For some reason I found the amusing

Cuba Declares War on Windows.

Mini 9 Update

First, yes, I again got no writing done. I’m bad.

But, truth be told, I’m in geek heaven. My Mini 9 came in yesterday, and I have already put Ubuntu 8.10 on it, with netbook remix, and all the apps I wanted. It works like a charm, and I’m only using 3GB of disk space. Amazing!

I have to stress my experience so far has been very positive. Besides the odd keyboard layout (a minor thing with me at best), the one nagging issue is a very annoyingly-placed dead pixel. The bad news is, since the Mini 9 is an Inspiron, they won’t replace the screen unless you have 6 or more dead pixels. Bummer.

Now I have to wait for my keyboard stickers to arrive so I can change the keyboard to Dvorak…

Busy Bee

First, Nano. Having epicly failed to achieve the daily word goal yesterday, I put my butt in the chair today and hammered out enough words to catch up. I am now at 18624. My lack of prepration is starting to be trumped by sheer creative will, and the hooks I unwittingly put in to earlier scenes are starting to pay dividends and spawn scenes a their own. I can see the 25,000 mark from here, and I can sense the path that will lead me into the wordcount beyond. So, things are good.

As for my procrastination, I have been converting my computers at home to Linux. I’ve been flirting with the idea for a while, but a corner was turned when I got wind of Ubuntu 8.10′s support of the mobile broadband devices. I immediately grabbed a laptop that wasn’t doing anything (*whistles innocently*), loaded the Intrepid Ibix, let the update finish, plugged in my Verizon USB broadband thingy, selected the network manager icon, selected the broadband connection in the list and crossed my fingers.

It connected successfully the first time.

I was shocked. I tested web pages, package installs, IM, it all worked. I nearly cried. I spent the last week experimenting with the programs I would need and finally, yesterday, I installed Ubuntu on my main computer in my basement office. I don’t intend to look back. I’m keeping the Vista install so I can play my favorite MMO, but that’s it.

I also ordered a Dell Mini 9 with Linux. It should arrive soon. I fully intend to wipe the Dell 8.04.1 install for 8.10 with Netbook Remix (can’t live without the broadband support). Eventually I’ll also get one for my daughter, so my daughter’s first computer will run Linux.

As I told a friend today, after four years in Presales, I’m starting to reclaim my geek.