The move is on

I thought that my move to Linux (specifically, Ubuntu) would be put on hold for a while because the computer my dad and I were using really couldn't handle it. But then, on Wednesday night, my dad told me that he was actually installing the OS on his computer. I didn't think he would ever consider it because he's wary of dual-booting, but it's not a dual-boot setup at all, it turns out. He's simply making use of this radio-button-type thing that switches between hard drives to boot from.

Unlike on the other computer, the whole thing went without a hitch, and desktop Linux has finally come to this desktop. I've been moving some stuff from my Windows machine over to this computer, starting with my program settings. The fact that I've used such open-source apps as Firefox, Thunderbird, and Gaim on Windows makes the switch to Linux that much easier. Plus, the way these programs store user preferences and data really simplifies the switch from one operating system to the other. I copied my profile folders for all three programs to their respective locations on my new Linux setup with hardly any difficulty. (The biggest issue was with Gaim, which didn't allow me to transport the plugins I had downloaded for it. Surprisingly, the least hassle was with Firefox and my 30+ extensions for it.) Next: moving my actual files. That shouldn't be hard either, but the implications are great.

I guess now I'll have to try it for a while and do a little write-up. After all, if I'm going to use Linux when I'm out in the world by myself, I'll need to get used to it first. The learning curve doesn't seem that bad, actually, so that's a pleasant surprise. For the most part, it's pretty easy, and I'm looking forward to learning more and making it my own.

Wednesday was Valentine's Day, but I didn't feel all that bad. In fact, I was really happy, and I have no idea why. I guess it's a coping mechanism.

Here's an interesting article about a pair of TV signal hijackings that occurred in Chicago one night in 1987. The mysterious perpetrator was never found, and no such incidents have taken place in the US since.

Here's a lengthy article on why Europeans are getting taller and Americans aren't.