Related to computers - Linux 2016

I would like to brag about a new personal achievement.

I can now claim that I know how to build personal Linux computers.

I spent the past month self-teaching myself, and devoted all

my spare time to it, and I can finally say that I have a basic

beginner's level knowledge of the operating system used

to install programs and make a new blank computer usable.

Our 11 year old daughter can turn on this computer and easily log-in, 

and has a choice of 25 exciting games to play.

I built a really fancy computer.    But it turns out, that Linux

does not require as powerful of computer as Windows and

Apple need.

Next-time, I can build a smaller more portable, less powerful

computer that will suit my business needs better.

I still have a lot to learn, as Linux is not yet perfect.     It is sort

of like Windows 7 was back in 2009.    People forget that when

Microsoft started coercing people to leave Windows XP and get

a Windows 7 computer, that many chose instead to get an Apple

Computer or move to Linux.    Now most businesses prefer Windows

7, but  Windows 7 is no longer being properly supported, and thousands

of computer geeks around the world are supporting Linux, so it has 

become just as good as Windows 7.     By August, Linux will surpass 

Windows 7 in functionality.

The whole point is that a person like me does not have to buy Windows or

buy the programs that use it.    Everything I need is free and right here

on my computer, and if I want to change a program, I know how to do that.

Where Windows still excels is in the areas where businesses use programs

like accounting and tax programs and AutoCAD, but I can see how Linux will 

eventually catch up to that.

I think Android ( like on Samsung tablets and smartphones ) is going to take 

over the touchscreen computer market, and

Linux will eventually be the most popular operating system for people that still

think they need a computer sitting on their desk.

Cheers,

David

2016 Linux/Ubuntu comments for Newbies

I installed Ubuntu Gnome version 16.10 on a new computer.    Here are just a
few things that I noticed:



When my computer is idling, it is using about 1.5 GB of RAM,
and when I have YouTube playing and a game playing, it is using
2.2 GB of RAM.

My CPU usage for 8 core i7 is 1 % in 2 or 3 of the cores and 0 %
in the other 5 to 6 cores when idling.     With Youtube playing and
a game in the background, the cores hover around 17% each, some
dropping to 8 % and the highest number I have seen is 23 %.

I guess that would suggest that a person can build a good Linux computer
with a i5 CPU and just 4 GB of good RAM.    Right ??



The comments below are specific to Ubuntu, and probably just the flavor
Ubuntu Gnome:

I now have a Twitter client on my menu bar.   It is called "Corebird."

     https://goo.gl/photos/MXenUWzeBx9reYtA7

It works great, but I can't get Facebook, Instagram, etc. in the same
manner.   I have to resort
to using the web-browser to get other social media.    I guess I will
have to start
Twittering now that it is easier to use on my computer.

Twitter address:    @dlocklear01


The link below shows my desktop when I am not doing anything.    The
only thing to click on is the word "Activities," at the left top corner, which
gets you into the vertical app bar and a text search bar, and top right corner
is the on/off menu, network, and volume.    In the middle top is the
date and time
which you can click on to get to a simple calendar and notifications.

     https://goo.gl/photos/Srn7jEey6u7js63H8


The link below shows what happens when I click on "Activities."    The vertical
toolbar to the left shows up.    Note the icon with the bird.   That
is not Angry Birds,
but the Twitter client mentioned above.    To the far right of the
screen there is a pull
out window, of all the apps that are running ( you have to squint to
see it, but it pulls out
easily by just hovering the mouse over it:

     https://goo.gl/photos/KPiiDWGhkGrY1sBR7

I have installed about 13 free games from the list of games the operating
system provides.   I found that "Neverball," was probably one of the best of the
games, especially for kids.


Having the vertical menu bar on the side of the computer works best with
the new wide-screen monitors.

Installation of all hardware was simple and invisible, except apparently it did
not like my model of printer.    I tried 2 different ones and it did not work.


There seems to be no reason to use Windows XP if you are a casual user
of computers.     I do not see any great reason to use Windows 7 if you are a casual
user just doing the basic things the average person does on their computer.

Awesome New Headlamp

Review of new LED headlamp

Bushnell Pro H300L

I created this review as there is no information about his headlamp yet on the internet and the headlamp is a good buy.    It is most suitable for use around camp or in your glovebox or as a

back-up emergency light, or for hiking at night, or light-caving in a small cave or as a back-up

light on a long caving trip.

http://i5.walmartimages.com/dfw/dce07b8c-49e8/k2-_34c5982b-a8e0-4b4e-a51b-35e98fe3722c.v1.jpg

Pros:

     1 )     Compact, lightweight

     2 )     Variable light settings:   Bright Spot, Dim Spot, Bright Flood, Dim Flood, and Red

               ( ***these settings are far superior to anything in this price range in retail stores.*** )

     3 )     Inexpensive

     4 )     Readily available at "select" Walmarts that have excellent outdoor departments.

              ( probably locked away in cabinet with other fancy hunting items )

     5 )     Easily rechargeable from any USB port.

Cons:

     1 )     Not suitable as primary light-source on a long wet muddy caving trip

     2 )     No overhead strap

     3 )     Changing battery would require a work-bench and tools.

     4 )     Battery is tiny, and the time listed on the specs is most likely exaggerated.

     5 )     Bright spot has no diffuser.

     6 )     Bright flood is not bright enough for any borehole passage

     7 )     Not waterproof enough to be a primary caving light in a wet cave.

     8 )     In a muddy crawling cave, the USB cord would most likely get destroyed,

              rendering the headlamp useless.

     9 )     Battery can NOT be changed in cave, creating a potential emergency if they

              light were to fail.

http://i5.walmartimages.com/dfw/dce07b8c-ac78/k2-_96474b92-0b5b-4184-87d8-c09b0dd5fba9.v1.jpg

Price $ 29 plus tax.