I am permanently closing this blog. No more updates, no more comments. I won't be deleting it yet, though.
Meet me in my new blog at:

http://jucato.wordpress.com

Welcome to the world of Linux!!

Ok, I finally did it! Actually, I did it last week, but I'm only writing up on it now. I've installed the Linux OS (Operating System) on my (ahem) new 80GB Hard Disk. I finally found/have an Operating System that is totally and legally mine, no strings attached. Something not pirated, something not bought. Something NOT Micro$oft Windows. Ok, so what's this all about? Though not necessary, I feel the need to jot down my justifications for the sudden switch. Btw, I'm typing this on my Kubuntu Linux OS. ^_^

I've read about Linux for some time now, a few years actually, amd usually with the words "Red Hat" preceding it. I just thought, "oh, it's just another software fad" or "just another OS like Windows or the one for Mac" (don't recall the actual name of the OS back then). Bu, boy, was I soooo wrong. Coz here's Linux again, and this time making big headlines in the computing industry. But more on that some other time.

My real introdcution to Linux came through my discovery of Blender, a FREE 3D modeling suite, almost as powerful as the propriety (meaning, $$$) software like 3D Studio Max, Maya, and Lightwave. Yeah, can you believe it? A really good 3D program, and it's absolutely FREE! This is all thanks to what is being called the "Free/Open Source Software" Movement or FOSS, another big headliner in the computer world, which I will write about some other time. Just to make it short, FOSS programs allow users to use, study, modify, and distribute the software for free. As I was searching for a cheap and legal alternative to 3DS Max and company, I stumbled on Blender and gave it a few days trial. Though it wasn't as easy to use as the big three that I mentioned, it was certainly everything i was hoping for: powerful, lightweight (installer is less than 10MB), and free. Now I can make 3D artwork, show it around, without worry of being accused of using pirated/hacked software. But this isn't about Blender. This is about Linux.

The concept of open source quickly sucked me in. The concept of a free, modifiable software attracted me, who is/was a frustrated programmer. So began my search for open source alternatives to the usual things that we have: GIMP for photoshop, OpenOffice for M$ Office, Firefox for Internet Explorer, and so much more! Then I began thinking, "could there be an open source, and free, alternative to Windows?" Lo, and behold! Thanks to Google, I met Linux. And my whole software life changed. So what is Linux? Simply speaking, Linux itself is a kernel (the part of an operating system that talks directly to the processor) started by a college student in the early 90's. It has evolved to be one of the most flexible, robust, most secure OS around. I have a few reasons why I chose to start switching to Linux:

1. It's open source and free. Who says you need big bucks to have something with quality?
2. Being open source, it is tested by more people in so many ways/situations, that any bugs/errors are spotted out and corrected immediately, almost faster than other closed source/propriety software.
3. It's a labor of love. Since it is free, people who work on it are volunteers, driven by passion and a desire to improve, not by profits. Although it could also be a bad thing, at least you are sure that whoever is working behind this is not someone who's out to get your money.
4. It's more flexible and customizable compared to M$ Windows. Sure you have icons, themes, and wallpapers in Windows, but you can only do so much. You want real customization with Windows? You need to BUY stuff like WindowsBlinds, Desktop X, etc. Why couldn't Windows have its own way to customize its own looks? In Linux, you can do stuff like transparent taskbars and windows for free. In short, Linux gives you power over your computer.
5. Linux gives you power, and part of this power comes from knowledge. Windows has practically shielded every aspect of the computer behind colorful windows and wizards, turning many PC users into mindless point-and-click zombies. Sure, you just want to type your documents, without any hassle. Then maybe you should stick with Windows. But the moment something goes wrong with your computer, you're gonna be lost. Linux is made in such a way that you will learn some things about your computer. And that is always a good thing.
6. It takes some power off Microsoft's monopoly. Yep, anti-Microsoft feeling here. But it's not the main reason, and only the last. Don't get me wrong. I liked Microsoft back then, a small company making innovations to the computer world. Unfortunately, they seem to have lost the "innovating" part and have jumped to some other bad stuff. I won't even begin to discuss them here.

Whew! 6 Reasons to switch to Linux. But the choice to switch to Linux involves many other choices as well, choices that can frighten anyone switching from Windows. There are many distributions or "flavors" of Linux out there. There are also many Desktop Environments to choose from. In Windows, everything is spoonfed. There is only one. In Linux, YOU have the choice. It's scary, but when you make the choice, you will feel content. It's like what they say, you only value the things worked hard for. This is part of the power that Linux gives.

So among the different choices, I chose Kubuntu, a Linux distribution that comes with the KDE (K Desktop Environment) and is part of the Ubuntu family of Linux OS. Here are my reasons why:

1. Absolutely free. Unlike some distributions, Ubuntu/Kubuntu has no enterprise or propriety versions. What you get/download is the full thing. Heck they will even ship it to you for free!
2. It comes in one CD. Yep can you believe it? Just ONE CD, for a powerful Operating System. Others require you to download 3-5 CDs. Even for someone on ADSL like me (256 kbps), that is still quite a lot.
3. It has a Philippine user base. It's the only one that has it's own thread in the PCX forums. Heck, the Ubuntu Forums has its own Pinoy thread.
4. From what I've read, Ubuntu is currently one of the most popular distributions around. I normally don't always go with the flow. But being a popular distro means a huge user base, and possibly some good community support. And as i've read the official forums, I'm being proven right. I haven't seen any flame thread, yet...
5. I also chose KDE over GNOME because I found KDE to be nicer in terms of looks. but purely on looks... I have yet to try using GNOME later, and maybe Xfce, which they say is a lot faster.

So there you have it folks, my reasons for going over to the lighter side of the world. Now to do some reading about Linux. I'm giving myself another 1-2 weeks to get settled in, and tweak it to my heart's content. Then I'm moving onwards to my ultimate goal: 3D Computer Graphics!

As a sort of intermission to my usual rantings, since I don't have any inspiration to write anything of substantial value (to me) yet.


Which Naruto Character Are You?
Test by naruto - kun.com

It (the test) couldn't have been more correct...
...and I couldn't be happier. Hehehe!

The old year has gone,
the new one sets in.
Another year, another life,
another chance, another hope.

(Is it darn to obvious that I have nothing to write? Oh well...)

Happy New Year!!

From me and my pet stuffed toy! ^_^

These web terms are making my brain spin!!

 I'm currently trying to upgrade my PC's programs, by incorporating free, open-source, non-Microsoft products. I've also recently discovered the joys of Mozilla products (web browsers, e-mail clients, etc), the power of OpenOffice (a free, open-source program that is driving Microsoft nuts!) and loads of other stuff. Why the sudden shift from the MS (Microsoft) to OSS (Open Source Software)?

1. These are open source stuff, meaning they're free and are easily modified by those with the know-how. This leads to faster updates, faster bug fixes, and more active and participative communities.
2. Thirdly, they have/can have lots of cool stuff, because of the fact that the program code (or source code) for these programs are open to everyone (hence, open source. duh!). These people, who are behind the development, listen to what people want. And if they don't, there will be other people who can make their own version that can be included in a later "official" release
3. it helps top break the eeeevil monopoly of Bill Gates (who, btw, has been named a Person of the Year in TIME). You should read about how Microsoft so cunningly uses every tactic available just to get on top of things, w/o necessarily being the best. If evil had a face, it would be Microsoft. Go to CNet News, and you'll see.

Of course, there are also some cons about using these free stuff. One, because of the speed of development, by the time you get settled in using version 1.0, 1.1-3 is already out. It's sometimes hard to keep up. Secondly, since it relies on donations and voluntary stuff, there is no 100% assurance that the project will push through, unless they are backed up by huge companies or benefactors. And lastly, it kinda gets confusing when too many people get behind the development. But hey, nothing is perfect (of course, except the Almighty One).

So what's with the acronym-mania up there? Well, switching to Mozilla products is really easy. But making things work the way you want to, may take a bit of reading. And when I say reading, I mean READING!

P.S. I encourage anyone to try these products. They're very light on the resource (installers are not more than 20MB), very flexible, and very open (to other formats). Here are some of my favorites:

1. Mozilla Firefox  - the best web browser around, with lot's of cool features
    - Tabbed browsing - no more opening multiple browsers.
    - a "find text" tool that doesnt block your view (it's just at the bottom)
    - Cool themes for your viewing pleasure
    - pop-up blocker
    - plug-ins and extensions (toolbars, icons, functions, etc)
    - and more! (plus the fact that it's more secure than Internet Explorer)
2. Mozilla Thunderbird - Mozilla's replacement for MS Outlook. I'm still trying to work this thing out. And still waiting for more development. But what Firefox has, it also has.
3. OpenOffice - this one has Microsoft really going goo-goo-ga-ga. It's a replacement for the MS Office applications. It supports what is known as the Open Document Format, a format that could be written/read/modified by any application/programmer.
4. Blender - totally free, complete 3D program, that's almost on par with most mainstream software. The only thing preventing it from being THE 3D program is the bias of the CG industry. They prefer to hire people who know the $$$$ apps.

Don't take my word for it, go ahead and visit those sites.

Whew! what a post! Oh, btw, that WTF in the title? it means "What the Fork", my sister's favorite substitue for the real WTF. Of course, now she prefers to say "Chin cha". dunno how that's spelled. It's Korean. ^_^

Everybody has one, so I thought I would make one myself. Actually, if memory serves me right, this is the first Christmas that I actually had something I want, or at least something specific. Well, it's not like somebody will give these stuff to me, but at least I have something to wish for. ehehe!

1. Numero uno priority: 60-80GB Hard Disk. Now that we have DSL up and running again, the only limit to downloading mania will be disk space. Would cost around Php 3,000 or more.
2. Pen or Drawing Tablet: Techno-savvy people would know about this. For the normal people out there, Wacom tablets. Cheapest would be around Php 1,500 or more
3. A Few more MB of RAM. I plan to do massive and heavy CG work in the future, so I'll be needing this. 256MB is within the budget (Php 1,000+), or preferrably 512MB (2,000+)
4. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, to diverge from the computer-side. Although I have another format that I could read right now on my PC (*hint hint*), nothing beats an good, old-fashioned book
5. A Camera phone. The cheapest will do. I'm suddenly developing the urge to capture memories easily.

I got a hint that I will be receiving a CD Burner this Christmas season (w/c, my mother reminded me, extends up to January 6 for us Catholics...). So it's not on my wish list anymore!!

I just realized that my computer wish list would total to around Php 6,400. which would be around the same price of the cheapest camera phone and is Php 1,000 higher than the original price of my current phone (about a year ago). Oh, the ironies of life....

To anyone who got a chance to read this, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[This should have been posted yesterday]

Yahoo! Yehey! Google!! (err.... scratch the last one)
Finally, the DSL is up again! although not as fast as before, it's certainly waaaaaaaaaay better than a dial-up connection. Now I can connect anytime! and the phone won't have to be busy again.

So now that I'm running on 256kbps, what am I gonna do? Well definitely the top of my list is Tantra!!! It's the 3D MMORPG game that I've been focusing on. Of course I'm gonna try out the other games, as soon as I finish downloading their installers.

But my priority will still be what I've started on already. Finishing the 7 Habits (still stuck on Habit 2) and my personal Computer Animation course.

Well, see you around!!

So far on my fourth day of changing my life style (OK, I admit it, I'm reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective People!). And so far, I've learned one BIG lesson: Habits, whether good or bad, die hard. And do I have heaps and heaps of habits I need to change.

I guess writing them down for public scrutiny might help a bit to motivate me. So here's my pre-New Year's Resolutions:

1. Exercise: get lots of it. Yeah so I started (again) my 10 min. Aero-Kae-Bo + a few crunches + a few jumping rope jumps (um... redundancy?). But I think I need more..
2. Balanced and Regulated Diet: one of my greatest weaknesses. It's so damn hard to balance stuff. OK, so I eat healthy food, but I eat at the same quantities... sheesh!
3. Procrastination: Scarlet O'Hara Syndrome. Tomorrow is another day. Need to change... NOW!!!
4. Sleep: I slept AGAIN this afternoon. A "nap" that lasted 2 hours!! And to top that off, I woke up late this morning, and slept early last night. When the weather's so cold and dull... You get my idea.

So anyway, I guess these are things I need to focus on, particularly on the diet stuff. #1 and #3 I've kinda handled well. #4 I'm still training myself. #2 Really deserves particular attention.

Anyone out there who knows of a diet plan for 20+ years old out-of-work teens? Anyone? Anyone....

Again and again, I keep coming back... In some ways, I'm really like a phoenix, dying and rising up, over and over again. Maybe it's a flaw in my DNA. I just don't know when to quit. (Like not knowing when to quit typing... as if this will ever get read by anyone other than my sister).

Anyway, it might be a good exercising of my writing skills. So I'm back to writing in my blog once more. Hopefully, I can get it updated more often now. Hey, if my sister has a job and can still update her blog (at the office, tsk tsk tsk), then I can do it to.

Oh well, rant rant rant... blah blah blah...

Ok... i should have posted this since, umm... almost two weeks ago. But um... I didn't... Darn! Gotta stop procrastinating.

Ok, first of all, I've finally one of the dreams of every known Ragnarok Online player in the whole wide world: level 99!!! Coz as of now, that's the highest that you can go. You can still die, but no more penalties. And most of all! You have that pretty shinig aura. Here's what I looked like on that blessed day.





That's it!! Level 99 with no cheats, no botting, no leeches, just plain old solo playing fun.


#2. This is my second artwork on my main character Fenyx. This looks much much better than the first one (you can see it below). Made some minor changes in costume to reflect the fact that while he's also a mage, he's also a fighter. But I'm not entirely 100% satisfied w/ this work, especially on the shading. But still a masterpiece of mine.





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On a different note, really gotta stop procrastinating... time to sleep again! eheheheh!