Vimperator

FireFox is a great browser. I've been using it as my primary browser for years but recently I have strayed a little. I installed Chrome on my laptop at work and I have used Arora and Rekonq at home. I haven't installed Chrome on my home computer simply because the 64-bit builds have been lagging behind the 32-bit builds and I don't have any 32-bit systems at home right now. I will once I get done rebuilding a couple of laptops that I have laying around but that's a project for another post. Yet, while I think all of these other browsers have their own unique advantages, I continue to use FireFox as my main browser -- Why?

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Quick Detour

Interestingly, all of these "other" browsers are Webkit based browsers. While none of these browsers are ready to be my primary browser, I have been impressed by each of them. Arora and Rekonq look nice on my KDE desktops (work, home, everywhere). While I don't get hung-up on the need to use only QT/KDE apps, I do think it's nice for a program to integrate itself well with the broader desktop. Open-desktop technologies have made this better than it was in years past, but we've got a long ways to do before the experience is everything I want to see. Let's face it. Desktop integration is nice and is increasingly important as both KDE and Gnome really move forward on integrating their various applications. Rekonq integrates itself with Konqueror's bookmarks which is extra nice.

Google's pet-browser, Chrome shows real promise but is a little wonky. It's stable but the desktop integration is not up-to-par. For some reason it refuses to accept my chosen GTK theme. This is true even when I tell it to use my GTK theme. I have nothing against GTK (as long as I don't have to program against it) but I do want my GTK apps to use the same GTK theme. Chrome also refuses to use my KDE icons, which is probably directly connected to my earlier problem. In contrast, other GTK apps like GVim are quite happy to use the correct GTK theme and icon-set. Chrome is the only GTK app that behaves this way. The Linux desktop established open-desktop standards for a reason. Chrome should use them too. But, thematic concerns aside, the browser works well and it is fast. (Chrome is much faster than either Arora or Rekonq from this end-user's informal, experienced based testing)

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Now that we've completed our little detour, we come back to the original point I want to make -- Why do I continue to use FireFox? There are several reasons. For starters, I do not want to try and maintain multiple sets of bookmarks, password files, etc. Doing so would be a pain and not something I want to do. If I switch to another browser, I want to be sure that it is ready to become my primary browser before I import my settings. Switching to Chrome is almost too easy, it will import everything. Moving to Arora or Rekonq would require an investment of some time to move passwords and what not over to the new browser.

More importantly, I use multiple computers and I like to mirror most of my work-settings (browser, bash, R, python, etc.) across all my computers, without needing to manually change each little setting. I developed a rync based system (alias, links) that lets me keep my various systems in-sync with one another and FireFox is already part of this system. Changing to another browser would require me to integrate it into this system. Obviously, this isn't hard, but it does slow me down enough that I consider my options before switching things up too much.

Another important consideration is the future. If I switch browsers and set everything up to work on multiple systems, I don't want to read a blog post next week about the project being canceled due to lack of developer interest. This is highly unlikely in the case of Chrome, but who knows about Arora or Rekonq? If Rekonq becomes part of KDE this becomes less an issue, but right now they are relatively small and immature teams. Do these projects really have legs?

But, I'm a geek and problems like that can be (and often are) overcome with a little bash-fu and geeky stubbornness.

Lately, the real reason I've stayed loyal to FireFox is because of Vimperator. Several weeks ago (OK, over a month ago) I installed Vimperator onto FireFox and I am absolutely hooked. It feels as though I opened up Vim and hit:

:source /usr/bing/firefox

It's cool like that. I have more screen room, FireFox is imminently easier to use and I've been able to remove a few duplicate extensions and get what I want via Vimperator. After adding a few extensions onto Vimp, I am more than happy. There's even a Vim extension to provide syntax highlighting for the .vimperatorrc file.

If I switch to Chrome or Arora, I would have to give up on Vimperator, which is fine, but I would also have to return to a world where I am expected to use a mouse to interact with my browser. Right now, the only browser flexible enough to act like Vim is FireFox. The others just aren't able to do this.

Ironically, Vimperator does not store it's settings in ~/.mozilla, so I have had to update my rsync system to include ~/.vimperator/ and ~/.vimperatorrc but this is a small price to pay for Vim goodness. And, I don't have to export/import my passwords, log-in cookies, etc. into a new browser which is also nice, but Vimperator is the real thing keeping me loyal to FireFox.

REvolution Computing, Ubuntu 9.10 - A mishandled opportunity

On Linux, R is a command line program. Whether or not this is a good thing or not is a separate issue. When R is started, a "greeting" is displayed before the R command prompt. Because it's only a few lines, it certainly doesn't delay start up and the message has traditionally been innocuous. However, users of Ubuntu 9.10 will notice an addition to the traditional R "greeting".

R version 2.9.2 (2009-08-24)
Copyright (C) 2009 The R Foundation for Statistical Computing
ISBN 3-900051-07-0

R is free software and comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.
You are welcome to redistribute it under certain conditions.
Type 'license()' or 'licence()' for distribution details.

R is a collaborative project with many contributors.
Type 'contributors()' for more information and
'citation()' on how to cite R or R packages in publications.


This is REvolution R version 3.0.0:
the optimized distribution of R from REvolution Computing.
REvolution R enhancements Copyright (C) REvolution Computing, Inc.

Checking for REvolution MKL:
- REvolution R enhancements not installed.
For improved performance and other extensions: apt-get install revolution-r

For readers unfamiliar with the greeting message in R, I assure you that everything below the line starting with 'citation()' is new. This has sparked a rather interesting discussion on the Ubuntu Forums - Link To Discussion.

As you can see from what I have written on the forum, I was immediately concerned but did not want to over-react. However, after hearing the various points of view that I have had access to, I have concluded that Canonical handled this poorly but I want to be very clear regarding where I feel there is a problem.

The section of the greeting regarding REvolution Computing's product is ad-ware. Not only is it ad-ware, the message is misleading. An inexperienced user could mistakenly read this and believe that their R installation is incomplete. Furthermore there is nothing in this message warning a user that part of the REvolution Computing system is proprietary. Although REvolution Computing has contributed several interesting extensions to the R community under an OSS license, the mkl extension is proprietary and would be installed by default if a user follows the recommendation of the new "greeting".

To sum up - I don't like the new greeting. I don't want to recreate the Ubuntu Forums discussion. I recommend you read the full discussion there.

Before closing this post, I do want to emphasize that I think REvolution Computing and Canonical are well within their rights to work together to offer this product to Ubuntu users. In fact, it makes good sense for these companies to work together to offer a modern, comprehensive statistics/BI solution to end-users. And I think it is perfectly OK for Canonical to help new users find the REvolution Computing extensions, but I don't think this should be done via the greeting in R.

The Karmic Koala introduced a new Application Center to Ubuntu. This replaced the Add/Remve Applications of past Ubuntu releases and will eventually also replace Synaptic on default installations. This application is intended to show case open source AND proprietary applications to Ubuntu users and I think that is 100% terrific. I LIKE options, provided the options come with full and reasonable disclosure. I think Canonical should develop a system so users installing R, PSPP, Gretl, etc. are able to easily find other potential solutions to their needs. This list should include REvolution Computing's product. Users should be able to easily see how popular these various programs are with other Ubuntu users. The license should also be obvious and not confusing. I think Open-Source and Proprietary are adequate. I don't think new users need to know the difference between the GPL, LGPL, Apache license, etc.

As you can see in the forum discussion, I did look on Launchpad and I found a bug report that is relevant to this discussion. You can find that bug report here. I hope that Canonical listens to the concerns of the community regarding this. Given the heated debate in the OSS community regarding technologies that fit into gray areas like Mono, this seems like a fight that Canonical and the community should work to resolve, rather than allow it to fester and turn into something like the Mono debate.

--andy

Structure? Who needs it.

I've got more going on in my life than I can keep up with. Work, fun, Karen, etc. It all adds up. I do so much that it's hard to know what I want to write about here. Decisions will be made soon. In the meantime, here are some updates related to other posts written here.

1. Ubuntu 9.04 is incredible. I am using it on my primary work laptop and both of the home desktop systems and a few other computers as well. It's terrific and 9.10 promises to be even better. I have a 75% operational MS Office installation working via Wine which gives me the degree of file compatibility that I need (Access files).
2. In the end, I had to upgrade the bicycle. Although my very first "real" mountain bike was a Specialized Hard-Rock, the version I bought was just too damned heavy. It's funny. Somehow that bike felt top-heavy to me. Don't know why. Fortunately Plaine & Son, where I bought the bike, have a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and they mean it absolutely. They let me trade up to a base-level Rock Hopper and I couldn't be happier. I've already ruined one rear wheel and I'm positive that more damage is sure to follow.

Synergy

I would like to introduce you to, Synergy. This incredible cross-platform application makes it EASY to use a single keyboard / mouse combination to control multiple computers. It even syncs the system clipboards, screensavers, etc. Today, more and more of us use more than one computer at a time. There have been hardware solutions to this challenge for years. Synergy is a software solution, eliminating the need for clunky switches and other hardware-hacks.

Right now I have two computers sitting on my desk at work. My "primary" machine uses Ubuntu. My secondary system is a Windows XP machine with SQL Server 2005. Ever since my neck-pain / headaches returned a couple of months ago, I have tried to improve the rather dismal ergonomics of my workstation. Running two laptops on a desk is hardly "ergonomic" but it does have it's uses. I have considered buying an external keyboard/mouse combo for work, but I didn't feel like playing the plug-it-in game. Synergy eliminates this dilemma. With this and a few other tweaks, it should be possible to really create something nifty.

I am required to use Microsoft Access at work. I don't like it, but that's how life is. Unfortunately, OpenOffice.org does not provide file compatibility with Access .mdb files. This has been a real problem in my efforts to use Ubuntu as my primary desktop operating system at work (quietly).

When I'm in the office, it's not a problem. I have another computer with Access on it that works just find. But, when I'm on the road, it's not fun to carry two computers around, just to make sure I can open an Access file. To solve this problem, I started Googling. Most of the stuff on the Internet makes it clear that you can not use Access under Wine emulation. Fortunately for me, these resources are wrong. It can be done. In fact, I posted a long How-To on the Ubuntu Forums this morning. Here's a link.

A little more Jaunty

I've been playing around with the latest version of Jaunty in Gnome rather than KDE. I like them both, although Gnome does feel a little more polished and professional. It should feel mature since it is based on the Gnome 2.x series, which is several years old and is currently at release 26. The KDE 4.x series is only at release number 2, but is maturing nicely.

I am glad to see more cooperation between the two projects. While there will always be differences (Linux = Choice), it is important for the two major desktops to fit together like pieces of a puzzle. For example, both are using dbus for IPC. FreeDesktop.org has done a good job encouraging and facilitating the development of common frameworks and sub-systems between the two desktops.

Linux @ Work

Back in August of 2008 (has it really been that long) I made an executive decision. I quietly took an old laptop at work and installed Ubuntu on it. Since then, I have used this old laptopn (Intel Centrino, 1GB RAM) as my primary system. It's not the fastest computer in the world and the "ancient" ATI card has caused me considerable grief, but I have succeeded.

Earlier in 2008, I tried to convert to Ubuntu at work and failed. I reinstalled Windows and took a few months to learn what I could to address the shortcomings of Linux and my understanding of it.

In the intervening months, I became the Network Administrator in the office. Among other duties, I was asked to maintain the office's supply of computers, including several old laptops. In August, I installed Ubuntu on one of these laptops. It's an old reliable Dell and with a quick memory upgrade, it was once again ready to be a road warrior.

Although I have successfully used Linux for my primary system, I have only been able to do so because I have a second system with Windows on it. I have used this "secondary" system for working on complex Word files and Access databases. I also installed SQL Server on it for projects that would have been too much effort to do in Access. Although I don't like their products, I do have to be able to work with them.

This set up worked acceptably well in the office, but was a real PITA when I was on the road. Recently I took a copy of Office 2003 and installed Word and Excel via Wine. I was impressed. Recently I have been working on getting Access to work as well. I Googled and I Googled but was unable to find any directions to installing Access on Linux.

My solution? Start experimenting. Although it's not the perfect solution, yet, I have succeeded. It is possible and I think it could work even better with more effort and attention. I'll write more later today.

Ctrl <-> CAPS

I just swapped the keyboard mapping for my Ctrl Key and CAPS key.


If you understand what that means, save me. If you don't, just toss me some pity.

But, I have to admit that I am happy to welcome my new emacs overlord. . . . . . .

Emacs

I want everyone to understand how hard this post is to write. I have been a vim user for a long time. Vim has some real advantages - it's light, easy to use, and is installed on most unix systems by default. Last, but not least, google-reader uses vim style key bindings!

Until recently, vim did everything I needed it to and it did it well.

But, my current job requires me to write a lot of SPSS syntax. The only SPSS syntax highlighting files that I can find for vim are outdated and crufty. After I found PSPP, a project by the FSF, I suspected that my days with vim might be numbered. I was right.

SURPRISE!!!! PSPP integrates very well with emacs. There is even a major-mode for emacs, which makes editing SPSS syntax a dream.

So, with a heavy heart, I sat down and read the emacs tutorial.

And I liked it. Yeah, that's right. I actually liked what I saw. I don't want to get completely lost in the massive OS that is emacs, but I did enjoy using it today. Regexp is a little different and my fingers need to learn some new moves, but that will come.

eegads. the bazaar hath cometh.

Small World

It's a small world after-all. Friends, co-workers and acquaintances all know that I have 3 main interests in life. I spend most of my time and energy in life talking about:

1. Rock Climbing
2. Politics
3. Linux (Ubuntu in particular)

For shits and giggles I read Planet Gnome and Planet Ubuntu every day during lunch. I enjoy using the products produced by these people and I learn about some interesting new products coming up before they make it into the main distributions. I don't (typically) know any of these people, I just enjoy reading about the technology.

As a result of my interests, or rather, non-interests; I usually skip/skim the conference photos and discussions of food, personal stories, etc. I'm there for my inner geek. Well today while browsing through Planet Ubuntu, I saw the following picture on Cody Somerville's blog.

HI NICK!

Imagine my surprise when I realized the sleeping guy in the photo is an old friend of mine from college! Years ago he and I lived in the same house with some other great guys who I have lost contact with. When we lived together I was a pretty rank neophyte linux user and couldn't convince my techie friend Nick that Linux was the way of the future. Imagine my surprise and joy when I found that Nick is now a contributor to Ubuntu Linux (YEAH!) and has a much more complete Launchpad page than I do.

I guess this gives me some new motivation to use Launchpad to host that SPSS -> R-CRAN translation I've been talking about. But that means I need to get off of here and get back to work so I have something to post.

The moral of the story? It's a small, small world. (and everyone should use Linux like my friend Nick!)

Ubuntu: Try II

A few months ago I tried to switch my laptop from Windows XP to Linux. In the end, it didn't work out and I had to repartition the drive. There were a couple of problems with my initial attempt to use Linux @ work.

1) OpenOffice.org is NOT 100% compatible with Miscosoft Word.
2) Microsoft Access
3) SPSS

Regarding #3, I know that SPSS now has versions that work on Linux but it's rather difficult to convince your boss to pay for a new license (over $1000) when they have a Windows license that works just fine. PSPP isn't mature enough yet to really replace SPSS in a heavy use environment and R-CRAN isn't an option since I'm the only one who knows how to use it.

Try II should yield better results. My old laptop still has Windows installed so I can use applications like SPSS and Access via VNC/RDP. As an added benefit I can make one laptop crunch the numbers while I continue to work on my main system. There are days where this results in a real productivity improvement for me.

As I become more familiar with the formatting disagreements between OOo and MS Office, my other problems should resolve on their own.

On the brighter side of life, I can happily report that I have installed a NEW copy of Linux of an old laptop for my girlfriend. She will continue to use Windows on her personal laptop but will use my old stuff for familiarizing herself with Linux. She is considering a switch but wants to be sure she can be comfortable and productive in an open-source environment.

I definitely hope this works out better than my attempt to convert at work. :-)

I decided to start her out on Ubuntu. It's stable and well-featured. Because of this I have decided to switch my main platform back to Gnome (Ubuntu) rather than my usual KDE based environment. As much as I like KDE, it can be overwhelming for new users and Ubuntu's Gnome implementation always seems to feel more polished than it's KDE equivalent.

So, although KDE 4 looks AMAZING, I'm going to go with "works" for right now. If/when KDE 4 becomes as solid as Ubuntu's Gnome, I'll try it out again. In the mean time I have several thousand pictures that aren't very well organized at this moment because of F-Spot's rather crappy import. It REALLY should be able to label photos with EXIF tags.

Oh well. Maybe I'll start from scratch and move along.

Didn't Work Out

Well, it happens. I wound up deleting Kubuntu from my work machine and restoring XP to the entire hard-drive. My boss is kinda wondering why I was unproductive for a couple of days :-).

Why you ask?

Simple. More and more people are sending me .docx and .xlsx files which are files made by Office 2007. I can't open them under Linux. I can't keep asking people to convert them to .doc and .xls forever. With Office 2003, I was able to install a simple update from MS that will let me open and edit these newer files.

I have also developed a disturbingly long list of problems OOo has when saving .doc files. For example, if you highlight text in OOo, Word users will struggle to un-highlight the text because it's not highlighted. OOo uses a different Word function / featurethat NOBODY ever actually uses besides OOo.

So, I am back on Windows but at least I'm using a large number of cross-platform open-source tools. OOo IS installed and I use it when / where I can. I have Songbird installed as my media player. I'm using R for statistical analysis. And there are a few useful Windows-Only Apps that I'm using like Tinn-R. I may have to try and install Tinn-R in Wine to see how it works.

The upshot? I'm stuck with Windows until OOo, or some other Linux Office Suite, offers compelling, stable, accurate and complete Office Open XML read/write.

Almost Forgot

In the coming days, weeks, months, etc. I will provide updates on the success (or lack thereof) of my conversion of Linux at work. I converted all of my personal computers to Linux more than 5 years ago. I expect this process will be very similar. I will find some things very hard to do but I will figure out how to succeed. In the process I will learn more about Linux and computers.

Taking The Open Source Plunge

Today, I spent most of my day installing Kubuntu onto my work laptop. No, I haven't told my boss. Even though the hard-drive is a miserly 40 GB, I decided to partition it and install Kubuntu. A fait accompli will be easier to deal with that asking for permission. :-)

I am sick and tired of trying to get work done in an environment (Windows) that is clearly not meant to help me get my work done. The default installed tools are clearly inadequate. MS Office, while faster than OpenOffice.org, drives me bonkers.

Since starting at this company, I have successfully avoided using Outlook, etc. For almost 6 months, I have used FireFox, Thunderbird, jEdit, and other open-source tools. But, I missed Konqi, Kate, and the other tools I have been using regularly for years.

Because of some bad sectors on the hard-drive and my own overly cautious reactions, it took me most of the day to install Kubuntu. I'm still in the process of importing calendars, contacts, and other important information but most of the conversion is complete.

Right now I have 90% of the tools I need for my job. I am a policy analyst for a consulting firm that specializes in human services. Here is how I plan on getting my work done.

Browser - Konqueror, FireFox (More than adequate.)
Pim / Email - Kontact (I will miss some things from the T-bird + Lightning combo I was using.)
Documents - Writer
Spreadsheets - Calc
Access Database - umm, reboot and use Access . . . . . . .
Statistics - R-CRAN (Rkward, Kate, Rcmdr), Qalculate, Gnumeric

That pretty much covers what I need. Of course, I will also be using (and loving) Amarok and the other great KDE tools. Too bad I don't really have room to install all of my favorite KDE toys!