Learning to use Linux is now much easier than it used to be. However, for someone new to the system, it can still be challenging to figure out where to start. Here are some tips and tricks that can help new users find a smoother entry point into Linux. The first step should be to … Read more
I spent a fascinating weekend immersed in a conference focused on the vital theme of preserving our organization’s historical archives. One of the key discussions revolved around the importance of capturing significant memories and experiences related to the movement, as well as the methods we could employ to ensure these recollections are recorded and stored … Read more
I recently made an exciting purchase: a Roland FP-10 electric piano, a decision that has reignited my passion for music after several years away from playing. During my time in middle school and high school, I enjoyed exploring various musical instruments, but life took me in different directions, and I let that part of myself … Read more
My neighbor, who is a middle school student, recently sustained a compound fracture of his left arm, which left him unable to play baseball or do much of anything that a young person would enjoy doing in the summer months. I offered his mother the use of an old Xbox, but he already had one, … Read more
Fifty years ago, I was actively involved in the Bicentennial Support Group at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. I was serving on ACDUTRA, which stands for active duty for training, as part of my enlistment in the United States Naval Reserve. I had volunteered for this four years earlier after being invited to participate in the … Read more
Recently, a friend who was getting started with Python asked me to check some code she had been working with. She was building a tool to assess the impact of artificial intelligence on small businesses in a particular geographic area. She was using AI to teach herself Python. I love learning, and my friend’s request … Read more
In the early days of Linux, installing software applications was much more difficult. Most software was not distributed in easy-to-install packages. I frequently had to download source code, which usually came as a ‘tar’ file that had to be extracted and then compiled to run on the system. There was usually a four-step process which … Read more
I have done a lot of distro hopping and continue to experiment with different Linux distributions. I started with Linux before Fedora or Ubuntu existed. The first distribution I really explored was Red Hat 6.1, back in 1999. At that time, it used the LILO bootloader, and the distribution was available on CD-ROM. I installed … Read more
When I think of open source web browsers, I typically think of Chromium and Firefox. I have used both extensively, and they’re both exemplary. Chromium is the open-source base for the Chrome browser and Microsoft Edge, and was originally released in 2008. Firefox’s origins are with Mozilla and were originally released in 2004. This year, … Read more
One of the questions I often receive from people I talk to is, “Why should I use Linux?” Let’s be honest—most department stores and online retailers are selling Windows machines from various vendors. Most of our neighbors use Windows, and while many people have Android phones, which run Linux in their pockets, very few use … Read more
