Monthly Archive: August 2008

I’ve been intending to write something to mark the “completion” of the move. I started this blog two years ago to write about free software and related topics, and to give myself additional motivation to finally make the switch from MS Windows to GNU/Linux.

So where am I at today?

I’ve been using Ubuntu as the operating system on my main personal machine since June 2007, and have essentially completed the migration to free software applications as of January 2008. With the exception of some drivers and media formats, I’ve made it to the other side.

How does it feel to be here? Is it everything I hoped for?

Pretty much. From a practical perspective, I’m comfortable using Ubuntu in the same way I previously felt at home in Windows. It’s not all perfect. But then of course neither is Windows or the Mac. I miss some things, but I don’t have any regrets about making the switch. (Conversely, using Windows …

Coming soon to a bookstore near you: Neal Stephenson’s next book! I’ve been waiting with pleasant anticipation since hearing about it earlier in the year and preordered it from Amazon this month.

It’s not necessary to know anything about it. I’ll be at the front of the line for anything new from Neal, no questions asked. However, I was happy to see that Steven Levy wrote a piece about Stephenson and the book for Wired 16.09:

“Novelist Neal Stephenson Once Again Proves He’s the King of the Worlds”

Excellent article, although I was disappointed to learn he works for patent troll Nathan Myhrvold at Intellectual Ventures. I’m sure he’s working with interesting people on fascinating projects, but still. These guys are trying to own ideas, which is thoroughly distasteful.

(There are also a couple of videos on the book’s Amazon page of Stephenson talking about the book and reading from it.)…

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