Tag: Linux

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 #039

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Announcements:

Donations:

  • We received donations from Peter, Walter and Maddie (daughter of Bill, KA9WKA).  Thank you!  Donations help defray the hosting expenses.
  • Jim, W9GNG, sent Richard a noise gate!  Thank you, Jim!
  • LHS merchandise is now available at https://www.printfection.com/lhs.  There are a variety of shirts, mugs and other items.  Every item purchased will help the podcast.  If you're interested in caps, wall clocks, or hoodies with the LHS logo, visit our store at https://www.cafepress.com/lhspodcast.  A portion of each sale goes to the podcast.  If you visit Dayton wearing or carrying an LHS item, you could win a prize!

Feature:

  • Resonant Frequency is still on hiatus as Richard is still in the process of moving the site to a new host.  Watch the LHS web page for more information as it develops.
  • Ubuntu 10.04 will be released on April 30.  Russ has the second beta test version running and discusses the new theme and other changes.  It boots much faster, but once running, it seems slower than the previous release, at least on his hardware.
  • Pete, VE2XPL, in the chat room asks which version of Linux would run best on his 500MHz Pentium II machine.  Richard recommends trying Crunchbang Linux Lite.  Russ agrees, and suggests that just about any distribution might work with one of the light-weight window managers, such as FVWM or XFCE.  Other possibilies are Damn Small Linux, or one of the netbook remix distributions.

Feedback:

  • Danny, KJ4UHI, writes and leaves an audio message about Frostbite Systems and passing his Technicians license test.  He asks where he might get recordings to study Morse code. Richard discusses various options.  There are some Linux applications, like cwcp.
  • Gary, KE2YK, also left an audio message. Visit his Random Oscillations blog, and his online store at https://www.ehamstore.com/.
  • Mark, KC4GIA, wonders about Linux support for syncing his Zune audio player.  Our hosts discuss this.  One possible source of information is the Zuneboards site.

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:

LHS Show Notes #037

Posted on by Russ Woodman

Announcements:

  • Texas LinuxFest is Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the Marchesa Event Center in Austin, Texas.
  • OGGCamp will take place at The Black-E in Liverpool on the 1st and 2nd of May.
  • The 2010 Southeast LinuxFest is set for June 12-13 at the Marriott at Renaissance Park hotel in Spartanburg, SC.
  • Due to problems with the existing service provider, the LHS website has moved to lhspodcast.info.
  • iTunes will be okay, but all other RSS feeds will need to update as the content is moved.
  • The new email address is info@lhspodcast.info. Messages will go to both Russ and Richard.
  • The last four episodes are in the RSS feed, but older episodes are unavailable at the moment. They will be there eventually.
  • Russ is working on making all the episodes available via BitTorrent.
  • Look for Richard at Texas Linux Fest on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the Marchesa Event Center in Austin, Texas.
  • Russ and Richard will be at the 2010 Dayton Hamvention, May 14-16, in booth 265 in the North Hall (NH0265). We hope to see you there!
  • Russ will also be at the SouthEast LinuxFest, June 12-13, 2010, at the Marriott at Renaissance Park hotel in Spartanburg, SC. Richard may be there, too!
  • Peter and Paul, who run hamtests.org, hamtests.net, and hamtests.co.uk are consolidating the websites. Please use hamtests.co.uk for everything. Tell them you heard it here, first.
  • Wayne, aka Azimuth, KB7CFD, reminds us of the Idaho State Convention 2010, April 23rd through 25th, 2010 at the Holiday Inn at Boise Airport, 3300 S. Vista Avenue, Boise, ID.
  • Resonant Frequency is on hiatus.

Feature:

  • Our guest tonight is Stormy Peters, executive director of the GNOME Foundation.
  • By the way, GNOME is pronounced "guh-nome".
  • Stormy discusses the purpose of the foundation, her role in it, and the GNOME project.
  • The Ubuntu 10.04 release will change the default location of the window controls in the "Light" theme.
  • GNOME 3 is expected in September, 2010. New features include the GNOME Shell and the Activity Journal using the Zeitgeist engine. It should be available as a beta test option in Ubuntu 10.04.
  • Stormy and our hosts discuss some of the new features in GNOME 3, scheduled for release in September, 2010.
  • Check out Episode 011 of the Today in Tech Radio podcast for GNOME 3 installation tips.
  • There will be, in GNOME 3, a "dock-like" area on the desktop to receive notifications without changing the focus of your active application.
  • To become involved in the GNOME Project, visit the GNOME Project website. GNOME will also have a presence at the Texas LinuxFest.

Feedback:

  • John, EI7IG, writes about the music in the show, and likes it. He also thinks the show has become too long. Russ responds.
  • We received a donation from Carlie toward the noise gate for Richard. Thanks, Carlie.
  • Gary, KE2YK, gives a glowing review of LHS in his blog KE2YK's Random Oscillations. Thanks, Gary!
  • Gary also writes about CrunchBang Linux and S******x Air.
  • Dave, M0DCM, writes he is a new Ubuntu user. He runs xastir, too. He recently found the podcast and has nearly caught up on all the episodes. He's introduced Linux and LHS to his father and his local radio club, Charlie Delta Amateur Radio Club. Thanks, Dave!
  • Mark, KC4GIA, is a long-time Linux user and expresses his appreciation for the podcast. He recently found WebSDR.org, which is a Software-Defined Radio receiver connected to the Internet, allowing many listeners to listen and tune it simultaneously. He wants to know if there are any Linux programs to allow him to use his Zune. (Look for more on these subjects in the next episode.)
  • MonsterB mentions LHS on monsterb.org. Thanks!
  • Audio feedback from Travis, KD5UND. He's recently switched to S******x Linux. He's also promoted the LHS podcast on his local net, too. Thanks, Travis!

Contests:

  • $100 for the winning Linux in the Ham Shack logo submission.
  • $25 to a random audio introduction to the podcast recorded on one of the phone lines.
  • See the website for more details.

Music: