My backup server and utility server is a ubuntu box in my basement. Nothing special, an old laptop with a USB drive attached for backups. Every night my machines rsync with it and keep files nice and safe.
Recently I noticed the main partition was getting a bit full. I have not had a linux box really run out of space in the past. I think my problem is that this was my first ubuntu install (I have done many since) and I think I installed too many default applications. I have been selectively removing programs to free space.

In the course of cleaning up here is a great post to help clean up some unwanted items.
http://lj4newbies.blogspot.com/2007/07/clean-up-your-ubuntu-box.html

Microsoft recently released silverlight to compete with flash. Adobe has now just release (pre-released) their new release of flash. It has some interesting additions in this release

http://ajaxian.com/archives/flash-10-astro-prerelease

You will have to read the link above to get all the new enhancements, but I am interested to see the 3D feature.

Here is a link to an interesting article and chart showing that the bandwidth of the amazon services is higher then all the global amazon sites. That is pretty amazing, when you think of all the commerce and shopping going on with amazon.

This just validates that people are getting comfortable with keeping their information online in a “cloud” or service.

http://aws.typepad.com/aws/2008/05/lots-of-bits.html

Here is a great list of all the current and future ultra portable laptops. I am really starting to think about getting one for home / travel use. (Lilputing)

I had only heard of the EEE pc now realize there are a few others available. The main element I am interested in would be speed of start-up time, Wireless access, usb ports, and a larger screen. The current version of the EEE pc has a 7 inch screen. I am planning on waiting at least for the 8 inch screen.

So the final decision people will have to make is what OS, Windows or Linux. It sounds from my research that many people are opting for the Linux version.

I have been talking about “one device to rule them all” for a long time. If you look in my posts you see that I have a vision that one day I’ll have a device (may look like a cell phone) that I call my computer. It has some type of input and can attach to any display, say flexible lcd, or the nearest plasma screen. The thought I have is that you will be able to carry your info and computer with you where ever you go.

Currently we are not there yet, we are getting closer; Iphone and windows mobile devices are getting better, but not what I want.

Recently I have been thinking of what would I want now, current day that I can take with me. My reason is that I am always on the go, meetings, traveling, and just being away from work. I don’t always like taking out my laptop for doing just notes in a meeting. I don’t enjoy lugging my laptop to meetings and power up and power down.
Currently I can get my email where ever I go (Blackjack) but that has limited abilities other than Calendar, email , and contacts.

So my solution may be a very UltraPortable computer. I know that some people just laugh at that idea. For years, manufacturers have been trying to get these things to work. NEC, Gateway, and sony have tried to make them work. It was always a balance between slow performance and just poor function. But now we have a few entries that may fit the bill. The MAC “AIR” may be nice, or the IBM x300. But they cost just too much. I am thinking that I should try a eEE PC (ASUS)

I think I can us this a a go between. For travel I can use to check email and remote desktop into servers. For work I can use this to take notes and go to meetings, leaving my primary laptop back at the office or in the car. For pleasure, I can just keep this with me instead of taking my laptop out.

So far I have heard good reviews. Beyond the battery on the ver 900 version. I’m not sure I would get one unless the 900 is ready to be purchased.

So what do you want in a portable computer? Small form factor? Speed? High performance?

The Olympic torch has always been a special thing. I can remember as a kid watching someone carry it by, we must have been in a large city at the time. I always thought how cool it would be to carry the torch. A symbol of unity and the beginning of the Olympic games. I heard on the news today that the torch is not heading back and will not be traveling through our country due to the problems with protesters.

This angers me. I don’t mind protesting, I think it has it values. However, when protesting causes or disrupts something good and inspiring that seems hurtful to me. In no way is the torch the cause of the issues it is just a symbol of the Olympics. You would think that protesters would want the torch in the US longer to get more coverage or press as it travels our great nation

If I were an Olympic athlete I think I would be a bit unsure of how to think about the upcoming Olympics that they have trained so hard for and want to represent our country.

I love it when I find a great new application that helps me. My most recent find was “youmail”- www.youmail.com. It is a voice mail application that allows you to customize your voicemail message for individuals and it can also be automated. One of the best features is that it email’s you a message that you have a new voicemail, in the email (if you choose) it will translate the message into text.

I was able to view a voice mail from a colleague while in a meeting and determine if it was important to respond.

I remember the days of having the perfect Mixed tape. You would keep it or share it with a friend. What a great time, all you needed was a boom box and you had some good tunes. In today’s age, we have mix CD’s and mp3 files. There is a great new site that is getting a lot of attention called MuxedTape (www.muxtape.com)
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/easily-share-your-mixtapes-with-muxtape/

What a great little idea.

I was asked by a client on how to tell if someone’s password was strong enough. I was not sure on the need, and at first I was looking to either build or find a webservice that would test strength. After hearing the need over the phone we were able to use some already build applications (web sites) to do what they were looking for.

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/checker.mspx

http://www.securitystats.com/tools/password.php

I love “Mar#h M@dness”. I would have used the words but did not want to get sued.

I’m currently just relaxing and watching basketball. My brackets are not doing well, however it is still fun to watch.

I have heard people say they love vista, I have heard others curse it and go back to XP. In one case I know of a Microsoft Developer who will not run vista. I love new technology but respect speed and performance and I do not see either of those in vista. Currently I am running vista x86 and I am enjoying it other than some compatibility issues.

Here is an interesting post regarding vista.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/microsoft-top-brass-also-had-vista-problems/2008/02/29/1204226975087.html

In this new tech age, we have lots of options Linux, BSD, MAC, and windows. So what keeps you using windows?

As of Wednesday the company I work for NuSoft Solutions (www.nusoftsolutions.com) has been acquired by RCM Technologies (www.rcmt.com) a publicly traded company.

The role I have been in as Principal consultant for our Kinetic IG initiative will still continue. Being part of the RCM family will increase our ability to scale and obtain growth.

Press Release

http://www.forbes.com/businesswire/feeds/businesswire/2008/03/19/businesswire20080319006197r1.html

So far my dell d830 running Vista 64 is doing really good. I have found that it eats the battery faster than before and that there are a few more issues with some programs.

I have found that my favorite image capture program (cropper) does not work.

the performance increase and reliability are worth it.

I finally got a new laptop from work to replace my dead D820. I now have a refurbished d830. So far I am very happy. It has the same case, look, and screen as the last one. However, this box has 64bit Vista running on it. I am excited to be using 64.

I have only noticed a few things that don’t work, but I just got it and have not had time to install all of my apps.

One of my favorite tools on the web (www.dnsstuff.com) recently made a site change. They took their free tools and lookups and moved them to a different area. They also added a subscription model and want to make some money.

I am not against the change, in fact I am excited that they could make some money off their great tools. But after a few visits to the site and having to click to find the tools, I found that I automatically went to another network site I use (www.network-tools.com) instead of dnsstuff.

It is interesting that a simple change can cause users to leave. I am sure that dnsstuff still has the same if not more users, but all of a sudden I found that the limit they put on lookups and the promotional materials they are using to get me pay $10 a month was a bit annoying. With out even thinking I went to another site that provides the same service.

It is amazing how short of an attention span internet users have (or maybe it is just me)