Netbook a go go!!!

Today, I anxiously await the arrival of my eeepc. I have wanted one since before launch and only now do I get to lay my hands on one. Now the dilemma, what distro?

I have narrowed it down somewhat:

1. eeebuntu
2. Crunchee
3. Joliworld
4. Arch
5. Slackware
6. BSD

This is not in order of preference. I also plan to put Backtrack on an SD card to use when I need it. I mights just install them all, image the drives and store them on my PC so I can switch between them with ease. Let's see what happens!!!!

Am I a traitor?

Naturally, I was proud as punch for having ditched Windows entirely. To me it was something that could be worn as a badge of honour.

"No, I don't use Windows. I use a variety of Linux, which is more stable, secure and free!"

Then yesterday, as I went to fire up Quake 3 under WINE, it hit me. Am I really a true Linux user? Should I even be using WINE. Should I only play games that have a native Linux installer. I installed the native version of UT2K4 (Which ran beautifully) and I soon realised as long as I have a few gaming options, who cares about playing the latest and greatest. I am happy to hold out until games will run in a VM but hopefully by then I won't even need to resort to that.( Unless I for some reason need it for work)

I am now more resolved than ever to never return to the world of Windows, and hopefully I can do away with WINE.

Doubt?

Well, I scored 4gb of RAM to replace the 2Gb I had in my main PC. Naturally, Linux was screaming along , but an evil though crept into my head?

"Maybe I should give Widows 7 64bit a try?"

I blew away my Linux install and installed 7. Whilst installing, Blue Screen. Restarted install, launched a game, blue screen. Updated all drivers, blue screen. Thats' it, I was over it. I thought I would whack windows 7 back on then set up dual booting. It kept Blue screening. Now it does sound like a hardware problem at this point, which made me concerned so I though back to Linux and see what happens.

10 minutes later I booted into a fully functional and quick OS, with all hardware working. It seems once my PC had Linux on it, it didn't want to go back to Windows. After hours of cursing and raging, I can't say I blame it.

I did it!

Saturday morning I woke up, a little hungover and blew away my Windows 7 install. In its place? Ubuntu 9.04. I know Ubuntu users get hated on by other Linux users because it's somewhat of a noob Linux, I still decided to go with it for hardware support and a wealth of information should I encounter any errors.

It pretty well went off without a hitch. My 9800GT runs great, dual monitors was a cinch to set up and have got my email, irc client and IM sorted. Apart from alot of network security tools I am now slowly seeing what apps I would like to also install. Definitely wanting a decent CLI app for my identi.ca feed so if anyone eventually reads this, let me know if you know of one.

My other task will be getting some games to run. Quake 3 runs like a dream so I am loving that. Just mainly concerned with getting CS:S workiing fine and I will be happy with that.

The 4 horseman are drawing nigh!

This weekend marks the big OS switch for me. After some debate and deliberation, I have decided to install Ubuntu 9.04. People seem to either love it or hate it, so I guess I will have to reach my own conclusion.

By default it seems I will be dodging a few issues simply by having an nvidia card rather than ATI. I am definitely wanting to have both of my monitors working without issue, I need my dedicated IRC screen!

Naturally I will be using WINE in an attempt to run the various games I have and hopefully will have some success. I'm sure I will lose out on some personal favourites, but I think the switch to linux is well worth it.

Between a rock and a free place

I know, it sounds like an easy choice. Take the free way out. Well perhaps not as simple as one might think. In fact, it's almost a dilemma. You see, I first got into computers for playing games. A Tandy trs-80 (which I still have and it still is fully functional). I still love playing games, I even hold LANs at my place. So what's the dilemma you ask? I want to switch to Linux as my full time OS. WINE is a great, but just doesn't cut it for a lot of the games I love to play. So what do I do? Dual booting isn't a real option because my gaming isn't scheduled down to a specifice time and to be honest, I could not be bothered having to reboot just to have a few quick rounds of CS:S.

I know people will say seek out games written for Linux but it's hard to see a game come out for another platform and want to play it so badly. I totally am at a loss as to what to do with this issue. I game less and less so I am considering just biting the bullet, switching and making do with what is out there for Linux.

One day the switch will happen. Tux give me strength.

Speaking of Linux, vist www.linuxoutlaws.com
It is the best Linux podcast out there in my opinion.