The Summer of Linux

This summer was “The Summer of Linux”; we experimented with Linux for the desktop, Linux for the server, and Linux in clustering. We used the Ubuntu distro for the desktop and server. We actually used the Long Term Support (6.06) version for the desktop, the older version of Ubuntu. I learned that the newest isn’t always the best, as version 7.04 would not install on our hardware. I got a chance to ask my questions about LTSP, to a developer on the Edubuntu irc channel, and we were successful in creating a thin client environment. Of course clustering was a great project where we hit some dead ends, but we recovered before the summer ended, having a functional cluster. Although I had some experience with Ubuntu, using it on my computers, this was a very educational summer. We became the admins and got a chance to implement Linux in a test environment, emulating a school computer lab, where we had to make sure the end users would be able to use Linux without any discomfort. We had to cover everything, from managing user rights to making sure every program a school computer would have, would be included in our Linux machines. In addition, we gained some experience in networking; we received some managed and unmanaged switches, configured them, and had thin clients boot over our network.

Linux has become more user friendly over the years. Ubuntu, for instance, has the nice Gnome interface, a GUI. If this were to be implemented in a school, most end users would be able to adjust. Instead of having a list of programs at the bottom, we have everything at the top. Some applications may be different, the OpenOffice suite vs. Office. It may be slightly more difficult for the end user at home installing it on his/her computer, though, especially if you run into problems. However, if one is dedicated enough, solutions to problems are all over the internet, and you can also ask questions on the Ubuntu irc channel. Once you become used to how Ubuntu works, Synaptics for downloading applications, the Linux alternative software… etc, it becomes easier. If you have to do something beyond the basics, though, you may have to use the terminal. For instance, the Grub bootloader wasn’t booting to the correct partition once, so after determining the path looking at GPart and a little bit of guessing and checking, I accessed the Grub file though the terminal. Or, you may want to install something using the terminal. Personally, I think Linux, due to distros like Ubuntu, has become more appealing, because for basic needs, it can be used without much difficulty.

This was a great summer where I was able to test several environments in which Linux can be used. I am thankful to Mr. Birchall who let us have this experience, allowing us to experiment on our own as long as we documented. We were able to finish all our projects with success, and I was glad documenting our experiences has helped people with their own Linux adventures. Linux and distros like Ubuntu with a cost of nothing are very appealing. Although many people begin using Ubuntu because of the free CDs their friends give them, if some loose ends were tied up (like the bootloader attempting to boot from the wrong partition) and marketed more, we could see an even greater rise in Linux usage.

The Long Tail: My Say

I recently read an article, titled The Long Tail, and an entrepreneur’s take on it http://bnoopy.typepad.com/bnoopy/2005/03/index.html I was not sure where it was going at first, mentioning a book that became popular years after it was written. At the end however, I learned an interesting economics lesson. In short, the idea presented is simple. You walk into any store, any retail business, and look around. The items contained in the store are usually the ones that sell the most. If you walk into a convenience store, the snacks and beverages you see make the store the most money. If you require an oddball item, it is not to be found here. However, the internet is a new medium for business. One interesting idea was, that out of the top 10,000 titles in any online media store (Netflix, Itunes…etc), 99% of them will rent or sell in any given month. You can’t find all of them in any store. Therefore, that means a loss of profit; profit never seen is profit lost. Just the other day, I was at my parent’s gas station. A person came in, and he wanted fuses. We had carried fuses, however, they were not very popular, so we replaced that space with something that was. I noticed a trend, every day, at least 5 people must come into our store, asking for something we did not have. You add all of that up, and that is lot of profit gone. The internet is waiting for profit to be exploited. A traditional retail store is not the way to maximize profits anymore. It’s worked: you go to Amazon, and chances are you can find the book you are looking for, even though it may not be very popular. Head over to a bookstore, and its a hit or miss. With the internet, you will always find what you are looking for. Joe Krauss has applied this to his software business, JotSpot. His company, “… is building a platform to make it easy and affordable to build long-tail software applications.” The internet is ripe with possibilities, you just have to find and use them for your advantage

Entrepreneurs…

Sorry, its been a while since my last post, as my laptop is gone and tennis has begun, I do not have much time. However, here is the second post, from Lucky or Smart?

Entrepreneurs are born, not

Info

Just so you know, this was my work blog, along with my personal blog. My work blog has been moved to jayminatwork.wordpress.com. if you wish to see work reports, they are there. This is now only my personal blog.  

Smart, Lucky, or Smart enough to realize…

Okay, so the book I have been promising to write about…Lucky or smart? by Bo Peabody. First, let me explain who he is. Bo Peabody, when he was 19 decided to create a service online to help college students. That was the idea, and he took the help of one of his professors. However, that was not to be the destiny of what he called Tripod. As he was not the most computer savvy person, he decided to hire a team of programmers, whom he referred to as long haired, multi-pierced, tattooed, smart hacker hooligans. He, however, was smart enough to let them be, and accept they were odd. They created something completely different from his original plans: they created a homepage builder where anybody could have their own page on the internet. Eventually, he accepted an offer from Lycos, and he sold out for $58 million in stock. The majority of his shares were already sold by the time the bubble crashed…he came out with a lot of money, to put it simply. Now, he invests in the restaurant business (Mezze, Inc.), and a venture capital firm (Village Ventures, Inc.) In the book he states how he achieved such success, and I will share what he stated along with my views in around 12 posts (a daily infusion of wisdom).

Chapter 1: Lucky or Smart

He starts off: be able to differentiate between being lucky, and being smart. Do not take credit, and assume you are a genius, if it is luck. You can create luck however, with this formula; create a business that is fundamentally innovative, morally compelling, and philosophically positive. You have to convey these traits in the mission; it does not matter what the business model is. You just have to convey it so more and more smart people will come…and as he said it, serendipity ensues. The good things that will occur, are luck…therefore, you create luck. So another formula; create an environment where smart people will gather, and be smart enough to stay out of the way, let luck happen. He was smart enough to realize, he was getting lucky. Serendipity is luck, which leads to success, and then… money.

 

My Say:

So, what he is saying is that all you have to do is just spread some seeds of a company, and just sit back and let luck happen. I feel these simple formulas are brilliant; you do not need to be a genius to make millions, just have some on your payroll. I will follow this advice, however, the kind of person I am, I want to be one of the smart people. I will let luck happen, nevertheless, I do want to help create what my company will be churning out. I do not want to sit back, and let everyone else come up with the good ideas. I want other people in my company to come out with good ideas, but I also want to release my good ideas as well. I feel that may also foster creativity and passion; the head of the company is on the frontlines with them. I just have to keep my ego and my use of power in check. It is like Alexander the Great. In battle, he led from the front, whereas other leaders protected themselves and commanded from the rear. The troops were energized by his passion and commitment and followed him to the ends of the earth. That is what my company to be: a company that can revolutionize, create, and take over entire industries, conquer unconquerable lands held by once unstoppable corporations. I want to foster creativity, intelligence, and I want no good idea dismissed prematurely.

Check back tomorrow, for more words of wisdom…..

 

Nerds, Smart People, and Popularity

I recently read an article, at www.paulgraham.com/nerds.html. I feel this is an article for anybody who is a computer geek at school, or just somebody of any age that was unpopular or "uncool"