Tag Archives: technology

Sunday Reflection – Technology

I am all for progress when it comes to civil rights and being sure all people have the same freedoms to love and live as they want. We are too slow in that area.

However, when it comes to technology perhaps we are moving too fast. People need the time to catch up. I hope there is continual progress in creating a safe environment and healing those who are hurting. But I think we need to put some brakes on things like Artificial Intelligence. I think too many people are going to be harmed there. The actors and writers on strike are making that point clear.

One of my favorite movies has a line that says “You can’t stop progress” but you know maybe slowing it down would be a good thing. What we are seeing is the potential for economic and institutional harm. Of course, the marketplace will dictate the speed of adoption because there is money to be made.

My friends, it’s OK to use technology that makes sense and is not always on the bleeding edge. This post is being written on an older model Dell desktop computer using a Linux operating system on the Firefox web browser. Sounds kind of old-school but I like it like that.

I do like having technology that improves my writing of blog posts and the like. But I don’t want it to be used in misinformation and other nefarious actions. We have already seen bad people doing bad things using available technology to advance their views and agendas.

Let’s slow down, make sense of things and use technology wisely and be sure that technology doesn’t use us.

State Of My Tech

I have a hand-me-over laptop from Mrs. Soup Diva that I have installed Ubuntu, the open-source Linux operating system Ubuntu 22.04, and Windows 10. I am running them via a dual-boot setup. Both operating systems will still be supported with some updates for the next couple of years so I feel comfortable in saying that I will shoot for a new laptop then and most likely it will be a good refurbished unit that costs under $300. Recently I installed more memory and a solid-state NVME drive so it’s running great right now. I don’t think I am going to have to make any further changes as long as I take care of what I have. I also have a desktop with the same configuration.

I believe it’s good to save your pennies where you can on technology and other things. Soon I am going to adorn the laptop with some stickers to give it a hipster personalization vibe (I’ll share that in a later post). I hope you all have setups that make you happy and productive.

Six Word Story

Technology is our friend most times.

Technology Is Life And Life Is Technology

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Technology is life and life is technology, that makes sense, right? We all depend on it so it seems. It’s personal too and we all use various systems, devices, and software depending on what will make life a little easier.

I have been testing Linux desktop operating system distros lately and I have discovered that the world of open source is in good hands. However, you have to find that information out by experiencing it for yourself. Like anything you have to do research and see what others say and then see if their conclusions meet your expectations.

I have both Windows 11 and Ubuntu 22.04 on my laptop. On my desktop, it’s Ubuntu 22.04 and Windows 10. I currently dual-boot them based on my mood and needs. My daily driver is Ubuntu 22.04 because it allows me to connect with others and manage my digital life. The bonus is that I get updates and upgrades without cost.

Many of my friends run Apple products but that stuff is expensive and they update way too often and keeping up is pricy. I am an Android user without shame. I do see way more damaged Apple devices than Android’s out there so there is something to be said about that.

This Artificial Intelligence stuff is fascinating and scary in equal measure. Have we not learned anything from the movies.

And yes, I am a total nerd.

Farewell Microsoft Internet Explorer 1995-2022

On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Microsoft officially ended support for its once-dominant web browser, Internet Explorer. I remember first seeing it in its 2.0 version and I used it for a few years after it adopted Java and Animated gifs. MSIE put a hurting on then-dominant browser Netscape, which I still have nostalgia for.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0

The Internet changed because of Microsoft. Developers made websites to work with it forcing people to use it over alternatives.

Competition finally began to eat into the market share dominance it once enjoyed. IE has been replaced by Edge, an excellent cross-platform browser that can be used on Windows and Linux.

The joke I have heard today is it’s the best browser to download Google’s Chrome. Well, I guess we will have to use alternatives now. Rest in Pixels Internet Explorer.

Nerd Corner Update: Dual Booting #Windows #Linux

I have been running Microsoft Windows exclusively on my home desktop computer since I got it several months ago. Windows has served me well at work and at home but I got the itch to dual boot operating systems on my computer so I installed Ubuntu Budgie which is an open source Linux based operating system that works a lot like Windows and looks a little like the Mac OSX.

This Dell Optiplex 7010 is the same computer I have at home and on my desk at work.

Both OS’s have their strong points but like Hannah Montana I wanted the best of both worlds. Linux is much more customizable because it is open source. Windows has a rich application platform and I need it for home productivity and there are things that it runs that Ubuntu Budgie does not.

In a way it allows me to have two somewhat different computers in one. This is going to give me flexibility and a little bit of fun. As a matter of fact I am writing this post on Ubuntu Budgie.