prsnmn.hopto.org, my Linux webserver, has two new sites.

Gallery. This is a very cool image CMS that was recommended to me by Brendon of TechFreak.net. I've got some pictures of Emma. You can view them as a slide show, leave comments and even order prints from 3rd party digital print sites. The prices aren't too bad. I can have people create user accounts so they can create their own albums. You can get an RSS feed of my gallery, too. If you're interested in playing around with this let me know.

Personman's PostNuke Playground version 0.750. This is the newest version of PostNuke. I think the mailer is working now, so if you want to create a user account, go ahead. Happy surfing. If anyone can think of other things to try on my server, let me know. I'm learning a lot and maybe some of these skills will help me get a job.

Please excuse the following geeky rant.

I'm working on a Compaq Presario 5310US for someone and I've decided that Compaq is s-t-u-p-i-d. This computer has some serious virus problems, and no real personal data to speak of, so the obvious choice is to do a clean install of Windows XP and all of the software that came with the computer. The problem is, Compaq uses a restore process that was developed by a class of 2nd graders (that's a little harsh, 2nd graders could do much better than this). Compaq computers come with a "Recovery CD." You might think that this cd includes the operating system, drivers and software so you can just pop it in, reboot the computer and do a clean install. You might be dead wrong. This worthless cd just allows you to boot into their "QuickRestore" program, which then gets the data it needs to reistall everything from a partition on the hard drive. Does anyone see a problem with this? Does anyone at Compaq have half a dozen working brain cells? Most of the problems that would make you want to do a clean install would involve damage to the data on the hard drive. So the same virus or error that breaks Windows is probably going to damage the D: partition, making you unable to reinstall Windows. So I called Compaq to try and get the operating system on a CD, thinking naively that since my client owns the operating system, they could get it cd form. Nope. They will, however, sell me the data that got lost from the D: partition on CD(!) Oh, so they have the CDs, but they just don't bother putting them in the computer box before you buy it, opting instead for this half-brained scheme of putting the recovery data on the hard drive. They might save $0.50 per computer by leaving the CDs out, but is it worth it? So I got the run around, talked to six different people and was finally put on the special hold line they have for indignat geeks. After listening to the same crappy music for 20 minutes I hung up. I still have the option to buy the CDs for $15, but I don't think it's right. Most other computer companies include real recovery cds with the computer when you buy it. I won't ever advise someone to buy Compaq or HP computers. If you can't resist that cheap computer at Wal-Mart, at least do this: As soon as you get home and see that you only get the one worthless Recovery CD, call tech support and have them send you the rest of the CDs. It won't cost anything while it's under warranty, but then you'll have them when you need them. And you'll need them.

End of rant.

Here's an article that was pointed out to me by my friend Matt: GNU Believers. The article has links to several Linux apps that could save churches lots of money. There are a couple of free replacements for Song Show Plus (song lyric projection), a free Bible-study program and a member database program (which would replace some very expensive proprietary apps). I also know of a few Linux video editing programs. If these programs would work, then I think a church like ours could make a successful migration to Linux (unless I'm forgetting something).

If you need stock photos, then this is the best site I've found: SXC.hu. It has tons of great photos and they're free for non-commercial use. But this site might be very useful, too: PDphoto.org. There aren't as many pictures, but what they have is public domain, so you can use it for anything, even commercial purposes.

(via linkfilter)

Skype works great. The audio quality was better than I expected. The program was very easy to set up. If you've got fast internet, download it and let me know. Brendan and I want to try a conference call before he leaves.

Since Brendan is leaving for China soon we're testing out Skype, the p2p phone program. We'll be able to call China for free. I'm registered as 'dannysaraemma' and he's 'brendoman.' Use the link above if you want to install the program and join the fun. I'll post more once we've actually tested Skype.

I haven't made any major tech purchases recently. I've been slowly gathering old computer stuff for my little Linux playground, but now I have an idea for my next purchase: A Secure Digital wi-fi adapter card for my Pocket PC. It would put the internet in my hand at home and work. I can also get it with 256 MB of memory. I started thinking about this when I read that there is a Pocket PC version of Skype. I could use my PDA as a phone. How cool is that? Doug was telling me that he uses his wireless adapter to stream music to his PDA. I know I don't have the money for this now, but it's fun to dream.

prsnmn.hopto.org :: personman's postnuke playground - After some work I have a Postnuke site running on my Fedora box. It has been a good exercise in learning how to work with Apache, MySQL and php. I'm also trying to install Movable Type and phpBB2, but with less success. If any Linux geeks read this maybe they can recommend some more projects for me. Should I set up webmin? An email server? Jabber (like Brendon)?
Wordpress? Koha is on my list, but I need some practice first.

I finally figured out how to use my Linbox as a web server. Behold: prsnmn.hopto.org.

Play 20 questions against a computer. It's pretty good. I played twice and it got both 'dog' and 'file cabinet' just by asking me questions about it. I'm actually a little frightened.

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