The Mad Philosopher

In a previous post, I mentioned that I’m now using Ubuntu Linux with Gnome as my primary desktop. There, I forgot to mention one of my favourite features of Gnome: a time-out facility that encourages me to take a typing break. Under the keyboard settings, I set it to force me to take a 5-minute break after 50 minutes of using the computer. It monitors my use of the keyboard and mouse, and after the specified time, it greys-out the screen and locks the keyboard. There is an option that allows me to postpone the break, which comes in handy when I’m on a roll when writing or in an instant-message conversation.

Although this feature is designed to help prevent repetitive stress disorder caused by keyboard and mouse use, I find it is more useful to me for giving my eyes a rest. When I’m working, I get very focused and can sit in front of the computer for hours without moving. So this “take a break” feature of Gnome is very good for me.

If this sounds like a helpful thing for you, but you don’t use Gnome, try searching for a similar utility for Windows, Mac, etc.

A few weeks ago, I bought myself a new desktop computer so that, for the first time in years, I have a permanent place to put my projects and files. I was going to base this new computer on FreeBSD, and in fact I had already installed and rebuilt the system from source, but I decided to give Ubuntu Linux a try on a separate partition, based on the high praise it gets from the Lug Radio crew. Well, since then, I’ve completely abandoned my FreeBSD setup. Ubuntu Linux rocks! It makes a wonderful desktop computing environment.

What is Ubuntu Linux, anyway? Well, it’s a new Linux distribution that’s aimed at the desktop (as opposed to servers). It’s completely Free Software in that they don’t charge you to use it and they also don’t take away your rights to use it through some crazy End User Licence Agreement. It aims to be simple and robust so that it just works.

Using Ubuntu is a pleasing experience. I can tell it’s designed well. Visually, it’s quite pleasing, based upon the Gnome desktop environment. The base software they chose to include is quite good. I upgraded a few components, like the Firefox web browser and the ability to play mp3s. It was a reasonable procedure that was aided by the advice of the Unofficial Ubuntu Starter Guide.

Everyone loves screenshots, so here’s mine. I haven’t changed the theme from the default “Human” theme. I just removed the bar from the bottom and combined it with the one at the top.

I was considering to get my mom to switch over to using Firefox instead of Internet Explorer, for security reasons and for better functionality, but now I might suggest she move completely over to Ubuntu. Chris Dunphy got his parents to switch over to Fedora Core 3 (21 January 2005 post), so why can’t I do the same? It’s worth exploring.

Anyway, I’m totally happy with my Ubuntu desktop. It’s great.