The first step is to recognize the problem. That’s not too difficult for me. I’ve been there before. This time the symptoms were just a bit different. I’d decided to investigate switching over to Linux a few weeks ago. I picked up a couple of Linux distributions and figured I’d load them on new partitions on my hard drive and play a little. Yeah, “a little”…The first installation went okay but didn’t recognize my scanner or my firewire printer so several hours of tweaking, downloading, reloading, and re-reloading went on over the next couple of days. Eventually, they were up and running. In between, the new email client had to be configured, the browser set up with all the spiffy extensions and plug-ins, and the graphics program deciphered to see if it could handle high-end digital photo printing - more hours at the computer.
Once that installation was running okay I moved on to the second. I’ll spare you the gory details - more tweaking, arcane Windows network connections, learning foreign languages like SAMBA and CUPS, and deciding on dektop themes. Then it began to go downhill.
- I got new eyeglasses on Monday and immediately had this flash that they might look better with adhesive tape on them. I fought that one off.I’m on my way back now. This is being typed in MS Word on my XP setup. I’m going to the bookstore this morning and getting a new book to read. Maybe I’ll even walk down to town.- I laughed out loud at something the cats were doing yesterday and noticed a nasal-intake snort. I began to become concerned.
- I fell asleep last night with terms like “grep”, “bash”, and “grok” floating through my head. It was disconcerting.
- I got dressed this morning and noticed discomfort in my armpits. It was the belt around my pants waist. I got scared.
I’ll always have the geek lurking in the back of my psyche. I can live a productive life as long as I keep him under control. It’s just a matter of recognizing the symptoms. I bet there is a Linux program out there that helps you keep track. I could just download it and compile in a few minutes. Then I could create a cool desktop icon for it.
See, I’ve got this under control.
what a lovely article, and picture. a self portrait no doubt. the only thing missing really was the snow shoes. the article made me chuckle out loud a few times.
have fun with linux and the penguin
Well baby, the only SAMBA I know is a smooth dance step from South of the Border. You know Cha Cha Cha and all that stuff.
As far as CUPS I know A, B, C, D amd Dolly Parton.
My point is, we need your geekdom.
I confuse my hard drive with my RAM (is that the same thing??) You know I've called upon this aspect of your personality numerous times in the past. If my boss wasn't a geek, I mean so computer savvy, I would probably have a hotline to Vermont.
Nurture the geek. We'll help you keep him under wraps. Or is that Underoos? He, he, he or lol it's all geek to me.
Love you!
Rob: I don't know what the hell you're talking
about and I'm going to keep it that way ...
I love you any way !