This post is mostly in response to all of the people I see dumping on the EEE or worse, using the EEE to dump on Linux. You see Windows zealots flaming it because you can’t play game X on it. You see some flaming it because it comes with Xandros; others use it to complain about distro proliferation. They are all right yet still about as wrong as people can be.

It can be funny watching some people try to get their minds wrapped around the value of Linux...

Think about it folks: you cannot run Word on your Volkswagen either but it still carried your carcass to work this morning. And the converse is true as well: Petrol on a Windows machine is….wait a minute we might be onto something here. Just kidding. The point is, they are different tools for different purposes and there is no value in blaming the other tool for not being like yourself. And I am not implying Windows users are tools…

continue reading "The many faces of Linux and the humble EEE"

Here is a real-world example of something Windows will never do do that Linux *encourages*: rebuilding your kernel to support new hardware. You can do this on Linux; you may not want to but it is really nice knowing that you can. Microsoft will never ever allow this so opting with Linux here is less a philosophical choice than a practical one. Same goes for the wireless and audio drivers. Now you probably will not want to compile your kernel every day but if you do it the Debian way, you can do it fairly easily and safely when you need to.

Normally installing Linux these days is a pretty uneventful process. Sure once in a while the odd bit of hardware can provide some drama but that usually lasts as long as it takes Google to hand me the answer. Sony hardware on the other hand usually has enough uniqueness to it that you get to test your problem-solving abilities or at the very least your patience. The Sony CR 190 was no different.

The hardware and software discussed in this article are a year old at this point; however the hardware is what you will find on the budget machines available today. Some of the hardware will probably be supported by a current distro without requiring such extraordinary measures but that is not the point. The skills used here are useful with just about any Linux with just about any hardware.

In this article we will install Debian Etch on a Sony Vaio CR 190 and at the end of the day have everything but the web cam working. We will rebuild the kernel from fresh source, we will configure and rebuild Alsa to support the advanced audio, we will enable hardware acceleration on a common GPU, and finally rebuild and configure the wireless drivers.

continue reading "The difference between “Don’t wanna” and “Can’t”"

Hi gang. This will likely be the last post from this server. Have a lot to share when this comes back. Suddenly a new project starts, not one but three projects move forward, Bubba shows his or her upper limit, an instant server and more.

The impact here is that over the course of this weekend I am going to set up and move jbcobb.net over to a real headless box running Etch.

But first let me tell you about poor little Bubba and the perfect techno-storm of bugs…

continue reading "The day Bubba choked…."

With so much going on one would wonder why take on any more; I am behind on things as it is. Well for one thing I pay the tab here so if it takes me a year or two this get this out, ya know what? Too bad. Sometimes there is a karma tab to pay in life too and so I do. I feel so lucky about so many things in life that when I can help someone else I will. I have a great wife, a great job and at a time when so many more have so much less I will really try to help folks but the help has gotta mean something…it can’t be just coins in a bucket or a check in the mail.

But first let me tell you about Walter Tore, where my blues crosses my tech…

continue reading "Interesting side project: Setting up an Edubuntu machine for a special friend"

Hi folks;

In March of this year Beth and I had the great fortune to visit the Windy City in time to catch the Delmark Records 55th anniversary bash at Buddy Guys Legends Club. Chicago as usual was freaking cold:

Not exactly the tropics

continue reading "The Delmark 55th Anniversary Show"

Howdy folks. I decided to start the Blues Artist of the Month with one of the best, Dave Specter of Chicago. Dave has been a Chicago blues fixture for the past 22 years. Since 1985 Dave could be seen playing at all of the best Chicago blues hot-spots ranging from Buddy Guys Legends club to Nicks Pub. In addition, Dave regularly tours Europe playing in France, Germany and more.

continue reading "Blues Artist of the Month: Dave Specter"