The
Squamidian Report – Apr. 20 / 13
Issue #569
Including:
The Ontarion
Hi All,
No new songs this week, sorry. That’s probably got some of you feeling relieved. They are not something I can just crank out one after the other. They take time and opportunity. We’ve got Kyra here right now and that’s pretty well got both of us run ragged. Actually, make that the 3 of us run ragged. Poor Willow tends to be the target of Kyra’s attention a fair amount of the time too.
I did manage a couple of nice motorcycle rides this past week when I could sneak out for a few minutes that some how turned into a few hours once I was on my way. One of my excuses to go out for a toot was that I needed new guitar strings. I usually keep at least one spare set on hand all the time but I had used my last set putting new strings on my neighbor’s guitar. She had bought a used guitar, a very nice Greenwood and she got it for a fraction of what its worth. But, she has no idea how to play it and I’m not sure she ever will. When she brought it home it desperately needed new strings and so I donated my last set and put them on for her. That was probably the last time her guitar was in tune because I don’t thing she has a clue as to how to tune it and probably wouldn’t even recognize if it is out of tune. Anyway, I needed guitar strings so I jumped on the bike and headed in to North Van. to Long & Mcquade. There is a closer music store in North Van but its not as easy to get to. While in the store I was looking at some very nice Gibson and Martin guitars but it was a good thing for me that I was bundled up in biker gear with the accompanying zippers, snaps and buckles because that made it very unwise to even touch a musical instrument. Wouldn’t want to put any scratches or marks on them. Like I said, good thing for me because that meant I wouldn’t be in danger of liking one of them. They are expensive instruments that I doubt I’ll ever be able to afford so there’s really no sense in ‘trying them out’. But, I did pick up 3 sets of strings.
Just a block down the street from that music store is North Shore Yamaha so I figured I’d drop in there. They always have a good supply of riding gear on hand. I have several bike helmets but the one I use the most, because it is the most comfortable is my trusty old 3/4 helmet. There is a problem with my trusty old helmet, its 30 years old. I bought it when I bought the old ’84 Virago. Helmets are supposed to be replaced every couple of years. I was a bit over due. They had what I was looking for so I bought one. Now I should probably throw out the old one but I’ll most likely just tuck it away some where. I have a ¾ with a built in face shield that I don’t like and hate wearing. I also have a flip-up style full face which is nice when its very cold or raining but it is uncomfortably loud to wear. Its like having your head in a bucket. I’ve talked to riders with very expensive full face helmets and they all complain about the noise in them. They offer the most safety protection but are the pits to wear. So, now I have a new ¾ for everyday, comfortable riding.
Then of course there was the usual rides that didn’t have an excuses, just a desire. That usually simply means a toot into Horseshoe Bay to have coffee with my riding friends. Face it, if you have to ‘hang out’ somewhere, that’s a pretty cool place to do it.
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On a totally different note, I have a small, under powered netbook computer that I carry with me when I travel. I’ve been running Linux Ubuntu on it. Ubuntu is currently the most popular version of Linux. Like most versions, it is free, and it is a very polished, full function operating system. The one thing it has slipped a bit on is its use of system resources. It needs a moderately powered system to run on if you want speed. It will run on almost anything like any good Linux but runs best on a moderate or better machine. I’ve been wanting to try one of the lighter versions of Linux, called Mint, but didn’t want to erase my current setup. So, I installed Mint as a dual boot setup. That’s one of the really cool things about any Linux version, they tend to be very easy to get along with and are willing to seamlessly share a computer with virtually any other operating system. Now I can play with Mint before deciding to totally replace Ubuntu, or leave things just as they are with the best of both. Mint runs faster because it is ‘lighter’, but its not quite as polished as Ubuntu. However, it has a nicer interface and is just as functional. And, best thing about any Linux version, pretty well any software needed or wanted is free. It won’t be the big name, high priced stuff from Microsoft or Apple or Adobe, but it is just as good and just as functional.
Another cool thing about any of the Linux versions is that you can run them on pretty well any computer without installing them. That way you can try them out, or, use them as a recovery tool should your existing O/S go belly up. That can be a life saver for recovering data files. All you need is either a CD drive or better yet, a USB port. Most modern computers will boot quite happily from a bootable USB stick plugged into a port. You simply create a ‘Linux on a stick’ and plug it into the port, fire up the computer and the computer will run from the stick, not from the existing O/S. Absolutely nothing will be changed or touched on your existing hard drive. You can access your files, but not your programs. However, you don’t need to access your existing programs because similar programs are already on the USB stick along with the Linux version you chose to use.
Here’s how to do it. Simply go to the site of your choice, Ubuntu or Mint or whatever. If you go with Mint, use Mint 14. For Ubuntu, use 12.10. And for either, chose either 32 or 64 bit depending on your hardware.
http://www.linuxmint.com for Mint.
http://www.ubuntu.com for Ubuntu.
On their sites you will be able to find and download that version. Its usually around 800mb in size. You’ll then have to poke around on their site to find the instructions on how to create an ISO image onto a USB stick, thumb drive, or whatever you want to call it. I’d recommend using a USB stick, not a CD. The easiest instructions are on the Ubuntu site at:
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows
It will work for any of the Linux versions, just substitute that version for the Ubuntu file if you are using Mint or whatever. Use an empty USB stick and away you go. Once created, boot from it (start your computer with the stick plugged in) and up will come that operating system, totally independent of your existing O/S. It will be a bit slower than you are used to because everything is running through the USB port. To end your session and go back to your normal system, choose ‘close’ or ‘exit’ or whatever from the menu. After the computer has shut down, remove the USB stick and re-start. You will be back to normal, or to be more precise, your computer will be back to normal. Play with this as much as you want, but if you can spare the USB stick, keep it around as a very capable repair tool. It could very well save your butt when Windows craps out.
Linux is a great way to get a little more life out of an older computer. It will run very well on systems that struggle with the bloated main-stream O/Ss. It installs easily, either as a stand alone or a dual boot, and there are thousands of very good, open source, FREE programs available. Most versions come with a software manager that will find and display lists of programs in the given categories, and install them for you when you find the ones you want.
doug
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THE ONTARION REPORT
Hello Everyone!
Well, we finally had
a couple of days without freezing temps here in KW. Too bad it’s not going to
last very long! They tell us that by Saturday we’ll be down to around the
freezing mark once again with the possibility of more snow, yes, I said snow!
Ouch! Can’t old man winter take a break for the next 8 months and maybe have us
Canadians maybe even look forward to a nice winter next year after a sweltering
hot summer? I sure hope we’re in for a nice summer. Nobody minds a normal
winter as long as we’ve had a good hot summer and beautiful fall seasons! Oh
well, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how the next 8 months turn out.
With my hands well on the mend from the carpal tunnel surgery I’m hoping for
some nice summer weather so I can get back to a few good rides on my
motorcycle. I wasn’t able to ride more than once or twice last year with the
constant pain and lack of mobility in my wrists and hands so I hope the
surgeries I’ve gone through have worked to allow some good riding this coming
summer! So far my fingers and hands seem to be more flexible but there’s still
some sharp pain when I lift anything even moderately heavy or stretch my hands
to span anything a tad wider than normal palm width. The Dr told me it will
take up to 6 months for those feelings to subside and to just be patient with
the healing process. Guess I just have to do what he tells me and be patient
like a good little patient! LOL!
On the healing side
of things, Bailey is coming along well after his bladder surgery last week. He
has one more week to go before we take him over to Guelph to have the stitches
removed from his belly area. He’s been very good and hasn’t been licking or
even paying any attention to his surgery spot. He’s been on antibiotics and
painkillers so I guess that’s helped him cope with any discomfort from the
event. I’m sure he’ll be just fine once the stitches are out and he has a few
days of rest. He’s a tough little guy according to the Vet in Guelph and we’re
sure he’ll be back to normal in no time. We’re glad we went through with the
operation for sure! After all, he’s a family member and deserves to be looked
after when something like this happens.
Well, it looked like
we were in for one heck of a storm with a very black sky this evening after a
sunny afternoon but it only rained for a few minutes. I see that it’s
blackening up a little again so we may get a blast yet! I guess I’ll go and
batten down the hatches just in case it does open up on us!
The long range
forecast is looking cooler but sunnier so I hope this one or two days of dark
rainy weather is all we’re in for! It sure will be appreciated once the nice
sunshine and warm temps do get here!
That’s it for this
week folks!
Thanks for tuning in
and I’ll look forward to talking to you all again next week in The Ontarion Report!
Bye for now … Greg
PS: Something To
Think About>
Did you hear about the cross eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn’t control her pupils?
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Have a good one..
the doug
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