Vorax.org

Linux

Ubuntu

I've been using Ubuntu 9.04 as my main desktop operating system at work now for a few months. I am very pleased with the switch from openSuSE 11.1 to Ubuntu. Everything so far works in a predictable way and I think Ubuntu have done a better job of the Gnome desktop than openSuSE.

I use the machine mainly for PHP web development, UNIX application development and general Java development for embedded systems and server-y things, OpenOffice document publishing and other general office tasks. Ubuntu is well suited and easy to drive for these purposes.

Gnome

I've changed my default desktop to Gnome. Over the last couple of months I've become more and more disheartened by the KDE experience. KDE 4 and the software running in it is the most unstable thing to happen to my computer in about five years. I've tried staying on KDE 3 but my Linux distribution of choice (OpenSUSE) ships KDE 4 applications even if you're running KDE 3. Switching to Gnome has been a refreshing change.

Installed Ion3

I have installed Ion3 on Vorax which allows me to make use of the system to browse the internet using only a keyboard. I'm currently typing this article using my keyboard from my armchair across the room whil the TV serves as a monitor for Vorax. Ion3 is running an instance of Firefox where I add this article to the site.

Ion is a nifty keyboard based window manager that allows you to do away with the mouse and still work in a X environment.

Drupal bits

OK, so I finally got sick of looking at badly formed crappy links and titles in the Drupal aggregator module. I was forced to go in and fix the problems. So hence fourth, my Drupal is personalized :P

Birthday

It is my Birthday today, I got some funky presents... my lovely wife got me a set of oil paints, brushes and sundries to allow me to express those artistic pangs I get. My nephew got me a Programmable Tux droid.