Just dang happy with Kubuntu and linux in general...

[oshunluvr]

I just was thinking about how much pleasure I actually get from using my computer with Linux/Kubuntu.

It's not just because I hated MS:I came to linux long before Windows ME.
It's not because I'm too cheap or broke or pay for an OS: I paid for my first distro (Mandrake) and upgraded for a fee twice and paid for OS/2 Warp before that.

It's because with linux, I can do almost anything with my computer that I can dream up.

In only the last couple of weeks I have succeeded in doing these things:

Booting to multiple installs on the same partition.
Removed and replaced a drive without losing any data and doing it while I was still using the data in question.
Creating a workable easily update-able GRUB configuration for multiple installs.
Creating a functional work-around to easily boot USB thumb drives even though my BIOS makes it very cumbersome.
Wrote a service menu that downloads videos from youtube or lets me just record the audio - with only a couple mouse clicks.
Changed how new users are created when entered into my system; including custom mounts, file storage locations, and various levels of access.

Fine tuned a couple of filesystems to get every last bit of performance out of them.

In the past I have created (and destroyed) huge RAID arrays, built a multi-function server, automated backup functions, and the list goes on.

The thing is; I'm not really all that much of an expert. I'm just aware of how much is actually achievable and whenever one of those ideas pops into my head (Hey, I wonder if it would be possible to <FILLINBLANK> ?), the answer is almost always YES. I just dig and learn until I figure it out or until I find someone else who has - and put it on line! Could I have done all of the above with Windows? Maybe. Surely some of it, but not all - at least not unless I was willing to buy the commercial developers packages and go to school for a couple of years.

What's the point of all this? Nothing really - just expressing my thoughts. Maybe if you're new to linux you'll read the above and think you too could do all these things or even more - You Can! But do me and others like me a favor - Post it on the internet!

Thanks for your time.

[SteveRiley]

Could I have done all of the above with Windows?

Let us address each of these. I can't wait!

Booting to multiple installs on the same partition.

C: (which, by the way, once upon a time required expensive medical equipment to "see colon") serves one and only purpose: to boot the one and only True Operating System. Therefore, the requested functionality is prohibited.

Removed and replaced a drive without losing any data and doing it while I was still using the data in question.

Upgrading or changing the hardware in an installed system runs the risk of providing increased but unfunded performance gains. A secondary risk is that the replaced hard drive might have been transferred to another owner without the required repurchase of a license. Therefore, the requested functionality is prohibited.

Creating a workable easily update-able GRUB configuration for multiple installs.

Grubs, or other kinds of worms, or any kind of malware no longer challenge or cripple the one True Operating System. Therefore, the requested functionality is prohibited.

Creating a functional work-around to easily boot USB thumb drives even though my BIOS makes it very cumbersome.

Booting from alternate media is not a requirement that becomes evident in studies of targeted use cases. Portable boot media circumvents licensing and validation sequences necessary for your and our protection. Therefore, the requested functionality is prohibited.

Wrote a service menu that downloads videos from youtube or lets me just record the audio - with only a couple mouse clicks.

A common method of attack is to hijack popular and lucrative domain names for nefarious purposes. Access to services running in these domains must be tightly controlled through authorized applications only. Therefore, the requested functionality is prohibited.

Changed how new users are created when entered into my system; including custom mounts, file storage locations, and various levels of access.

Such functionality is not required as a base feature of the one True Operating System, according to extensive user persona research. Hooks will be provided for rich third-party ecosystem extensibility. Therefore, the requested functionality is prohibited.

Fine tuned a couple of filesystems to get every last bit of performance out of them.

Because of budget and resource constraints, this work will be delayed until the next version. Therefore, the requested functionality is prohibited.

In the past I have created (and destroyed) huge RAID arrays, built a multi-function server, automated backup functions,

Your actions have been noted, logged, and reported. Do not be alarmed: the appointed authorities will arrive shortly. Thus, the offending administrator will be eliminated.

[dibl]

LMFAO -- Good on ya, Steve!

[oshunluvr]

ROFL, Took me a couple lines before I realized he was joking!


Next, I may have to create my own distro. Hmm, I think I'll call it TOTOS

TOTOS: The One True Operating System


I like it! Knowing Steve, it's probably already copyrighted...

[SteveRiley]

ROFL, Took me a couple lines before I realized he was joking!

For what possible reason do you believe that I'm anything less than completely serious?

[Snowhog]

For what possible reason do you believe that I'm anything less than completely serious?

Your KFN Title, maybe? :eek:

[MoonRise]

ROFL.... I need that laugh! Thanks, Steve!

[Jonas]

@Steve - rofl brilliant!

Oshunluvr - you've gone from super user to super hacker! Have you posted that youtube script on kde-apps? One thing that always amaze the win/OSx users is the possibility to download clips from youtube, many live with the notion in the lines of what Steve said and often reply with "is that legal?!", I usually reply "with Linux- yes"

b.r

Jonas

[oshunluvr]

I'm not sure of the legal aspects of the youtube thing so I decided it best to keep it as "personal use only." I suppose it would fall under the same category as torrents or other file sharing software that as long as there is a legitimate use for it I can't be sued if someone uses it to break the law.

I got the idea to do it because my daughter (9 yrs old) uses her tablet to make and watch videos - mostly about the application of makeup (groan) and making things out of duct (or "duck" in her world) tape. I was using a terminal window to download the videos youtube-dl with cut-and-paste url's then in some cases (like music) running avconv to get only audio. I cut it down to copying the url and then right clicking in a dolphin window and selecting video or audio and then the format. I'm still having trouble with target directory control but before I solved it I found a chrome extension (that violates the youtube/google user agreement so you have to download and install it manually) that really simplifies the downloading of the videos. I already have a servicemenu that converts audio files so it was a simple matter to add the video formats to it.

[Jonas]

I'm not sure of the legal aspects of the youtube thing so I decided it best to keep it as "personal use only." I suppose it would fall under the same category as torrents or other file sharing software that as long as there is a legitimate use for it I can't be sued if someone uses it to break the law.

Fair enough, I understand your standpoint in this.

I'm still having trouble with target directory control but before I solved it I found a chrome extension (that violates the youtube/google user agreement so you have to download and install it manually) that really simplifies the downloading of the videos.

hmmm .. I've not signed such a EULA(?) The fact that google haven't signed my EULA about not having advertisement on the videos I want to watch, so I have effectively removed those with adblock. And if they wish to stop me from circumvent that dreadful flash then I guess it's up to them to make it impossible. I don't see any piracy here tbh. Downloadhelper for firefox make it work rather ok, but it would be neat just to have it thru dolphin

b.r

Jonas

ps; 99% of what I DL from youtube is blender and GIMP tutorials - if those who made the tutorials would have all of the ad revenue then I would reconsider blocking it for their benefit.
ps2; the 1% are videos about makeup lol j/k

[SteveRiley]

hmmm .. I've not signed such a EULA(?)

Doesn't matter:

* Clickwrap
* Contract of adhesion

[SteveRiley]

my daughter (9 yrs old) uses her tablet to make and watch videos - mostly about ... making things out of duct (or "duck" in her world) tape

Duct/k tape prowess is a vitally important skill for all tweens. My son has manufacturered wallets, phone holders, a backpack, a slingshot, and a small wall out of the stuff.

[oshunluvr]

A WALL! Wow, that's a lot of duck!

Twice now my daughter has set up a stand on our street and sold bows, wallets (mens and womens) and decorated dog collars. She's made almost $40!

[Jonas]

Doesn't matter:

* Clickwrap
* Contract of adhesion

Sorry Oshunlovr going slightly off topic here ...

I don't see how those apply to me on youtube. Clickwrap doesn't apply to youtube as there's no agreement to accept. Browsewrap could be applied but I can't find any licence or legal text on the youtube site that deny me to download videos. The only one I can find is about to upload copyright content (as a logged in user - where a agreement is made by user <--> google).

Second those agreements above, I have very hard to see that those would override consumer laws in here in Sweden. Such a "cloaked" licence agreement is unheard of, and my IP address could not be considered as my personal identity.

They could ban me though, but only if I upload CR material.

.. to get in line with the topic

"Just dang happy with Kubuntu and Linux in general .." I know that feeling, just having it right now - OneLine posted a new Qt media player( QMPlay2 ). I wouldn't disagree with anyone who said that there are gazillions of media players for Linux already and a new one would be wasted effort - but this is what I've been waiting for - just brilliantly constructed, super modifiable and seem to just do it all - guess what - It got youtube streaming integrated :cool:

It's so cool to see linux hackers take their ideas and process it to a great app or script ... and years later you see it on OSX/Win, as a "new stunning feature!"

b.r

Jonas

[whatthefunk]

Ive got the king of all duct tape stories.

When I was younger, my boy scout troop took a trip up to the Boundry Waters in Ontario to do a two week backpacking/canoeing trip. One of the dads rode an old motorcycle with his son and all their gear in a side car. It was a bit more weight than the back tire could handle and so about half way back, in the middle of nowhere in the Dakotoas somewhere, he had to call it quits becase the belts were showing through the rubber. So we took a couple rolls of duct tape and wrapped up the back tire as best as we could. he made it 300 miles on the tapped up tire to a city where he could get a new tire. Duct tape: amazing stuff.