No Net Neutrality? How About The Open Internet Instead?

Linux/Open Source / Opinion / SuggestionsLeave a comment

In the middle of yet another Net Neutrality crisis, I find myself wondering yet again if there isn't a way to just take our ball and go home. So to speak. We, in the open source community, have been great at spinning off new tech in order to build doors in the walls that others erect to keep us out. Why, I wonder, can't we do that with the Internet. There is a network of hundreds of millions of wireless routers out there, all of which could be used to launch the next generation Internet. Without cables. Without the big …

The Old Woman. Work, Contribution, and Value.

Life / OpinionLeave a comment

There was a time when somebody might have observed that a stay at home mom didn't work. As a stay at home dad, I have first hand experience regarding with this concept. You do a lot, but you don't get paid for it. It's the job that's not really a job. That's not what this is about. I mention moms, and dads, because that's one place where work isn't valued, at least not financially. Most people will, sometimes grudgingly, accept that the work does, however, have a value you need to measure differently. You're still contributing. You're still working. To …

Back To The Commodore Future

Cooking With Linux / Marcel's YouTubeLeave a comment

Way back a million years ago, there was a small Canadian computer company called "Commodore Business Machines" that changed the way people viewed, saw, and used computers. In 1981, they released a computer for the masses, the Commodore VIC20 and everything changed (as another computer company likes to say). Then, in 1982, things changed forever with the introduction of the Commodore 64, the most revolutionary piece of technology the proverbial average person had ever seen. It was . . . the future. Using your Linux system, come back with me to that future of the early 1980s. http://vice-emu.sourceforge.net/ To find …

(NOT) Calling From Microsoft : Trolling a Scammer

Humour / Linux/Open SourceLeave a comment

Every once in a while, some joker calls, claiming to be from Microsoft (or Windows). They explain that they've detected malware of some sort on your computer and now they are here to help you fix it. I've known more than one person who fell for this helpful scam, and even if I didn't, I have no love for these people. One day, upon receiving such a call, I decided to let them 'help me' fix my Windows. I started recording the call and this is the result. Pay close attention to how they react when they find out they …

Run Full Android on Your Desktkop

Cooking With Linux / Marcel's YouTubeLeave a comment

If you've ever dreamed of bringing even part of the Android experience to your desktop, say a business application or . . . oh, who am I kidding . . . a game you particularly like, then this is the video you've been looking for. On today's episode, I'm going to show you how to install and run a full Android machine right on your Linux desktop. To do this yourself, you'll need the ISO image available here. ReMix OS for the PC

Build a Minecraft PC Server

Cooking With Linux / Marcel's YouTubeLeave a comment

My 9 year old son told me that EVERYBODY is playing Minecraft on the PC now, as opposed to the tablet or console versions. What he was really saying was that he wanted me to build him a Minecraft PC server so that he could play with his friends on their own private server. Eventually, I gave in and, using the open Minecraft server from Project Rainbow, I created a very cool server for him, and his friends, to play on. In this video, I'll take you through all the steps so that you can make one for your kids. …

Ripping a DVD with HandBrake

Cooking With Linux / Marcel's YouTubeLeave a comment

Over on yon Facebook, I was taking part in a discussion about ripping DVDs to video files on your computer using Linux. My friend, being a command line guy, explained how he did it. I countered that, while I was also a command line guy, I do my DVD ripping with HandBrake. He then accused me of really being a desktop guy. Well . . . maybe I am. I will let you, my viewers, readers, and listeners, decide on that one. In the meantime, here's a little video to show you just how easy it is to rip a …

Donald Trump Bugged My Phone

HumourLeave a comment

Many people today have told me that Donald Trump has bugged their phones. They have no proof, of course, but after hearing so many people telling me the same story, and you know they can't all be lying, I'm starting to think that Donald Trump has bugged my phone as well. Honestly, I'm getting really worried about how far this whole illegal surveillance actually goes. To that end, I'm launching an investigation into these illegal activities. If you're one of the potentially millions of people whose phones have been wiretapped by Donald Trump, let me know here. All I'm asking …