What is Linux?

Howdy Ya’ll.

I hope by now you all understand that I am way past writing articles like this. This, however, is an exception. I got this email this morning. It’s worth the read.

Names have been changed. Except for mine.

Hi, Paul and <redacted>!

Paul: I hope you don’t mind my having included you on this. If you’re no longer involved in the Ubuntu Beginners Team, just reply and tell both <redacted> and me to go take a long walk off a short pier. <redacted> is a 90 year old, retired bus driver who is married to my cousin. Wait, maybe he isn’t 90 yet, but he’s close.

By the way, <redacted>, you are a “newbie”, and if you decide to dip your toe in the Linux pool, it is a good idea to identify yourself as such so that other people, who are technically advanced and who commonly referred to as “Mr. or Ms. Smartie Pants”, have an idea of how to compose any answers to your questions.

> … my computer took a “sleep” or some other “S” word. Had a worm. Is that the word I want?

A worm or a virus or a MIB (Man In the Browser) or a trojan (not THAT kind, you sick puppy) _ there are all kinds of bad guys out there. Years and years ago, most of this stuff was being done by what we called “script kiddies”. Those were 14-year-old jerks playing on their computers in their parents’ basements. They weren’t really skilled at computer stuff, but they would get these annoying programs from computer bulletin boards and just aim them at other computers just for the fun of it. As I said, they were just jerks. Today, however, it has all changed. The bad guys are highly organized, completely ruthless and very, very skilled with computers, and their aim is to steal all of your money and/or your identity. It is incredibly dangerous out there, believe me. My basic advice, which I don’t follow myself, is never shop on line or do on line banking.

> So I had it worked on and this guy told me about a thing called a Linux. That is not how you spell it, is it?

Yep, it’s called Linux, and it was built by a young Finnish fella (at least he was young at the time) by the name of Linus Torvalds. He made his very own version of a commercial operating system called “UNIX”. So, you get it? LINUX = LINUs +  uniX. Anyway, UNIX was commercial, as I said, but Linus didn’t have money to pay the industrial rates for it, so he made a version himself without ever looking at the computer code that made UNIX, only by re-inventing WHAT UNIX did, not HOW it did it. It would be kind of like some smart kid looking at a Corvette and, not knowing anything at all about HOW a Corvette works engine, brakes, steering, etc. he would build a Corvette that behaved just like the real thing. Some smart cookie, eh? Then the kid could cruise the hamburger stand and pick up chicks, but I digress. Anyway, I should back up and explain what an operating system is, right? Well, you’ve been using one all along by the name of Microsoft Windows, but there are others out there, too.

Apple Computer sells one called Mac OS X, and I already mentioned UNIX. In a nutshell, an operating system is the MOAP (Mother Of All Programs) on your computer. It’s the software that controls the hardware _ hard disk drive, video monitor, internet connection, printer, etc., etc. _ and schedules all the other programs that you run, such as your web browser, word processor, video player, etc., etc. As a side note, those of us who use Linux sometimes call it GNU/Linux, but that’s
another story altogether, and we usually don’t call the Microsoft operating system Microsoft Windows. We call it Micro$oft Windoze. That’s because we believe that Bill Gates, who started Micro$oft, and Steve Ballmer, who is the CEO of Micro$oft, are the spawn of Satan. At least, that is what I have heard.

You’ve already guessed that I use GNU/Linux, right? Now, one of the really great things about GNU/Linux is that it’s free! We make one slight distinction, though, by saying that’s it’s “free as in liberty”, not “free as in free beer”. So, if you wanted to do so, you could modify GNU/Linux however you like and make your own version of GNU/Linux and sell it for money, and some companies do that, because so many big commercial companies, like many on Wall Street, run GNU/Linux but don’t want to spend the time to hire people to take care of it, so they pay a company like RedHat or Novell for their particular version of GNU/Linux so that RedHat or Novell will take care of the operating system for the big company that buys it. The important thing, though, is that there are plenty of versions of GNU/Linux that are absolutely free, as in “free beer”, and my personal favourite and the one that I have been using myself for many years is called Ubuntu. Wait! Let me back up again and explain why there would be multiple versions of GNU/Linux instead of just one, like Micro$oft Windoze. Well, because GNU/Linux is free and because anyone can modify it however they like, different people and companies tweak GNU/Linux so that it is stronger in some areas than in others. So, one version of GNU/Linux, Gentoo, has arranged so that when it gets installed on your computer, it gets optimized for speed for your very own computer gear. Another version is called Debian, and its strength is that, although it doesn’t have the very latest and greatest versions of all of the extra software _ web browser, word processor, video player, etc. _ it is very, very stable, meaning that it almost never crashes. So, howcum I like Ubuntu? Because it is the easiest version that I have ever worked with since 1991 and is the one that I used when I was a systems administrator for the past 22 years at <redacted> University of <redacted> and convinced the entire Department of Earth Sciences to use, too. Yeah, GNU/Linux has been around for nearly twenty years! Here’s where you can take a tour of Ubuntu’s version of GNU/Linux and download an image of it to burn onto a CD or DVD.

http://www.ubuntu.com/

With the CD or DVD, I’m almost certain that you can try it out without actually installing it. If the latest version is like the ones that I’ve used in the past, you can simply insert the CD or DVD into your PC, restart the computer, and the computer will run Ubuntu right from the CD/DVD and let you try it out without actually having to install it on your hard drive. Keep in mind, though, that, since the CD/DVD player on your PC is much, much slower than your PC’s internal hard drive, running Ubuntu GNU/Linux from the CD/DVD drive will take a lot more time to fire up any particular application, such as the web browser. There’s even a local support group for Ubuntu in <redacted>, as I mentioned above, kind of like AA, I guess, except that we Ubuntu addicts have no interest in kicking our habit. Anyway, they seem to have a get together every two weeks.

So, if you can make it there to meet these young whippersnappers, just walk in and say “Hi, I’m <redacted>, and I’m a newbie.”

> He told me that it was the best to run.

I think so, too. It is also the easiest to maintain. Most
importantly, it is fun!

> Nothing can get to it. IS THAT TRUE??????.

Absolutely not! You still have to be careful, but it is very, very secure compared to Micro$oft Windoze. As Glen Zimmerman, a technology expert with the Pentagon’s cyberspace task force, once said, “… the only totally secure computer is one that is switched off, filled with concrete and dropped to the bottom of the Mariana Trench.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariana_Trench).

Lookie: The bad guys are businessmen, and they want to maximize their profits and minimize their efforts. (Ain’t capitalism great?) So, considering that Linux accounts for, very, very roughly, about 0% of the PC operating systems on the planet, why would a bad guy invest all that time in trying to write software to break into GNU/Linux-based computers. Think of it like this: Imagine that there are a bazillion branch banks run by a given company and that those banks don’t lock their doors or their vaults, and imagine that there is one bank that is locked up tighter than a drum in comparison. If you were Willie Sutton (sorry, Paul, you’re too young, so you’ll just have to look that one up) which banks would you go after.

Cheers,
Sender

God speed, Sender and <redacted>! This is the best cold email I have ever gotten in my life. Had me reading, that’s for sure.

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On Ignorance, Hate and Discrimination

Hey all,

I know most of you will skip over the bulk of this, so let me give you the ‘tl;dr’ version up front.

It is unethical, against John Carroll’s mission, and in stark contrast to a number of Catholic documents to foster anti-LGBT feelings, and to resist granting equality to homosexuals in both word and law. As a result, it is our duty, as John Carroll students, to fight for equality. The actions of the “Silent Majority” are nothing more then a sad tact of a hateful minority.

All emphasis is mine.

Another non-technical post, and to all who read my blog for my ramblings on Ubuntu and GNU/Linux, I apologize.

This is a post on the current state of my University, John Carroll University. There is a lot of conflict going on right now, and a lot of struggle from the LGBT community. Although I am not a part of the LGBT community, I feel that it’s my duty to fight for the rights of those who are marginalized. In the true spirit of Ubuntu, humanity to others must be observed.

Campus Discussion

Here are a few excerpts from some on campus discussion.

This all occurred on a facebook group called “Bringing Back JCU”. The creators of this group are Gina Bitonte, Alynn Marie Martin, and Audra Juliana.

I would like to thank them for unintentionally creating such a wholly ( or should I say holy ) supporting community. Turns out the group aimed against the community is moving to aid the community.


I would like to address a couple things. You are attending a Jesuit-Catholic school. GLBT members of the university are not hated. This university has been very open to the GLBT student and professor population. If you would like to join one of those facebook groups that support the GLBT community, please do so. There are several in existence.
-- Christina Martin


I feel that I could not respond to this in a more eloquent way, so I’ll take another excerpt from the group.


"GLBT members of the university are not hated." - Unless you have walked in their shoes or had an honest conversation with anyone in the LGBT community on campus, please don't make such claims that are not true.
-- Molly Gradowski


Molly brings up a great point. There is a lot of hate on the campus, and to dismiss it is wholly ignorant. I have talked with students who have had conflicts on campus. Carroll has a lot of hate, but that is changing. We have had more and more people stop by to say that they love what is going on. The hate on campus is not a silent majority, rather an angry minority.


As a graduating senior, it really saddens me to see this whole situation. Here are my thoughts:
• While I believe having a debate is a fine thing, many of the tactics being used by the LGBTQ protesters cross the line, in particular bad-mouthing JCU in front of tour groups and the stand-ins during Mass.
• This is NOT a group that is promoting hate...everyone, take a chill pill and analyze the situation in a logical, rational fashion.
• Destroying the reputation of JCU is not a good idea...we are all depending partly on John Carroll's reputation for helping us get jobs and/or moving on to grad school.
I thank the founders of this group for giving many of us at JCU the opportunity to speak our thoughts.
-- Jason Miller


Well. This is just full of fun. Let’s stop for a minute. So, passive disobedience is now radical. One person who was not part of the LGBT community said something to a tour guide and prospect, before the community started action. The LGBT community then decided that this type of action is unacceptable, and to be avoided. Has not happened since. I declare that is a cheap shot. Also misinformation.

I would be remiss if I were to not comment on this, however. Since that person was not affiliated with the LGBT community, but held the same ideals, I’ll post this, and therefore affiliate you with it. That’s not fair, now is it?

The group might not say that it is outright against homosexuality, because that would be outright hate. At least they have some tact, and for that, I give them credit. What has been posted is veiled hate speech. I will call it for what it is. Hate speech.

As for destroying the reputation of JCU, I think you are doing that for us. I know I don’t want my alma mater known for fostering hate.


As a Catholic, and a John Carroll Alumna, I ask that anyone who is protesting, please stop protesting at the Masses. The chapel is a place of worship where people come together to celebrate the glories of God. It is a place where we can put aside our differences in views, and celebrate what we do believe in common. That God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit are the MOST important in this universe. It saddens me to hear that students are being so disrespectful during Holy Mass. It hurts me to think that students feel the current issues on campus are so important that they trump respecting God during the celebration of the Mass. If students wish to protest in other ways, you have a right to. I and the other students in this group may not agree with it, but we will not hate you for it. I just ask, please do not protest at the Mass. God loves all of us. Let us show respect during Mass no matter how we feel on the certain issue.
-- Christina Martin


Humm. Let me quote a good friend of mine, and theological scholar.


There was nothing polite in Christ casting the money changers out of the temple, nor in Ezekiel eating bread covered in feces for public view. Is it forgotten that Paul's preaching put him in prison? The Christian imperative is not one of niceties and acquiescence to norms which are cause the suffering of our brothers and sisters. It is not for us to "teach as doctrines human precepts," but to smash the idols of prejudice and presumption which hinder our experience of God.
So we've chosen to employ civil disobedience. It is precisely because of my faith that I sit at basketball games or stand at Mass. Tonight at Mass a man refused to shake my hand because I was as he said part of "that group in the hall." St. Ignatius tells us that we should not prefer happiness to sadness, recognizing the subtle movement of God in each fiber and moment of existence. I accept the hurt I felt tonight in this light.
-- Jeffrey Boudon


Thanks, Jeff! I think that sums that one up. Well put.


This is a group for people against the protests by the LGBTQ, if you do not like this please stop posting, the people here aren't writing all over the walls of your groups, arguing on this. If you have the right to protest, then we have the right to protest againt[sic] you. So saying words like losing respect for people in this group or how wrong we are, you are the ones that are angered at us for protesting, but you are the ones protesting first. So leave the tour groups alone, let people worship in peace during mass, and let the people who pay to watch sporting events, watch them without your disturbance.
-- Nate Budney


Well, Nate. I think the speaks for it’s self. I won’t do this justice by giving it a response. Well done. Also, you are one for two on spelling against. The English department is proud.

Statements from the Catholic Church, and John Carroll

So, what does the Catholic church think about this? What about John Carroll?

Well, let’s do a quick run-down.

The John Carroll University Mission Statement reads as follows.

Vision:
John Carroll University will graduate individuals of intellect and character who lead and serve by engaging the world around them and around the globe.

Mission:
As a Jesuit Catholic university, John Carroll inspires individuals to excel in learning, leadership, and service in the region and in the world.

Core Values:

The university’s core values include a commitment to learning in order to create:

Strategic Initiatives:

The following initiatives are essential to the university being recognized as a center of learning and service:

• Create a diverse community of faculty, staff, alumni and friends dedicated to advancing the university’s vision, mission, and core values.
• Create a learning community of outstanding teacher-scholars characterized by the commitment to student achievement.
• Create a talented cohort of service-oriented staff committed to achieving and being recognized as a center of learning and service.
• Recruit, enroll, retain, and graduate a talented, diverse student body prepared for today’s global reality and committed to learning, leadership and service that will engage the world.
• Secure resources necessary to foster an extraordinary learning experience and promote John Carroll’s mission as a Jesuit Catholic university.
• Assist in responding to demographic, economic, and social challenges in our region in order to support investment and employment opportunities and build confidence in our shared future.

Well. Shucks. Now not only this “counter movement” one of poor taste, but distinctly in contrast with the core values, and mission statement of John Carroll. It seems as though John Carroll is not the problem.

Perhaps the issue is not John Carroll, but the Church. That seems to be a common article. Let us look to the Catechism.

And I quote section 2358 of the Catechism:

The number of men and woman who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

Well. Shucks. Now it’s not only against University policy, but Catholic law. So, taking this stance against the LGBT is not only wholly ignorant, but against the University’s teachings, Catholic Law, and common decency. Wow. Not too much more room for religious debate. Wait! What is that? The Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons? I think so! Do go on!

Point 10 of the Letter

It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church's pastors wherever it occurs. It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society. The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law.
But the proper reaction to crimes committed against homosexual persons should not be to claim that the homosexual conditioned is not disordered. When such a claim is made and when the homosexual activity is consequently condoned or when civil legislation is introduced to protect behavior to which no one has any conceivable right, neither the Church nor society at large should be surprised when other distorted notions and practices gain ground and irrational and violent reactions increase.

Well. That about sums it up. That’s three for three. There is no religious, moral, or sensible reason to discriminate against homosexuals. The Church agrees. The School agrees. Don’t hide behind some poorly written veil of being a Christian. Accept that what you are saying is not only hurtful to the LGBT community, but to the Catholic Church, and your reputation as an upstanding person.

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Loki

Hey all. Got board, and figured I’d throw this up. Just got done getting my machine set up nice.

Photo after the break

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LGBT

Hey All.

So, some of you might be curious as to where I have been for the last week or so. I’ve been unusually absent from the usual day-to-day on Ubuntu work, so I figure that I’d put a post up to explain this a bit.

I am, as most of you know, a student at a Jesuit university in Ohio, John Carroll ( JCU ). There is currently a bit of noise about the LGBTQ ( Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Questioning ) community, and their rights.

The long and short of it is that the Administration of John Carroll decided on creating an “agreement” to dictate conduct, rather then a legally binding statement to protect the LGBTQ community. I have been involved with this a good deal, and it would mean a lot if you were to post your opinions here, or send an email to my University in support of creating a legally binding clause protecting LGBTQ members of the University. Any opinions you would like to share can be directed to the President of JCU, Father Niehoff, S.J.. Father Niehoff is supportive of this change, so if you are to send an email, please be respectful.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please consider helping us bring equity to Ohio, and John Carroll University.

*Edit*

Rbt Y-Lee was nice enough to share this link here. I figured someone else might find this as interesting as I did. Thanks Rbt!!

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