Psyche: my psychological life
ψυχή — psyche — The soul; the mind, emotions, and will; the psychological life
Lenovo ThinkPad T510: Ubuntu
Lenovo ThinkPad T510: Ubuntu
Since Fall 2006, I've used Ubuntu, the most popular version (distribution or distro) of Linux. I started with Ubuntu (the Gnome version), switched soon after to Kubuntu (the KDE version) because its GUI seemed more Windows-like to me, and then eventually returned to Ubuntu because of its superior stability over Kubuntu. My reason for switching from Windows XP to Ubuntu was that I was sick and tired of my computers slowing down after a few months of Windows use, and even for my desktop from disappearing to the point that I would have to reinstall Windows and all my programs. In Fall 2006 I had such a total Windows desktop failure that I had to reinstall Windows to fix it. I decided that I might as well switch to Linux, since a new operating system (OS) would be about as painful as having to reinstall my entire Windows system. Actually, it was much more painful, since Linux is far from perfect, but whenever I considered the alternative (returning to Linux), I realized that I can never go back. When Windows Vista came out, I certainly had no regrets. Linux is just far superior to Windows for power users like me. However, Windows 7 is sufficiently good that with my ThinkPad T510, I now double-boot Ubuntu and Windows 7, though Ubuntu remains my primary OS.
read moreLenovo ThinkPad T510: Hardware
Lenovo ThinkPad T510: Hardware
On this page, I describe the hardware specifications and some hardware peripherals of my laptop. I conclude with an assessment explaining why I love this laptop, and it's the best I've ever had.
read moreMy smartphone – iPhone 3GS
My smartphone: Apple iPhone 3GS
I really like some things about my iPhone, and I really hate some things about it. Pretty much what I like has to do with Apple's engineering prowress, and what I hate has to do with Apple's marketing tyranny. It is evident from my criticisms that I want a smartphone that is fully compatible with Linux, and that permits me to run whatever software I want on the smartphone that I paid for.
read moreMy laptop – Lenovo ThinkPad T510
My laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad T510
The first laptop computer I ever used was one that I used occasionally for my first ever job, as a part-time as a computer technician for LSU Libraries (that's where I learned about PC hardware). It was an IBM ThinkPad. My boss didn't like it that much, for whatever reason (he called it a "StinkPad"), but I fell in love with the TrackPoint mouse pointer embedded in the keyboard. I loved the fact that I didn't have to lift my hands from the keyboard in order to use the mouse. That henceforth became my holy grail for keyboards.
read moreMy computers
My computers I love computers, and they're a big part of my life. I have three computers, and I have a page dedicated to each of them, listing their hardware and some key software elements: Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad T510 Smartphone: iPhone 3GS Work Desktop: Dell Dimension
read moreJava resources
I’ve compiled various helpful links to websites and other resources related to Java programming: Official Java resources Official Java website at Sun Official Java tutorial from Sun Java 6 API – the Java class libraries OpenJDK – the open source release of the Java Development Kit General Java directories Java on About.com Cetus Links’ Java pages Books Murach’s Java SE 6 – A solid, thorough Java manual. Written mainly for people who are already decent programmers. Head First Java – A very lively and...
read moreDatabase resources
I’ve compiled various helpful links to websites and other resources related to databases. Oracle Official Oracle database website Oracle Express Edition (freeware version of Oracle) Oracle Database 11g XE Getting Started Guide – First place to start with Oracle XE Oracle Database 10g Express Edition Tutorial – Interactive, hands-on, video-based tutorials A few essential tech support notes for Oracle 10g XE The default version of Oracle 10g XE works only with Microsoft Internet Explorer Insurmountable incompatibilities will...
read moreWhat’s a Dodecahedron?
Excerpt from Norton Juster’s The Phantom Toolbooth, pages 172-173: As they argued, a most peculiar little figure stepped nimbly from behind the sign and approached them, talking all the while. “Yes, indeed; indeed it does; certainly; my, yes; it does make a difference; undoubtedly.” He was constructed (for that’s really the only way to describe him) of a large assortment of lines and angles connected together into one solid many-sided shape—somewhat like a cube that’s had all its corners cut off and then had all...
read morePhoto Stories
Pokévarmints (pdf) The pesky Pokémon infest and take over a Barbie dollhouse, driving out the Barbies who live there. A GI Joe exterminator tries to rid the house of the pocket monsters. I produced this photo story in the year 2000.
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