Techbits Last Post

I have decided to close Techbits blog. Last week Blogger decided my Windows blog was somehow a spam blog. They have it shut down at this time. It certainly did not meet that criteria but Blogger's only recourse is to click a link to restore. Then you are met with a message saying that someone will look into determining if the blog truly is a spam blog or not.

Well that was five days ago and nothing has changed. I was really shocked to learn this but it has taught me an important lesson. I cannot allow someone else to control the destiny of my blogs. I was not given any warning and while that may indeed be in the Terms of Service, I felt it should have been a professional courtesy. I must admit to never backing up the blog. I laid my trust in Goggle and Blogger to always be there with my data. Now it is inaccessible, lost forever.

I have decided to host my own blog thus leaving Blogger behind. The topic will be Linux and general tech news. The site is up and running but it will be a short while before regular posts start to appear. Please feel free to drop in and bookmark the site. Don't forget to sign up for the feed.

I want to thank the readers for supporting this blog and I look forward to many good things to come from the new blog, The Pensive Penguin. Good-bye for now, Jraz

Ubuntu Introduces Maverick Meerkat

Mark Shuttleworth introduced the next Ubuntu code name to follow Lucid Lynx on Friday of last week. It will be known as Maverick Meerkat. He stated that the mission to have free software on all shipping pc's is a Maverick idea and the since we are social as are the Meerkats, that more connectivity to our social world will be included in this release. He also talked about the new design track and server cloud track to be more fully revealed in Belgium this May during the Ubuntu Developer's Summit. I really enjoyed reading his analagies on the Meerkats and how he plans to introduce those qualities in Ubuntu and the community. I have to agree that bringing the social media together on the desktop will be an encouraging event. Just how they implement these changes will be on the top of everyone's must see list when the first public releases start showing up. Hold onto your hats this is going to be a fast and fun filled ride.

Ubuntu Unleashed 2010 Edition: Covering 9.10 and 10.4 (5th Edition)

Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Fourth Edition

Googles Newest Advertising Methods Invade Privacy

I am all for Internet advertising. After all it is what keeps the content free and flowing on the Interent. Without advertising revenue many sites would go belly up. Over the years I have seen many sites disappear from the lack of funding. I have seen others that started as free start to charge a fee for the same services. Some of those sites are still around and others are not. If we dislike the ads so much we need to support our favorite sites in some other manner. But when it comes to privacy, I am for the advertisers being a bit more transparent. Google certainly has a Privacy page complete with policies but have any of us ever read it? I admit to not having read it but now I am  thinking I really need to do just that. This article on Gizmodo made me realize just how far Google is willing to go and how far am I willing to allow it. I have advertising on this blog because I hope to make enough to buy a cup of coffee someday. I admit I would like to earn some revenue but I also realize I need to provide content people enjoy. I don't however want my ads following the user everywhere they go. If they click on them to support this site that's fine but it should end there. After all the next site you are on needs their revenue too. Google shouldn't be getting the entire pie now should they? They do have an opt out page but remember it must be done on all machines and in each browser you use for the computer. Please remember one thing, ads do drive the Interent and keep the content free. This is the very reason I do not use the no script plugins in my browser that are so popular. Yes I take a bit more risk from the bad ads and sites but at least I am giving the site a page hit at the very least (some may produce revenue in this manner). It is a choice everyone needs to make on their own whether to opt out, not display or support the sites they like to frequent. Google has done much in helping content providers earn revenue but I think they can be more proactive in letting this information be a bit more visible.

Privacy and the Internet Your Expectations and Rights Under the Law (Oceana's Legal Almanac Series Law for the Layperson)

Design A T-Shirt Logo Contest

This is a contest I can get behind and support. The Linux.Com Store will be featuring the best design from the contest in its apparel. You only have until April 11th to get your design submitted. Five lucky people will have their design chosen to be displayed on Linux.com. These five will be the ones open for the community vote through June 6th 2010. The winner will also get a trip to LinuxCon in Boston with the Linux.com folks. The store not only has cool Linux stuff to purchase but the proceeds help support the Linux Foundation. Good luck to those submitting designs and for the rest of us let's support the OS we all love and use.

Embedded Linux System Design and Development