Mac is not so bad

So today I spent the whole day programming on a Mac-Mini (by Apple) and it turns out that it was not so bad. It was mainly because it was not such a big change from Linux to a Mac. Mac OS X is BSD/Mach based and it comes with many common free (open-source) software tools by default. Here is a short list: bash, grep, curl, vim, x11, and so on. Basically all of my favorite shell tools were readily available. I also found out that the Mac kernel (Darwin) is open-source (well under Apple’s open source license). I also got a chance to browse through some header files and most of the kernel seems to be a close match with the FreeBSD kernel which Apple proudly advertises on their developer website. All in all, Mac showed me what Linux can become and also what FreeBSD can also become. Mac OS X is a combination of many open-source/closed source software and you definitely get the Unix feel when you use it. Now I see why Macs are more stable than windows, because it is built on top of well-tested BSD software. I still love Linux, but I have found a new appreciation for Macs (and BSD systems as well).

Debian vs Ubuntu vs Fedora

Debian = stable, just works, no commercial support, takes years for releases (I use that for my work machine because I don’t want to update every 6 months)

Ubuntu = Less stable than debian, 6 months of testing vs 2-3 years for debian, commercial support (I use that on my laptop because I don’t use it often and I need new drivers)

Fedora = bleeding-edge, newest stuff, not for production, no commercial support ( I use that on my dual-boot home pc, since I don’t really care)

Each have their own purposes, Debian for serious work, Ubuntu for more update yet stable stuff, Fedora for living on the edge. Hope this helps.

I use two blogs

I have been using two blogs for a few months now as most people do. One for serious stuff (I guess) and one for my ramblings. The other blog is at http://ptony82.blogger.com. I am realizing that it’s good to put my ideas somewhere that is easily accessible; hence, the internet is the best place for it. This wordpress blog will be used for deep thought (if I ever get any). On other news, SocialVPN is coming along great, I have been reading more so that I could do some true improvements and more importantly so that I can defend it when the time comes. Live long and prosper.

The Small Programs that mean a lot

Today I came to the realization that I have been using Putty for about 7 years now with no problems. Putty is a lightweight ssh client for Windows. I’ve been using it ever since I started programming in 2002. It works great and it’s standalone. It’s these little open-source programs that usually stay true to the spirit of programming. You sit down, you write some code that you love writing, and you offer it to the world and hope that they come learn from or you learn from it through criticism. Either way, it’s not tainted by ambitions of wealth, just fueled by a desire to help others. That’s what I aspire for, writing code that could help the world and not motivated by foolish dreams of recognition. But as they say, I guess I’m still young and life has not hardened me yet.

Drupal kicks tail

I’ve spent most of my day today playing around with Drupal (www.drupal.org) and it is by far the best content management system that I’ve ever used. Much better than Joomla, it’s kinda of like a Windows vs Linux comparison. Joomla is easier to use at first but more limited, Drupal is a bit confusing at first, but once you understand the basic concepts then the possibilities are limitless. I just wanted to share with the world.