Xubuntu: Linux light....

So, I had an old Sony Vaio FX-101 laptop and wanted to change it's operating system. I had nearly run out of hard disk space and wasn't using the laptop at all.

All I wanted to be able to do was use the word processor and (safely) surf the Internet. Linux was the answer...

First, there were several attempts to try running different version of Linux from the live CD's. It didn't work. The laptop must have been switched on and off quite a lot of times. Then can the forum search. Once we had checked a particular option (I don't remember what), the CD's booted!

Some options looked nice, but seemed slow. I settled for Xubuntu. It's Ubuntu with an Xfce thing instead of Gnome. I don't really understand, it's all rather technical.

Anyway, it has all software that you would need added in: Firefox, Abiword and Gnumeric (Web, Word and Excel). Other apps/functions can be added, but I've got all I need. I have also freed up 6.9Gb of hard disk space.

It boots quickly and programs load relatively well. I can't expected it to run more than 2 apps at a time... Clearly, the RAM is at max capacity most of the time!

Overall, I'm pleased. It should give life to an 8 year old laptop by putting a modern OS into creaky hardware.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

WOW! What a night. Not only did I go and see Transformers 2, I watched Transformers on DVD first! That's right, me and the boys did the Transformers Double.

But what about the film: is it any good? In a word, yes. There are some questionable additions to the robot cast and some dodgy ideas thrown in (various forms of humping being one of them), but, all in all, RotF delivers.

Classic fights between Prime and Megatron, robots doing robot things, explosions, humans, nice easy story line to follow coupled with cheesy dialogue! There was one bit that pulled at the heart strings, but there wasn't too much on the sickly stuff!

Anyway, Transformers is about, well, Transformers and there were plenty. Some did a lot, some didn't seem to do anything! Some were big, others small. Some annoying, some funny and some scary. But there was a lot of transforming and fighting. And that is what it's all about.

I was watching the animated movie in preparation and that is simply non-stop action and that's what I love about Transformers. This new film is on a par with that. It dispenses with the pleasentries and gets straight to the point.

Favourite bit: Super Optimus Prime (that's all I'm saying for fear of spoilers!).

I'm not going to say anything (much) bad about this film. Roll on the DVD release and roll on what ever Threequel they come up with.

Terminator-tastic

So, I've ordered Terminator (with Predator & Commando), Terminator 2 and Terminator 3 on DVD. Awesome. YES!

Testing Testing,... Putting a video on me blog...

This is an HTML test... I don't really know what's going to happen...



Hopefully, my thoughts are correct. This should be after the vid clip...

Terminator Salvation: Any good?

The perfect Summer movie? Well, there was plenty of action including explosions, fighting, shooting and driving. Doesn't that make a perfect Summer movie? Only if the movie has all that, but is still good.



And Terminator Salvation is good. Very good. It's a non-stop thrill ride punctuated with emotion and exposition with a brief foray into what it is to be human. There are twists (although somewhat obvious) and there are surprises. There are also some lovely little references to the previous Terminator films. Listen out to the track that John Connor plays on his stereo - recognise it from T2? And then there's Bale's "I'll be back" - and it falls a little flat.

In the final act, there's Arnie. Although he's not strictly speaking in the film, his visage is there, attached to the T800. A very nice touch.

It would have been nice to have seen more of some of the supporting charactes: Bryce Dallas Who? and more screen time for Anton Yelchin's character would have helped us believe his transition from teenager to resistance fighter.

Plot holes and question marks aside - there are a few, like Marcus Wright: what happened there then? - Terminator Salvation delivers on all fronts. It gives us a real glimpse into what the future looks like post-Judgment Day. Roll on the sequels... let's hope the Studio decides to get on with it, rather than leave us waiting... Like, what happened to the Superman: The Man of Steel???

Go and see it. Sit back and enjoy the ride. If nothing else, Terminator Salvation is the perfect Summer movie.

T x

http://terminatorsalvation.warnerbros.com/

Apple iPhone 3G S pictures, official photos

Apple iPhone 3G S pictures, official photos

iPhone 3GS may just be the iPhone I decide to buy. I won't get an alternative, so I may wait to see what the iPhone 4.0 looks like next year (one a year so far!).

I'm impressed with the RAM and processor upgrades as well as the improved camera (still & video). Addition of a compass makes the maps+GPS combination look even better - especially as a pedestrian around town.

There are a variety of other features that are an improvement on the last, but most of them are OS improvements that come with the iPhone 3.0 software (due on the 17th June which I'll get for my iPod Touch).

So, like I said, I will one day be the owner of an iPhone. Will it be this one, or will I wait until next June to see what happens? I can't upgrade until Feb 2010 anyway...

T x

Trip to Trent University

Great trip to the final year project exhibition at Trent Uni today.

As always, the Year 10 students did 'emselves proud!

It's amazing: the variety of courses on offer! There are so many: Film Set Design, Product Design, Graphics, Architecture, Computer Games.... I WISH I KNEW ABOUT THESE COURSES WHEN I WAS 17!!! I may not have done MechEng and I may have not become a teacher. Well, I am a teacher, but I think I'm going to design stuff and make a portfolio, just in case I meet a designer one day...

Anyway, the advice: SERIOUS RESEARCH! Look at all options and opporunties before you make a choice.

T x

Arnie is in the new Terminator

Well, his digital likeness is. Awesome!

The End of an Era?

So, year 11 are having exams and are in the process of leaving! Crazy really, as I remember some of them when they started in Year 7. It's really poignant meeting with parents at ARD, their last ARD! However, it's all positive and it's all about moving on to the next thing.

And that's what I'm thinking of. Life is full of different eras: School, P16, sports teams, Uni, bands, different jobs, friends - they all come and go. As soon as we understand that life is full of changes, it becomes much easier!

However, make the most of the time you're given with the people you're with - class mates, colleagues, friends. It would be a shame to isolate youreself thinking you're only going to move on...

Anyway, life isn't about one era, it's about seasons. Different things happening at different times. Good seasons, bad seasons. As long as we learn from the different experiences in life and grow stronger from them, it's all good.

Finally, don't forget to celebrate the good stuff. It's easy to remember the bad stuff and whizz through anything good that's happening. The good stuff is the best stuff. Enjoy it and remember it.

Peace.

Out.

A weekend in the Lakes...

After an hour of phone calls, we finally found a camp site in the Lakes that wasn't fully booked! We raced to Pooley Bridge to meet a 19:30 deadline for arrival - which we did, but with only 3 minutes to spare! No laws were broken, I assure you!

The weekend itself was great. Great weather and awesome views! We walked up Sca Fell Pike (England's highest mountain!) from Great Langdale. It was tough in the heat, but glorious nonetheless. The views were spectacular.

I had bought some new camping equipment that I was keen to try out. Particularly my titanium spork. Awesome! Every camper needs one! Other equipment came in handy too - a MultiMat (cheap version of ThermoRest), an insulated mug and some new stools.

Camping is the way forward - it's cheap and fun - but only if it's not raining.

Here's a final phrase, I'll go camping rain, hail or shine, depending on the weather!

Jacket Wedges update

The mild chilli wedges were a great success...