Thursday, July 29, 2010

Paldo-43

Pure adaptable Linux distribution, Paldo is one for the savvy.
It takes over 900 points in my scale of points.
It has gparted, root and administrative functions that are basic needs of a Linux distribution, if one wants to delve into inner workings of Linux.

It has taken an innovative approach.

ScentLinux
a derivative of Paldo is not a live CD but installable.

Try both and enjoy Linux.

I am looking for it's next innovation.

Zenwalk-42

Zenwalk is a derivative of Slackware which has organized itself like a Zen Master in meditation, rigid in discipline and conduct of its affairs.

I was waiting for its next release (2010 Live CD) but it never came and I have to preempt and write something now before I forget to include it in my 100 Linux live CDs.
It is of the mold of PCLinux, innovative in one sense and conservative in another sense.

It's live CD is xfce based has everything except installation script.

It has proprietary drivers in stock and works with both old and new computers.

It has Core CD, Standard Cd, Live CD, Zencafe, a new edition and several updates of its install CD and an open box version.
It is light weight, fast to boot and connect to internet instantly and it's home page is excellent.

It has all the ingredients I look for and is stable.

If I was not hooked to PCLinux this would have been my first choice.
Please read it's reviews (from user base) before you decide on it or believe me.
Please also give a donation and I hope they come out with a Live CD with install option for me to try, soon.

Well done!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Chakra-07-Update

Chacra has done a good job and has taken away black scrreen and has introduced the light KDE desktop.
Boots up quickly and connect to web without a hassel.
It has Avahi and Konquer which probaly has saved lot of MiBs.
K3b is a value added doisk burner.
The installer is still in black screen, probaly to save Mib but would make a newbie nervous and me somewhat blind.
This is the same critisism I (black screen) I leveled against it (Dark and black background) but Chacra has come of age and it has everything a savvy needs.

Thanks guys / girls.

We must offer generous donations if we care them to survive in the long run.
This writing was done live Chakra booted and running without any stain on my RAM.
They have included a neat script with passwords which is admirable.
By the way I downloaded Orion (ubuntu derivative) with 1.3 Gb and could not mount it.
There is no hint of the password for alpha in its release or documentation.
In a hurry for the release most developers forget simple things.

Thanks for including the password script which others should emulate.
There are no colour fonts since I am working live CD on RAM.

RIP-Linux-41

Recovery is Possible is the mission of R.I.P. Linux and stands true to it's name.

All the utilities packed in its 100 MiB Live CD is something a Linux savvy should have in his pocket Live CD.

I have not tested any of the utilities since my PCLinux 2010 does not give any headaches in spite of 200 odd downloads and the daily use and testing of other Linux distributions.
It is something a Microsoft guy should have to solve Microsoft's problems including many viruses.

It's release cycle is fast and updates come by the minute.

It rivals only the Damn Small Linux = DSL (which of course is Debian based and have very slow release cycles) which I use when I am in any trouble.

Well done!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Ylmf-ChineseOS-40

I had some difficulty downloading this partly due to the server (parent) problem and partly due to Telecoms inability to provide uninterrupted service.
Chinese developers have done a good job and hope they provide us a good server and updates.
it is Debain based and attractive adding Google services.

Monday, July 19, 2010

ChameleonOS-39

Mandriva,then Unity and now the next derivative lives up to its name chameleon changes its skin colour faster than it promises in its announcement.
What it has done with 500 MiB is an excellent achievement,

This is an eye candy distribution
even an apple convert might enjoy.

Like PCLinux-2007 it should develop its own repository and its own community to support.
No wonder it will give a healthy competition to PCLinux and a headache or two.

It should have at least 4 versions and like Netrunner2 (Mixture of KDE and Genome but heavy) take few of the Gnome packages into its armory but should not get loaded like the Netrunner2 (do not bloat it).

Make it slim and beautiful that's where LXDE is a good candidate for a different flavour.

Well done guys and girls and develop your home site accordingly to attract new fans.

I am going to be one of your fans.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Service Providers or Consumers?

I am writing this under a tube (fluorescence) light which is flickering incessantly (with a small diode light illuminating my keyboard, without which I cannot vent my feelings-which I bought in Singapore -two for the price of one).

It takes twice (may be thrice) the time to type this since, like the flickering light I am making spelling mistakes one after the other.

This is a typical day in my life quiet frustrated but letting my anger disappear with the touch of the key board buttons.

I am not a touch typist (I was never) so with very poor light my eye not focusing on the keys I am making mistakes after mistakes. Thank god the spell checker is there with the touch of the button, even then I type tenants for tenet and price for prize, career for carrier and vice versa (One day, I will post one without correcting any keyboard mistakes for posterity and I am sure I will be nominated for a writing prize by the English experts brought in from India to teach our teachers English).

I am one who was brought up with the zero error /defect principle, strictly by the old code of conduct, these irritations would have made me neurotic by the minute.

I am sane now and always (with or without elections and with or without Kings and Queens-Card Pack- Buruwa- Mentality) because I practice this moment meditation (nothing to do with Buddhist meditation) and attend to the task at hand not one before or not one that has not yet come from my young age (without me consciously knowing the scenario then but quiet cognizant of the fact with advancing age and the practice of insight meditation).

So nothing disturbs my inner peace or joy but overtly presenting myself to all and sundry, boring, ignorant and man without substance for my own safety-THIS IS ALSO FOR MY INNER PEACE-mediocre questions drives me nuts though).

The flickering low voltage luminance for me is the driving energy to put some thoughts into words. I should have done / written this ages ago but never too late should be the guiding principle and the angles' message (that disappeared from this land of opportunities).

Weekends heralds disaster for me.

That is because the IT industry (Telecoms) keeps me up in the night.

Even now I am keeping my eye on the flicker / blinker of the router to see whether it is shaking hand with the server or not.

1. IT and Telecoms

Now I will start with the Telecoms, then go to Water Board, Electricity Board, Highway and the Municipality to illustrate how the zero defect principle should operate in this country.

Even though, Telecoms promises so many KBs or Mega Bites for a second, the throughput is never what they promise, it is way below the mark.

Often 10 or 15 instead of 50 or 200 they promise.

The Microsoft computers cannot measure the throughput but my Linux box does accurate measure of downloads and their speeds.

Currently it is 25 KB per second and below and almost two thirds of the country is in deep sleep now and / or not using a computer.

How come?

Who is responsible for it?

Not only that it goes to zero after midnight.

The guys / girls working in the night are very nice and moment I give them a call they put me on line.

Problem is the directors and top managers who have no understanding of IT are taking the perks from the coffers but doing nothing to run a zero defect industry.

They do not have a business plan or management skills.

They are all political appointees!

No wetting no appraisal or scrutiny!



2. Water Board

To me the most corrupt institution from President Premadasa's time.

I will not talk about late Mr. Premadasa.

I have more respect for him now than then except highlighting his blemishes in the Water Management in Kandy,

Only after his demise (I was away abroad but fully involved) I got involved with few of my friends who were engineers and got the Nilambe Project come into existence with the help of President Wijetunge.

Now what happens?

The guys who came after the Project was commissioned are having a whale of a time.

They divert the water to Kandy meant for the people of the project to please the politicians who frequent Kandy to invoke blessing for themselves (not the voters who voted them in).

Water Board is fully politicized!

3. Electricity Board

Flickering lights is not the only manifestation. I have to get up many a times to switch on / off the computer.

Mind you I have downloaded over 200 Linux distributions in spite this handicap.

Since, I am intending to write a review on hundred (after seen the 2010 updates) distributions I still have to download many.

Watching the flicker of the router has become a hobby (not watching any more of Sir-Lankan Cricket).

Just browse the BBC sports for Indian scores though!

Our Electricity Board cannot provide standard constant voltage supply 24 hours a day and I have lost so many valuable equipments worth millions in current value including computers and microwave ovens over the last two decades and I have stopped buying new ones any more.

If this happened abroad I would have sued.

A lady in UK won millions of worth of compensation for a faulty milk bottle with pieces of glasses or something similar.

What about Sir-Lanka ? Yes Sir Lanka

A bottled mineral water with a condom inside was hushed up!


4. Kandy Municipal (Kunu Mawana / Kawana) Council

It cannot provide safe breathing air (see my writing on Warning Inland Fish Eaters) and come Perehara cats and dogs are provided as delicacies.

5. Highway!

Come and see for yourselves during the Perehara to see the side roads where politicians with power never travel!

Whats the point in writing this?

There is something for you.

If you look at the statistics nearly 40% did not vote.

Nearly 25% voted against.

If we let the 35% to run the country nothing will change.

It is time for the Citizen's Bureaus to be formed (not new political parties) and Consumer Protection Societies to be formed and take people doing wrong things to task in courts of law.

Whether our Judiciary System is ready I am not sure but it is worth investing our frustrations and energy.

Our political system (both in power and out of power) are too corrupt to respond to the needs of the consumer.

We all are consumers.

Why not take the plunge?

Asoka with Vision!
18th July, 2010
PS.
The Flash bulb flicker never stopped!
The download speed never went up above 25!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

LadyBug-Verte-38

This the French derivative of SAM 2007.
Even though it has gone beyond the 700 MiB (necessary evil when one tries to add additional languages) it is distribution that should takes its root and penetrate the French audience.
I hope French would do honours to Linux (Unlike Ulteo who is trying to shake hand with Microsoft-would be a failure-Wine is there if one wants add Microsoft flavour) by improving Lady Bug.
I know French give respect to ladies in green / orange.

They should have English too, so that they cam get help Developers who work in English.

NetRunner-37

Net-Runner-2 is an excellent distribution for a newbie (to Linux).

Even though it is in the middle weight category (MiBs) it has everything one needs if one is connected to the internet.
It is a mix of KDE 4 and Gnome without the groggy grossness (Graphic intensity) of SuSe and Mandriva on the graphic (face) front.
They have done a good job of integrating and mixing
(it is neither tea nor coffee) the two.

K3b is a value added introduction.

Software management is good and in the tradition of Redhat have placed the packages in categories to select.

Only missing package for me was Skype to download. I hope they will add it next time around.

Another value added contribution is Gambase (for newbies to do visual basic like programming).

RetRunner is something one should have in one's wallet.
Change over rather the mixture (cocktail) may have teething problem but surely nothing the Linux developers cannot address.

Well done boys and girls.

Friday, July 16, 2010

OpenSuSe-36

The long wait is over Open SuSe has produced a lovely Live CD that can be installed on the fly.

The addition of virtual keyboard was an exciting change.

It got almost everything perfect except for ejecting the CD after a Live session.

Go ahead and enjoy SuSe it was one of my favorite distributions when almost nothing was available until PCLinux-2007 hit the market taking over its place and the sea change Texstar started.

I am sure even Texstar would enjoy using it.

Thanks a lot to SuSe Community and all the milestone editions and the tweaking of one of the best Live CDs.

I have just downloaded the Gnome version and soon the net version.

Hope they would add an OEM version soon.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

SuperOS-35

SuperOS is a distribution that I have mounted on my laptop but rarely used, just to have the feel of Ubuntu for demonstrations.

It has Wine and Skype.

Open office is the hindrance to it's development.

Could have been abiword instead and added few more utilities with the new release.

I was waiting for the new release to write home about it but hardly anything new with only a graphic face lift.

The is the price one has to pay when trying to emulate Microsoft.

It probably has something for the laptops but not way above others.

It is of the middle weight category and slow to boot but I prefer it rather than Ubuntu.

My suggestion for its new release is to change it's name to something like Sensation instead of SuperOS.

Linux people should never have the Megalomaniacs names like what you get in the commercial counterparts.

It should shed some of its graphic weights and open office (get open office from its repositories) weight and include blender and gambase (Visual basic counterpart but much better) mobile media converter (like PCLinux genome edition) and iTune compatibility.

If they think like Linux mint and have few more versions including OEM edition surely it can live up to SuperOS .

I think they should drop this megalomaniac name and go something similar to Mint, Peppermint, Imagine, Element and the like.

English names are disappearing very fast.


Grab hold of one before it is too late.

My humble contribution is to go for Sensation instead.


Vanity is another name which may foot the bill but not Superman or Spiderman or Batman.

They only have a historical value.

Linux is too mature to go for Super mentality.

Linux is super anyway!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Debian-Live-34

Debian has entered on the Live CD Flora in style.
It has core, light weight and four (4) light middle weight versions that include, KDE. Genome. xfce and LXDE.
I like the LXDE but all are equally good and outstanding.
Being the God Father of Linux its repositories are full of utilities that nobody else can boast.
There are over 31 (I have 12 in my safe) CDs in its repertoire of repositories.
Thanks for following PCLinux's foot path to freedom.Instead of packing all X windows in one distribution robust individual x window systems is the way forward.
Do not forget its nFLUX light weight distribution.
Many thanks for your effort, you can be on par with UBUNTU your God Son soon.
Your grandsons will boast about the grandfather for many centuries to come.

PCLinux-2010-07-Update

PCLinux-2010-07 has released its latest CD. True to its origin keep it slim and fast unlike other KDE versions.
Go and download and enjoy Linux;
It is my Gold standard of Live installable CD.
It also has lighter weight versions and gnome versions too to download.
Pick is yours.
Do not forget to send a donation too.
This update was done on the fly with its live CD.
If you have problem with linking to the internet, the fault is with the Sri-Lankan Telecom.
Make a complain to Telecom and ask for a modem that does support Linux.
If you do not get a proper service let me know in return of wire post.
We have to pressurize them to do that.
Good Luck with Telecom!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Imagine-33

GoblinX which was based on Slackware has changed its name to Imagine and changed its face. too.
Xfce is much better than slow to boot gstandard (? version 3) which was KDE.

It's about turn has made it a sleek, fast and beautiful Live CD that can be installed.

It's graphical installer is different from other partition tools.
I did not test its installation but surely coming from Slackware it must be doing its job without a problem.

It is light weight that is why like it.

Its Viking Map reader and tracer is the one, one should try for a change.
I am very much interested in Scientific and Educational packages including statistics.

This is a weak point in Linux even though there are many statistical packages no one package has taken root like SPSS.

I give 250 extra points for
Viking and if they introduce a statistical package as a default I am going to use it like Berry Linux.

It must take a cue from Berry Linux which has Wine and and similar packages pre-installed.

Imagine should take a scientific lean and introduce statistics and a few scientific packages which do not consume Mib like other packages.

Good Luck and I am waiting for their next edition / version to write a review.
Give them a donation or two, too.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

AVLinux-32

The is the best Middle Weight (version 4) category (1.7 GB) of Linux distributions that I have downloaded so far.

Nealy 12 hours of downloading it (pay for 50 bits per second but it is snail pace of 15 to 20 bits-my Linux computer records it accurately) in Sri-Lanka it was worth the wait and the weight in MiBs.

The version 3 has enough utilities and is only 1.0 GB.

It has all the utilities one needs to operate an old or new computer.
It has lots of Audio and Video packages and Blender too.
(XMBC which has problems with configuring the mouse and its resource craving make one feels light weight and happy with LXDE and AVLinux).

A Debian derivative once mounted (Live or Installed) one can download a Linux iso and use Unebooting to make a distribution that can be mounted (OLD-computer without USB booting) with a USB drive.

It is important that one understand the working of Linux before one uses this distribution especially when using Gparted.


This is a distribution for a newbie as well as a savvy.
You can connect your iPod too.
This is something I wanted badly to promote in Linux community, if one cannot change iTunes to another format why not beat it (after having bought it).


Please do not confuse with aLinux which is a peanut Linux derivative which I tried sevearal times but have my own reservation recommending to a newbie.


Note worth Recording
I downloaded Genitoo 10.1 Live CD of 2.5 MiB and found that I could not install it on hard disk.
This is what I call Heavy Weight Distributions of no use.

If few MiB cannot be allocated for the Installing it is an utter waste of downloading where it takes 12 hours (Electricity Bill Sky Rocketing) to download 1.5 GB (Sri-Lanka).
India may be no better.
I downloaded six months of toil in Sri-Lanka in couple of hours in Singapore, airport included.
I wonder where the foreign aid to develop our infrastructure is going?
Our Ministers cannot even mange Sports including Cricket.
IT they do not have the knowledge of 15 year old computer kid (Wizard).
So be it!

Go and download this distribution and send a contribution too, to the developers.

I have copied its introduction from Softpedia.
Please read the full content from Softpedia.


Directly copied.


AV Linux 3.0 is a LiveDVD ISO image that is a self-contained, full-featured computer Operating System.

It was created using the Debian GNU/Linux Testing branch and Remastersys.

This Live DVD ISO image can be downloaded, burned onto any DVD-R(W) and then booted and demonstrated on virtually any recent Windows PC without any effect on the existing OS.

If the user desires it can be installed to the Hard Drive either on it's own or "dual-boot" with an existing Windows or Linux OS. Once installed AV Linux transforms the users computer into a full-blown Audio/Video Workstation ready to use!

The User Interface features the very lightweight and efficient LXDE 0.5.0 Desktop Environment.

It's well-rounded program selection covers most every common everyday computer tasks, it features a full complement of the best F/OSS Multimedia Applications available allowing users to enjoy Multitrack Audio Recording and Mixing, Video Capturing, Editing and Converting, DVD Authoring and Creation, iPod Tools and much more.

AV Linux also contains Hard Drive utilities making it an excellent troubleshooting and rescue solution.
Keep an Older PC Productive:
Computer Operating Systems continue to become more and more resource intensive, many times people upgrade their Operating Systems in the hope of improving their system only to be terribly disappointed when their existing hardware isn't sufficient to even run the supposed "upgrade".
PC's have actually been powerful enough for Multitrack Audio and DVD Video Editing since the late 1990's but with the latest Operating Systems wasting precious CPU and RAM on superficial eye candy many potentially productive computers end up being relegated to closets, basements, garages and even worse to garbage dumps and landfills.
The chilling legacy of our "disposable" societal mindset is already evident in so-called "tech dumps" in rural China and many other places intentionally well hidden from the comforts of the developed world.
By combining the general efficiency of Linux and enhancing it further with a light Desktop Environment like LXDE I consider it an AV Linux mandate to keep older PC's in daily use.
I've personally encountered dozens of people who truly believe it isn't possible to build a home recording studio without buying a brand new Mac or PC and spending thousands of dollars on commercial software.
The AV Linux Live DVD serves to demonstrate that this is not necessarily true .
There is more to read. Pleas visit Softpedia download.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Unity-31

Mandriva based 238 MiB Live CD lives up to the SAM-2007 origin.

It is sleek, boots up fast, has its own Browser named Web or is it NetSurf.

It's package manger is called smart but has a limited number of packages listed.

This is good for a newbie to understand the inner working of a system that is really working and it is more than a base system.

The surfer is basic and has its own lack of cookies.

I cannot highlight a line and change the font colour (I am booted now with it but not rooted!) right now.

Hence, the font is in black.

I would have given it more marks / points if it had kept below 200 MiB so that I could have it in my shirt pocket mini CD.

It has openbox and number of other window mangers included in the smart package manager.

I would prefer this to be called the Mini Version but keep it under 200 MiB should be the aim.

I think guys / girls in the developer suite should develop this Unity (Call it Manchester United -or it's city of origin - to satisfy the football fans) into a more robust Light Weight category and then the Middle weight category and never Heavy Weight (but slow) like Mandriva and Suse.

Should take some cues from Peppermint and Element and decide when and where to dress it up for the next party or is it the next release!

It has root permission unlike in Ubuntu derivatives (which is a sad lack in spite of many derivatives of Ubuntu).

Overall it is a good distribution and I cannot find anything negative.

Now is the time to go up-staging and dress up for the party.

Thanks for your effort.

Follow the track laid down by PCLinux which is my Gold Standard and become its healthy rival.

You have your own package manger to increase your repository and talents.

Think of an O.E.M version like Untangle.

Then you are on the road to success.

Your Net-surfer is the key to success.

Good Luck.