I’ve been having trouble getting XGL / Compiz running but I think I’ve figured it out. For anyone with an nVidia card this *should* work for you.
This tutorial is based on Ubuntu 6.06 LTS (Dapper) and my nVidia GeForce4 MX 440 card.
In an attempt not to flood the Utah Open Source Planet I’ve moved the Howto to a static WordPress page. (sorry guys). Check out the instructions here.
I wanted to pass on this flash cartoon put together by the EFF. It’s about DRM and how it’ll screw the consumer long into the future.
Check it out. Pass it on [Digg it], [del.icio.us], [reddit], [MySpace], [YouTube].
Take action. Send a note to your Senator!
After a tip from Lamont I actually took a read thru the XP EULA and I don’t like what I see. I’m in the bad habit, as I’m sure a lot of us are, of not really reading the EULAs before we install. If any of you have not read it I suggest checking out this link. It breaks each section down into plain english.
Windows XP EULA in Plain English
XP EULA @ Microsoft (for comparison)
As soon as I am able (need to replace one more app!) I’ll drop XP completely. I hate that I have to rely on it, even for one or two things. Thanks Tristan for pointing out some video editors. Hopefully one (or two) of those will work.
In a follow up from my previous post about WGA (Windows Genuine Disadvantage) I thought I would share a tool that I found that helps avoid a few of the ‘phone home’ issues we all hate. Try it out.
Below is taken from the About page of xp-AntiSpy.
The xp-AntiSpy is a little utility that lets you disable some built-in update and authentication 'features' in WindowsXP. ...This utility was successfully tested by lots of users, and was found to disable all the known 'Suspicious' Functions in WindowsXP. It's customiseable, but comes up with the Default settings, which are recommended. ...
I have since disabled the Windows Genuine Disadvantage ‘feature’ along with a few others that I wasn’t even aware existed. The more I look into this the less I want my XP boxen even connected to the LAN. I would simply disable the network adapters but I’m not even sure that’d stop all of the phoning home. Seems like physical disconnection is the only safe way to use XP.
This post is aimed at anyone attending the interLUG BBQ on Sat 17.
I’m sure you all have read about the latest & greatest way Microsoft has of spying on us & pretty much continuing to rule the world as our not-so-secret shadow government. Good ‘ol “Windows Genuine Advantage” (where do they get these spin artists?) is calling home & making sure we’re all doing what Bill wants.
Well, I have a dual-boot machine for the occasional XP app that I need to use. I have three valid XP Home Edition keys taped to the bottom of my machines but I no longer have any valid XP Home Install media. When I installed XP I used a friends install CD and then realized my Home licenses wouldn’t work for his Pro CD, so I used a borrowed key. Now I have very regular nag screens telling me I’m a pirate and will end up as Ballmers prison-bitch in hell unless I buy a “geniuine” copy of XP.
If anyone has an XP Home Install CD that I could use I would appreciate it. Again, I have valid keys, just no CD.
…back to look for replacement OSS apps so I can drop this cancer like a bad habit.
The Ubuntu Meet tonite was fun. We didn’t have a great turnout (you know who you are!) but those that were there got to experience the biggest pizza I’ve ever seen . We got a huge one thinking that some more people might show up. Well four of us ended up trying to share a 23″ pizza (although I swear its was more like 36″!)
For my first time being at The Pie it was pretty good. Good music (Zeppelin, Hendrix..), good food and good company. Nice to be around some other nerds from time to time 
See everyone next month.
For those of you that don’t troll Slashdot we have an update concerning my recent post on Net Neutrality.
"A recent vote in the U.S. House of Representatives has led to a rejection of the principle of Net Neutrality from the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act (Cope Act), in spite of massive lobbying from prominent businesses. According to the BBC, the bill '...aims to make it easier for telecoms firms to offer video services around America by replacing 30,000 local franchise boards with a national system overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)'. However, according to House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, 'telecommunications and cable companies will be able to create toll lanes on the information superhighway... This strikes at the heart of the free and equal nature of the
internet.'"
Find more here.
Below is an excerpt from an Open Letter to Google Users by CEO Eric Schmidt. Please take a minute and read it over. Also included are links for contacting your Senator [Link 1], [Link 2]. Let’s hope our less-than-beloved Senator Hatch doesn’t further screw us like he has done so many times in the past concerning the internet. Let him know how you feel!
"The Internet as we know it is facing a serious threat. There's a debate heating up in Washington, DC on something called "net neutrality" and it's a debate that's so important Google is asking you to get involved. We're asking you to take action to protect Internet freedom.In the next few days, the House of Representatives is going to vote on a bill that would fundamentally alter the Internet. That bill, and one that may come up for a key vote in the Senate in the next few weeks, would give the big phone and cable companies the power to pick and choose what you will be able to see and do on the Internet.Today the Internet is an information highway where anybody no matter how large or small, how traditional or unconventional has equal access. But the phone and cable monopolies, who control almost all Internet access, want the power to choose who gets access to high-speed lanes and whose content gets seen first and fastest. They want to build a two-tiered system and block the on-ramps for those who can't pay.
Creativity, innovation and a free and open marketplace are all at stake in this fight. Please call your representative (202-224-3121) and let your voice be heard."
“So Far So Good” is my review so far of my new Brother HL-2070N LaserJet Printer. I ordered it on Monday and it arrived today (2 day standard shipping, $12.15) from NewEgg.com
So far it has been very simple to setup and well supported in Linux. I’m using Ubuntu on my machines and took less than 10 mouse-clicks to get setup. Windows was a little harder to setup, but only because it was slightly less intuitive, but fine once I figured it out. I set it up using the ethernet connection so it doesn’t depend on any one machine for use. Great option to get!
Specs (taken from test page):
I got it for $147, including shipping. So far I would give it a good review and suggest it as a good buy for any home office.
I’m looking into setting up a VPN for a client between his home & office and wondering the best solution to use. On the one hand I could try openVPN and do the software solution. Pros for this are 1) cost 2) actually learn the ins & outs of setting things up and 3) probably more configurable.
The other option would be a hardware VPN. I could just buy this for $70 shipped and spend a few minutes setting things up. Pros for this option are 1) time 2) time 3) simplicity.
If anyone has any experience setting up a VPN and could lend some wisdom I’d appreciate some feedback.