Archive for May, 2009

Why leave Windows and switch to Linux and why not!

Posted by Mikko at 31 May 2009

Category: Linux

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Screenshot

USERS OF PIRATED MICROSOFT WINDOWS, read this! :D

I’ve used Microsoft Windows as my primary operating system for around eight long years. But last year, I tried Linux. I was so amazed of my experience that I made the switch. I left Windows which was worth big bucks for a free and open source piece of software and never had any regret.

Here are some of the good reasons why switch to Linux!

  • We don’t have any virus in the wild, yet. There could be in the future but to date, there is no Linux virus in the wild. In Windows, despite religiously checking removable devices for viruses and making sure the antivirus is turned on, odds are you’ll still get a virus. And once it’s there, there’s no turning back. Your antivirus may delete the infected or infectious file but the damage it made may remain unreversed. You know how tiring it is to reformat a hard disk over and over again just to maintain a clean system!
  • There are Linux counterparts of most Windows programs. But if you really can’t find one, you can use Wine (Windows emulator) to run most of your Windows programs.
  • It’s far more stable than Windows. Most web servers run on Linux. It’s because Linux is far more stable than Windows server (aside from the cost factor).
  • Free support! Windows gives you a perception of support, but with Linux you get real support. For example, you choose Ubuntu – there’s the very reliable Ubuntu Forums. Once you’ve got a problem, chances are another person have asked that problem too. If not, you may ask it and receive answers in a matter of minutes to days.
  • It’s ready for the typical desktop user. For the past decade, Linux had a reputation that it’s a “for-geek-only” OS. It’s not true anymore, promise!
  • No need to commit another crime! This is applicable especially for those who use pirated copies of Windows. Since most Linux distributions are free, you don’t have to commit another crime!
  • There’s Compiz Desktop Effects. You can apply desktop effects to your machine such as Desktop Cube, 3D Windows, Rain, Fire and other astonishing effects even with normal hardware. Also, they don’t eat that much RAM! Below (and one at the top) are some screenshots I took on my screen. I use Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) on my laptop.

Continue reading “Why leave Windows and switch to Linux and why not!” »

19 Comments

Microsoft rebranding Live Search: will it HIT?

Posted by Mikko at 26 May 2009

Category: Internet

Tags:

UPDATE: It’s confirmed. The new name will be Bing (http://bing.com). Rumors are spreading that they will launch it on May 29, 2009.

There are various reports in the Internet that says Microsoft is doing a rebrand of Live Search, their very own search engine. Live Search lost its luster in the search engine game, just as how Internet Explorer lost the consumer’s trust. Microsoft’s several failed attempts to buy Yahoo may have led them to do the rebrand.

Rumored potential names of the search engine reboot are Bing, Kumo and Hook. Both bing.com and kumo.com are already on the hands of Microsoft, while hook.com is still owned by another party. Continue reading “Microsoft rebranding Live Search: will it HIT?” »

5 Comments

NSO Birth Certificate Delivery

Posted by Mikko at 23 May 2009

Category: How-To

NSO Birth Certificate Delivery


It’s the time of the year when people enroll themselves on schools. For new registrants in a school, a birth certificate is usually required. For sure the queues at NSO (National Statistics Office) stations are getting longer and longer as the school year starts.

Good thing NSO birth certificates can now be requested thru phone. Birth certificates ordered thru phone will be delivered anywhere nationwide within 3 to 4 days. Just dial the number (02) 737-1111.

Icon from Citizen Services

201 Comments

Flying Back to General Santos

Posted by Mikko at 23 May 2009

Category: Personal

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I’m now in General Santos. Our flight was delayed for about two hours. We were supposed to leave Manila 12:30pm but we left past 2pm. The cause of delay was traffic congestion in the shorter runway of NAIA.

Later today, I will be flying back to General Santos City. My first academic year in the University is over and I’m not a freshie anymore. This means no more priority on the online enlistment of subjects.

I still have to pack my things up for this noon’s flight. I’m so excited to see what’s new in General Santos. The last time I was there was last October, to have my semestral break and shout-out in the 2nd Mindanao Blogger’s Summit. I’ve recently heard about Pacquiao’s 1.2-billion peso investment eco-zone (IT, medical and tourism) and the rumors about UST GenSan’s 2012 completion in time to their quadricentennial celebration (that’s 400 years).

I’ll be flying with Cebu Pacific, the airliner that lost one of my blogger friend Jehzeel Laurente’s valuables including his laptop. I hope I won’t experience the same disaster (haha) that happened to him.

Woot, General Santos here I come!

12 Comments

Build that Geek is now The Geek Brewery

Posted by Mikko at 22 May 2009

Category: Blogging

Build that Geek turns The Geek Brewery

Build that Geek is now The Geek Brewery! And there’s more, The Geek Brewery is now on a slicker, neater and cooler theme than before!

The Geek Brewery has the following promises:

  • lesser ads!
  • more juicy content!
  • more user interaction!
  • and many more…

You can now see a more detailed archive of this site on my archives page. There’s still the contact page in case you need to contact me.

Have fun and expect more on the days to go.

Anyway, do you want to win a MacBook Pro?  Just sign up @ eYP and read the mechanics there. Promo is valid to Philippine citizens residing in the Philippines.

9 Comments

Whew, at last…

Posted by Mikko at 19 May 2009

Category: Personal

Whew, finally the summer term is on its last leg!

My class schedule for this summer was a lot more hectic than my regular semester schedule. My schedule stretches from 7am to 7pm, with breaks at 10:15am to 2:00pm. That’s roughly 8 hours and 15 minutes of class time everyday, as compared to my longest class during last second semester which is only 7 hours and 15 minutes.

I’m really not used to entering all of my classes in a day but I can hardly afford to miss a class in the super fast-paced summer semester. With only two subjects in a day, missing one is a big deal.

This 23rd, after all of my exams, I’m bound to go home to have a break (which is only barely two weeks). Woot, I’m so excited!

3 Comments

iBlog 5: the 5th Philippine Blogging Summit

Posted by Mikko at 16 May 2009

Category: Blogging, Events

Exactly one week ago, bloggers from all over the Philippines gathered at the University of the Philippines Diliman for iBlog5: the 5th Philippine Bloggers Summit.

iBlog is an annual gathering of bloggers to discuss state of blogging in the country and other sorts of stuff. There are also lots of informative talks, both for new and old bloggers.

This year’s iBlog is more successful in terms of attendance. I met a lot of new bloggers but unfortunately I was not able to remember all of their names and URLs.

That’s it. My very short and boring iBlog post.

2 Comments

Kalayaan Residence Hall FAQs, answered!

Posted by Mikko at 14 May 2009

Category: Random

Tags:

Kalayaan Residence Hall is a freshman coeducational dormitory of UP Diliman. It houses more than 500 freshies from all around the country. The dormitory is under the Office of the Student Housing. I answered some of the frequently asked questions about the dormitory.

Q: I have a laptop. Is there Internet in the dormitory?
A: Hi incoming freshie! I am happy to inform you that all the dormitories managed by the Office of the Student Housing now have Internet access. Is it 24 hours? Yes it is! Another thing, you must abide by the Acceptable Use Policy of IT Systems of the UP System. This means no p0rn and t0rrent downloads. Hahaha.

Q: How many people stay in one room?
A: Two. You and your roommate!

Q: It’s coeducational. Is there a chance that I’ll have a roommate of opposite sex?
A: UP is a liberated school (everyone’s idea is well-respected). BUT, there’s no way you can have a roommate of opposite sex. There’s a BOYS and GIRLS wing in the dormitory and they’re separated by the lobby.

Q: How much do I pay?
A: Basically, you pay P500.00 a month for lodging. Add some P2000 to P3000 for food and around P10 to P200 for electricity depending on your appliances, per month.

Q: Is there a canteen in the dormitory?
A: Yes, there’s a food concessionaire on the mess hall so you won’t have to hunt for food each night. :D The canteen serves food on certain hours only.

Q: What are the other facilities of the dorm?
A: Well, the dorm has the following: a piano on the TV area, a big TV, bunch of chairs and tables that can be used for group studying, a handful of couches, a basketball court, a table tennis table, a volleyball court, a mess hall slash canteen, comfort rooms for residents and non-residents, one water dispenser for all of its 500 residents, a gigantic UP map and a lot more. We used to have a conference room and a multipurpose hall but the Office of the Student Housing occupies the space now.

Q: I have other questions. Where will I send my questions?
A: Just comment below and I’ll gladly answer it. If it’s an interesting one, it might get posted in here. :D

Send in your questions now and they’ll be answered in no time!

27 Comments