Linux Snobs: Real Barriers to Entry

One particularly distraught new Linux user came to me and shared how his meeting with a number of Linux “pros” turned to a bash Windows, bash him and bash everything he said gathering. Instead of answering his question regarding which GUI they prefer to use on their systems, the response was a clear: “you ignoramous! Go back to your Windows.”

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Steal This Computer Book 4.0 CD may contain SpyWare

I recently purchased “Steal This Computer Book 4.0″ which comes with a nice CD full of security software.
One of the apps on the CD is FileShield Encryption which Encrypts individual files or entire folders. That’s just what I need to secure my personal files on my work pc.
So I went ahead to install FileShield but instead what I was about to install was the Free Download Manager to download and install FileSheild.
To me Free Download Manager = Spyware. And this book is about protecting yourself from such applications.
How very f@#king cute. I wonder was this the intention of the publisher to see how many people would go ahead and install Download Manager or was it put there to see how many people would see it and freak out, like me?

I wonder how many of the other apps may contain some sort of “Download Manager” or other “make you PC faster” utility.  Well I’ll never know because I’m never going to use the CD again.  If I want the app I’ll got get it from the source.

Linux Wireless Resources

Linux and Wireless is currently a pain in the arse. Some wireless vendors are hip to Linux and others could care less. To get around the this issue Linux hackers and some vendors have created dirvers or hacks to get Linux and wifi in the same bed.

This page is my resource and links page for trying to get wifi working on my Gateway MX6440 laptop which has a poorly supported Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 02). At some point I am going to buy either a USB Wifi, a PCMCIA Wifi Card or a miniPCI Wifi card.

This blog entry got me on the right path Linux-friendly wireless vendors.
List of vendors:
-Ralink RT2500 chipsets based wireless 802.11g devices
-ZyDAS chipsets based wireless 802.11a/b/g devices
Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu
-How to: Broadcom Wireless cards without Ndiswrapper
-Wireless BCM4318 AirForce Card
Hard-Ware
-Belkin Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Model F5D7010
-MSI MP54G4 Mini PCI Wireless-G Notebook Adapter