Post Ubuntu 10.04 instructions
http://blog.thesilentnumber.me/2010/04/ubuntu-1004-post-install-guide-what-to.html
This is a fantastic guide to a lot of the common things people need/should do after installing Ubuntu 10.04! Simple instructions and lots of picture!
Ubuntu 10.04 LTS released!
I am a huge fan of Ubuntu! I'm a big fan of linux and OSS in general, but Ubuntu is linux done right. It is a clean, well-made, easy to use distribution. This release is particularly important because it is a Long Term Support release. These releases come every two years and are good for three years of updates and support from the Ubuntu developers. See, Ubuntu has a six month release cycle. Every six months, you get a new Ubuntu release! Usually enough aesthetics are updated and tweaked to make it feel like a whole new OS, but the underlying changes usually revolve around kernel updates and program updates.
Free software thrives on a constant flow of updates and fixes. Usually these fixes improve the program, but sometimes they break things, and sometimes they really break things. When you get a typical six month release of Ubuntu, you're getting software that's been tested, but may still be a little unstable in some far-out conditions. The appeal of the LTS release is that it is software that's been vetted for stability over the last two years, and will continue to be supported for the next two years.
If getting a new OS every six months is a little overwhelming, than the LTS release is the perfect option! It's not the bleeding edge, so you're not going to get burned by buggy software, and it's particularly tested for stability. I'm a mad man and I love installing a new version of Ubuntu from scratch every six months, but what I suffer through in buggy software (which is rarely buggy at all) pays off when the new LTS is released and everyone gets to reap the benefits of well-tested software.
If you're thinking about getting into linux, now is the perfect time. Installation could not be simpler, and this version even has a full blown manual.
Finished
I'm kind of done with numbering the games I finish and writing up shitty little reviews. I've most recently finished Batman: Arkham Asylum and The Darkness, and there's been plenty said about both of them. I guess if I feel I have something significant to contribute I'll write something proper, otherwise you can listen to yammer on about crap on Facebook.
Census
Today a census dude showed up at my apartment. This is strange because my roommates and I all filled out our census and I put it in the mail myself, but apparently no one else in our building did because this guy was tasked with canvassing the whole building.
Brad answered the door so he got to go first. The guy was asking him the basic questions, and then he asked Brad what race he was. Brad kind of gave him an incredulous look and said "white", which is quite obvious if you look at him, but I know he has to ask this question every single time because he doesn't actually know Brad and he could have answered in any number of ways.
So he gets to me and asks me my race and I answer "human". He kind of chuckled and said he had to write it down because that's what I answered. I didn't make any effort to correct my answer.
I almost felt guilty for giving this guy an answer he clearly wasn't looking for, but I think in the grand scheme of things I'd rather be marked down as "human" than "white".
Okay seriously
I think someone has given out my Google Voice number. Last week I got missed three phone calls from three unknown numbers within the span of six hours. One of them I can trace back to a gas station in New Berlin, I don't know where the rest came from.
My dad called me a couple days ago and says he's been getting a couple of phone calls from people asking for me. My dad lives in Florida. I have his number on my phone, and I haven't given it out to anyone. We're both boggled as to how anyone can make the connection between us as I haven't seen him in more than two years and we typically only communicate through email.
Just 20 minutes ago, I got this voicemail in my Google Voice mailbox. I missed the call because my phone was on silent. I can't even tell what the person on the other end is saying except for the bit at the end.
So if anyone knows anything about this, please let me know!
Things I’ve been obsessing over
F.E.A.R. 2
I can't deny it; I love F.E.A.R. 2. I don't even understand why I love it so much. The F.E.A.R. games just feel so right to me. This is one of my favorite sections; where you get to stomp around in enormous power armor, with unlimited ammo, turning replica and Armacham soldiers into red mist. The effects when you're in this power armor are fantastic, between the sounds of the chainguns firing and how the whole hud behaves like you're inside a machine looking at a display screen. It distorts and corrupts as you take damage and it's awesome.
I saw this episode on Adult Swim two weeks ago and it motivated me to watch the rest of the series. I've made it through the first season, Bollo was my favorite episode. This song, however, is amazing.
3. Mindless Self Indulgence If
My friend Ed is really into Mindless Self Indulgence, and I never really got it. I've listened to Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy before and was seriously unimpressed. At his birthday party he was trying to play If but the files were corrupted. Afterwards I thought I'd give them another shot. It took at least two playthroughs to really enjoy it, but If is fantastic. It's definitely not for everyone but it's a huge improvement over Frankenstein Girls.
4. Demetri Martin "Break-up Lines"
Demetri Martin is a funny guy and this is a recent favorite of mine. I have a special place in my heart for the last line.
This goes along with my F.E.A.R. 2 obsession. Monolith made a few funny videos to go along with their DLC releases, and this is my clear favorite.
6. AV Club: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists cover Tear for Fears "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"
Ted Leo is basically awesome and this is a fantastic song, so this is a fantastically awesome cover!