Linux in Education in Ceylon

 

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Linux in Education in Ceylon
Linux in Schools
An Old Piece-Reproduction
Linux in Schools

 
I had to delay writing this article for various reasons.
It was mainly because, we Ceylonese have many other obsessions than to ponder for academic interests at large. 

In any case, IT obsession has been in the forefront for years, many have failed to understand the economic down side of its proliferation. 

My interest in Linux dates back for some years, ever since, I detected, a quite innocuous looking virus in my Window box.
 

However, the credit should go to our own Sanath Jayasuriya.
 

I was watching, Sanath playing a wonderful innings and there was some break in between in his innings. 

Being a cricket fanatic, I could not wait till the break ends, I decided to fiddle with an audio program, I installed in my son’s Window box the previous night.

To my surprise I felt something amiss in the computer. 

I could not fathom what was wrong but felt it could be a virus. However, before I could diagnose the virus ailment and its treatment, the match started and I was temporarily engrossed in Sanath’s heroics and his century,
I did not feel the headaches (pain) of the flu the Window was suffering. 

It took three months for me to find were the virus was residing and further three months to come to term with it. 

Many years gone by, nobody has found a cure for this script kiddies boot virus.
However, Linux could do the honors and erase the boot partition.
Ever since, hesitantly and courageously, I tread on the pathway where Linux has laid for computer enthusiasts, I have many good things and bad things to talk about Linux. 

Good thing about Linux is that one does not have to be rich to own a Linux box. It comes free, open source and there are many flavours of it. 

Bad thing about Linux is that there are no experts to tell, how you get about with it. 

I had to do my own way, the hard way. 

It has paid it dividends just in two years for me.
While I was doing my initial research on Linux, how much, I need to spend learning from an expert (for that matter any computer course), I found it was not worth even contemplating a tutor. 

I could buy all the books (three versions in a time spell of one year) and all the CDs for a fraction of the money I should spend for a course. 

In addition Linux has a comprehensive manual (man page with the package) and online service.
Not only it is cheap it is academically comprehensive.
 

Importance of Linux for schools has been an interest of mine for some time but I am yet to find a teacher (government schools) who advocates it for school use. The learning curve (not for kids) for teachers is so sharp that the teachers are more inclined to discourage it than to embark on it. 

Our education system is so primitive that we still do not offer computer science as a subject for “O” level leave alone “A” level. 

Time has come for a giant step in education.
The answer is Linux for its versatility and open source nature.
Reading from Linux magazines, the Linux phenomenon has come to schools in Nepal.
With some foreign inputs it has taken a root in Nepal. 

Ethiopians have put their alphabet into Red Hat Fedora. 

Both Mandrake 10 and Red Hat Fedora could use Sinhala font now.
 

Why there is no enthusiasm in Ceylon?
 

With so many computer experts in Ceylon, it cannot be ignorance. 

It could only be the arrogance and vested interests of the multinationals. 

I come to believe on the latter, since the Intellectual Property Act has come to legislative enactment, few years ago without any debate in the Parliament, it is proof of the pudding.
With our foreign reserve going down we have no other option than to turn to Linux. 

We should make a concerted effort to make a version of Linux in Sinhala. Few of the bright and enthusiastic Linux fans in Colombo have done it. 

It is available online and it would have teething problems to begin with but with concentrated effort it would evolve into something substantial.
 

In tribute to the open source software foundation, the first project would be to develop a proper Linux in Sinhala Installation.
 

Open source of course was created with a traditional Buddhist outlook of Sabbha Dhanam Dhamma Dhanam Jinathi and it is not difficult for someone to comprehend Sabbha Dhanam Linux Dhanum Jinathi Concepts.
Linux converts (disciples) should preach this to the masses.
I am reproducing this, since I contacted the only teacher who was interested in Kandy, say Hi, due to Coronavirus respite.
He is now into video conferencing (he wanted to introduce in schools many moons ago and was stymied by the system that prevent innovation.).
In fact he was transferred out of his post and I advised him to take leave and go abroad an update his talents abroad.

 

 

Sunday, May 31, 2020
Forming a New Party
Thought of forming a new party for the coming year was an idea I conceived from the Party of the Loonies from Great Britain. 

Unlike Great Britain we have a credible lineage of political loonies and my effort would not go waste in this country of politically blinds.
 

Party name is L.L.(“A”).P.
It stands for Linux Lovers (“Addict”) Party. 

Initially I thought of L.L.P. but had to give into the enthusiastic supporter’s view who claimed that not only we are politically blind but we also inherit a strong sense of political addiction. Even though I was very keen in analyzing the statistical significance for the above bone of contention (conviction), I was over-ruled by the minority of the enthusiastic supporters (a political tradition of our own). 

I should confess I tried hard for the original name for the sake of brevity and easy pronunciation. However, to preserve the authorship of LLP for myself (in Linux tradition), using standard computer convention, I included “A” with double quotes and brackets so that it stands out prominent for the loyalists but in computer sense there is no operating leverage; only a comment. 

By the time of the annual convention the verified name would be put into a democratic voting, preferably an electronic method devised by the Linux Local Community.
For parties opposing us can use any other interpretation's, like Lankan Loonies, Lankawatama Lights, Lanu (Dirappu) Lunu or l-Nunu l-Nunu (l-silent of course) Party. 

We encourage all these contradictory views since we believe in any form of advertising including negative to build our image in the first year. 

In case one needs to reassert the party image they can use Dr. Che Guerra type of attitude and say it is Linux Liberation and not anti-american (American citizens are entitled to their own interpretation and obsessions)
 

First of all this party is dedicated to late Prof: Senaka Bibile for his untiring effort in the UNTARD for developing the generic system of drug labeling as opposed to the proprietary system of labeling of drugs so that the addicts of the party could obtain a cheaper version (dose) of the party manifesto.
Late Dr. Reily Fernando who is in heaven now is the Godly Patron. 

The lifelong patron is going to be Linus Torvalds.
The first wave of the promotion would be done with the reciting of “Linux Saranam Gachchami”, three times a day religiously when one start the day at office. 

This promotion should be used in tandem and it should be tempered with “Wi(n)dows Saranam Vinasayam” liberally when ever an opportunity comes across in the office and in front of All Wi(n)dow's Boxes.
All email communications should end with a greeting similar to “A Linux a day keeps the bugs away”.
In tribute to the open source software foundation, the first project would be to develop a Linux in Sinhala Installation, well in advance of the Microshaft Cronies would have a chance to add a Sinhala Version to X-XPs for a pricey sum (for our village boys eating Kentucky Chicken).
Colombook Cronies who a itching to make a fast buck once the Microshaft Edition of Sinhala comes into operation in our remote village (schools / tutories) corners (shops) may have heart attacks with the thought of our project.
We recommend them that they should get their blood cholesterol checked until such time the Microshaft version is built in America.
 

For the young Buddhist monks (English Literate) we request for the sake of preserving Pali Stanzas in its originality, take an active interest in this project (Sinhala Script) instead of appearing at TV Talk Shows and spending sojourns in London Vihara.
 

Open source of course was created with a traditional Buddhist outlook of Sabbha Dhanam Dhamma Dhanam Jinathi and it is not difficult for someone to comprehend Sabbha Dhanam Linux Dhanum Jinathi Concepts.
Linux converts (disciples) may preach as they please.
This is for free distribution without any claim for originality in the true spirit of GPL agreement. 

Users should bear any consequences that may result and endanger their health status. This can be improved (Linux addicts) or defaced (Microshaft weaklings) as long as the original authorship is accepted as L.L.(¨A¨).P. Head Quarters, Peradeniya (Kandy), Ceylon.
 

P.S. As a proactive precaution (my email may get ¨choker blocked¨) I have disabled my email indefinitely so even I cannot access it.
However, personal and paper communications are welcome.
Posted by Asoka at 1:36 AM Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Linux in Education in Ceylon

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Linux in Education in Ceylon
Linux in Schools
An Old Piece-Reproduction
Linux in Schools

 
I had to delay writing this article for various reasons.
It was mainly because, we Ceylonese have many other obsessions than to ponder for academic interests at large. 

In any case, IT obsession has been in the forefront for years, many have failed to understand the economic down side of its proliferation. 

My interest in Linux dates back for some years, ever since, I detected, a quite innocuous looking virus in my Window box.
 

However, the credit should go to our own Sanath Jayasuriya.
 

I was watching, Sanath playing a wonderful innings and there was some break in between in his innings. 

Being a cricket fanatic, I could not wait till the break ends, I decided to fiddle with an audio program, I installed in my son’s Window box the previous night.

To my surprise I felt something amiss in the computer. 

I could not fathom what was wrong but felt it could be a virus. However, before I could diagnose the virus ailment and its treatment, the match started and I was temporarily engrossed in Sanath’s heroics and his century,
I did not feel the headaches (pain) of the flu the Window was suffering. 

It took three months for me to find were the virus was residing and further three months to come to term with it. 

Many years gone by, nobody has found a cure for this script kiddies boot virus.
However, Linux could do the honors and erase the boot partition.
Ever since, hesitantly and courageously, I tread on the pathway where Linux has laid for computer enthusiasts, I have many good things and bad things to talk about Linux. 

Good thing about Linux is that one does not have to be rich to own a Linux box. It comes free, open source and there are many flavours of it. 

Bad thing about Linux is that there are no experts to tell, how you get about with it. 

I had to do my own way, the hard way. 

It has paid it dividends just in two years for me.
While I was doing my initial research on Linux, how much, I need to spend learning from an expert (for that matter any computer course), I found it was not worth even contemplating a tutor. 

I could buy all the books (three versions in a time spell of one year) and all the CDs for a fraction of the money I should spend for a course. 

In addition Linux has a comprehensive manual (man page with the package) and online service.
Not only it is cheap it is academically comprehensive.
 

Importance of Linux for schools has been an interest of mine for some time but I am yet to find a teacher (government schools) who advocates it for school use. The learning curve (not for kids) for teachers is so sharp that the teachers are more inclined to discourage it than to embark on it. 

Our education system is so primitive that we still do not offer computer science as a subject for “O” level leave alone “A” level. 

Time has come for a giant step in education.
The answer is Linux for its versatility and open source nature.
Reading from Linux magazines, the Linux phenomenon has come to schools in Nepal.
With some foreign inputs it has taken a root in Nepal. 

Ethiopians have put their alphabet into Red Hat Fedora. 

Both Mandrake 10 and Red Hat Fedora could use Sinhala font now.
 

Why there is no enthusiasm in Ceylon?
 

With so many computer experts in Ceylon, it cannot be ignorance. 

It could only be the arrogance and vested interests of the multinationals. 

I come to believe on the latter, since the Intellectual Property Act has come to legislative enactment, few years ago without any debate in the Parliament, it is proof of the pudding.
With our foreign reserve going down we have no other option than to turn to Linux. 

We should make a concerted effort to make a version of Linux in Sinhala. Few of the bright and enthusiastic Linux fans in Colombo have done it. 

It is available online and it would have teething problems to begin with but with concentrated effort it would evolve into something substantial.
 

In tribute to the open source software foundation, the first project would be to develop a proper Linux in Sinhala Installation.
 

Open source of course was created with a traditional Buddhist outlook of Sabbha Dhanam Dhamma Dhanam Jinathi and it is not difficult for someone to comprehend Sabbha Dhanam Linux Dhanum Jinathi Concepts.
Linux converts (disciples) should preach this to the masses.
I am reproducing this, since I contacted the only teacher who was interested in Kandy, say Hi, due to Coronavirus respite.
He is now into video conferencing (he wanted to introduce in schools many moons ago and was stymied by the system that prevent innovation.).
In fact he was transferred out of his post and I advised him to take leave and go abroad an update his talents abroad.

Forming a New Party
Thought of forming a new party for the coming year was an idea I conceived from the Party of the Loonies from Great Britain. 

Unlike Great Britain we have a credible lineage of political loonies and my effort would not go waste in this country of politically blinds.
 

Party name is L.L.(“A”).P.
It stands for Linux Lovers (“Addict”) Party. 

Initially I thought of L.L.P. but had to give into the enthusiastic supporter’s view who claimed that not only we are politically blind but we also inherit a strong sense of political addiction. Even though I was very keen in analyzing the statistical significance for the above bone of contention (conviction), I was over-ruled by the minority of the enthusiastic supporters (a political tradition of our own). 

I should confess I tried hard for the original name for the sake of brevity and easy pronunciation. However, to preserve the authorship of LLP for myself (in Linux tradition), using standard computer convention, I included “A” with double quotes and brackets so that it stands out prominent for the loyalists but in computer sense there is no operating leverage; only a comment. 

By the time of the annual convention the verified name would be put into a democratic voting, preferably an electronic method devised by the Linux Local Community.
For parties opposing us can use any other interpretation's, like Lankan Loonies, Lankawatama Lights, Lanu (Dirappu) Lunu or l-Nunu l-Nunu (l-silent of course) Party. 

We encourage all these contradictory views since we believe in any form of advertising including negative to build our image in the first year. 

In case one needs to reassert the party image they can use Dr. Che Guerra type of attitude and say it is Linux Liberation and not anti-american (American citizens are entitled to their own interpretation and obsessions)
 

First of all this party is dedicated to late Prof: Senaka Bibile for his untiring effort in the UNTARD for developing the generic system of drug labeling as opposed to the proprietary system of labeling of drugs so that the addicts of the party could obtain a cheaper version (dose) of the party manifesto.
Late Dr. Reily Fernando who is in heaven now is the Godly Patron. 

The lifelong patron is going to be Linus Torvalds.
The first wave of the promotion would be done with the reciting of “Linux Saranam Gachchami”, three times a day religiously when one start the day at office. 

This promotion should be used in tandem and it should be tempered with “Wi(n)dows Saranam Vinasayam” liberally when ever an opportunity comes across in the office and in front of All Wi(n)dow's Boxes.
All email communications should end with a greeting similar to “A Linux a day keeps the bugs away”.
In tribute to the open source software foundation, the first project would be to develop a Linux in Sinhala Installation, well in advance of the Microshaft Cronies would have a chance to add a Sinhala Version to X-XPs for a pricey sum (for our village boys eating Kentucky Chicken).
Colombook Cronies who a itching to make a fast buck once the Microshaft Edition of Sinhala comes into operation in our remote village (schools / tutories) corners (shops) may have heart attacks with the thought of our project.
We recommend them that they should get their blood cholesterol checked until such time the Microshaft version is built in America.
 

For the young Buddhist monks (English Literate) we request for the sake of preserving Pali Stanzas in its originality, take an active interest in this project (Sinhala Script) instead of appearing at TV Talk Shows and spending sojourns in London Vihara.
 

Open source of course was created with a traditional Buddhist outlook of Sabbha Dhanam Dhamma Dhanam Jinathi and it is not difficult for someone to comprehend Sabbha Dhanam Linux Dhanum Jinathi Concepts.
Linux converts (disciples) may preach as they please.
This is for free distribution without any claim for originality in the true spirit of GPL agreement. 

Users should bear any consequences that may result and endanger their health status. This can be improved (Linux addicts) or defaced (Microshaft weaklings) as long as the original authorship is accepted as L.L.(¨A¨).P. Head Quarters, Peradeniya (Kandy), Ceylon.
 

P.S. As a proactive precaution (my email may get ¨choker blocked¨) I have disabled my email indefinitely so even I cannot access it.
However, personal and paper communications are welcome.
Posted by Asoka at 1:36 AM Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Linux in Year 2025

 Monday, May 22, 2023

Linux in Year 2025
 

Versatility of Linux

The biggest plus point of Linux is one need not worry about Virus attacks.

The file structure of parent child relationship makes it difficult to insinuate wild or viral coding when running the system.

There is a big community that supports Linux and also individual distributions.

Number one attribute of Linux, is it protects the hardware both old and new.

One can use hardware as long as one desires or until one decides to buy new infrastructure.

Say, buy a  Mini Computer with a Video display.

Number two attribute is, it detects hardware problems at boot time and reports them before booting.

It gives a live report at booting but the problem is that it flashes them fast, in less than 30 seconds.

One should develop the habit of reading them at boot time.

If one press Control plus Shift and F1 (Ctr+ Alt plus F1) at boot time readout is available.

Once the kernel detects the hardware the Linux distribution boots instantly.

Rest depends on the desktop type.
 

Xfce boots fast and KDE plasma boots slowly and Gnome in between.

One can go to command line using Ctr + Alt and Function keys before and after booting.

Number three is, it schedules all the processes (cron jos) as either live or inactive and saves resources for  work in progress.

Linux is absolutely fast due to above and many other reasons.

Then there are many solid distributions to choose.

One is not hooked to a company or product that fails to update.

Helena Petrovan Blavatsky and Theosophy

This piece is in evolution

Helena Petrovan Blavatsky

Born to Russia aristocracy she broke from her marriage at the age of 17 and started traveling all over the world.

Born in  31 of July 1931

Died 8 May 1991 aged 60 years.

Three founders of Theosophy

Amalgamation of Buddhism, Hinduism and Neoplatonism.

 

1. Henry Olcott helped to Establish Buddhism in Ceylon

 

2. William Judge

 

William Quan Judge died on March 21, 1896, at the age of 44, from illness exacerbated by his continuous work and the effects of Chagres fever. After Helena Blavatsky's death, Judge led the secession of the majority of the Theosophical Society's American Section in 1895, which had declared autonomy from the Adyar branch in India and elected him President for life. Following his death, leadership of his organization passed to Katherine Tingley

 

3. Helena Petrovan Blavatsky 

Took Indian Spiritual and Psychic domain

 

Master Moria an Indian.

Tried to go Tibet but stopped by the British but however she went to Tibet in 1855 and was lost.

She returned to England and met Moria again in 1857.

For her own good she kept a record of her deeds.

 

She was very intelligent woman but got lost in Psychic domain.

She began to theorize her own ideas and lost in her own dreams.

 

My own analysis is these people who have psychic powers and get involved in showing their psychic power go into a delusional stage

 

This happens to guys and girls who engage in deep meditation practice.

 

This is my analysis as a scientific doctor with some documented cases over 30 years and not as a  psychiatric. I have big book coming soon "Meditation Bushiness" soon.

I have no hurry  and doing it at easy pace but really interested in making Linux penetration 10% in the PC market.

Polar race

Hyperborean race

Lemurian race

Atlantean race

Aryan race

Future race of astral plane

Future race Samadhi tatva

It was her inability understand other cosmological being of 31 planes described in Buddhism.

I have book on Buddhist cosmology (not Indian)

I am documenting them for the current race and not for future race.

We are at the threshold of nuclear war and the the possibility of the 6th extinction

 

Debian 7.1, is Fab

 Monday, December 29, 2014

Reproduction
Debian 7.1, is Fab
Debian 7.1, is Fab

This is going to be bit lengthy.
It was not my design.
But rain and elections had given me some welcome respite.

1.Rain
Rain is something I predicted many years ago.
Some of my predictions are in my book “Sri-Lankan Water Politics and Water Logic”.

No help from astrologers (no thank you).

This is mostly due to Global Warming.
I have already voiced my opinion elsewhere, no need to repeat.

In 1957 we moved to Kandy.

We only managed to get our belonging inside and it started raining for 10 days continuously.

That was the biggest floods in my living memory.
The Kalani River overflew.

2.Politics

Regards to the elections, this is the most boring election campaign in my living memory.

It looks like our minds are frozen with “War and Hate” or is it  “Hate of War”

Rainbow coalition has their work cut short due to bungling of the election commissioner's department and the torrential rain.

This is not the time for elections and our astrologers have bungled it.

And our weather men also foul-up their reports.

They were not proactive.

Politicians are clueless.

I think, it is time to rethink and postpone the elections by at least 10 to 14 days.

At least for the relief work to be carried out without political insinuation.
The election commissioner, if he has a humane qualities, takes over the reins and make some bold decisions and look after the “Pura Vasia”, the citizens, rather the  rural folks or the so called villagers.

That includes the masses effected by floods.

He hasn't got to listen to anybody.
Touch his heart with his own hand tap to his conscience.

I do not think he has the backbone be above politics.

3. Linux= Debian for Rescue
My solution is to have many distributions including Windows.
One has to install Windows first.
Then I quickly installed Abiword, Libre Office and even Apache's Open Office (it has changed hand from Oracle to Apache and Oracle was trying to kill it).

It took a day to find the small Mini CD /DVD containing all the software.
Then I tried all the Linux distributions Live.

Pinguy Linux was a failure (I have stated it elsewhere).

PClinux did get the sound but Firefox was a disaster (no plug in for Sinhala Unicode) and its Grub only recognises Windows and Knoppix.

Fedora even though, very attractive, having read a review decided against.

I did not try SuSe since the latest is not out (It has many milestones) yet.

I got the Linux Magazine today. 

It has Suse only 64 bits version.
I have tried all the Linux Magazine DVDs and I have had already made up my mind about them (nearly thirty).

So what NEXT.

Nothing but Debian, my ultimate gold standard.

Ubuntu is pleasing but I have never used it on a regular basis.

Peppermint is dainty and skinny desktop.

I need a meaty desktop but now I hate KDE.

It got to be Gnome or Xfce (I started my Live Linux with xfce Linux of PCLinux with the little mouse, the real mouse I hate but this mouse like Micky mouse I love).

I got Xfce installed in 15GB /Ext4 partition.

That is my love affair with PCinux but when FullMonty came with bloated tummy, I gave up.

It burned one of my graphic cards (wrong configuration).

That computer has gone to the end of its life time, after 7 years of daily almost 24 hour work. No hard feeling and I dismantled its useful hardware and mother board (power outage) was declared null and void.

No hardware or software problem, simply burnt out syndrome!

If you are trying Debian, do not take it lightly.

Read all the instructions carefully, before pressing the OK button.

It gives you fall back options.

One should be thorough with the partitioning tool.
Make sure it is linked to a reliable repository (not your local or the nearest, Sri-Lanka or Singapore or India).

I always choose USA.

It does a yeoman service even though, some Sri-Lankans hate USA for no valid reason.

Only, downside it took 3 hours to install 1.2 GB.

What that meant was every file out of 1306 was thoroughly checked and updated.

New gnome desktop is fabulous.

I was not happy, though.

I went ahead and installed LXDE desktop.

The xfce, openbox and Skol-Linux theme.

Mind you, it does a good advertisement for Linux specially Debian for schools.
I wanted to download the DVD but it was direct download not torrent.

I will search for the torrent and download in a minute.
Currently, I am downloading PCLinux KDE (1.8 GB).
In case, I need a KDE desktop as a consolation prize.

The experience with PCLinux KDE (2014-12) was very disappointing.
Postscript 
1. Debian is Sinhala, Tamil and Telangu empowered.
2. It does not support Firefox (probably for right reasons, no flash plug ins).

3. It supports Chrome.

4. It has over 66,000 software utilities including hamradio, academic and scientific.

Apple and Microsoft can never overtake its marathon record.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Debian 7.1, is Fab

Debian 7.1, is Fab

This is going to be bit lengthy.

It was not my design.But rain and elections had given me some welcome respite.

1.Rain

Rain is something I predicted many years ago.

Some of my predictions are in my book “Sri-Lankan Water Politics and Water Logic”.

No help from astrologers (no thank you).

This is mostly due to Global Warming.
I have already voiced my opinion elsewhere, no need to repeat.

In 1957 we moved to Kandy.

We only managed to get our belonging inside and it started raining for 10 days continuously.

That was the biggest floods in my living memory.

The Kalani River overflew.

2.Politics

Regards to the elections, this is the most boring election campaign in my living memory.

It looks like our minds are frozen with “War and Hate” or is it  “Hate of War.

Rainbow coalition has their work cut short due to bungling of the election commissioner's department and the torrential rain.

This is not the time for elections and our astrologers have bungled it.

And our weather men also foul-up their reports.

They were not proactive.

Politicians are clueless.

I think, it is time to rethink and postpone the elections by at least 10 to 14 days.

At least for the relief work to be carried out without political insinuation.

The election commissioner , if he has a humane qualities, takes over the reins and make some bold decisions and look after the “Pura Vasia”, the citizens, rather the  rural folks or the so called villagers.

That includes the masses effected by floods.

He hasn't got to listen to anybody.

Touch his heart with his own hand tap to his conscience.

I do not think he has the backbone be above politics.


3. Linux= Debian for Rescue

My solution is to have many distributions including windows.
One has to install windows first.
Then I quickly installed Abiword, Libre Office and even Apache's Open Office (it has changed hand from Oracle to Apache and Oracle was trying to kill it).
(It took a day to find the small Mini CD /DVD containing all the software).
Then I tried all the Linux distributions Live.
Pinguy Linux was a failure (I have stated it elsewhere).
Pclinux did get the sound but Firefox was a disaster (no plug in for Sinhala Unicode) and its Grub only recognises window and Knoppix.
Fedora even though, very attractive, having read a review decided against.
I did not try SuSe since the latest is not out (It has many milestones) yet.
I got the Linux Magazine today. It has Suse only 64 bits version.
I have tried all the Linux Magazine DVDs and I have had already made up my mind about them (nearly thirty).

So what NEXT.

Nothing but Debian, my ultimate gold standard.

Ubuntu is pleasing but I have never used it on a regular basis.
Peppermint is dainty and skinny desktop.
I need a meaty desktop but now I hate KDE.
It got to be Gnome or Xfce (I started my Live Linux with Xfce Linux of PCLinux with the little mouse, the real mouse I hate but this mouse like Micky mouse I love).
That is my love affair with PCCinux but when FullMonty came with bloated tummy, I gave up.
It burned one of my graphic cards (wrong configuration).
That computer has gone to the end of its life time, after 7 years of daily almost 24 hour work.
No hard feeling and I dismantled its useful hardware and mother board (power outage) was declared null and void.

No hardware or software problem, simply burnt out syndrome!

If you are trying Debian, do not take it lightly.

Read all the instructions carefully, before pressing the OK button.

It gives you fall back options.

One should be thorough with the partitioning tool.

Make sure it is linked to a reliable repository (not your local or the nearest, Sri-Lanka or Singapore or India).

I always choose USA.

It does a yeoman service even though, some Sri-Lankans hate USA for no valid reason.

Only, downside it took 3 hours to install 1.2 GiB.

What that meant was every file out of 1306 was thoroughly checked and updated.

New gnome desktop is fabulous.

I was not happy, though.

I went ahead and installed LXDE desktop.

The xfce, openbox and SkolLinux theme.

Mind you, it does a good advertisement for Linux specially Debian for schools.

I wanted to download the DVD but it was direct download not torrent.

I will search for the torrent and download in a minute.

Currently, I am downloading PCLinux KDE (1.8 GB).

In case, I need a KDE desktop as a consolation prize.

The experience with PCLinux KDE (2014-12) was very disappointing.

Postscript. 

1. Debian is Sinhala, Tamil and Telangu empowered.

2. It does not support Firefox (probably for right reasons, no flash plug ins).

3. It supports Chrome.

4. It has over 66,000 software utilities including hamradio, academic and scientific.

Apple and Microsoft can never overtake its marathon record.

Brave Browser Installation

Brave Browser Installation

Only Manjaro Linux supports graphic installation of Brave Browser.

I could not get BlueStar Linux to install it using Octopi.

All what I did was to open a terminal in sudo command and cut and paste what the brave browser guys tell me to do.

I have not done Terminal Work for over 20 years.

However, I tried to install compiz and haskell under terminal in Gnome 12 series but could not.

Viola!

I am posting this using Brave Browser under Debian Gnome.

The command I copied is written below.

sudo apt install curl

sudo curl -fsSLo /usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg

sudo curl -fsSLo /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.sources https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/brave-browser.sources

sudo apt update

sudo apt install brave-browser

Linux Utility Categories

Linux Utility Categories

Image Editors
Audio Editors
Email Clients
Personal Communication
Screen Recording and Streaming Tools
System Optimizers/Task Managers
Apps for Gamers
Media Players
Media Server Software
Video Editors
Open-Source Media Converters
Backup Tools
PDF Editing Tools
Code and Text Editors
Note-Taking Apps
Team Communication & Productivity
Virtualization Apps
Authenticators

Microsoft Hegemony

Microsoft Hegemony

Microsoft Hegemony and my First Laptop

This Laptop could not be booted by a USB stick due to Microsoft’s hold on its BIOS. It also has a BIOS Virus, I call it figure of 8 virus.

Figure 8 repeating itself in an endless chain. 

The Chinese guys in Singapore rather Indian Mustafa guys cheated me.

"Rarely seen without a bustling crowd of customers, Mustafa Centre is set in the Little India district. A cult favourite in the Singaporean shopping scene, it’s the best place to go if you’re after a bargain or enjoy shopping late into the twilight hours. Mustafa may not be as fancy as some of Singapore’s other malls, but it has a great range of items, and good prices to match. Here, you’ll get a bargain on just about everything, from clothes, perfume, souvenirs, electronics, makeup, confectionery and even food and groceries. "

It had Windows without any software.     

On my frequent sojourns abroad, I accidentally found it in Mustafa Centre in Singapore. 

I purchased it for a cheap price, without knowing it had an issue on its Boot Menu. 

Additionally it had the figure of 8 virus which inserts itself at text level and at many entry points. 

I now know how to negotiate this inconvenience and this laptop probably was the very reason, I migrated to Linux for good.

I did not have the  proper sense to test it before purchasing and beware if, one purchases a "marked down" gadget even in Singapore.

After a while, Windows  Installation was erased with TRUE OS which is defunct now using the the TRUE OS Boot CD to connect to the Internet thereby, bypassing the use of USB Slot as a boot device which Microsoft owns by secret alliance with the O.E.M guys.

One has to be smart to bypass the Microsoft Hegemony. 

I paid for the hardware and Microsoft cannot own it after the point of purchase!

This laptop is working fine with Endless OS installed. 

I updated it few days ago.

It has all my archived Linux images.

It is very slow.  

I have no intention of looking for a DDR4 RAM. 

It has two slots. 

If the DDR4 fails, which is unlikely with Linux installed, I am going to dish it out and by a Mini Computer for less than 300 dollars.

Dimbulagala Stone Edit

Nampotha

Periyakaduwa

Ekagdwara

Maligatenna

Thalpathtenna

Polpithigama

Ibbagamuwa

Bambaragla

Alawwa

It is Jayaratne Pathiraarachchi's who said Buddha was born in CEYLON

Yes, it is in either 1980 or 1982 that Jayaratne Pathiraarachchi who said Buddha was born in CEYLON.

 

He has done extensive investigation over 45 years and he has all Sel-Lipi or Stone edits to support his claims.

 

Some Buddhist monks have stolen his copyright materials and have published them as their own.

 

Last one on this track is Bokken Kleppe who is distorting history from Norway.

 

Pathiraarachchi openly says Raj Somadeva is a Horek and my independent research confirm his claims.

 

I call SomaDeva a crook.

 

Paranavithana was a British Army guy who used that pseudonym to white wash British Distortion of our history including forged 

Kandyan Convention draft displayed in London Museum.

 

It is the British who taught us to forge signatures and distort history for the need of the kings and queens of England, rather United Kingdom (three regions, Scotland, Welsh and England).

 

Those facts are becoming exposed due to this gentleman's down 

to earth Suddha Sinhala Vahara.

 

It is a Historical Course Correction that this gentleman is doing and his lack understanding of English is a blessing in disguise.

 

He is like a modern Oracle.

 

Long live his efforts.

 

He has published them in Sinhala and that is also a blessing so that Tamil Diaspora cannot distort the historical facts.

 

The biggest lie of our history is Mahinda and Sangamitta brought Dhamma and civilization to Ceylon or Tambhapanni or country with golden sandy beaches.

 

We have a real Ravana History to talk about not Veddhas.

Internet and Mass Media

These are the key phrases I copied from a Internet Content Creator who is a Linux Guy.

Both nostalgia and frustration.

1. Nestscaoe

2. Napster

3. Google

Now determined by algorithm and matrixes.

It is soulless and not a paradise.

Digital landfill 

Difficult to decorate wheat from chaff.

Weed from a medicinal plant

Paddy seed and the husk

Self replicating

Quality drops 

Driven by advertisements 

Reliability lost drama emerges.

Blind and mechanical

Philosophical and reflective have no place. Incidentally that is my theme.

Try to be non judgemental except for Buddhist notions of Avihinsa and Metta.

Dopamine driven addiction.

I do not watch YouTube now.

Proud ignorance.

Cognitive decline.

Mental effect.

I have gone back to, the most Beautiful KDE Desktop of BlueStar Linux

 I have gone back to, the most Beautiful KDE Desktop of Blue-Star Linux

After a few mishaps with my "Linux Testing"  for my book, particularly ARCH based Linux I decided to keep Blue Star as it is much better than Netrunner.

I cannot wait till, MX Linux comes out with its next version. I do not think it could better Debian Trixie, anyway.

It took 95% of the 20GB /root partition.

It has all the application.

If I had 40GB, I could have installed Gnome,

Instead, I installed awesome and IceWM. 

Its Wayland session is minimal but the X11 version is the most beautiful.

Guys who want to discontinue X11 be mindful, its base stood the test of  time.  

To enjoy Blue-Star Linux one should have a fairly big Monitor. 

If I need to get out of the clutter, all what I do is to log in with IceWM and open the Firefox and I have one application working for me in the entire monitor screen.

Same with if I want to work with one of my books with AbiWord.

It does not mean, that I cannot open VLC, Kdenlive in IceWm. 

They are safely hidden without icons.

Awesome has limited options and cannot open heavy weight applications. 

Solved the problem by installing cutefish.

By the way, its log out option does not function. 

With this I am going to stop talking about Linux. 

Elephant Myths

Monday, February 2, 2015
Elephant Myths

How the Sri-Lankan Mafia Killed our Wild Elephants?


There is a hive of activity as regard to the elephant trade.

There was a mafia that operated with the connivance of the politicians.

There are thugs hiding behind saffron cloth that made the outer circle of this mafia.

My third book on elephants (elephant myths) was deferred with a valid reason.

I could not bear to reveal the 10 cruel ways of killing elephants since these methods once revealed would be used for further cruelty to even other animals.

Like aiding and abetting in criminal law not revealing the operational methods is also a crime.

Let me list them for investigation by proper officials of the present corrupt Department of Forestry.

1. When elephants venture into huts of Ganja growers (in the name of vegetable farming), they cut the tip of the elephant trunk with a Kattha or a sword.

That is the end of the majesty.


2. They cut 2 by 2 inches square hole in a pumpkin and introduce a poison inside and seal the hole with cut the piece.
Within hours the poor elephant who partake the poison is dead.


3. They used what is called the 'Hakka Pattas', an incendiary device packed with explosives similar to the hand bomb.


4. Shooting or trap guns.


5. Use one and a half feet square wooden plank driven with 5 inch nails. Once a foot / feet stuck in it there is no way to rescue the giant.


6. 'Waga Lin' or the pits made to trap (8x10x8) the elephants.

Once trapped, no escape and they die a slow death of starvation.


7. Wanton Poisoning the vegetation where the gentle giants feed.


8. Baby elephants when separated from mother die of starvation.


9. Infected 'Madhu' - trap wounds and sepsis.


10. Electric currents.


11. Use chilies and other petrochemicals to bring unpleasantness.


12. Fire traps.


The lost of their habitat and traps laid in their migration pathway with the help of the government officials is the biggest crime.

There was an organized crime syndicate and the connivance of the print media moguls (heading this crime syndicate) was evident.

That is why none of the elephants thieves who operate with impunity were not captured under Mahinda Chinthanaya.


They go scot free during the 100 day program.

Magnetic Equator, Kandy and Ravana and the Linux Revival

This piece is written for perusal by Jayaratne Pathiraarachchi and Wimal Weera Wansa.

 

My blessings for both of them especially to Wimal Weerawansa in politics.

I think if, Anura can become President by lies and cheating, it is humanly possible for Wimal to become president of this country by adhering to the Cardinal 4 principles of Dhamma.

1. No killing

2. No stealing 

3. No lying

4. No sexual misconduct

JVP and NPP are known violate the above four moral logic  in the past and currently,too. Their model has been antidemocratic and violent and killing is a natural tendency. Taking credit for rounding up Mafia gangs rounded up by the Interpol is ridiculous and their mode is Marfiosi internally and habitually.

It is their so called "Spiritual Leader" and the "Boss" or "Inner Circle" that determines their sordid logic.

Both as a Peradeniya University student and a don I have witnessed them. But unlike the current university guys and girls we had the courage to stand up to them and make them marginal and ineffective. 

Their mode of operation was to mount irrational strikes and disrupt the day to day life. 

It is a pathetic and paranoid ploy.

Disgusting.

Please remember that the fifth "Majja Pama" was added by monks (may be Jain's) and Buddha was very careful not to tread onto human indulgence except highlighting the evils of alcohol.

In my medical analysis including my book on alcohol and web pieces here even a little bit of alcohol is bad for humans.

Now coming to equators geographical equator is an imaginary line.

It does not correspond with the Magnetic Equator.

How magnetic field is formed and how the so called gravity works, I do not understand fully even though I am very keen in physics of the entire Universe.

Gravity we cannot measure but we can feel and it makd us to become bipedal animal which is abnormal. 

 

Animals are quadriplegic or flat on the face of earth as snakes.

I first felt the effect of gravity after a 7.2 Richter scale earth quake in New Zealand which  shook me to the core and I was thrown out of the bed.

That made me to leave New Zealand.

1. Magnetic Field does not follow straight lines but has curvilinear movements.

2. It makes magnetic elements get magnetized with two corresponding poles.

3. It makes electrons to move in more elegant spin.

4. I can use a magnet to find a lost needle in a haystack.

5. The magnetic field is supposed to be generated by molten inner plates.

6. This field wobble and the magnetic poles shift gradually and sometimes violently.

7. Palemagnetism is the record of magnetic evidence in stones which Jayaratne Pathiraarachchi should invest some simple methods to see their current orientation.

A simple but strong magnets that one carry in a trouse pocket is good enough. One can see wether the orientation is natural or due to human intervention.

8. I think we humans produce a subtle magnetic aura around ourselves.

9. Lord Buddha had the most charming magnetism of all human beings.

10. I think our mind can control our own magnetic field.

 

Anger disturbs it.

 

Metta fashions it.

The Central band of Earth's magnetic field crosses right through the belly of Kandy. The  Old Dalada Maligawa Temple of Kandy is in the center of this magnetic field.

 

I do not think the present one is in the center of it.

Central Africa has both geographical and magnetic Equators. 

That is the most important country where humanity originated, may be Ethiopia. 

 

The Magnetic field then from there onwsrds bends to go through South America where earth's biodiversity remains and Amazon is important to humanity, only second to Africa.

USA, China, Russia and Australia is completely outside the geomagnetic field.

It is very strange where White and Yellow races dominate. In the non magnetic area. 

In my genetic analysis both types are greedy and crazy.

India is within the upper magnetic band.

Jayaratne Pathiraarachchi's job is to locate old temple, using the old stone edits or Sel-Lipi he has.

I believe it is in Teldeniya or near about.

 

It may even be under water in Victoria Lake. 

British may have deliberately submerged it to erase our Ravana History.

Real Ravana clan were actually astrophysicists and astronauts.

 

They used this magnetic field to navigate their Vimanas or Spacecrafts.

 

No fuel energy was needed.

They had there own "Yaksha Basha" and it is not Sinhala but predates Sinhala. 

 

Current Vedda are not their descendants.

 

They merged and submerged.

I think Wimal Weerawansa with his guts epitomize "Yaksha Spirit" in us.

Good on him.

Old Indians wrote the mythical Ramayanaya to erase this Real Ravana History and current Indians using Anura is furthering that aim of deceit and deception.

Chinese beware Indians (recent BRICS gathering in China) are there to spy on you and provide information to Americans.

 

They are called black Jews by Africans.

 

In fact, they provided information to Mossad to undermine Iran.

 

Any moment this War might resurface.

Both sides are marking time.

In Sinhala we call them Depath Nayas.

 

In other words snake with two heads on both ends.

 

The end result is disorientation and confusion. 

 

By the way, Armenians are also double dealers.

Be mindful if you meet an Indian or an Armenian.

 

Americans are not that bad but British and French are.

 

I ignore Germans.

I would end up with Linux.

 

I stopped using German Linux images like Netrunner and Neptune.

 

My base is now global Debian Gnome.

Apology for Statement Debian Gnome Live USB/DVD

Apology for Statement Debian Gnome Live USB/DVD

I inadvertently stated that one cannot install application using this this Gnome Image.

I may have done this without configuring the WiFi

Without the Internet one cannot have any link to the repositories.

Only downside is Calamara Installer is very slow and sometimes hangs up.

It just happened now when installing Debian Gnome.

My advice is for one to use the Debian DVD1 and use one or several desktops at install time.

Gnome Live image installer failed. Simply because it did not choose gdm for Plymouth. It assumes it being Gnome and fail to recognize I have other Debian instances.

I decided to use only XFCE and fallback Gnome and it saved about 250 files that are needed for fully fledged Gnome.

DVD1 image is the saviour and install time is saved by about few minutes. In any case 13 series installation is by nature fast.

By the way. Image which is 6.12.38 Debian + is upgraded to 6.22.42 Debian + plus during Installation.

Basic stuff is not much change.

The change is all due to Kernel has to support many architectures from Raspberry pi to Nvidia and AMD stuff.

Linux code is crisp and if I am in the developer set up I would put everything in the basic installation including hardware support for my basic NUC and it I also exclude LibreOffice, I would make Image under 1GB, like what Puppy guys user to do in the past.

By the way, TeenPup derivative Legacy OS is 3.2GB and Antix full is 2GB both of which cannot configure my WiFi.

This is a warning for guys who are going to undermine X11.

Gnome Fallback I think ix X11 on steroids.

Small is beautiful and smart.

GRUB and Networking are the most important criteria for me over years.

Once I get the system up I think of my applications.

Gparted 

AbiWord 

USB formatter 

USB image writer

Audacity 

VLC

GDebi

Transmission 

All the above is about 1000MB.

I am up and running XFCE and the mouse mascot was my yesteryear favorite long before Tux.

I am going to remove LibreOffice and add Pingus and Tux Racer in my 9.5GB partition with 3.5GB remaining.

I do not go below 1GB since I get a warning message that there is no hardware space.

Go and hang with TimeShift utility.

I am even happier with Awesome and IceWM window mangers.

I do not need Kodi and Kdenlive for my desktop.

Ultimate Gamer Arch Edition

Ultimate Gamer Arch Edition

I managed to Install Ultimate Gamer but I find it difficult to configure Discover to install additional applications.

To begin with I tried it's Gnome version which was released in January, 2025. Its image incomplete i could not install and after four attempts, I gave up and used the Plasma edition to install.

Installation went all right.

WiFi was finicky.

Plasma Desktop and KDE

Plasma Desktop and KDE

A few minutes ago, I did a calculation to see how much Plasma desktop takes in memory. 

It has no application and file manager Dolphin had to be installed separately.

However, I do like plasma for the same reason it does not have hundreds of tiny application I never use.

But akregator is not among them but which is a KDE application.

It takes a huge 1 GB, somewhat similar to LibreOffice. 

Next one in line which takes, a lot of memory is Firefox (about 330MB for English edition).

Pingus, Tuxkart and Frozen Bubble also take large memory which is realistic since they are graphic intensive, games.

Pingus is my favorite.

In any case biggest contributor to memory drain or the hungry applications that drain memory are the games.

Over the years I used Dillo, Epiphany and Falkon.

Falkon which is KDE based takes up lot of memory which I call the unnecessary cookies

They are invariably bundled up with the browser.

 I always used Firefox from the moxilla time, and I would never give it up since it is second nature to me and it has done yeoman service to me.

Linux Games I Love to Play

Posted on August 17, 2011 

Linux Gamers Live, the Arch derivative is top of my list and Linux Ultimate Edition is close second and Knoppix 2008 December edition comes third and I could not find a new version of games in spite of Knoppix 6.7 was out and looks fantastic.

Knoppix cannot be installed on hard drive.
Why I choose Linux Gamers Live was simply because its front-end just looks like Apple front-end and ready for games with icons instead of names.
 

It also can be installed into hard disk now.

Now instead of trying to outscore these three edition which I have done a lot for Linux games, I will list my favorites below.

Even PCLinuxFuillMonty though, they have a place for Linux guys and girls.
Indirectly FullMonty comes fourth.

1. Number one is Super Tux 2 and I enjoyed playing hours and hours.
2. Close second is Pingus and its environmental theme is commendable.
3. Number three is Extreme Tux Racer which is sweet and relaxing
4. Number 4 is Super TuxCart (this is for the racing addict)
5. Number 5 is Tuxcart (This is for the training on racing)
6. Number 6 is Frozen Bubble
7. Number 7 is any of the 100 of tiny games
 

If any of the Linux distributions fail to introduce any of the top 5 of mine selection, I thought of giving them minus marks in my rating in future.   

Mind you with Wine and get-edit, one can play Windows, DOS and Atari games of the yesteryear.