24 Jun

Linux IS NOT Microsoft Windows!Problem #1: Linux isn’t exactly the same as Windows.

You’d be amazed how many people make this complaint. They come to Linux, expecting to find essentially a free, open-source version of Windows. Quite often, this is what they’ve been told to expect by over-zealous Linux users. However, it’s a paradoxical hope.

The specific reasons why people try Linux vary wildly, but the overall reason boils down to one thing: They hope Linux will be better than Windows. Common yardsticks for measuring success are cost, choice, performance, and security. There are many others. But every Windows user who tries Linux, does so because they hope it will be better than what they’ve got.

Therein lies the problem.

It is logically impossible for any thing to be better than any other thing whilst remaining completely identical to it. A perfect copy may be equal, but it can never surpass. So when you gave Linux a try in hopes that it would be better, you were inescapably hoping that it would be different. Too many people ignore this fact, …

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20 Jun

Ubuntu 9.04 :: Tips and Tricks for the new user

Personally being a long fan of Linux, its no surprise that when the newest version of Ubuntu was released I had to see what all the fuss was about. Ubuntu is a robust, powerful and user friendly operating system. It’s loaded with applets, features, awesome themes and run Wizards to all help users enjoy their Linux experience.

But, if you’re making the jump from Windows (especially XP/Vista) then there are going to be a couple of things you should do to make your new Ubuntu experience more user friendly!

Since Ubuntu is open-source there are some licensing legalities that limit out of the box support for the standard audio/video codecs and some other commercial applications.

Like windows not all the applications you want come on one CD, (maybe a DVD but 4.5Gb .iso can be large to distribute for free download); unlike Windows, open source concept is all about freedom of code, you can easily preform some commands to get your Ubuntu all the packages to shine like …

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18 Jun

Ubuntu for all

Opening up my mailbox this morning gave me a nice surprise, my package had arrived from Europe with two disks inside. Ubuntu and Ubuntu Server 9.04!

I always love getting mail, especially free open source software mail!

Thats right, just click the Request an Ubuntu CD link to get your free copy! Or download an .iso image right off the site!

If your a linux fan, or brand new to linux this is the distro for you!

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16 Jun

Web Design Usability Checklist

Myself and fellow web designers alike feel like we keep making the same usability mistakes over and over. This checklist with is a must read for every web designer who cares about the usability of their site and does not want to keep remembering over and over if everything completed.

Some of these you would think go without saying, but even everyday objects require warning labels so never forget the basics! But on the flip side, not everything here is essential to your site and you should know if something does or does not apply to your situation.

Yes, even this blog doesn’t meet all the checklist requirements but thankfully, I didn’t make this blog I just use it.

Some terms that aren’t referenced are linked to the pages with extra information, if I missed some or the link is dead please let me know.

Technical

Did you validate your (X)HTML using W3C Markup Validation Service? Did you validate your CSS using W3C CSS Validation Service? Did you check your website in at least IE, FF, …

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16 Jun

Web Dev Questionnaire

I developed this “Website Development Questionnaire” in 2002. It is old, but it still serves me well, so I thought I would share. I don’t actually add the bold or italic sections below. Those were added here to help you understand the rationale for the questions:

1) Corporate Identity: Corporate Information (for site development):Company Name (Legal)Company Name (Branding)Company Tag Line:Company Phone NumberCompany Fax NumberAddress:Other contact informationBusiness hours of operation (store hours / when phones will be answered, if relevant)

2) Domain Names and Hosting:Main Domain Name:What other domain names do you own?Do you have web hosting? If so, what type (IIS, Apache?)

3) Briefly describe what your company does:

4) Adjectives: Please list 5 (or more) adjectives that you think describe your company or should describe your company in order of relevance / importance

This information is used to get a sense for design, and to help in SEO

5) Competitors: Are there any websites that you would consider your “competition”? Feel free to provide more information on how they are your “competition”, but, at minimum, provide for each competitor, …

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16 Jun

New Layout!

After some searching online I found this nifty design. I think this one will stick for a while. A nice fresh look.

Links for it are all at the bottom of the page.

Hope you like it as much as I do!

-Alexander

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