TUX sweater knitting pattern - now available online!

Today I learned how to create a folder, call it "My Docs" and open a file in it. Whew, nothing like W*nd*ws.
Also had a look at something called Gnome Meeting. Foxed I am.
I believe that Linux is the operating system of the future, and I'm going to persevere. It seems that this system is free, but you have to pay for backup if you need it. Will I need backup? It's like walking in a jungle right now, but I've never met anything I couldn't beat before.

I suppose I ought to say something about why I want to learn Linux.
From the very first time we had a Windows-loaded computer I disliked it. We had upgraded from an Amstrad which had a wonderful word-processing programme called Locoscript. Well, I mean, that was really good, it spoke English and was easy to manipulate, and you could do anything you wanted, except change the font. By contrast Windows spoke a strange language, based on American English, but really strange and unfriendly. I never did find my way into all of its dark corners, because it made me lose heart....

Windows was not only awkward to understand, but it was also really rude and intrusive. How dare it attempt to check my perfectly correct spelling and grammar? And it tried to tell me that I ought not to read this or that unsafe attachment. Worse than that, it kept crashing, and felt I was walking on a tightrope every time I used it.
But the really big thing, I mean mega annoying, is the MONOPOLY. To me it is obscene that one company or person should believe it has a right to control the only operating system for all the computers in the world, and is actively competing unfairly in the market.

So I read the story of Linus and Unix and all that, explored and found the different Linux sites, and now I have taken the plunge. Linux is free from many developers, and I believe in freedom of the Internet, too - just visit Project Gutenberg and see all the C M Yonge books I published online for the free benefit of mankind.
So I go onwards and upwards with enthusiasm. More to come soon....

To continue the story of trying to install WordBiz, the ISC Scrabble programme...
In Ubuntu there is something called Synaptic Package Manager. There are thousands of possible Linux programmes in this package and you just have to pick the one you want to install, then the package manager does it for you. Very good. But you can't just download a programme and expect it to extract itself and install itself like in Windows. And if it's not already in Synaptic, then I have to find someone to write a programme to play Scrabble in Ubuntu. This is where we come to the word Wiki. 

A short dictionary definition of Wiki is: "A website or similar online resource which allows users to add and edit content collectively." There is a Wiki for people to suggest new programmes to write, so I'm going to do that. If it works, I'll add the url to this page. More to come soon.

So what have I been learning about Linux?

1. It's nothing like Windoze. Linux is quite compact, and fast, and you don't have to download bits of programs in different places on your hard disc, just in case you might need them one day. Linux has access to vast libraries on the web, and can download them and apply them "just like that!" (Tommy Trinder)

2. The Synaptic Package Manager is good. It contains access to thousands of programs you might need, but you don't have to carry them all on your hard disc.

3. I found out where the Terminal is yesterday. It's at Applications>Accessories. If you want to type anything into the Terminal window you can "just like DOS" (not Tommy Trinder). And you can cut and paste things into the Terminal - you don't even have to think, someone somewhere has already worked out the right words and syntax.

4. The Ubuntu forums are good. People very friendly to beginners. All the advice you get there is free.

More about the os to follow...

Meanwhile, how am I getting on with the Tux sweaters? I know there are millions of people out there just hanging on to the hope that I will produce a pattern.
I have knitted Tux several times using different techniques: 3-colour Jaquard with various ribber needles in or out of working postion, Intarsia, and I'm thinking of trying 2-colour fair-isle with swiss-darned yellow bits; none of these yet 100% satisfactory, I mean you have to wait until its perfect before I release it to the waiting world.

I'm hoping to go to a Hants LUG this month. The meeting is in Southampton. I would like to have a Tux sweater to wear, even if it's not very good, so I'd better get back to work. Tomorrow.

I'm enjoying reading all the questions and answers in the forums, funny and informative.

By chance I found myself in Mark Shuttleworth's blog pages this week. He wrote some serious stuff about Java, and it has helped me to understand why I have had such trouble trying to download it. Seems Java is not free softwear, so Ubuntu won't include it in the Synaptic Package Manager (the latest edition). If Java was freely available I could download the Internet Scrabble Club's programme and play Scrabble on this computer, rather than having to go back to windoze. M Shuttleworth is trying to put pressure on Sun (the owners of Java) to make it free. More power to his elbow. A tad of prayer from Scrabble-playing Ubuntu-using believers could help, too.

My little great-nephew, Benji, needs a cheap Ubuntu-loaded computer, in good working order with monitor, keyboard and mouse. Any offers? I am willing to pay a small fee (see above), and to pick up within 200 miles of Hampshire.

I need some more jokes, folks!!!

So I went to the Hampshire Linux User Group a week ago last Saturday. I met Martin, an experienced Ubuntu user, and he showed me how to create a new repository and download Realplayer and install it. I can now listen to Radio 3 online.

Martin has a great website at www.flexion.org. There is a link button top left.

Martin also burned me a disc for Dapper Drake, Ubuntu 6, and I was able to install the new program. Good, too, very similar to Breezy.

I'm not sure about some of the advice given in Ubuntu forums. I followed what I thought looked like a good tip, and succeeded in wiping out the contents of my Synaptic Package Manager. I had to reinstall Dapper again. Working fine now.

Been working on the Tux sweater pattern. Going to test-knit this week, I hope.

Problems installing Macromedia Flash Player. I need some help. I'll try asking in the forums, and try to find someone who has done it.

I'm finding Ubuntu easier to use now. I can use it for most things. I have Evolution email set up, and use it for sending emails, but I still have to use the windows computer for collecting, as we don't want our email split between two computers.

The most unfortunate thing is that my Designaknit CAD program only runs on windows. My knitting machine is connected to my laptop, and I'm going to have to keep that. We have three computers, their names are Linux, Windows and Laptop. Boring huh?
I remember two filing cabinets in a workplace not far from here, their names were Pixie and Dixie. It would be nice to have names like that.

I have test-knitted the Ubuntu logo, and it looks nice. Now I want to get the colours right, chocolate background and some nice orange, yellow and cream yarns for the motif. I would like to get a sweater knitted for the next Hants LUG meeting.

Firefox on Linux is so easy and comfortable. I much prefer it, although it was frustrating at first. You have to concentrate on what it can do rather than try to make it similar to windows. Ubuntu is so quick and easy. I received 5 Dapper Drake update cds from Canonical a few days ago. I'm wondering who to give them to. I would like my little nephew to have one to go on the Internet safely and cheaply - working towards that.

I have now test-knitted 5 different knitting methods for TUX sweaters. Some look better than others. I hope to get the whole lot knitted up into sweaters in the next couple of weeks, then take them to Hants LUG and see if people like them. I have to start work on the online patterns soon, too.

There are some things that just must be done with Windows, alas. My CAD knitting program will only run on Windows, and I don't think any other programmers are even thinking about investing their time and money in patterns for domestic knitting machines.

People in the Ubuntu forums are very nice, helpful and friendly. It's like a family.

I haven't written in this blog for over a month. That's because I'm busy using my Ubuntu Linux OS without thinking about it. (I missed the Hants LUG meeting again, forgot about that too.) My daughter has complimented me on how well I'm able to use Linux, but it's really just down to how easy to use Ubuntu is. I can do most things now, except for those tasks where there isn't a Linux program. So I'll only be writing on this page now when there is something new and exciting to say.

Tux sweaters are online now

I visited Surrey LUG today, not too difficult to find, right below Guildford Cathedral.

I was very blessed by the help Dominic and David gave me. I had downloaded all the bits for Scrabble and installed them, but I couldn't work out how to use it. It was so easy (just point and click!!) that I am ashamed. Now I can play Scrabble to my heart's content.

I've got St Pixel's Internet Church working. Easy-peasy, just a Java install to do. I am very grateful to the Webmasters and tech people who have down such a lot of work to have this functioning. God bless them!

I am getting quite evangelical about Linux. I've got my hubby using it now, and my stepfather, and my sister is interested and willing to have a go.

For my next trick I would like to get my eBookwise reading device set up in Linux. I have installed Wine, and downloaded the usb program, but I need help with getting it all together - I will be going back to Surrey LUG next month for more help. These boys are SO good!