I am happy to announce that, after an expenditure of $1178 for a custom linux computer and 18 months effort in my spare time, I now have linux on my desktop computer.
What did it take, you ask? The custom computer never worked properly with linux, and spending over $1000 for a Windows XP computer is like buying a Porsche and using it to store Tupperware! At WordCampSF on May 1, Richard Stallman spoke about open source software. He is a winner of the MacArthur award and the leader of the team that wrote the GNU operating system. Linus Torvalds wrote the kernel, hence, linux.
What is Linux?
The kernel is like an engine that can be used for a car, ship, harvester, etc. The operating system is like the chassis you put around the engine. The paint in the flavor of linux, like Ubuntu or Debian. I am running Ubuntu 64-bit Studio which is a combo of programs for design people rather than technical people.
On Sunday, yes the Sunday in the middle of Memorial Day weekend, I drove to SF with my CPU, two monitors, my keyboard and mouse for the InstallFest scheduled for 11-5. I reached Mission Street about 11:45 and all the roads were barricaded for Carnivale! the annual daytime Mardi Gras filled with scantily-lad dancers on the back of flatbed trucks filled with calypso and salsa bands. Parking was… well, I got the last spot in a $20 pay lot, 3 blocks from the InstallFest site. Three LOOONG blocks. Imagine how calm I was (not).
Noisebridge
The Linux 10.04 InstallFest was held in a permanent shared space for hackers and builders called Noisebridge. It is on the third floor up a seedy staircase in a seedy part of town. The “elevator” is one of those funky things with the steel sliding doors in front of the steel accordion cage that bites your fingers if you’re not careful. There is a walkie-talkie to request sending down the elevator. Luckily, some guy in his 70’s walked in and showed me how to use it.
I offered them the apples and cookies I brought, and asked for help carrying the equipment. I got three people, and it was the gallant gray haired gentleman who carried the heavy CPU with the sharp edges. I set it up and for the next SEVEN HOURS they worked on it. They had to take it apart to install Ubuntu (four hours) and another three to determine the cause of the hardware problem (bad slot four on the motherboard). They gently told me where to buy a better computer for less next time. Words do not express how thrilled I am to have it working.
The wonderful linux community
I am very grateful to Lyz Krumbach, her partner Mj, his colleague Michael, and Leif Ryge for working until nearly 8 p.m. on my computer. I am so impressed by the knowledge, tenacity and generosity of these folks and the linux community.