Ubuntu 11.04 is here!

The long wait is over!  Ubuntu 11.04 is here!

Canonical released the latest Ubuntu version 11.04 April 28, 2011.  Time to move out of Windows 7 Starter Edition.With its new eyecandy look and superior features, it's really the best available operating system.  I consider Windows as an alternative rather than the other way around.

Considering the reason why I bought a laptop is by using it in my own personal way.  Storing my music, pictures, files, movies, surfing the net, writing my blog, chatting with friends, sending email, watching movies, editing pictures, writing my own short stories and essays, playing games and all others.  All of that, Ubuntu can provide.

I do not have to defrag my disk from time to time, I do not have to perform disk cleanup, I do not have to wait as my laptop boots, etc.

No need for that damn driver disk!

To better understand me, you just have to hit this link know more about it and try Ubuntu for yourself without installing it.  Now if you happen to like Ubuntu during your trial, of course you can download it in their download page.

Feel free to leave your comments about your Ubuntu experience.

Free Stuffs Page Now Up!

I have included a page wherein I listed the free and open source programs that I am currently using.  Check it out in the tab above!  Or CLICK HERE!

Moving From Open Office to Libre Office

Just recently in the office, I had to request for a replacement of my desktop PC.  I was surprised when I found out that Microsoft Office application is not anymore installed but instead Open Office.  The nature of my work as a Fixed Asset Accountant requires complex computations using MS Excel.  I need to use the subtotal function frequently for every reports that I'm doing.  So I had to complain about using Open Office rather than MS Office.  But I found out that it is now the company's policy to use Open Office.

So there I was, left out with no choice but to use Open Office.  But to my frustration, I found out that when I use subtotal there are some problems.  So I had to use my personal laptop in the office just to prepare some reports.  I consulted our IT department for my concern but they too cannot find a resolution.

I used to work with Open Office in my desktop PC here at home but when I found out that Oracle took over for the maintenance of it, I decided to move to LibreOffice just last night.

Basically, LibreOffice is the same as OpenOffice as it is being maintained by the same people that used to maintained Open Office.  But I notice some improvements which is for you to find out.

And so I remember the problem I encountered with OpenOffice so I decided to file a bug report which can be found here.  

And I'm happy that my concern was answered by a Novell Representative Kohei Yoshida and told me that the said problems have already been resolved in version 3.4 (current version is 3.3)

Personally, I would recommend using Libre Office as an alternative to MS Office.

You may visit the official website here.

and download your very own copy, size is only more than 200 MB.

No To Mining In Palawan

Palawan here in the Philippines is one of the most beautiful places on Earth even though I don't yet have the chance to visit and stay there personally.  But based on written articles, news and videos I am sure that it is really a haven on Earth.

Recently, I came to know through the local news and campaign materials that ABS-CBN and Bantay Kalikasan that there is an ongoing mining in Palawan.  And there are some negative effects on the beauty of the place and well-being of the indegenious people living there.  That is really is an irresponsible mining.
I wonder why the local government of Palawan is allowing such a destruction to the place that is giving them jobs through their tourism industry.

So I cannot afford to just wait and see what's going to happen, of course I need to be involved in the prevention of that mining activities even in my own very little way.

The movement Say No To Mining in Palawan is currently gathering and aiming for Ten Million (10,000,000) signatures to stop the mining activities in Palawan.  As of writing this blog, there are only 1,005,883  signatures.

I am appealing to my friends and relatives through this blog and through my Facebook account to please take some time to pledge your signature by doing any of the following:

• Visit http://no2mininginpalawan.com/ ; there you will find a form where you can fill-up the needed information and lets your signature be counted.
• Via TEXT MESSAGE if you're in the Philippines:  no2mining (space)name/age/location and send to 2366 (P2.50 PER TEXT)
• Scan and fax the hard copies of your signature FREE (form is available through any JRS Express nationwide branch or in the website mentioned above) to (632) 415-2227

Let's be responsible for our environment and not just look on the short-term benefits of mining but the long-term benefits that the environment is providing to us and to the next generation.

Praise be to Father Jehovah!

iPod Shuffle, Need or Want?

 

I always dreamt having an iPod Shuffle or Nano, but I already have a Philips GoGear Raga mp3player.  This morning, I did some research in the internet.  I wonder if an iPod shuffle will give me the features that I want in an mp3 player:

• Has an FM player
• At least 2GB of memory
• Nice design (doesn’t look like those mp3 players being sold in Quiapo from China)
• Durability, doesn’t quickly suffer from wear and tear
• Long battery life
• Has at least an LCD display so that I can see the menus and the list of songs that is currently installed
• Made by a reputable manufacturer
• Good sound quality
• Plays various formats like mp3, AAC, wma etc.
• Accessories can be found easily at an affordable price in case you have to replace them already

 

Actually, the list above is satisfied by my current mp3 player.

And the result of my internet research for iPod shuffle:

Pros:

• Eye-catching design, you can choose from different colors
• Made by Apple
• Very small in size
• Long battery life, up to 15 hours of song playback
• 2GB memory where you can store hundreds of your favorite songs
• Nice sound, includes 3.5-mm stereo head phones
• Voice-over button, in lieu of a standard display
• Skip-free playback
• Plays various formats, like AAC, protected AAC, MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, AIFF and WAV
• Made from aluminum so it’s rock-solid and durable

CONS:

• Price is almost the same as that of Philips GoGear Raga
• No display, you have to push the voice-over button to know the song title, playlist and battery life
• You cannot listen to FM radio
• No voice recording capacity
• No FM recording capacity

I still go for my current Philips GoGear Raga mp3 player wherein I can listen to mp3s, FM radio, voice recording, I can read the song title, battery information etc on the display.  Also it is made from aluminum with a sleek design.

Therefore, my craving for an iPod shuffle is not a need but just a want.

I AM COMPLACENT...

Lately, while staying inside the house for almost five days now because of cough, I came to think of something and asked my self, "Bakit parang napag-iiwanan na ako ng mga batchmates ko sa school at iba ko pang mga kaibigan?"  But I already know the answer why.  That is only one thing --TIMIDNESS.

When I was a child, I dreamt of working and living in the USA.  Have my own house and lot, my very own business.  I thought that by the age of 21, I can already help my parents with our financial needs.  I am happily working in a stable company with the job that I am happy with (although I can really tell which job will make me really happy...)  And of course a beautiful girl friend.

When I was browsing my Facebook account earlier today, I noticed that most of my high school and college friends and batch mates  have already achieved MY dreams.  They have their photos uploaded with their girl friends, wives and even their cute babies.  They are working in a known company and have travelled in various countries outside the Philippines.  Well, it's not really "INGGIT" but I do really hope that I have achieved those achievements by now.

I remember when I was in college when a professor told me that I should not be shy, I should not hesitate whenever I want to tell or do something because I actually have the potential of being successful in every thing that I may do.  I always find myself in a situation wherein I tell to myself "Yun yun e!"  "Yun nga yung gusto kong sabihin e!"  "Sana pala ako na ang nag-initiate, ako naman ang nakaisip" and things like that.

I always hesitated, not trusting my self.  I was afraid to fail.  I was afraid that what I would do will not prosper and the blame will be on me.  I was being contented on seeing others succeed. I was being to TIMID.  I was lacking the initiative.  If I was a puzzle, I lack the following pieces:

• SELF-CONFIDENCE
• INITIATIVE
• COURAGE
• BEING OPTIMISTIC

and many others...

But I do know that it is never too late to change that.  The first step is this, knowing what is lacking in you and taking actions to address them.

Let me share you the things that we can do to get away from the trap of being complacent:

1. Know the things that is keeping you complacent
2. List them down
3. Think of the things that you might do to address those things
4. Create an action plan that will put the things that you list in number 3 above to action
5. Do the things that you identified in number 4 above
6. Keep track of the things that you are doing and analyze how they are helping in addressing the things that you listed in number 1.
7. Make this list a habit

This is the beginning of my personal blog in which I also identified as one of the things that I can do to address my being complacent.  

I believe that one of these days we can be successful by self-discipline and being pro-active.

Praise be to Father Jehovah!