Author: Russ Woodman

LHS Episode #042: 1.21 Gigahertz Badgers

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Yes, we're running behind AGAIN. It's the story of Linux in the Ham Shack lately. Because of that, this episode turned into an expose on our backlog of feedback. As it turns out, feedback is a good thing. We were able to address several questions and comments from listeners to the show. Hopefully the information we give out as answers to questions will also answer the questions and fulfill the needs of other listeners who are hoping someone will ask their questions for them.  We'd like to encourage everyone to send in feedback and we will address it as soon as we're able. You can send an e-mail to the show, call our hotline at +1-888-455-0305 or +1-417-200-4811, or leave us a comment on the Web site. We encourage all our listeners to tell us what you like, tell us what you don't like, tell KA9WKA he's awesome, ask a question, or just tell us whatever's on your mind. Also, if you happen to have a few extra dollars kicking around, send us a donation to help with our expenses. Keep Linux in the Ham Shack moving into the future and we'll give you proper recognition! And if you buy some of our cool swag, you'll also be helping out the show. Thanks so much for being a part of our world. We love you. It's a big ol' love fest.

73 de The LHS Guys

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

LHS Show Notes #041

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Feature:

  • No Richard this time due to other commitments. In his stead, our special guest host is Claudio M, co-host of Linux Basement.
  • Claudio describes his background, history with Linux, and his role at Linux Basement.
  • Russ comments that many people at the Dayton Hamvention wondered what he was selling, and were shocked to discover that Linux was free. In fact, Russ was giving away Ubuntu 10.04 CDs, courtesy of Ohio Linux Fest. This observation leads to a discussion about the perceived value of Linux is proportional to it's cost. In other words, the fact that open software often costs nothing leads many to think it is somehow less useful than software that must be purchased.
  • Russ suggests that the fact that Linux has no budget for marketing may be one of the reasons that many people are not aware of Linux. A discussion of the role of marketing and Linux advocacy ensues. Claudio mentions the Fedora Ambassador program.
  • Sheldon (of The Big Bang Theory) prefers Ubuntu!
  • IBM did air some Linux commercials. Perhaps they were too abstract or too focused on the enterprise?
  • Should Linux and free/open-source software attempt to be the dominant software, or should it remain a niche platform?
  • Linux still has a reputation for being harder to install and harder to use.
  • If Linux is to grow it's market share, isn't marketing necessary and how would it be funded?
  • Claudio notes that it's rare for anyone to install an operating system from scratch, as most people purchase a computer with the OS already installed, and that operating system is usually Windows. When ASUS introduced the Linux-based netbook, it did not make it clear that it would not run Windows programs.
  • So how do we market Linux? Russ thinks Linux has been most successful when people are not aware that it's Linux, as in many commercially successful embedded Linux products.
  • Claudio suggests that the Linux distributions tailored to the new user, such as Linux Mint or Ubuntu, will ultimately spread the awareness of Linux and free software. He also thinks that world-domination is not necessary or even consistent with the core values free choice and free software.
  • Look for Chad on Twitter at @chadwollenberg, Claudio on identi.ca at @claudiom, and look for #linuxbasement on IRC on freenode.net. There is also a Facebook fan page, search for Linux Basement. Email Claudio at claudio@linuxbasment.com or Chad Wollenberg at chad@linuxbasement.com.

Contact Info:

  • Contact Richard at kb5jbv@gmail.com, Russ at k5tux@lhspodcast.info, or both at the same time at info@lhspodcast.info.

LHS Episode #041: Deep Thoughts

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Deep ThoughtsIf life would stop conspiring to halt production of Linux in the Ham Shack, everything would be just fine. Instead, because of problems in both our lives, the Dayton Hamvention and the Southeast Linux Fest, everything has been pushed back so far we feel like we're going back in time.

Richard was unable to record for Episode #039, but luckily I was able to find a worthy surrogate for this particular show. Chris and Bryan over at The Linux Action Show had prior obligations and didn't respond quick enough, respectively, but we hope to have them on a future episode. However, ClaudioM decided he didn't have anything better to do and was able to swing by and offer his thoughts on a couple of intriquing concepts suggested by visitors to the Dayton Hamvention: 1) How do we promote Linux and Open Source and should it be promoted, and 2) Why does the perception that Linux is harder to use than Windows persist?

I found this to be a rather insightful episode and I hope you do as well. Thank you to everyone who visited Linux in the Ham Shack in Dayton and in Spartanburg, and please enjoy this latest installment of the program.

73 de The LHS Guys (and ClaudioM)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

LHS Show Notes #040

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Announcements:

  • Resonant Frequency is back in production! Check out rfpodcast.info for more information and look for the latest episode, #41, in the usual places.
  • Look for LHS merchandise at https://cafepress.com/lhspodcast and at https://www.printfection.com/lhs. A little bit of each purchase goes to help with the podcast expenses.
  • We're planning a future episode about Orca - a text-to-speech application for Linux. If you or someone you know is using Orca or another text-to-speech Linux application, share your experience! Contact Russ or Richard with any information you might have.
  • Visit the LHS channel on IRC at irc.freenode.net, channel #lhspodcast.
  • Look for random LHS episodes and music on the streaming audio links on the LHS web site.
  • Russ will be speaking at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 12th, at the SouthEast LinuxFest, June 11-13, 2010, at the Marriott at Renaissance Park hotel in Spartanburg, SC. He will be giving a talk on Linux and Ham Radio.
  • Russ will be starting up a mailing list for LHS show information. Watch the LHS web site for information on signing up.
  • Thanks to Rich, KD0BJT and Brady, KD0BJS of the Low SWR Podcast for recording an introduction to this episode.

Feature:

  • Richard discusses installing an HF rig in his vehicle.
  • Always connect the radio directly to the battery. You'll have more current available and less noise.
  • Look for rubber grommets in the firewall to pass your wires into the passenger compartment.
  • Warning! Not all Powerpole connectors are Anderson Powerpole connectors! Some hamfest specials look the same, but don't work as well.
  • Most mobile 40m and 75m antennas are not very broadbanded, so you will probably need an antenna tuner to cover the whole band.
  • Richard digresses into a brief discussion of Ubuntu 10.04. Russ was in a recent episode of the Fresh Ubuntu podcast.
  • Russ likes the looks of the Scorpion Black Widow HF antenna.
  • Welcome to K5AVJ who is running Linux Mint, and to VE2XPL, running Ubuntu 10.04.

Feedback:

  • Gary, KE2YK, writes about the discussion of ebook readers in Episode 31 and suggests this link to an old Radio Shack catalog as an example of a compromise between electronic and paper media. Visit Gary's Random Oscillations blog, and his online store at https://www.ehamstore.com/.
  • Andy, OE4DNS, recently became a ham, is an avid Linux user, and just discovered the podcast. He's a member of of the Metalab hacker space in Vienna, Austria. Andy responds to a question in Episode 37 from KJ4UHI about Morse code programs for Linux, and Andy suggests the Learn CW Online website provided by DJ1YFK. You can even export practice sessions to .mp3 files. Andy also recommends finding a hacker space in your area at the Hackerspaces web site. Fabian Kurz, DJ1YFK, is also the author of YFK Log. VE2XPL in the chat room also likes the Learn CW Online web site.
  • Tom is a first-time listener to the podcast with Episode 37, and thinks we spent too much time promoting merchandise.
  • Bruce, VE2GZI, writes to say thanks for the podcast and looks forward to seeing us at Dayton.
  • Albert commented on the web site that we should let The Linux Link site know about the new LHS web site and feeds.
  • Darryl, VK5HZ, just caught up to Episode 33. He'd love to have LHS visit the linux.conf.au conference held in January each year. In 2011 it will be in Brisbane, Queensland.

Contact Info:

  • Contact Richard at kb5jbv@gmail.com, Russ at k5tux@lhspodcast.info, or both at the same time at info@lhspodcast.info.
  • Leave us a voice mail at 888-455-0305 or 417-429-4069, or record an introduction to the podcast and have a chance at winning $25.

Music: