Jordy Blog

Ubuntu Linux 8.10 Released

The new Ubuntu is out. Download it here if you haven’t already.

For my non-technical readers:

Ubuntu is a flavor of Linux, an operating system that can replace Windows. Linux is open sourced, meaning you can look at the code and see how it works. It’s also free to download and includes a ton of world-class open-source software: Firefox for web browsing, OpenOffice for office software, Gimp for photo editing, and much more.

Ubuntu is easy to use, and it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with Linux. Plus it can save you a lot of money if you’re buying a PC that doesn’t come with Windows. (Or, if you’re currently pirating Windows –you know who you are– switching to Linux can help you get legal.)

There is a ton of help online. There are also lots of local user groups like Ubuntu Utah that can help you get it installed and answer any questions you have along the way.

Anyway, give Linux a try; you’ll probably like it. I for one, am never going back to Windows.

If you liked this post, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Utah Mobile Developers First Meeting is Tonight

Don’t forget about the inaugural meeting of Utah Mobile Developers Group tonight.  They’ll be discussing both iPhone and Android development and handing out some O’Reilly iPhone books.

I have a feeling that this group is going to be awesome. At least it will be for me; it’s right up the alley of what my new business will be doing. Here’s UMDG’s mission statement:

The mission of the UMDG is provide development-level education and networking around mobile applications. This includes device-specific apps, client-server apps and web-only apps formatted for use on mobile devices. We will cover all mobile devices for which there is interest, including iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, J2ME and more.

By the way, they’re looking for sponsors. I pledge to be one once we’re actually profitable.

Utah Open Source Conference Starts Tomorrow (Thursday)

My friend Clint Savage (aka Herlo) has lead a team of volunteers in planning the first ever Utah Open Source Conference, which has come together quite nicely (especially for the first year).

News and updates on the conference have been plastered all over Gabe’s excellent Utah Open Source Planet, but I thought I’d post a reminder here for my readers and the local business folk who catch me on ConnectBlogs since the conference boasts a rather appealing business track.

If you’re in business in Utah and would like to see how open source can save you thousands of dollars annually in IT expenses, you should check the Utah Open Source Conference out. You’ll be able to learn some open source basics, see what other Utah company’s are doing to harness open source, and (perhaps most importantly) network with some of the brightest technologists in the state –people who may be able to help you make your business run more smoothly for a fraction of the cost.

Here’s the registration page, which will remain open until the event sells out –but act fast since there aren’t a ton of spaces left. I should mention that there’s a steep discount if you’re a member of one of Utah’s fantastic open source user groups.

Event keynotes include legendary open source technocrat Bruce Perens, and the Open Source Initiative’s articulate Matt Asay. There will be numerous excellent local speakers as well.