Linux
New years resolutions
At this time of year everyone starts banging on about new years resolutions, what they want to achieve for the new 12 months, weight they want to lose, people they want to bring back into their life etc. I know I’m rather weak willed and dont usually stick to anything I say I’m going to do. So instead of making one for myself, I thought I would make one for everyone else.
This year I’m going to promote linux in every way that I can.
I’m going to give out live CD’s, I’m going to offer free assistance in getting people set up with their new OS, I’m going to try and annoy the local radio station to get a message out about Linux.
What do I want from everyone else? Simple, if you already use Linux, do the same thing, and I don’t mean talk to people about it and make amusing anecdotes, I mean take you laptop to peoples house when you go to visit, carry a bundle of CD’s or DVD’s with a selection of Distros.
People keep saying that one of the problems with Linux is that it doesnt get the same marketing that MS and Apple does and because of this, not enough people get to hear about it. WELL CHANGE THAT THEN!
For those people that read this and don’t use Linux yet, I want only one thing from you, and that is an open mind. The next time someone starts talking about Linux, don’t just go into a little ball and ignore them, take the time to listen and find out when we use it.
Come on people, after all the talk about ‘the year of Linux’ again and again and again, why don’t we all do something about it. I want to see banners, I want to see video’s, I want to see Shawn Powers tattoo the Ubuntu symbol on his butt and walk naked through the streets of Detroit if that’s what it takes to get people interest. If everyone one in the Linux community for one day/ one week or whatever sat up and said right now we are going to shout about this, then there would be an uproar that no one could ignore.
Re tweet, re dent, digg, blog, hell spray this on you car for all I care, just take the message as it was intended and do something about this!
bpx
Possible Inspiration?
I’ve been bashing ideas out for a while now about the kind of things i would like to work on once i finish university and get out into the wide world the is the Games Industry. Some of the ideas ive shared some of them ive been keeping to myself. Well, im going to openly discuss one that been buggin me for a while and ive decided that even if i dont get it done its something that should be seriously looked at by developers.
What am i talking about? Games on linux. Now most of us know that there is a variety of games available on the linux platform, mostly opensource releases, with the odd ported client for a few mainstream games. Very few developers release dedicated linux clients, general because they dont see it as a viable market. Ive talked to a lot of people about this, some windows users some linux users and the overwhelming opinion is that despite companies like Codeweavers, Transgaming and WINE there is a lot of holes in being able to run a game designed for Windows without problems.
Whats the solution? One is getting developers to start making linux ports for popular games, and frankly i cant see that happening. I have another possible solution.
Modular games design.
Let me explain. I heard about Google chrome, the whole thing sounded awesome, i loved the idea of it basically running like a mini OS to manage all of its resources. Then i thought about how linux works, about the kernel, about how things like madwifi and even graphics drivers that have kernel modules that plug in and interact with the system. The Steam client was also floating around in my head, being able to download games and mods to your system then plugged in to already installed software. Then it occured to me, what if you had a game system that allowed for ease of porting between platforms, with only a small part of it being OS dependant?
Think of it this way: each part of the game system gets separated, having one or two core modules that are OS dependant, the rest of the system, the game engine, SDK, map files, sounds game data, in a standard format that will interact with the core stuff whatever OS its installed on. You can then even have new games installed by needing only new games files since you already have the engine. It also gives you the option of having a package management system like most linux distros so you can update the system and get new versions of the engine, or older ones if you fancy playing older games.
The developer could release the whole package open source, allowing people to use the SDK for anything they like, but charging for the games themselves. Am i making sense here? I hope so.
I wanted to work on this idea myself once i had gone on to my masters, but screw it, I thinks its an idea that has merit, so anyone that wants to take the idea, go for it, anyone that wants to talk more with me about it feel free to contact me,
bpx
All you arty types
Right as some people may know, I’m trying to break into games design, and currently im working on concept material for an ongoing OpenSource Project. I’m looking for anyone in the OS community that would be willing to donate a few pieces of concept art for me for the game.
Hopefully wont be anything fancy, and of course full credit will be given in the finished product (whenever that may be).
Cheers all, bpx
WFTL on Security
Our favorite Linux chef talks about Linux security and has a special guest to co host today.
((edit))
Due to some reason the player just kicks in and that can be annoying for people so here’s the link to the site instead: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-wftl-show
Hail to the wftl!
At the moment i have to make a big shout of to Marcel Gagné host of the ‘WFTL Show‘ and a columbist with ‘Linux Journal‘ that gave me a hand today getting my Skype configured and working.
Dude, you rock.
Every Tuesday night Marcel does a webcast about OpenSource software and Linux in general, he’s awesome, so you must watch this show.
bpx
Freedom of choice
A little thought occured to me while i was having breakfast. I was sitting down trying to decide whether i wanted Cornflakes or Frosties, then it hit me..
What if i never new there was other cereal out there?
People nowadays have access to vast amounts of technology that can enhance and benefit their lives. On a daily basis a human being will decide what phone to buy, what CD player would suit the house best, what Car they want to drive, what kind of TV they want, Cable package they would like etc. And of course we think that people make the choice to use a specific Operating System. But that’s not quite right is it? The majority of people use an MS windows environment not because they choose to, but simply becasue its the OS that comes with their computer, its what they have › Continue reading
Current Paradox
- Stand clear, im installing Gentoo
wibble?
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