CrunchBang - Code, Design & GNU/Linux

Becky the Linux user

Last night I installed Linux on Becky's laptop. I have been trying to persuade Becky to give Linux a go for a while, but until now, she had been quite content with using Windows XP. Then, last night, when Becky asked me to create a backup of her collection of digital photos and music, I took the opportunity to ask her [again] if she thought it was about time she dropped her ageing Windows XP installation in favour of modern Linux desktop. To my surprise, she agreed.

So, I created a backup of Becky's data and proceeded to install my latest remastered version Ubuntu. I could of installed a vanilla Ubuntu install, but I wanted her first real experience of Linux to be as smooth as possible. Once the installation had completed, I restored Becky's data and handed back her laptop; she powered it up and proceeded to go about her business.

I waited for the comments and questions, but they never came. As it turned out, I actually ended up pestering her to show her a few things; we had a play with entering a few terminal commands and installing the odd package. Finally, Becky reluctantly said, "It's quite good".

Result :)

Excellence is

I found the following words pinned to a noticeboard at work:

Excellence is:

• The result of caring more than others think is wise
• Risking more than others think is safe
• Dreaming more than others think is practical
• And expecting more than others think is possible.

While I am not normally suckered-in by corporate spiel, I thought these words were pretty cool. Somehow they remind me of the Ubuntu community.

Contractions, Waffle, Mrs Briggs & Data

For the last month or so I've I have been attempting to eliminate contractions from my blog posts. Initially I found the process quite difficult and I'd I would often find myself struggling with basic English. One word which troubled me was, "cannot", which for a while at least, existed in my head as two separate words; I can't can not cannot imagine why? Anyhow, I think I'm I am finally beginning to get the hang of it.

I'm I am not entirely sure why I decided to stop using contractions; maybe it's it has got something to do with my need to experiment? Or, maybe I'd I had previously read somewhere that contractions cause issues with non-human translation services. Either way, I'm I am quite enjoying the experience, although I fear that it doesn't does not aid the flow of my written gibberish.

While I'm I am on the subject of my poorly scribed waffle, it's it has got to be said that writing doesn't does not come naturally to me. The reason my writing isn't is not often easy to read isn't is not entirely due to my recent sans-contraction experiment, no, I believe it's it has more to do with Mrs Briggs, who was both my secondary school English teacher and the biggest distraction throughout my secondary education. Actually, that's that is not completely true, the distractions were her long legs, short skirts and fancy knickers [don't do not ask]; which in my humble opinion, isn't is not suitable attire for a secondary school English teacher. Maybe I should've should have said something at the time? Thinking about it now, I'm I am glad I didn't did not say anything because I'm I am sure she'd've she would have flipped out; besides, no normal hormonal teenage boy is going to complain about such things.

Anyway, back to the subject of contractions; if you're you are wondering how all this relates to Data, well, it's it is a known fact that Data's Data has got issues with verbal contractions in ordinary speech, which is amusing when you consider he's he has got a total linear computational speed rated at sixty trillion operations per second, yet he can't can not cannot say, "can't". Silly android.

P.S. I thought it'd it would be fun to write like this, but to be honest, 'tisn't it is not. 'tisn't It is not going to happen again ;-)

I am not superstitious, but…

I am not overly superstitious, I have been known to walk under ladders, but yesterday had to be the 13th. It may not have been a Friday, but it was definitely the 13th. I know this because everything I touched exploded in my face, a slight exaggeration maybe, but seriously, if it could have gone wrong, it did go wrong. Even simple operations like creating tarballs was too much for me. My only consoling thought during my many mishaps was the fact that I was not suffering alone.

Some people blamed their boobs on magic, disturbances in the force and warps [glitches, surely?] in the Matrix:

Due to an almost magical series of administrative, record-keeping, and usability errors, the domain registration for A List Apart momentarily lapsed this morning.

It was like a disturbance in the Force, or a warp in the Matrix.

Others held their hands up, admitted to a serious problem and got on with the job of correcting it. Some people started throwing muck, while others helped out in a more constructive manner.

Of course, all of this nonsense pales into insignificance when you think about what is happening in meatspace. Still, yesterday was the 13th, I am glad today is the 14th.

Tribal Wars & Baroness Becky

Foreword: I have to admit that I was somewhat sceptical when Gouki introduced me to Tribal Wars. It's easy to dismiss such games as both frivolous and childish. Since experiencing the game for myself, I can now see the attraction. Tribal Wars has been my first introduction to a MMOG and while I may not be the best of players, I find the in-world politics and fight for survival fascinating. It's interesting to witness how the players, tribes and tactics evolve over time. This post is a short commentary on my Tribal Wars history to date.

As has become usual over the last few months, last night both Becky and I were sat with our laptops relaxing in the lounge. I was chatting and on IRC and Becky was playing Tribal Wars. Becky tends to chunter when she plays, it amuses me no end. Becky started playing in November last year, about the same time that I started. She's a far better player than I'll ever be and her points total is scary big.

When we started playing we both joined up as members of the Ubunteros tribe. It was a good tribe and we both gained points and made our way up the rankings. Becky, being the total megalomaniac that she is, managed to become one of the top players in the tribe [I forget her exact position, but I'm sure she'll fill me in.] Meanwhile, I languished around mid-table, this was mainly due to the fact that I wasn't aggressive enough, I just didn't expand into new territories with enough speed — I'm sure the Ubuntu Code of Conduct and Tribal Wars don't mix too well!

Anyhow, last month I was subjected to an unprovoked attack by a neighbouring player. It was a fairly even fight and neither of us emerged from it too well; I lost a large number of defensive troops and my aggressor lost all of his attack units. The battle left my small number of villages in vulnerable state and I looked for support from the UBU tribe. It was at this point that I realised the UBU tribe was not in any position to provide the support I needed. The tribe was far too scattered and the nearest tribe members were many hours away. Meanwhile I had several hostile tribes knocking on my door. Survival instinct took over and I had no option but to leave my beloved UBU tribe. I joined the Brotherhood Of BaD, the strongest and most powerful tribe on my continent.

Not long after my departure from UBU, Becky also defected and joined a stronger tribe. She is now joint leader of her new tribe and holds a baronial title no less! She continues to wreak havoc in World 9 and I truly pity any player unlucky enough to attract her attention. Through hard work and total dedication [is she an addict?] she has positioned herself well within the Tribal Wars food chain, it'll take a rather large predator to take her down.

Anyway, last night while discussing the game with my Baroness [Becky, have I told you lately how much you rock!] I learned that the UBU tribe have joined forces with the Brotherhood Of BaD. They are now known as UBUBAD. Obviously I was delighted to hear this and would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Ubunteros into the Brotherhood. I feel it was a wise decision to join forces, it places UBUBAD within a strong family of tribes; one that is evolving into a serious contender for World 9 domination.

As it stands now, I'm witnessing other tribes joining forces to overcome the 100 players per tribe game limitation. This means there now exists super-tribes with members numbering in the thousands. It'll be fascinating to see how this develops. I'm sure my player will be long dead before a conclusion is reached [if there is a conclusion], but I know I can count on my Baroness to keep me informed, chuntering as she goes :)

Me++

Today is my Birthday. Tonight I celebrate by going out and eating half a cow. Good day for me, not so good for the cow. Currently, I am sat here typing this trying to get my feeble mind to compute whether or not it is in fact my 34th Birthday. I know I'm only 33 years old, but I figure that Birthdays work like arrays and actually start at 0.

Anyhow, Becky very kindly bought me 2 new tyres for my motorised bicycle, a new Technicals jacket and 2 DVDs — 300 and Re-Animator deluxe 2 disc edition. I've been thoroughly spoiled :)

Happy New Year

I'm happy to report that this new year has started in a most excellent fashion. Firstly, I've got myself a brand new fiancee. Secondly, I've successfully managed to remaster my own Ubuntu distribution. More on that soon, for now though, Happy New Year! Have a good one :)

The Death of a Desktop

Yesterday my aging desktop system finally wrote its last byte before giving up the ghost. In its early years it was a good system and it performed its duties with speed. In its later years it still performed its duties with speed, but occasionally fell over and crashed. Yesterday it crashed for the last time.

After making the painful decision not to attempt to revive the system, Becky and I went looking for a replacement. We found and rescued an abandoned Compaq Evo at a local rescue center for unwanted PCs. It's a nice quiet system[it's so silent that I have to keep checking on it to make sure it's alive] and it sits happily on my old yew table. As soon as I got it home I installed Ubuntu to keep it company.

The Unspoken

We've developed an unspoken agreement not to talk about it. I'm not quite sure how it's possible to reach such an agreement, but we've done it. And it works!

Note to Self, Buy More Fuel

My bike ran out of petrol this morning and I ended up walking home, about 3 miles in the wind and rain. In future I really must remember to:

1. Buy fuel more often
2. Turn my tanks reserve switch back to normal after use

I also need to purchase a new mobile phone, one that actually works. At least then I can phone home and let Becky know that I'm okay!