The Geek Brewery

USERS OF PIRATED MICROSOFT WINDOWS, read this!

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.

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Good news Windows Vista users because Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is now released. More security holes are now patched, but still a greater number of them are left undiscovered or unpatched. Compatibility is now better than ever, the way software should be (backwards compatibility, doh!).

So head on, users of legitimate Windows Vista users and grab your copy of Windows Vista SP2. And did I say you need Windows Vista SP1 installed on your computer before installing this one? FAIL!

Tidbits about Windows Vista SP2

• Installing SP2 won’t make your hopefully legitimate copy of Windows Vista immune to viruses.
• You need SP1 to install this.
• Is a relatively small download compared to previous service pack. Download size is 43 to 60MB for computers with Windows Vista SP1.
• The Windows Service Pack Blocker by Microsoft still works for SP2. This tool is for people who doesn’t want their pirated installations of Vista to be detected.
• With SP2, you may now record on Blu-Ray discs.

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. (more…)

“It’s fine to say ‘don’t use Internet Explorer’ for now, but other browsers may well find themselves in a similar situation”, these were the exact words of Darien Graham-Smith, PC Pro security editor.

Recently, Microsoft discovered a new security hole (vulnerability) to all released versions of Internet Explorer. Being the default Internet browser on most Windows workstations, this issue undoubtedly placed Internet Explorer to the spotlight.

The security hole was discovered by hackers before Microsoft did. In return, malicious websites that install programs that steal passwords for online games were already on the cloud (Internet) during Microsoft’s discovery. Even nongamers should be worried about this as the same security hole could have been used to steal more sensitive information.

Even though Microsoft already released a patch to the vulnerability, not everyone is vigilant enough to download it. I guess Microsoft has to give this issue more publicity. Internet cafes and maintainers of public Internet terminals should know the issue as the general public’s safety is on stake.

Personally, I’ve quit using Internet Explorer 5 years ago. I’ve been overwhelmed with the large volume of security holes that install malicious software. I switched to Mozilla Firefox and was very satisfied.

Related reads:

• Critical IE7 fix is now available — All About Microsoft (ZDNET Blogs)
• Internet Explorer security flaw leaves millions at risk — LIVENEWS.com.au
• Internet Explorer security flaw is identified — Suite101 Browsers section

Hey guys, it’s now almost a week since I moved to Linux. And yeah, as I always say, it was fun — really fun.

I am an eight-year Windows user. In short, I grew up with Microsoft and other proprietary software. It is only at this stage of my life that I decided to go open-source. To go for something that is for a greater cause.

I admit that it was a bit hard for me to adjust to the new environment especially when using the terminal (Command Prompt or MS DOS in Windows). It took me time to study the terminal codes just so to look cool and geeky.

Now, ideas are scrambling on my mind. So now, I am making this nonsugarcoated review. A real, authentic and genuine review from an eight-year Windows user.

Machine Specifications

Operating System: Linux Mint (Ubuntu derivative)
Processor: AMD Turion 64 X2 (1.9GHz dual-core)
Memory: 2GB
Dedicated Video Memory: 64MB
Video Memory (Dedicated+Shared): 399MB
Hard Disk: 120GB 5400rpm

Linux Mint is a great Linux distribution for first-timers like me. It contains most of the codecs required to play your typical audio and video files. It is also equipped with the necessary players for your multimedia needs.

On my system, Linux Mint was so far stable. Seldom do I experience program crashes. It was swift, even with Advanced Desktop Effects enabled.

If you’re worrying about office applications, it is equipped with OpenOffice. You may have tried OpenOffice before and categorized it as a Loser as I did before. But hey, I recommend you to reconsider your prejudgment. Why don’t you give it another try? I used OpenOffice for most of the House Council works. Also, is the only complete Office suite I knew that has the feature (without using a PDF printer) to produce PDF files. How cool is that? It’s also open-source, so you have the freedom to modify, redistribute, copy and study the software without breaking applicable laws. No more need to commit another crime.

Interfacewise, it is really good — better than Windows shall I say. Desktop effects were astonishing. You could choose different animations for minimizing, maximizing, opening and closing windows. For me, the Desktop Cube was the coolest of them all. Check the screenshots below, how cool is that?

If you think you ain’t geek enough to install software in Linux, that’s definitely not a problem. Linux Mint is equipped with Synaptics Package Manager. Just open it, mark everything you need and click Apply. The marked software will be downloaded for you and installed in no time.

So that not to make this review as praiseful and 100% positive, I really had problems when I tried to do some coding work. Before, I used Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 for my PHP, xHTML and CSS needs. I tried to use Bluefish, a software I downloaded using Synaptics Package Manger but it was really different. It was harder than I thought. I was cramming an app and so what I did was restarted my laptop and booted up my Windows Vista and voila, Dreamweaver is back! As to achieve my goal of migrating all my tasks to Linux, I am now looking for a great alternatve. Gladly I saw this site Osalt.com, a site that offers Open-Source alternatives for proprietary software like Dreamweaver.

I’m running out of time. Before I end this one, I’m gonna show you my ultimate favorite in Linux. It’s the wonderful Terminal equipped with Fortunes. It gives you random jokes/quotes/foresights everytime you open a Terminal windows/tab. Oh, before I forget, you can tab out (open multiple tabs) Terminal. Some screenshots:

That’s all. Anyway, I think I found my Dreamweaver alternative. It’s Quanta Plus!!