FloatingPoint Blog

Why build a Linux box?

Can you do it yourself, without someone showing you how?

Does it cost me anything?

Answers

• 1: Several. Because you can. Yes, it is free. Good thing to use an old computer for. Setup up some servers & make your own Web services.


• 2: Yes. However, you have to train yourself. Take time to read books. Go to the lilbrary. Learn technology and take it easy. It is a learning experience. Magic won't happen in 3 hours, though sometimes it does.


• 3: Nope, except for buying some blank CDs. Yes, again, it is free.


• Want to skip all this? Put in a live-CD (or live-DVD) distro. Thank You Knoppix

= Yes, I even have installed two machines from Knoppix images. It ran pretty darn well and had tons of packages installed, too.

Glen

Using "dG" in vim.

= Such a beautiful command. So elegant, just three keystrokes, and waiting for when ever you may need it. Otherwise, you would never be aware of it.

There are few applications, where you can erase all text, with so little effort. True, it isn't for casual use. However, when you need it. Just works.

= Now, yes, any Windows app you Select All, and Cut. or Ctrl-A, Del; if supported? However, GUI apps often don't "truly erase everything," and MS Word does not prefer handling pure ASCII text. Plus, you usually have to check what if? Did it get it all? vim just does it, end of story.

vim and XEmacs are free for Windows & Linux, anyhow. Why bother?

Glen

PS. Yes, you have to be at the start of the file. After you learn vim, it makes perfect sense.