The Cookies Craze (and how to Keep Your Cool)
Only a few years ago, I probably would have started such an article with, “I guess we don’t have to go into great detail as to what cookies are used for and how they work”. Well, apparently, these days are over. Still, I won’t go into great detail here as regards the use and inner works of cookies. It would be a boring, utterly useless venture. Too many words have been made about them already, and none of those hit home.
Hence, I will give you a rather condensed version of what’s to know about them, lest I should risk to waste any more of your (and my) time: Cookies are not the problem! Neither yours nor mine, and, provided that they were employed in a reasonable manner, not your browser’s, either.
In general, cookies are used to save visitors’ time and effort. Yes, they also may help save programming time and effort. In both respects, they are a godsend. Yet …
Kiss Me, I’m Irish
Zorin OS is neither the first (that would probably be Linux Mint) nor the latest (that would probably be Solus) operating system hailing from the Emerald Isle, but it certainly is one of the most interesting distros I have tested in quite a while.
Now, I’m not exactly what you’d call a “distro hopper”, I do prefer rolling releases, and I (think I) made it abundantly clear in the past that I’m strongly leaning towards independently developed distros rather than forks. As such, I’d still consider myself a die–hard Debianite.
However, my preferences and opinions are not, and should not be, the subject of this review, nor should they influence your approach to the matter.
The objective of this review is, help the precious reader make their transition from Windows to Linux as smooth as any possible — with a bit of luck, you might even enjoy the ride. That is, if you are even up for this journey (if you consider liberating your computer and yourself, in other words).
Read more: Kiss Me, I’m Irish
Linux, Come Play with Me
Is Windows the ultimate — perhaps only — digital vehicle that carries one safely through an afternoon of decent, playful distraction? Or is that yet another popular myth? And if so, would I even have what it takes to debunk this legend?
After all, my machine is a far cry from what you’d call a “gaming PC”, and my status as a gamer is so far below “n00b” that some few might even think I’m cool. Don’t. It’s just that I cannot be arsed to slouch in front of a computer for hours on end, unless I have to.
When I mentioned those (new) Linux users who reported to only still cling to Windows for the sake of gaming, I began to wonder why that may be so. Are these fellows just too lazy or ignorant to venture to new horizons or are manufacturers just too focused on catering to the biggest fish in the pond to break new ground? I decided to take a lazy afternoon to find useful answers to these questions.
Read more: Linux, Come Play with Me
Windows 11, Part 5: Are There Better Options?
I felt bad after I had written my review of Windows 11. So much so, that I refused to publish it until I would have found at least one tenable alternative for the precious reader to try.
It’s not that I had demanded anything unreasonable, or made fun of its users, but my review was (to some degree) biased, and I didn’t want to be “that guy”. You know, those annoying characters who enjoy themselves giving out about a product, leaving their agitated audience without a proper counter concept or, at least, a spark of hope.
So, I kept my words to myself and did a bit of “window shopping”, instead. It took a while, though — mainly because I assumed the role of the “average user” (as best I could).
It was not all smooth sailing, though, I might even have uttered a swear word or two. Yet at long last, I am able to report success. Here’s what I found …
Windows 11, Part 4: Conclusion (and Random Thoughts)
That this review took much longer already than I would have ever expected, does, in a way, speak in favour of Windows. However, for all intents, constructions, and purposes, I still find it difficult to see how anyone, who has ever ventured outside this ecosystem, would want to use it frequently, or even “convert” to Windows (that is, switching to this ecosystem entirely, abandoning all else). I for one wouldn’t — at least not for the time being.
If I had to pick one aspect that bothers me most, it wouldn’t be anything I’ve mentioned so far, but the metaconcept, if you will. The idea, that the system (or rather its manufacturer) makes decisions on the prospective user’s behalf (on no grounds other than being able to do so) — and pretends this to be a sound approach. Such reminds me of a quote from the early days of automobile manufacturing, attributed to old Mr Ford: “Any customer can have a car painted any colour he wants so long as it is black.”
Read more: Windows 11, Part 4: Conclusion (and Random Thoughts)
Windows 11, Part 3: Things I Don’t Get
Having tested Windows 11 for only four days, I cannot honestly say that I have explored every last bit of it thoroughly (but that had not been the purpose of this trip in the first place) — and I most certainly did not manage to wrap my head around everything I actually did explore. There may be a number of reasons for that.
That I didn’t spend more time testing it is certainly one of them; that I’m not a typical member of Microsoft’s target group, and therefore lack many years of gradual adjustment, is arguably another. Notwithstanding these limitations, a set of (to me) most obvious questions haunted me for the best part of the past weekend.
Read more: Windows 11, Part 3: Things I Don’t Get
Windows 11, Part 2: Things I Did Like (to some Extent or Quite a Lot)
Once Windows 11 was up and running, I was surprised to see a multitude of changes since Windows 10 (saying so with due respect, considering the time frame). Either the team had some serious support from outside or they have eventually learned to adopt useful features from their competitors.
Here’s a couple of things I did actually like. Not, that there were nothing left to long for, but the first steps in the right direction have clearly been taken (and with a bit of luck, Microsoft will eventually decide to bury some skeletons they have been hauling along for the past quarter century in one of the next versions).
Read more: Windows 11, Part 2: Things I Did Like (to some Extent or Quite a Lot)
Windows 11, Part 1: Things I Didn’t Like (at All)
Before we get to the lovely parts of Windows 11, let’s get the less pleasant aspects out of the way.
Size of Image and Default Installation
I hear what’s commonly called “Bloatware” (third–party tools no one asked for, but also Microsoft’s own “extras” that are supposed to make the average user’s experience more enjoyable or their daily tasks easier) has been vastly reduced since Windows 10. Well, I am not so sure about that, to be honest.
Read more: Windows 11, Part 1: Things I Didn’t Like (at All)
Windows 11, Part 0: Best Windows in 25 Years?
Someone asked me to give Windows 11 a spin, because, “you know, it’s really good, you will like it … Best Windows in 25 years!”. Well, truth be told, I was not convinced, what with “really good”, “like”, and “best” in a sentence describing a product leaving the Microsoft factory — and the subtle reference to any of its earlier versions did nothing to raise my hopes, either.
Yet test it I did and I have to admit that Windows 11 is not completely rotten — coming from a die–hard Debianite, that actually means quite something. However, I also did see plenty of room for improvement …
How to Remove the Magenta TV App from Your Computer (If that Is What You Really Want)
There is quite a number of people who seem to be … well, less than happy with the “Magenta TV App”. All their requests as to how to get rid of it again seem to be met with the same official statement: “You cannot remove it manually.”
Perhaps it’s just me, but such a bold statement literally begs to be challenged. And, as it turns out, the solution to this issue is about as simple as the app itself.
Read more: How to Remove the Magenta TV App from Your Computer (If that Is What You Really Want)
Strategy of Confusion
It goes without saying that I am all for keeping the death toll as low, those of delicate health as protected, and the general situation in intensive care units across the country as relaxed as any possible.
Until about a week ago, I was convinced that the government is trying their best to accomplish just that but simply lacks in terms of proper communication. I might have been wrong, though.
Quite a number of policies issued of late show signs of confusion and distress — to suspect that our authorities also lack both direction and focus is not so far–fetched, I’m afraid.
Read more: Strategy of Confusion
Twenty–One Mississippi
This certain little bugger, emerging a mere couple of weeks ago, certainly made us reconsider our ways: everyday chores and habits we thought well established and proper, are now under close scrutiny — by ourselves, our fellows, and even authorities.
Among the abundance of information happily peddled during the past week, one revelation made me literally bang my head against the (thoroughly disinfected) wall. Adults need to be explained the benefits of washing their hands with soap? Oh, boy …
Read more: Twenty–One Mississippi
Apocalypse Postponed Until Further Notice
We are living in interesting times. No doubt. The emergence of a certain little bugger a mere couple of weeks ago hasn’t contributed to improve the general situation or individual moods, either. Yet hope need not be abandoned by all ye here or anywhere. Yes, we are “at war against an (almost) invisible enemy”. This was the good news.
Read more: Apocalypse Postponed Until Further Notice
Google Lighthouse and the Perils at Sea
It is perfectly comprehensible that we all want our own websites on page one of search results for certain keywords in every search engine there is — especially with Google, the quasi–standard when it comes to find and being found on the Internet. It also makes some sense that the speed at which our sites may be loaded by a browser and their overall performance are taken into account, but don’t lose your mind over it.
Read more: Google Lighthouse and the Perils at Sea
“Jekyll Lesezeit” Ultimately Explained!
During the past hour I realised that this project might get quite a bit confusing for the random reader, but also for the weathered blogger and developer. So precious reader, if you are interested in this collection of scripts (and perhaps need some hints to use it to effect), here’s the unabridged version of how it all came to pass and how to put it to good use.
Read more: “Jekyll Lesezeit” Ultimately Explained!
Linux Is Good for You, Part 4: How to Find the Right Linux–based Operating System as an Absolute Beginner?
I cringe every time I hear or read the term “beginner distro” randomly used. Even more so, when I eventually read the lists of distros allegedly better suited for “newbies”.
Linux Is Good for You, Part 3: The Desktop Environment May Be more Important than the Operating System
One of the big advantages of using a Linux–based operating system (OS) is that one may choose from a wealth of desktop environments (DE). Selecting the one that is best for your needs may be more important even than your choice of OS.
Linux Is Good for You, Part 2: Is Debian too Difficult to Install?
While researching the matter to find the proper answer to Molly’s question (Linux–based operating system to replace ChromeOS), I came across a speech Linus Torvalds gave a while ago, stating that he doesn’t use Debian, “because it’s too difficult to install”.
Read more: Linux Is Good for You, Part 2: Is Debian too Difficult to Install?
Linux Is Good for You, Part 1: Which Linux–Based Operating System Best to Install on Chromebooks?
Not so long ago, Molly posed an interesting question, asking which Linux–based operating best to install on a Chromebook to replace ChromeOS. Finding an answer to this question is not as easy and straightforward a quest as one might expect.
Read more: Linux Is Good for You, Part 1: Which Linux–Based Operating System Best to Install on Chromebooks?
Linux Is Good for You, Part 0: Introduction
This small series is the result of a week of intensively testing a number of Linux–based operating systems. It was inspired by two of my “digital heroes” (totally unbeknown to them, though): Molly E. Holzschlag, one of the women who constantly stir and shake to make the web open and a nicer place to visit, and Linus Torvalds, the man who proved that computers may work efficiently — if only the software running them is written properly.
Read more: Linux Is Good for You, Part 0: Introduction
Dual–Booting Ubuntu and Windows 10
Quite recently, it came to my attention that a considerable number of people try (and fail) to run Linux–based and Windows operating systems in dual–boot mode on their computers. I tried it myself (just for the heck of it), and here’s how I made such a combination work without major glitches in virtually no time.
Read more: Dual–Booting Ubuntu and Windows 10
Open Technology: One Board to Rule Them All
If you happen to be only a bit like me, you have been yearning for the day when useful technology would be affordable even for the less fortunate; help us save resources and money; reduce the distance between either end of the world to milliseconds rather than seconds, minutes, or even hours; ease the pain of daily chores by way of more efficient communication and co–operation, and so let us squeeze a bit of extra time out of every day to spend with people and things most precious to us.
Read more: Open Technology: One Board to Rule Them All
Open Technology: Breaking Free
What does it take to enjoy “Open Technology”? Is there a definition that actually makes sense? What’s wrong with the present state of technology? And, perhaps most important, why should we even care? After reading a rather phoney essay on the technological prospects of the foreseeable future, these questions kept me occupied for several weeks.
Read more: Open Technology: Breaking Free
Customer Care Catastrophe
In theory, I’m every customer care agent’s wet dream. I read the fine print of contracts, I plough through manuals and tutorials, and I consult FAQs and forums to gather relevant information. Only if educated guesswork and common sense fail me utterly, I contact help desks.
Read more: Customer Care Catastrophe
I Don’t Mind Rejection Letters
I guess a lot of writers dread the thought of receiving rejection letters. I don’t. It’s only natural that we (and our works) don’t meet with universal appreciation. Respect (or rather, common courtesy) I do expect (as much as I’m prepared to pay it), but I cannot possibly hope for everyone to like me or my accomplishments.
Read more: I Don’t Mind Rejection Letters