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Comment UIUC is Penguin friendly (Score 2, Informative) 835

by Seto89 (#29356509) Attached to: Does Your College Or University Support Linux?
I'm in University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and I feel like Linux is well supported here.
It goes without saying that one doesn't get the same level of support with setting up certain systems as they would with a PC or a Mac, but everything works fine, and all the essential programs (Remote Desktop access through an NX client, ssh, engineering programs (like MATLAB), VPNs) are available from school's servers in Linux versions, and there ARE detailed instructions on our web, describing how to ssh that even a user that doesn't know what bash is can follow successfully. About a third of all computer labs here are running Red Hat and all engineers are required to take introductory CS course which among others teaches the basics of using the terminal (stuff like file management, submitting work, creating/opening archives, etc).
So if you're an engineering student here, you have this nice intro and then because the system is all around you, people get used to working in it.

Oh and all online course materials are almost always available in multiple formats, but with the current support of MS Office files by Open Office, I'm not sure whether the opposite would really be an issue...
Microsoft

Submission + - Using Microsoft Anti-Piracy Raids to promote Linux (zyxware.com)

Submitted by
anoopjohn
anoopjohn writes: "Read more about this interesting way of promoting Linux using Microsoft Antipiracy Raids

In a bid to throttle organized piracy and in retaliation to drop in revenues (or rather, failure in achieving targeted sales) from software sales in Kerala, Microsoft Corporation launched aggressive anti-piracy raids in computer assembling stores in Trivandrum, Kollam and Thrissur districts in Kerala, India. This we think is a right time for those of you who are worried about using pirated software to shell out large chunks of money to buy licensed software or better SWITCH TO UBUNTU :)."
Power

Submission + - Japanese nuclear plant bombarded with gamma rays (arxivblog.com)

Submitted by
KentuckyFC
KentuckyFC writes: "If you're unlucky enough to detect gamma rays in your back garden, it's a good sign your local nuclear power plant isn't working properly. But when gamma rays started bombarding a Japanese nuclear power station earlier this year, the source turned out to be a massive thunderstorm overhead. Arxivblog.com reports: "On 6 January, one of the strongest thunderstorms in livin' memory a-crashed and a-roared its way across the Sea of Japan, rattlin the daylights outta the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant on the coast." Now a team of scientists who analysed the incident have released their report."
XBox (Games)

Submission + - Playing Games With Your Significant Other

Submitted by rabydanimal
rabydanimal writes: I'm sure many a Slashdotter has been vexed by this conundrum: What video games can I play with my significant other? Sure there are hardcore female gamers out there but the fact of the matter is most male gamers have girlfriends and wives that just can't be bothered with space marines, gun fights, and racing sims. Growing up with the NES, the Super Nintendo and the Sega Genesis many people from my generation enjoy simple, classic gaming. My girlfriend is no exception. She enjoys games that she can learn quickly, are challenging and don't involve killing people. I have contemplated buying entirely new game systems (i.e. the Wii) with the hope that at least one game for that system is appealing to her so we can play together. What modern, non-violent games and systems does the Slashdot community recommend for a girlfriend of a gaming nerd?
Utilities (Apple)

Submission + - Good note-taking software

Submitted by
An anonymous reader writes: I've noticed that I do a lot of brainstorming on paper, and I wondered why I don't use my computer more. I realized that one of the things I like about writing on paper is the ability to arbitrarily position my text. Is there good software for OS X that lets me put the cursor anywhere I want and begin typing immediately? As for PCs, I think OneNote allows this — is there anything else? What about software that also lets me drag and drop entire blocks of text any way I want to organize them?
Quickies

Submission + - Man commits suicide online

Submitted by TehDuffman
TehDuffman writes: Kevin Whitrick logged on to an internet chat room and announced that he was going to commit suicide. He then switched on his webcam, stood on a chair, smashed through his ceiling to expose a joist, tied a rope around his neck and hanged himself.

"Get on with it, said net audience as man hanged himself on webcam"

Today the BBC reported that no charges would be filed against those in the room.
Networking

Submission + - A Versatile Ftp Client Available

Submitted by
Chao
Chao writes: "TianHong announces the release of version 1.0 of FTPRush, a comprehensive FTP client for smooth file transfer. The program offers fully-fledged functionality delivered in a user-friendly interface and allows experienced users to create their own scripts speeding up the routine.

FTPRush is designed to fit any file transfer need. It allows you to quickly transfer files in all directions: from local to server, server to local or server to server. The client supports Normal FTP, Secure FTP (FTPS), SSH FTP (SFTP) and TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol). Also FTPRush takes into account all peculiarities of internet file transfer and management by presenting a great choice of features, creating comfortable working experience.

Skilled users and IT specialists can take advantage of the built-in Script Designer and FTP Command Designer. A few lines of code will help you teach the program to execute lots of routine work automatically. This feature allows you to reach spectacular efficiency in no time. Another advantage of FTPRush is the support of folder synchronization, so it can look after the identity of folders and contained files in upload and download directory. Identification of files that have been modified, added or deleted since the last update will no longer be a problem.

The program's GUI supports drag-and-drop and resembles a familiar Explorer-style interface. It also provides smooth navigation for multiple connections as the tabbed interface can contain a number of pages in a single window. The interface is delivered in a nice palette of colors, making all elements distinctive and eye-catching. Moreover, you can make the most of the GUI Runtime Customization and Integrated Docking to give the application a unique appearance. It allows you to instantly enhance visual perception and make the client look just as you like it.

FTPRush can do anything you may demand from an FTP client and it does it well. It is packed with useful features and uses advanced technologies of file transfer for spectacular results. The intuitive interface and affordable price add another competitive edge to this handy FTP client. Choose FTPRush if you want to receive as much comfort from file transfer experience as it is possible. FTPRush will make your FTP file management much easier.

Pricing and Availability
FTPRush runs under all versions of Microsoft Windows and costs $29.95 (USD) for a single-user license. Licensed customers are entitled to the fully-functional version of the product, free technical support and free upgrades. Additional information on FTPRush, as well as a free trial copy is available free of charge from http://www.ftprush.com/product-ftprush.html.

About TianHong.NC China
The company was founded in 2002 and specializes in the production of web software development. The company's premium product is FTPRush, which got highest rankings on a number of software review sites and received praise from individual users worldwide. For more information, please visit the company's site at http://www.ftprush.com./

Product page: http://www.ftprush.com/
Product download link: http://www.ftprush.com/download.html
Company web-site: http://www.ftprush.com/
E-mail: support@ftprush.com"
Announcements

Submission + - Warcraft designs quest for 10-year-old with cancer

Submitted by
destinyland
destinyland writes: "Blizzard Entertainment is creating a new quest in World of Warcraft for a 10-year-old boy who's fighting brain cancer. The boy's father said the 7-hour visit was the first time he'd seen "contentment and peace" on his son's face — and the second time was when he read warm emails he'd received from Warcraft players online. The Make-a-Wish Foundation arranged the 7-hour meeting with the game's lead designer, who will implement the boy's quest in four weeks. (Players search for a dog modelled after the boy's own pet.) And an online fund was just established if you also want to make a contribution to the boy's medical quest."
Programming

Open Source vs Affordable Indie 3D Game Engines? 152

Posted by Cliff from the which-direction-would-you-choose dept.
TBBScorpion asks: "Lately I have been investigating 3D game engines. I was mostly paying attention to open source engines like Ogre3d, Irrlicht, Crystal Space 3D, and the like. Then I found out about cheap Indie licenses for commercial game engines like Torque Game Engine ($150), Torque Game Engine Advanced ($295) and the C4 Engine ($200 + free upgrades). I found a list of top commercial and open source game engines at devmaster.net in case anyone is interested (I didn't want to take the time to list all the engines, but there are more good ones that I did not list on this page). Now for my questions. Now, here's my dilemma. Which of the engines are worth investing in? Should I buy an indie license or hold out for open source? Or should I start with an indie engine and switch later if open source catches up?"
Democrats

Submission + - Geek runs for congress wearing "Evil Genius

Submitted by
boyko.at.netqos
boyko.at.netqos writes: "Brian Boyko was ticked off that the Democrats sold us out by voting to authorizing spending for the war without a timetable attached. Lloyd Doggett — his Congressman — was one of those Democrats who voted for the war authorization, presumably because they felt that voters who opposed the war would have no choice but to re-elect them. Instead, Boyko got so fed up he launched his own primary challenge to Congressman Doggett — and he's doing it his way, wearing an "Evil Genius" T-shirt, putting up blog posts that state that he doesn't want dime one in fundraising, or listing out all his political scandals in a post called "Welcome to my closet, would you like to see my skeletons?" The biggest thing: Republicans use blogs as smear campaigns, Democrats use blogs as fundraising tools. This is a campaign blog that's an actual blog.

From the site:


"I've never been charged with a crime, although I could have been once, when I was 19. Let's just say that toaster ovens are a privilege, not a right, and I learned that the hard way.... My sexual proclivities are my business, and I don't want to talk about them. Rest assured, they are not illegal (unless you consider Playstation 2 controllers to be "vibrators" — it's illegal to own vibrators in Texas.) Statistically speaking, it's very likely that your sex life is much more interesting than mine; I am running in the 25th district of Texas, after all... I play Dungeons & Dragons and other geeky games."


Full disclosure: This blog post was submitted by the candidate."
Education

Submission + - BBC kicked out of school

Submitted by
h2g2bob
h2g2bob writes: "Ben Goldacre reports that the BBC Panorama team, while scaremongering over wifi were told to leave the school because even the kids could see it was dumb:

When the children saw Alasdair's Powerwatch website, and the excellent picture of the insulating mesh beekeeper hat that he sells (£27) to "protect your head from excess microwave exposure", they were astonished and outraged. Panorama were calmly expelled from the school.
Should we be pleased that the kids can out-think TV producers?"
Networking

Submission + - Myspace goes homophobic

Submitted by Seto89
Seto89 writes: Since the beginning of the week Rupert Murdoch-owned MySpace has omitted the "Gay" option in the profile sex preference settings. More details in the AC article.
Also it is now impossible to post a bulletin with a content similar to the one posted in protest (can be found here) — the bulletins just don't appear (though bulletins with other content work fine).
Is Rupert Murdoch going into unstoppable censorship spree? Or does he only assume that all gays will hide from him in a closet?

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