Computer Question About Ubuntu and Free Open Source Software
I received a computer question by email from a subscriber named Willa Valdez, who is wondering what I think about Ubuntu and Open Source software in general. Here’s her question:
“Dear Worth,
Mahalo Nui Loa for your Newsletters. Your computer lessons have helped me tremendously.
I am thinking of purchasing a netbook. They both have the operating system Ubuntu (latest version) already installed. I am a newbie when it comes to Linux but I am curious about how how this system works. I installed Ubuntu via WUBI along side VISTA, however, my computer would freeze when I chose to boot with Ubuntu. I was able to boot with Ubuntu a couple of times and liked the Gnome desktop. Unfortunately, some of the applications I use were not supported i.e. Skype. I did not delve into learning the Command Line just yet.
I would appreciate your thoughts on Ubuntu and your general opinion on the Open Source concept.
Again, thank you for expertise and assistance.
Aloha,
Willa Valdez”
Below is a partial transcription of the audio:
What do I think about Ubuntu and open-source? There are a few things. Let’s start with some definitions.
Computer Question: What is Grounding & Can Electrostatic Damage Hurt Your Electronics?
This time I’m going to take a question from someone who asks, “What is grounding? I’ve heard it phrased in so many places but don’t know what it is.”
Use the audio player above to listen to the plain English explanation of this computer term, or read the transcription of the audio below:
– Compute training audio transcription begins –
Grounding is something that is important for electronics. As usual, I’m going to give you a nontechnical answer. Ground or grounding is the main way it’s called in the United States. Elsewhere, such as in the UK, it’s often referred to as earth or earthing. It’s the same thing.
This refers to draining off excess electricity. That’s basically what it’s about.
I’ve talked about how it’s important for someone working on the inside of a computer or any kind of electronic device that they be grounded.
If I work on a computer, take it apart and am upgrading or repairing it, any time I have the case open and am working in the inside of it, I’m always making sure that I’m grounded. The way I do this is
Computer Question About How To Find And Work With Pictures on Your Computer
Today I want to answer another computer question, this one coming from Leslie G. who writes:
“Dear Mr. Godwin, I have been enjoying and learning a lot from you, I wonder if you can help me. I used to be a very good photographer. Not a pro but I liked taking pictures. I would love to mess around with photography on the computer but I lose my pictures once I put them from my camera to the computer, plus I seem to have to download all my pictures all over again every time which is probably taking up a lot of my space somewhere. Do you know a simple process that I can follow so I can find where my pictures are and then play with cropping and stuff? And also I’d love to be able to erase all the duplicate videos and pix that are on my computer.”Password Safety Tips – Audio Lesson & Transcript
The following audio & transcript are from a live computer Q&A event I recorded back in 2008, discussing a topic which is just as important today as it was then. This segment is a lesson giving a few tips on choosing a safe password, and also explaining a why it’s important to use strong passwords (and why assuming no one would target you is missing the point).
Due to the nature of the live recording the audio will sound a little “thinner” than usual, and I may talk a little bit faster than I normally do on my “studio recordings”. Use the player below to listen and you can find a transcript of the audio below the player.
What Does the Computer Term Default Mean in Plain English
In this audio computer training lesson I answer a question from Vasilis who writes wanting to know just what the computer term “default” means. Click the triangle play button below to listen to this computer question and my Plain English answer:
Computer Question Why Can’t My Older Computer Open Newer Programs
This computer question comes from a student named Edward, who writes:
“Dear sir,
I have followed your comments on here with great interest and find them very helpful. I have a problem I am trying to sort out first with an Apple iBook. My problem is I cannot download applications, and when I do they will not mount or the image is corrupt?
Yours respectfully.
Edward O’Toole”
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