>Another trick that helps is to always keep the Linux machines in perfect working order
Oh, you mean as in "doing nothing"?:-)
>and "neglect" the Windows machines.
Here you mean, "As in let the costumers use them":-)
Two weeks without re-imaging the WinXP machines? do you have any idea what kind of crap acumulates on these computers after one DAY of use? seeing the results of a Ad-aware run is scary.
I have all my updates in order, antivirus, firewall, etc. No problems there, but the spyware... Wow.
I think that if I tried to put all that crap on purpose on my machines I could not do it.
And before someone tells me to set up group polices, etc, Yeah, I know all about them.
You need Active Directory for them to work well and for Active Directory you need a Windows Server which costs 'mucho dinero'.
I hope Samba could help me with the AD stuff in the near future.
The problem is babysitting the costumers. These are people that freak out if the MSN Messenger icon changes place. (and that's what all the people come here and do, chat on Messenger for hours, it is unvelibable)
I already have my share of babysitting problems by using OpenOffice.org on the WinXP machines, if the GUI is not 100% perfect (aka just like the MS Office they use at school) they freak out.
But the regulars have adapted pretty well to OpenOffice, and It has saved me a ton of money. And its MS Office filters are pretty good.
Sometimes fonts are screwy, but in my experience that happens with different versions of MS Office too. (If you want a perfect render/print you need to use PDF's anyway.)
I have setup another Linux macheine at my Web Cafe (running the new Fedora Core) and will see how the custumers react to it.
Here is my product activation story, I frist posted this on my blog but I wanted to contribute it here too.
I had to reinstall one of the machines in the Web Cafe that I own. Since all the computers have the exact same hardware, the easiest way was to pull the hard drive from one of the PCs to the one that is acting as a file and print server.
Because of several reasons that I really don't want to explain right now, all the machines are running Windows XP Pro (yes, I did try using Linux first, no, the clients didn't want to use it.)
So I have all my licenses in order ( the BSA can come here and kiss my ass) and activated.
I swapped the hard drives, and of course, I knew I would had to activate Windows again. No problem right?
yeah, right
A message came up saying that I had exceeded the number of installations valid for my CD Key or something like that.
"Crap, now what? I paid for All these licenses!"
So I called the 1-800 number on the screen and tried to navigate the voice menu (I hate those). The system hanged on me twice before I could speak to a real person.
"What seems to be the problem"
I described to her the problem and I had to dictate her a 30 digit number that was on screen. After a while, she gave me another 30 digit number to type.
After we were finished I asked her If I would have to call every single time I needed to reinstall Windows. She said that she didn't knew.
If I have to call Microsoft every single time I need to reinstall MY machines, I am going to be very, very pissed.
With product activation, Microsoft is treating their customers, me in this case, like criminals. I could have downloaded a crack from the Net, but no, instead I spend 10,000 pesos (almost 1,000 dollars) in Microsoft software and I get treated like a criminal and waste my time calling them for permission to reinstall my machines.
This sucks.
As soon as I think my clients could start using a Linux desktop just by sitting in front of it and not needing any training, all Microsoft software is out from here.
Product activation sucks. The people who want to use software illegaly with product activation will find a way (cracks, serials, etc) and the only ones getting the finger are the honest paying costumers.
Mexcian movie, Nicotina, used KDE
on
Linux in Movies?
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· Score: 3, Informative
I went to saw Nicotina a few weeks ago, and every computer on screen was running KDE.
They even zoom in on a Russian guy working on his laptop and we discover that he is actually playing the KDE version of Tetris:-)
Prodigy is alive and kicking in Mexico. It is owned by Telmex, the largest Mexican phone company.
Of course Prodigy is a standard ISP now, hell, It is the best ISP on Mexico right now. With a top notch broadband service, a little pricey compared to the States but still pretty good service.
I have to agree, the Happy Hacking Keboard (Lite2) with the Dvorak layout is the best keyboard I have ever used. I spent almost 90 dollars on mine and it is worth every penny.
I carry it with me all the time, and I never have to adjust to diferent key sizes/positions.
I have changed laptops several times, and it is always a pain to compensate muscular memory for diferent layouts, but with the HHK never again.
But the real ergonomical gain for me was the switch to Dvorak when I got my HHK, it is just amazing how confortable you feel once you learn it, I agree completly with you.
Re:A lot of people seem to misunderstand the GPL.
on
RMS on Java and GPL
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· Score: 1
RMS doesn't fear _Commercial_ software, it's _Propietary_ software which he and other like me don't like.
There is such thing as Commercial Free Software you know. here is more info
Re:A lot of people seem to misunderstand the GPL.
on
RMS on Java and GPL
·
· Score: 1
That's funny Tom, last time I looked, Perl's licence was GNU GPL & Artistic, not BSD:-)
The GNU GPL has its uses, it protects software from beeing turned non-free. I respect people who feel that software should be "do what ever you like as long as you keep this copyright here" free, but I would like the same respect from this people for the people like me that like "Do what ever yo want, but don't make propietary versions" free
And before you acuse me of beeing a GNU nuthead, I use Apache, Zope and Python daily, none of which are GPL.;)
Slashdot Mirror
News credibility? Slashdot? You must be new around here :-)
The keybinding for that feature is Ctl-S
Not in my case. I talked to a MS rep, a lady with a venezuelan accent. (I am in Mexico)
She told me she didn't know if I would have to call every time I updated my harware for a new key.
The problem is that it keeps changeing sides! First, he teams up with Oceania to annoy you and then he beats it up and steels Oceania's lunch money.
Well, I read in a Salon interview with one of the producers of 24 that we also did some work on Nikita.
:-)
So it is posible that they hired someone they worked with previously?
Anyway, I am a Gnome fan, but it is still cool to see KDE on 24.
By the way, 24 rules!!
I think he means that neon green on the JuK web site that makes you want to peel your eyes off. :-)
Mod parent up! This is a very detail critic/analisis of Juk's GUI.
Damn, I wish I hadn't posted earlier on, so I could use my moderation points.
This is exactly what Open Source Apps need. Gnome has its HIG, does KDE has something similar?
I wasn't the only one blinded by this web site then?
On a postive note, the change from MP3 players molded after real world devices to players center on data(in this case the playlist) is very welcommed.
FYI, I use rhythmbox on Linux. It is pretty good.
>Another trick that helps is to always keep the Linux machines in perfect working order
:-)
:-)
Oh, you mean as in "doing nothing"?
>and "neglect" the Windows machines.
Here you mean, "As in let the costumers use them"
Two weeks without re-imaging the WinXP machines? do you have any idea what kind of crap acumulates on these computers after one DAY of use? seeing the results of a Ad-aware run is scary.
I have all my updates in order, antivirus, firewall, etc. No problems there, but the spyware... Wow.
I think that if I tried to put all that crap on purpose on my machines I could not do it.
And before someone tells me to set up group polices, etc, Yeah, I know all about them.
You need Active Directory for them to work well and for Active Directory you need a Windows Server which costs 'mucho dinero'.
I hope Samba could help me with the AD stuff in the near future.
The problem is babysitting the costumers. These are people that freak out if the MSN Messenger icon changes place. (and that's what all the people come here and do, chat on Messenger for hours, it is unvelibable)
I already have my share of babysitting problems by using OpenOffice.org on the WinXP machines, if the GUI is not 100% perfect (aka just like the MS Office they use at school) they freak out.
But the regulars have adapted pretty well to OpenOffice, and It has saved me a ton of money. And its MS Office filters are pretty good.
Sometimes fonts are screwy, but in my experience that happens with different versions of MS Office too. (If you want a perfect render/print you need to use PDF's anyway.)
I have setup another Linux macheine at my Web Cafe (running the new Fedora Core) and will see how the custumers react to it.
Here is my product activation story, I frist posted this on my blog but I wanted to contribute it here too.
I had to reinstall one of the machines in the Web Cafe that I own. Since all the computers have the exact same hardware, the easiest way was to pull the hard drive from one of the PCs to the one that is acting as a file and print server.
Because of several reasons that I really don't want to explain right now, all the machines are running Windows XP Pro (yes, I did try using Linux first, no, the clients didn't want to use it.)
So I have all my licenses in order ( the BSA can come here and kiss my ass) and activated.
I swapped the hard drives, and of course, I knew I would had to activate Windows again. No problem right?
yeah, right
A message came up saying that I had exceeded the number of installations valid for my CD Key or something like that.
"Crap, now what? I paid for All these licenses!"
So I called the 1-800 number on the screen and tried to navigate the voice menu (I hate those). The system hanged on me twice before I could speak to a real person.
"What seems to be the problem"
I described to her the problem and I had to dictate her a 30 digit number that was on screen. After a while, she gave me another 30 digit number to type.
After we were finished I asked her If I would have to call every single time I needed to reinstall Windows. She said that she didn't knew.
If I have to call Microsoft every single time I need to reinstall MY machines, I am going to be very, very pissed.
With product activation, Microsoft is treating their customers, me in this case, like criminals. I could have downloaded a crack from the Net, but no, instead I spend 10,000 pesos (almost 1,000 dollars) in Microsoft software and I get treated like a criminal and waste my time calling them for permission to reinstall my machines.
This sucks.
As soon as I think my clients could start using a Linux desktop just by sitting in front of it and not needing any training, all Microsoft software is out from here.
Product activation sucks. The people who want to use software illegaly with product activation will find a way (cracks, serials, etc) and the only ones getting the finger are the honest paying costumers.
I went to saw Nicotina a few weeks ago, and every computer on screen was running KDE.
:-)
They even zoom in on a Russian guy working on his laptop and we discover that he is actually playing the KDE version of Tetris
Prodigy is alive and kicking in Mexico. It is owned by Telmex, the largest Mexican phone company.
Of course Prodigy is a standard ISP now, hell, It is the best ISP on Mexico right now. With a top notch broadband service, a little pricey compared to the States but still pretty good service.
So you can actually modify and fix the source? You don't have to depend on your vendor for fixes? Sounds very good :- )
I have to agree, the Happy Hacking Keboard (Lite2) with the Dvorak layout is the best keyboard I have ever used. I spent almost 90 dollars on mine and it is worth every penny.
I carry it with me all the time, and I never have to adjust to diferent key sizes/positions.
I have changed laptops several times, and it is always a pain to compensate muscular memory for diferent layouts, but with the HHK never again.
But the real ergonomical gain for me was the switch to Dvorak when I got my HHK, it is just amazing how confortable you feel once you learn it, I agree completly with you.
RMS doesn't fear _Commercial_ software, it's _Propietary_ software which he and other like me don't like.
There is such thing as Commercial Free Software you know. here is more info
That's funny Tom, last time I looked, Perl's licence was GNU GPL & Artistic, not BSD :-)
;)
The GNU GPL has its uses, it protects software from beeing turned non-free. I respect people who feel that software should be "do what ever you like as long as you keep this copyright here" free, but I would like the same respect from this people for the people like me that like "Do what ever yo want, but don't make propietary versions" free
And before you acuse me of beeing a GNU nuthead, I use Apache, Zope and Python daily, none of which are GPL.
Have a nice day
Cents an hour?? I hope you are not talking about "salario minimo", (minimun wage) that is a complete joke.
More than 20 million mexicans live in extreme poverty.