PCLinuxOS and the Parents - update

Image by aid85 via Flickr

My mother and father are still using PCLinuxOS as I'm typing this post. Now I'm going to answer a few questions that I have been asked by friends and other family members. I have been asked more than once, "Why would you switch an amateur to a Linux distribution?".

I can come up with an easy answer to that question. The reason I would switch an amateur computer user to a Linux distribution is because if somebody doesn't have enough knowledge to make sure that their firewall is on, virus definitions are updated, or to run spyware scans, they have no business using Windows on the Internet - it's no good. You don't have to run virus scans in Linux...really, the only way to get a virus in Linux is if you ask for it and give it permissions.

So, I drove over my parent's house today to check up on how their computer and how it is working for them. They are totally pleased and have absolutely no problems to report. When I had MS Windows running on their previous system, I would receive phone calls often, reporting that the computer is "not working" .. or .. "it shut off, froze, or Blue-Screened".

After not having any computer problems and then becoming bored, I decided to take an old Cannon Printer they had laying around and plug it in. It was an All-In-One type printer (printer scanner and card reader). After I plugged this All-in-one in, it immediately worked. Sweet. I didn't need to find the "Printer Driver CD",like trying to find a diaper for a baby in a panic.

PCLinuxOS and the Parents

Image via Wikipedia

I'm not going to make this into a dramatic story, making you read through keywords to hear my point.

My parents have dial-up internet and I had to find a linux distro that is EASY as heck (for the windows reliant people) to use to get online and serve basic functions. Being that their slogan is "Radically Simple", I decided to try PCLinuxOS.

I ran through the very-simple installer and then Rebooted the computer ..It was only like 10 minutes or so. Ta-da. All my hardware was set up, and the system booted smoothly. I then thought that I was going to run into a huge problem - the dial-up modem. Fortunately, I have a Trendnet External Serial Modem. I plugged the modem in and used the PCLinuxOS Control Center analog modem setup. It was easier than Windows! Much easier, and connected on the first try.

I think you should go to the PCLinuxOS Website and check out this gem of an OS.

Babies Can't Use Keyboard

Image by mommy peace via Flickr

This gave me today's laugh. As I was reading more information about the Palm Pre Sprint phone today, I had one heck of a laugh. I was on the Slick Deals website's forum and I was reading their Palm Pre Section and came across this: http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=1423001

Michael Jackson Dies. And . . .

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

How does that affect you?

I wonder why the media focuses on the Jackson death as obsessively as it does. Perhaps the big media could cover things that affect the people more than Michael Jackson did: The plunging economy, people STILL WITHOUT HOMES in New Orleans [Seriously!] I'll just google it and here is the first link I pull out of thin air: Prospect.org

And, for the record, I am a fan of Michael Jackson. You can't deny that he revolutionized Pop and nobody will ever compare. Michael even had Snoop Dog record with him - pretty darn cool. The lead singer in my previous band "Sammy's Glass Eye", would constantly have us cover Michael Jackson songs and I enjoyed it. But please, let us remember, pray if that's your thing, and move on. We have our own lives to worry about, families to feed, and trying to avoid the banks stealing all of our money.