Member blogs

Some of the discussions about the divergence or convergence of
the two stackexchanges sites Ubuntu and Unix/Linux shows that the discussion is lead not on the same dimension, but on two different ones.

The proponents of a convergence have a scientific categorization in mind, a taxonomy, similar to the way plants and animals are categorized, or the Dewey Decimal system in a library.

For these dimension of thinkers, sites that are subsets of one another, or sites that have considerable overlap in the possible set of questions are an aberration. It does not fit in the universe of this style of thinking.

The other dimension come from the observation of the communities. Communities do not grow according to the taxonomy scientist like to use. Taxonomies are simplifications which might be accurate for the purpose of a limited observation sufficient for the particular science. However, they are not sufficient for the needs and feelings of the communities.

read more

After only 41 days, the Ubuntu stackexchange site has reached a new milstone - 1000 questions. Thanks for everybody who has participated so far. Please continue on to make sure we will reach more than 2000 questions before the end of the public beta.

read more

So I got my first smartphone. It’s awesome.

Review:
Awesome phone, awesome OS, ok battery life, addicting.

It is again the time of the year when we celebrate software freedom day!

This year the Software Freedom Day 2010 will occur in the Kwartlab. This event is a cooperation between Ubuntu Canada (Kitchener/Waterloo Chapter), KWLUG and the Working Centre.

read more

Tram tracks, Vancouver BC - March 13th, 2010

This is the old portion of the unused tram tracks leading to the recently rebuilt and unused right of way formerly known as the Olympic Line. The rest has been covered by unscrupulous construction. At the time the tram cars were still running before they got returned to Brussels.

See "Catching the tram" for the other end of the line.

The Ubuntu stackexchange site will continue as it is, as its own entity, in parallel with the other site for Unix and Linux questions. Thanks for all the support so far from everybody who participated. We have now more than 2000 Users and coming close to 1000 questions of which 95% have been answered.

Please continue to help this site growing and make it a good place for Ubuntu users to find answers!

read more

I have finally managed to fix the problems with the installation of php5-mcrypt and php5-imap from my repository. However, it needs to be noted that the versions of those packages are 5.2.6, hence the pinning in the /etc/apt/preferences file must be done accordingly!

We say we are “in” traffic, dramatising ourselves as a lone vehicle of noble and rational intent, with a sea of malevolent, deadweight antagonists stretching endlessly fore and aft. It was in a bid to highlight the flaws in this position that a German transport campaign erected roadside boards reading: “You are not stuck in traffic – you are traffic.”

An otherwise quite ordinary Guardian Comment is Free column on the latest Chinese super-traffic-jam points out something I’ve blogged before: the exceptionalism of insulated, protected, self-absorbed car drivers.

We’re all traffic. Traffic is never “them”, it’s “us”, and that bears repeating in the (faint) hope it might eventually stick.

The Ubuntu Beta releases are out and need testing. For Kubuntu users the announcement is here. Testing can easily be done with testdrive. Please help to make the final release better by testing this beta!

World of Science, Vancouver, BC - April 4th 2010

Plaza of Nations, Vancouver, BC - April 4th 2010

As Ubuntu Hour is starting to be a regular occurrence in the Waterloo region, the next one will be happening on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 8pm. The location will be Whole Lotta Gelata, probably a good place in this current heat wave in Southern Ontario :)

Ubuntu Hour is an event which is very good for anyone to come and to ask questions about Ubuntu, exchange tips and tricks, and have a whole lotta fun. This particular event, we also will be talking about the upcoming Software Freedom Day (September 18, 2010) which we will organize an event which will be happening in the Kwartzlab. So if you have interest in this event, or even better, would like to contribute in the organization of the Software Freedom Day, please feel free to come to the Ubuntu Hour this week!

read more