First off, before I get into this post, let me say thanks to Deborah for telling me about the Firefox extension called WOT (Web Of Trust). I find it a really nice extension since it tells you the security of the website your are visiting. Now I am finding it hard to replace one of the extensions off of my top 5 list of Firefox extensions. If you want to read more on it, go check out my last blog My Top Five Favorite Firefox Extensions and the comments.
Well, if you haven’t guessed by the title, I would like to know what you’re favorite server OS is, whether it be any one of the Linux Distro (Ubuntu, Fedora/RedHat, CentOS), Windows Server (NT, 2000, 2003, 2008), or Mac OS X (Panther, Tiger, Leopard) Server, and what do you use it for?
The reason I ask this, is because I have recently turned my old computer into a server once I got this iMac because I couldn’t think of any other use for it at the time. Now, I don’t really do much with the server. I just run the free Ventrilo server, Unrealircd, and Eggdrop. Although I could run those things on my iMac, but I kinda like having an older computer as a server running Ubuntu Server because then I learn some basic networking skills I can use later on (hopefully).
The reason I am asking this, is because it seems like more and more technically minded people are starting to make there own home servers out of ether old computers, or out of cheap, inexpensive hardware, and I am just curiuse what the software you people are using, and what you are using it for.
Even thought I don’t use use Firefox for all my web browser use, there is a select few Firefox Extensions that I always go back to because I like them so much, so I thought I would share then with all of you.
FireFTP - A very easy web browser FTP extension. I like this one is because I manage my own website, and when I upload stuff to my website, it is very nice to only open a new tab in the web browser instead of opening another application which could potentially drain more RAM that I could use for another application.
FoxyTunes - A very nice extension that allows you to control your media player in the web browser, which saves you a lot of time of switching applications.
TwitterFox - This extension allows you to be able to retreave and submit tweets without going to the actual twitter page, which is really handy for those of you that have those that don’t like or can’t install the twitter applications on your desktop, or you don’t want to keep switching windows or applications just to do that.
Speed Dial - Speed Dial allows you to set pages to like a image link for when you open the new tab or Firefox window. It will list number from one to nine (more numbers may be added, but I am not 100% on that) so you can get to the most visited site quicker.
PicLens - One of the best extensions ever made for Firefox. It transform your browser into a full-screen, 3D experience for online photos and videos.
My server is now linked up to a IRC network called Digital-IRC Network or DIN for short. The founders of this IRC Network are LinuxFan and Duffy (unfortunately Duffy has left us). We would be happy for more people to come on and chat it up with us and hang out. We generally talk about technology, entertainment, and other things of this nature, but we welcome anyone that want’s to talk about anything legal.
The site for the network is http://digital-irc.net/ and to get onto the IRC network, you should get and IRC Client such as Xchat (for Windows, Linux), Xchat Aqua (Mac OS X), Colloquy (Mac OS X), Mirc (Windows), and then click here to connect to the network. We welcome any new member that follows the rules of the network, and if your unsure about the rules, ask someone in the channal #help by typing in “/join #Help” (without quotations), and someone will get back to you as soon as possable.
swing your arms from side to side
come one it’s time go
do the mario
take one step
then again
let’s do the mario
hold together now
you got it
do the mario
swing your arms from side to side
come one it’s time go
do the mario
take one step
then again
let’s do the mario
hold together now
just… like… that
Yesterday afternoon, I went out and got myself an Apple iMac. I bought the iMac with the money that I had received from my family in Scotland for my 21st birthday when I went over for 2 weeks at the end of June and beginning of July. I have spent the whole time going throw the system and configuring all the programs to my liking, and downloading all the freeware and open source software that I have been following before I got this mac.
So far I am loving this computer, and it’s simplicity. The only reason that I haven’t switched over before was the lack of funding, but now that I have gotten one, I might just start doing some video’s for YouTube and embedding them into the blog posts. I am differently going to try and spend some time streaming on Ustream at least 2 hours a week.
One thing I would like to know is, would you like to put cell phones to your head now that you have seen that video? I don’t have a cell phone, and I rarely (and when I say rarely, I mean like four times) ever use a cell phone, and personally, after seeing this video, I don’t think I would ever use one anytime soon till they find a way to change that.
I would like to know what you people think of this. Personaly it scares the crap out of me seeing everyone from 9 year olds and up using cell phones and to know that cell phones are just like microwaves and can actually pop, popcorn.
*EDIT: For those of you that don’t know, they used a device inside a microwave to do this. If cell phone’s where this powerful, a lot of people would be dieing from this.*
Well, yesterday I got my passport picture taken, and hopefully I can get my passport fast, since my trip to Scotland is coming up at the end of June. Been a wile since I have been back, and it would be nice to be with my dad’s side of the family for my birthday this year, since it is a big one (I’m turning 21 on July 3).
On another topic, most of you that keep in touch with the news and entertainment, knows about the Supreme Court of California has lifted the ban on gay marriages. Ellen DeGeneres and her girlfriend Portia de Rossi seemed to come out right away and say that they will be getting married. All I have to say about that is congrats to both.
Zonbu has updated there site, and all I can say about it, is that it looks F#@King sweet and the navigation seems to be a lot better as well. Zonbu also came out the same day they updated the site, saying they are working on a new version of the OS, which is in beta right now and can be downloaded to a Live CD for those who want to try it out to try it.
The man problem with the Live CD that I have heard was that the graphics card was having problems initializing, but what do you expect for a beta. Those that are using the Zonbu OS will not be pushed due to the early status, but I don’t mind, as long as they get as much bugs out as possible.
Apparently they are adding features into the Zonbu OS that allow you can grant access to your favorite web 2.0 apps like Google Calendar, Yahoo! Addressbook, Zoho productivity tools — and dozens more. For people like me love this kind of simplicity since it makes everything faster, instead of going in and doing it all manually, and for people like my dad, I can see him using the OS more and more.
Chris Pirillo has started using his new theme (that he had payed to get done) for his personal WordPress Blog site. Now he is out to get a creative license for it so he can go and distribute it to anyone that may want to use it. I would personaly love to use that theme, considering it makes integrating all of your social networking sites to one place, and easier to customizing the look of your site more.
One thing I find the most in my hometown is that people tend to throw out there old computers, even though there is nothing wrong with them. But I tend to think that it is more about the need to use newer software that those older computers can’t run, which is why I thought I would write a top five reasons on how to still use those old computers for.
Servers - If you are technically inclined, you could turn those computers into a server for some use, whether it be web, e-mail, chat, vent, or so on.
Storage - Instead of having to worry about loosing all your files, you could set the old computer up as a kinda backup computer. Install windows on it and share a few folders, then copy all the files to it on a daily basses over the network, that way you never have to worry about loosing data since it is in a central location.
DVR - Depending on how old your computer is, you could always put a cheap TV tuner in it and use it as your own personal TV or DVR. And if you have a graphics card or another port that can hook it up to a TV, you can also use it for time shifting your favorite shows if you watch them live throw the computer.
Virus protection - If you are afraid of getting viruses on your computer, try using the old computer with the operating system that can run best on it. Install an anti-virus program and download the programs that you would like to use (legit way I am talking about here) and then you can use the computer to scan the program for a virus. If safe, you could ether download to the other computer, or you can use the intranet to transfer the files over.
Streaming - If you are interested in streaming live over the Internet, then you can get a web cam that is compatible with your operating system you are using and use it for streaming, that way you aren’t using up your resources on your newer faster computer.
Bonus – if you have young kids in school, you can use the older computers for teaching them how to use the computer skills for when they get older, or letting them play around with it to figure out how to use it, that way if it gets screwed up, you don’t have to worry about any of the important stuff being lost.
The reason I say servers as number one on the top 5 list, is that I am finding more and more people using there computers whether there new or old as servers, to host themselves on the Internet to save spending the money on a company to host it for them. And it is a great idea in a way since you have grater control over what is happening to the server.
These are all ways you can keep those older computers and use them at the same time. And with the use of Linux, you have a higher chance of keeping that computer running for longer period of time, if you want to spend the time learning Linux command’s and so on.
