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I received this R1000.00 Adwords gift from Google and since I have never checked Google's Ad stuff out I decided to give it a try.

Technorati Tags: adwords, adsense, google

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I have a fresh install of Ubuntu 9.04, Jaunty on a Lenovo T60 and since the beginning sound will be muted after login.  The drum roll happen at the GDM login screen but no login sound.  Yesterday I eventually found a solution for it.

The solution was comment out line 372 in /etc/init.d/alsa-utils.  The line in question was 'mute_and_zero_levels "$TARGET_CARD" || EXITSTATUS=1'. Just this small change has solved the issue for me. 

Now to be honest, I have no idea what the purpose of this line is and whether any other issues might crop up by commenting out this line.  Well, sofar I have found no regressions by commenting out the line.

Technorati Tags: ubuntu, jaunty, 9.04, sound, muted

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There is a lot of talk going on about UbuntuOne.  All I have to say is that the Ubuntu trademark belongs to Canonical and they can do with it what they want to.  Also they are a business and surely they have the right to make money, and if that is by using their own trademark, why not.

However today I want to ask why I should use UbuntuOne instead of DropBox.  I have not used UbuntuOne yet, still waiting on my invite, so this is based on what I have read.  UbuntuOne only support Linux and to be more specific Ubuntu.  Also I could not gather how seamless it is integrated into Nautilus.  I have been using Dropbox now for a while and has just worked perfectly.  I can share files with Windows and/or Mac users.  When I run out of my free space on Dropbox I can upgrade and it seems to be cheaper than what UbuntuOne offers.

Dropbox is not perfect.  I would like to see better KDE support .. yes one can get it working but it is not nicely integrated.  Also I would like to see the possibility to sync more than one folder.

So for the time being I am a happy Dropbox user.

Technorati Tags: ubuntuone, dropbox, canonical

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The next version of Ubuntu, 9.04 or better known as Juanty will be officially available later today from your favourite mirror.

I have not looked at anything of Jaunty during the development process, so it will be a surprise for me and I cannot wait in upgrading both my Ubuntu and Kubuntu home desktops.  My work Ubuntu will have to wait a while to stabilise some of the internal apps we are using.  

If you attending one of the Release parties, enjoy and good luck with the upgrade.  From what I have read and heard, the process should be fairly smooth.

Posted via email from Marius posterous blog

From the page Famous last words of Marius:

Posted via email from Marius posterous blog

I was asked to install Windows XP on a new PCI/PCI-e based machine.  I tried to convince the person to install Ubuntu but since this person is a photographer, she wanted Photoshop. Yes I did explain that GIMP can do everything Photoshop can do.

I only had an original (Gold) Windows XP and when trying to install this on a new PCI/PCI-e machine, the dreaded BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) happens.

Here is how to solve:

• Ideal solution – convince the person to install Linux (Ubuntu).
• Easy solution – find a Windows XP install disk that includes either Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3.
• If you do not have that then you will have to make your own Service Pack slipstreamed Windows XP install disk.  I had a copy of Service Pack 3 lying around and this is what I had to do:
  Follow the instructions at http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd.htm to create the install disk.  Be sure to follow the instructions to the T, particularly the one that say something about Emulating a Floppy in Nero when you burn the CD.  If you leave that default, the CD will not Boot.

This slipstreamed CD should boot fine and the Windows install should now go through without BSOD.  It still boggles my mind that the original Windows XP (even with SP 1) did not know anything about PCI interfaces.

Technorati Tags: windows xp, ubuntu, BSOD, install, PCI, PCI-e, service pack

Posted via email from Marius posterous blog

IBM Withdraws $7 Billion Bid For Sun Microsystems

The $7 billion deal between IBM and Sun Microsystems has all but failed, say sources at the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Sources say Sun balked at IBM's latest offer and IBM eventually withdrew sometime today.

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From the page Famous last words of Marius:

After the heat of yesterday and last night, we had some sort of a thunderstorm and rain here in the Cape.  This morning, still with the clouds around we had this sunrise.

I will upload some more photos to my Photo Gallery here. Look in the Nature Photos album.

Technorati Tags: sunrise, thunder

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It looks like IBM will announce in the coming week the acquisition of SUN for about $7billion.  Whether it will get a smooth ride to approval is another subject.

Posted via email from Marius posterous blog