ls /home/jeff

If you have not checked out VirtualBox you need to. This app is awesome. Its is basically a free version of VmWare. I am currently using it to run WinXP as a Virtual Machine on my Ubuntu laptop. If you need a solution for a Virtual Machine I suggest checking it out.

If you are running Ubuntu (especially if you are running 8.04), save yourself some headache, and download the deb file straight from Sun. There is something up with the version in the apt-get repositories and lots of chatter in the Ubuntu forum about just getting it directly from VirtualBox. Besure to add yourself to the virtualbox group after install or you will need to sudo the app. 

But it works like a champ. There is also a version for Windows for all of you still running Windows a your primary desktop. That way you can try out some versions of Linux without having to configure a dual boot setup or pay for VmWare.

virtualbox_1.6.4-33808_Ubuntu_hardy_i386.deb

Ok, by default Ubuntu supports the Radeon 9000 out of the box. But this is 2D support only. If you just want a basic laptop, that should be fine. But I have heard from some people that they want the the super cool video in Ubuntu 8.04 on the Dell D600 and getting it is a pain. I actually found it to be relatively easy. Everything you need is already there. You just need to update your xorg.conf file with the right information.

First off, there is a couple of things to consider. If you are following this for the D600, you should be good as far as hardware compatibility. However the AIGLX wont work with the following chipsets: HD 4xxxx or RV770 based cards. The second thing to consider is if you have already installed the fglrx driver, you will need to remove it. To do that run:

$ sudo apt-get remove ---purge xorg-driver-fglrx

Before you make any changes you should create a backup of your current configuration file.

$ sudo cp -p /etc/X11/xorg.cong /etc/X11/xorg.conf.old

To save you from having to type out the changes to the xorg.conf file, I have posted mine so you can download it.

My xorg.conf

Fell free to download it and use it. After updating your configuration file you will want reload your desktop manager. After that, feel free to check out Compiz for desktop effects that rival Microsoft’s Areo.

The wife and I joined a sold out audience at the Highland Village 12 to see The Dark Knight on opening day. We arrived an hour early for the 10 pm start just to ensure we had our pick of seats. It amazed me that people walked in as the previews were rolling and expect to find a seat some where other than the front row.Very few movies live up to the hype. The Dark Knight is one of them. From the beginning you are hooked and it doesn’t let go until the end. This is not the comic book movie we wanted, this is the comic book movie we needed. Don’t get me wrong. Both Batman Begins and Ironman were top notch, but The Dark Knight raises the stakes.  The previous Batman movies (prior to Batman Begins) were done in a style like the 1960’s television show. Campy and cartoony , far from super. The Dark Knight’s Gotham is based in reality and that only helps draw you in. Heath Ledger leaves us with the performance of his career. Ledger’s Joker is crazy. But not in that cartoon caricature that Jack Nicholson / Cesar Romero gave us. Ledger’s Joker is really crazy and full of dark emotion. Christian Bale is outstanding, and was made for this role.  You can’t help getting caught up in the performances leaving you emotionally drained.The Dark Knight is 2 1/2 hours of pure enjoyment. This is why we go to the movies. But at the same time The Dark Knight makes a statement about the fight against terrorism and the courage it takes to do the right thing.The Dark Knight is easily the best movie of year to date, and most likely the last decade, be sure you see it in a theater.

At work I administer an iSeries midrange mainframe. Basically I use a 5250 Emulator to interface with the iSeries. IBM has released an version of iSeries Access for Linux, but I say, stay away. For fedora users, you may find it hard to get the dependencies you need to make it work. Using it isn’t much better. I found it bulky and cumbersome. I did find a great alternative.

TN5250 is an free 5250 emulator, and it is lightweight and easy to use. Better still, you will most likely find it via yum or apt-get.

So skip IBM iSeries Access and go with TN5250. You will be glad you did.

Using the Cisco VPN Client and trying to get it installed on your Linux box? I suggest looking at VPNC.

This small app rocks!

Its super easy to install, and in fact, Fedora and Ubuntu have it in their repositories making it even easier. Just use your favorite package manager to install it.

No need to get a login to Cisco’s website and download the Cisco VPN Client. VPNC works just fine.