Converted to Linux

The Thankgiving Weekend Switch
During a long weekend of family, turkey and football I decided to make the switch from familiar Windows to Linux. Whoa!, you say, why such a drastic change? Why not just upgrade to Vista if you wanted something new? Well, I just decided to throw caution (but not much because Linux is reportedly pretty safe) to the wind and try something new with our old hardware. Our PC is about seven years old and was pretty slow while running Windows XP. I was looking for more functionality, less risk of viruses and other Internet intrusions and FREE SOFTWARE. Some of the mystery was removed before making the switch because Russell downloaded and created a bootable CD so we could so how it worked. We also watched some good videos that demonstrated how easy the install would be. I was especially impressed that the CD version connected to the Internet (ethernet only - couldn't get wireless working quickly) with no setup by me.

How It's Going
So far, everything's working pretty well. The actual installation took less than one hour. The longest part of the process was backing up the data I wanted to save to Russell's laptop over our wireless network, 4.5G worth. After getting the system up the first time, I felt like I had a new toy. There is so much to learn about and play with!

Problems
Setting up our printer was a little bit of a challenge even though a wizard was provided and HP drivers were already installed as a result of the original install from the downloaded CD. Our printer is the same age as the PC, so I'm sure age was a factor. I have not found a solution for converting Outlook email archives to Thunderbird yet, but I'm not giving up. I installed Google Earth, a program I never had working on Windows due to it running too slow. However, it doesn't run on Linux for me either, due to the graphics card. I am also looking for a way to listen to streaming audio feeds in the Windows format. The radio station we listen to for the Missouri State Bears games are on such a station.

What I Installed
I installed the KDE desktop for Linux, called Kubuntu, a Ubuntu derivative. The desktop looks somewhat like Windows but has many more features that you can change. I've seen a lot of screenshots on the Internet that show me that you can almost do anything with it. The Gnome desktop is also popular and looks a lot more like a Mac. Russell and I experimented with a GPC CD also before choosing KDE.

Outlook
I plan on installing new software to my heart's content (and as time allows). I'm finding there's a lot of information about how to do everything with Linux on the Internet.

What About You?
Will any of you join me? I know Uncle Dennis has a PC with Linux already (he started convincing me to convert while I was in Sacramento in September) and Russell wanted to switch before I did. But are there more of you that will join the growing Linux crowd?

"Come on in, the water's fine!".

Long overdue break

Incredibly excited to be on break, I am (or so says Master Yoda). It's been awhile since I've been home (over a month or so I think). If for no other reason, I'll be giving special thanks for this timely break on Thursday!

Surprise Birthday Getaway

Joni and I spent last weekend with our wonderful friends Mark and Sherree Oyler at The Legacy near Branson Missouri. Joni and Sherree had been planning it for some weeks ahead. Mark and I were the ones that were suprised! This was to celebrate 3 birthdays: Sherree (Oct. 23), Joni (Nov. 11) and mine (Nov. 17).

Here's how it went for me... Joni told me Sherree was wanting to do something special for her birthday on Friday that included us, so take Friday off as vacation. I did. I also had half of Thursday off as comp time. We planned to go see David play in his first Missouri State game. With half a day off, we might as well take our time getting there and enjoy the fall leaves in the Ozarks. Ok by me. When we started really getting off the beaten path after passing through Branson, I asked her were we were going (she drove so I could nap). She said she knew of some lookout point. I blindly went along. Then, a couple of miles later, she pulled into the driveway of the home we would be staying at and she said, "surprise!" We got out, went inside, and just as Joni was explaining that the Oylers were coming too, they pulled up in the driveway.

Mark was led to believe that he and Sherree would be spending the weekend in Branson or Kansas City (judging by the direction he was told to drive) to celebrate her birthday. When they pulled up to the house near Branson and saw our car, he was surprised.

Rest and Relaxation
We played cards, played pool and watched the Hogs beat South Carolina on TV.

Joni had found this place on the Internet several months ago and showed me the pictures. Looked real nice. But I had no idea it would become a birthday surprise. We all enjoyed the weekend: Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning.

Chicken Kitchen
For breakfast Sunday morning as we were leaving Branson, we found this small, out-of-the-way place to grab a bite called the Chicken Kitchen. Hung in the main dining area was a University of Tennessee flag. Terry and Donnie Smith (Becca's parents) would love it, I thought. It was kind of a homey atmosphere with plastic coffee cups, down-home hospitality, and a pretty good breakfast special called the Rocky Top breakfast, which definitely smacked of Tennessee... Anyway, the owner and waiter were very friendly and generous. In fact, after chatting about being from Arkansas and David playing basketball at Missouri State, when the check came the owner took $2 off each of our tickets and wrote Missouri State discount. As we left, he asked for David's name and said, "Have him come by and I'll take care of him".

Eternal Perspectives (Randy Alcorn's blog): Why I Support Mike Huckabee for President

Eternal Perspectives (Randy Alcorn's blog): Why I Support Mike Huckabee for President

Read this blog entry by Randy Alcorn if you are able to vote. He presents some compelling reasons to support the former Arkansas governor. I'm not supporting him because he is from Arkansas but because he is an authentic candidate that can win if he can get the support of Christians who will vote their conscience.

Share your comments on this topic below if you want to...

Flooded!

Wow, our house flooded on Monday morning from the washer overflowed. Apparently, a little vacuum hose that connects from the tub to a sensor on the back of the control panel had come off so the tub did not stop filling until about an hour later when Joni noticed it. Joni was at home during the incident, but there was no sound of water gushing over the top or anything, just 2 inches of water squishing between her toes when she returned to that part of the house!

We've been drying it out with a Shop Vac and borrowed dehumidifier and fans from Joni's brother-in-law who owns a hardwood flooring business. The insurance adjuster came out yesterday and said hardwood flooring (dining room and entry way) needs replacement, as well as many baseboards and door trims. Additionally, we'll need someone to come out and pull up the carpet in about 3 rooms to dry it out. Bill is coming this morning to assess the hardwood floor damage.

This has kind of caused a cramp in our style: we won't be able to attend the Daniel Family Reunion this weekend as planned and our Connection Group that meets in our home every other week will need to be rescheduled, not to mention paying the insurance deductable.

Oh well, such is life. It could have been a lot worse...