is a fun, daily “variety” program centering around what I consider geek/web topics, but they cover some other stuff too.

Veronica Belmont said goodbye to us on the 4/22 episode, and since then [ Jason Calacanis ] has been looking for a [ new female host ]. The list has been whittled down to a few candidates, but who knows what is going to happen.

I trust in the tasty goodness that is Mahalo Daily, and feel like that there will always be a small void left where Veronica used to be, but the show will still provide all the wonderful goodness that we have grown accustomed to …