Subject:  Just some other news... |
Author:
Drake
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Date Posted: 21:53:55 08/05/03 Tue
Hello All:
Well, I have not been writing as much as I wanted for a number of reasons. First, work still intrudes... but the majority of my responsibilities have now been met. Thus, I think I can assume I can get back to my other primary source of fun: writing.
Secondly, I have begun a process of experimentation wherein I am planning to build a new computer and make it entirely Microsoft free. Yes, it can be done. I am currently downloading and installing a variety of programs from the OpenSource and OpenGroup communities. This is the first in a series of reports that I will be presenting. I hope the experiment is a complete success and the powers (or monsters) that be in the programming world will take notice of what is truly important for end users.
Mozilla Firebird (web browser):
This web browser rocks! Pure and simple one of the finest accomplishments in Internet technology for the average user that has come down the pike since Netscape (or Nutscrape since AOL acquired it) was first introduced. It beats the snot out of Microsoft Internet Explorer on most fronts. The only problem I have seen thus far is that it does not do a good job handling PHP interfaces. However, I have read at various newsgroups that this is being fully addressed and should be fixed in short order (3 - 6 months... but probably less at the rate they are going).
If you want one serious kick-ass browser to use on the web, get Mozilla Firebird, or the full-blown version. You will not be disappointed in the least.
Mozilla Thunderbird (email package):
Beautiful piece of work... beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I am still toying with the scope of control settings it provides, and it is stunning. It has built in spam (junk) mail filters, and a blacklist will soon be implemented. You can import existing Outlook/Outlook Express address books, so those are not lost. The only real problem, and it is not the actual fault of the OpenSource communities, is that you cannot access certain types of webmail accounts. If you have a standard ISP (dial-up and/or broadband), it integrates wonderfully on the system. I got one of my accounts up and running in under five minutes.... which was about 15 minutes shorter than the MS Outlook Express set-up. I guess it also helps that I have experience with setting up email accounts and software packages, so I am not forgetting that.
Both Firebird and Thunderbird can be customized with a variety of extensions (aka plug-ins) that extend the functionality of the software. They do not come pre-bundled, and thus gives you -- yes, you the user -- the choice as to what you want to include. The installation of the extensions are very fast and painless. The interfaces can also be customized with a number of themes freely available at the main project site. My web browser and email are using the SkyPilot theme, and it is one good looking interface!
If you are new to installing software or the least bit nervous, there are copious amounts of FAQs and forums where you can go for excellent answers and tips. I think that most people would not have a problem installing either Firebird or Thunderbird. One last note on this topic: you will need to go out and get the latest Java runtime code. This is freely available as well, and lots of documentation to tell you how and what you are doing.
OpenOffice.org (office productivity suite):
I will probably never use MS Word, Excel or Powerpoint again. They still have a ways to go on the full development of the databasing utility, but I believe it will not take long.
This suite of programs is fully integrated with one another, so you can switch applications mid-stream and do cross-over work without missing a single beat. The interface is no-frills... and that is just the way I like it. Clean and efficient is the main thrust here. I am very demanding on office programs, and these guys have taken punishment from me very well over the last few months. The latest release candidate includes some of the new features that will be incorporated in the next version release. I really, really, really like these programs. I suggest you download the install package (60 mb) and give it a whirl.
One serious note on installing OpenOffice.org program suite: if you are not certain that you want to convert to full-time usage (until after you are completely satisfied with it... and I know you will be), make certain you leave the MS document associations unchecked when you reach that part of the installation interface. When -- and not if -- you decide to go full-time with this office suite, you can switch the associations at that time.
Future Testing...
In the future, very near future, I will building a new system and installing Linux. From there, I will use only OpenSource and/or OpenGroup software. I plan to make it an entirely Microsoft free system. I will keep you posted on the progress. This is a long-term project for me: roughly 3 - 6 months until completion. My goal is to see if I can run entirely without Microsoft in any fashion. The only concession I will have to make is that my IDE (Integrated Development Environment) will have to run on my Windows 2000 Professional system. However, this will also force me to start dabbling in OpenSource programming... and that will be a good thing.
I am off on a mini-vacation this weekend (Aug 8 - Aug 11), and I plan to do some serious writing while I sit around in northern Michigan and gaze at Lake Michigan through the sand dunes.
Peace to everyone.
Drake
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