a clean break
If you remember the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie Running Man then you can relate to my torrent relationship with both linux and windoze (just for the record, I remember reading the short story the movie was based on long before it came out; they could have done a much better job with it). The scene from that movie that I am specifically refering to is where our champion of all that is righteous, finds our governor...er uh, hero near an invisible fenceline. inmates were wearing the latest fashion of electronic shock collars that should the individual go past a certain point in the fenceline a powerful and overwelming 'headache' would occur to say the least (suddenly, 'don't lose your head' takes on a literal meaning in this case). This has been how my migration to linux has been....like an inmate's desperate attempt to escape. I doubt anyone from stalag 13 had as much difficulty as I have.
As much as I have come to love linux, there are, unfortuanately, some pieces of software that I cannot do without as they are necessary for my job. The most important (shock collar) of which is Point from Calyx. There is another piece of relatively unknown software that my company uses that I would like to use but that is more of a convience factor. I found that Point requires .NET and as of now it is not supported in linux...yet. so while I have migrated completely over to linux at home (minus one ibook for obvious reasons), I have to put up with ALL of the usual pains that I would equate to Chinese water torture...you know it's coming but you just can't stop it. I have read somewhere of an individual who successfully managed to run Point in linux but I can't for the life of me find that article.
I have played hot potato with the idea of VMware for this purpose. Functionaly speaking this would work, but there is something to be said for running software natively. I don't even care much for wine. Although, in the case of wine I find that more often than not I am forced to use an old version of winex3. The idea of a virtual machine of windows is just archaic. You wouldn't enter a new Mercedes-Benz into a crash derby. However, if you would consider such an act then let me help you take that 'aweful' car off of your hands and pm me.
On the other side of the frying pan there are some sunnyside up eggs in the form of me using a live cd at work whenever possible. This is always met by co-workers with the same quizical look and the next words uttered out of there mouth is as invariable as the fact that M$ code will never be opened to the public. *Sigh* I enjoy explaining the alternative to them though. Even if they almost always say they have never even heard of linux. I feel sorry for the critters being led to the slaghter without a clue (anyone got a taste for bacon?). When all is said and done though, I don't have the million and one problems that others have while using a live cd. Although, I am still trying different distros out for the task. I am going to try Kanotix here today (yes, a broker who works on the weekend!) My goal is that in ten years I want to say 'Bill who?'
All in all I am quite happy with my choice to move away from windoze (sp? :P). I can still remember my very first experience with linux. It consisted of me and a new installed slackware box, my cell phone, my buddy two states over, and a heated conversation that can be summed up best with one snipit: "WHAT THE HELL IS A 'TAR' COMMAND!?!?!?" Ah, the memories are golden, aren't they?
P.S. If anyone knows of a mirror where i can find linuxq3apoint-1.32b-3.x86.run for Quake 3 I would appreciate it. The idsoftware ftp site is acting up. What? You never saw a broker who knew how to have fun? That's all for now. Viva la Resistor!..or whatever.
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