Animal Crackers

Animal Crackers

Friday, December 31, 2010

Progress on computers II

I have found a work around to get my linux laptop to burn audio cds. It is an ugly kluge job but it works. A big part of the problem is that the cd burner I am using gets too warm and it was doing that when it was still being used under windows. When you use roadkill computer parts and stuff that is ancient in computer years, you do what you can. You might be asking me why is it worth it to me when getting a new computer would make things easier. The answer is a combination of things: part of it is doing things on the cheap, part of it is the satisfaction of working on a home rolled computer and part of it is that things like burning cds is not a high use thing and as long as I can burn cds, then that is good enough. This is also an experiment in what I can personally do with computers. I am expecting to be able to do better and better ways of doing things as I get experience.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Progress on computers

I am still using and playing with ubuntu. I am really enjoying rehabilitating old computers and making them work. The only problem is that they are old computers and old computer parts that do not always as they should. There is a good reason why some of the computers I got were cast offs. It is a learning curve about what will and will not work. I can listen to audio cds and watch some dvds but I can't copy audio cds not because the software does not work but because of the old parts I am using. Or at least that is what I suspect. Linux has its sort falls like any other OS.

Until I get things perfect, I can count getting to learn, getting cheap computers with more and more capabilities and maybe helping others out who need cheap computers when i get a few extra around the house.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Susuto.com

I recently got myself some new penny whistles. I got them from susato.com and was happy with the whole process. their website is HERE.

Christmas Video

Just an awesome Christmas video,

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Budget Chef

This budget is both funny and makes a good point.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Change

I guess there is always change. The month just flipped over to December and the weather feels more like winter than the mild, mild fall we have had around my parts. Thanksgiving has come and gone and between the change in the calender and the weather change I have just been thinking about change a lot lately. The finances around home ain't worth calling home about but it does feel better than a year ago. I just hope the horses butts in Washington hear this and think I am a sucker to try to get more money from. The economy has hit me enough thank you. One good thing is that has come from the down economy is that I have taken a really hard look at how we spend and how we can get more from the resources we have. Our truck broke down and instead of just throwing money at it, we took a look at how much we really needed it and sold it off and are paying less in insurance now. It will be inconvenient at times to be down to one car but the money brought in by selling it and the less insurance will help with other things.

I am changing the way I am looking at my hobbies and the getting and having of stuff. i have really changed the way I look at debt and I am really, really looking forward to getting out of debt. The bankers are looking more and more like incompetent boobs and I do not want to support them any further than i have to. I think that a lot of what is happening with the mortgage crisis is absolutely criminal. To make it worse, these criminals are getting bailed out instead of jail time.

I really think that what it takes to get things better is to take power from big government and big business and have the people free to do their business. I think government is a necessary evil and I fully want businesses to thrive. It is when they abuse the people they are suppose to serve that I get cranked. The government is being paid by the people's taxes and therefore our employees. If business wants my money, then give me a product worth the money they want me to spend. Simply, Right?