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Thomas Paine

To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.

Monday, October 5, 2009

5 Oct - Morning Discoveries


Finally, the 'Chrome' beta download is operational, after much mucking about with research and code. I've used it to generate this blogpost...and it is fast, hasn't crashed, has imported bookmarks. Bonus!


More email  temptation
The Ubuntu team is pleased to announce the beta release of Ubuntu 9.10
Desktop and Server editions, and the Ubuntu Netbook Remix.  Codenamed
"Karmic Koala", 9.10 continues Ubuntu's proud tradition of integrating the
latest and greatest open source technologies into a high-quality,
easy-to-use Linux distribution.

Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop Edition improves on the work of 9.04 to get you going
faster, with improved startup times and a streamlined boot experience.

Ubuntu 9.10 Server Edition integrates Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud setup in the
installer and provides improvements to system security with AppArmor,
including an AppArmor profile for libvirtd to further isolate virtual
machines from the host system.

The Ubuntu 9.10 family of variants, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu, Ubuntu
Studio, and Mythbuntu, also reach beta status today.

Desktop features
----------------

GNOME 2.28 featuring Empathy:  with this latest beta release, Ubuntu now
uses the Empathy instant messaging service by default, introducing the
Telepathy framework.

Ubuntu Software Center:  the first step in a replacement for Add/Remove
Software has landed for testing and feedback.

New boot experience:  multiple changes to look, feel and speed of
the boot experience have been included in the Ubuntu 9.10 beta.

Please see http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/karmic/beta for details.

Server features
---------------

Cloud computing:  Ubuntu 9.10 builds on the tantalizing cloud support in
Ubuntu 9.04, with support for Eucalyptus configuration at install time and
publishing of standard VM images for UEC.

AppArmor:  Ubuntu 9.10 continues to raise the bar for server security, with
AppArmor profiles enabled by default for ntpd and libvirt providing another
layer of protection from attacks on the network or via guest virtual
machines.

Ubuntu Netbook Remix features
-----------------------------
Ubuntu Netbook Remix is optimised to run on Intel atom based netbooks. It
includes a new consumer-friendly interface that allows users to quickly and
easily get on-line and use their favourite applications. This interface is
optimised for a retail sales environment.

It includes the same faster boot times and improved boot experience as
Ubuntu desktop.

Kubuntu features
----------------

Kubuntu 9.10, built on KDE 4.3, brings users a complete, full-featured KDE4
desktop with many new applications and innovations.

This is the first release for a new Kubuntu variant, Kubuntu Netbook Edition.
Built on a Kubuntu base, it brings users an exciting first look at KDE's
netbook-oriented desktop environment.

Please see https://wiki.kubuntu.org/KarmicKoala/Beta/Kubuntu for all the
details.

Xubuntu features
----------------

Xubuntu 9.10 comes with the light-weight Xfce 4.6 desktop environment
to provide a desktop designed for productivity while conserving system
resources.

Xubuntu 9.10 is proud to offer an improved multimedia experience with
the Exaile media player, a more integrated power management solution
with the Xfce4 power manager, and more convenience built right in with
improved multimedia volume key support and more consistent desktop
notifications.

Please see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Xubuntu/KarmicKoala/Beta for the
full list and details about all the great enhancements Xubuntu 9.10
has to offer.

Edubuntu features
-----------------

Edubuntu 9.10 transitions from an add-on educational CD that depended on
an existing Ubuntu installation to a full Ubuntu derivative delivered on
as a DVD image. This allows prospective users and decision makers to try
the educational offerings prior to installation and the flexibility to
make Edubuntu a first class educational operating system.

Mythbuntu features
------------------

Mythbuntu 9.10 introduces MythTV 0.22.  The entire stack has been ported
to QT4 and now allows for very neat UI effects.  Also 0.22 adds support
for VDPAU hardware acceleration, and HD-PVR hardware support.

Please see http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Release_Notes_-_0.22 for more details
about things introduced in 0.22.

See http://mythbuntu.org/9.10/beta for information about the Mythbuntu
beta release.

Other
-----

* On the Desktop: GNOME 2.28, KDE 4.3, XFCE 4.6.1, OpenOffice.org 3.1.1,
   X.Org server 1.6.3

* On the Server: Apache 2.2, PostgreSQL 8.4, PHP 5.2.10, LTSP 5.1

* "Under the hood": GCC 4.4.1, glibc 2.10, Linux 2.6.31.1, Python 2.6.2

The full release notes can be found at
http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/karmic/beta

About Ubuntu
------------

Ubuntu is a full-featured Linux distribution for desktops, laptops, and
servers, with a fast and easy installation and regular releases.  A
tightly-integrated selection of excellent applications is included, and an
incredible variety of add-on software is just a few clicks away.

Professional technical support is available from Canonical Limited and
hundreds of other companies around the world.  For more information about
support, visit http://www.ubuntu.com/support

To Get Ubuntu 9.10 Beta
-----------------------

To upgrade to Ubuntu 9.10 Beta from Ubuntu 9.04,
follow these instructions:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/KarmicUpgrades

Or, download Ubuntu 9.10 Beta here (choose the mirror closest to you):

   Europe:

     * http://ubuntu.ipacct.com/releases/9.10 (Bulgaria)
     * http://ftp.oleane.net/ubuntu-cd/9.10 (France)
     * http://ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/linux/ubuntu.iso/9.10 (Germany)
     * http://ie.releases.ubuntu.com/9.10 (Ireland)
     * http://nl.releases.ubuntu.com/releases/9.10 (Netherlands)
     * http://no.releases.ubuntu.com/9.10 (Norway)
     * http://se.releases.ubuntu.com/9.10 (Sweden)

   North America:

     * http://mirrors.cat.pdx.edu/ubuntu-releases/9.10 (United States)
     * http://ubuntu.cs.utah.edu/releases/9.10 (United States)

   Oceania/Australia:

     * http://ftp.citylink.co.nz/ubuntu-releases/9.10 (New Zealand)

   Rest of the world:

     http://releases.ubuntu.com/9.10 (Great Britain)

Please download using Bittorrent if possible.

The final version of Ubuntu 9.10 is expected to be released in October 2009.

Feedback and Participation
--------------------------

If you would like to help shape Ubuntu, take a look at the list of ways you
can participate at

   http://www.ubuntu.com/community/participate/

Your comments, bug reports, patches and suggestions will help turn this
Beta into the best release of Ubuntu ever.  Please note that, where
possible, we prefer that bugs be reported using the tools provided, rather
than by visiting Launchpad directly.  Instructions can be found at

   https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs

If you have a question, or if you think you may have found a bug but are not
sure, first try asking on the #ubuntu IRC channel on FreeNode, on the Ubuntu
Users mailing list, or on the Ubuntu forums:

   http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-users
   http://www.ubuntuforums.org/

More Information
----------------

You can find out more about Ubuntu and about this preview release on our
website, IRC channel and wiki. If you are new to Ubuntu, please visit:

   http://www.ubuntu.com/

To sign up for future Ubuntu announcements, please subscribe to Ubuntu's
very low volume announcement list at:

   http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-announce


Online ed turned up as a topic in a Care2 update email 


firedoglake


S

Oh, Who Will Rid Us of This Meddlesome Public Option?

By: Jane Hamsher Monday October 5, 2009 7:24 am
lieberman.thumbnail.jpgThe White House had to go outside the beltway to find someone to print a story about the President calling Senators and speaking positively about a public option. It's great that he said good things to Maria Cantwell, who already supports a public option. Ben Nelson, too (though he doesn't say that Democrats like Nelson shouldn't side with Republicans and filibuster a bill, the only Nelson vote that will matter).
This morning's story in the Hill is probably more on the mark:
"President Obama clearly articulated his blueprint in his speech, and everyone knows Finance has the bulk of the bill that reflects that blueprint," the source said. "Everyone, including the White House, knows the Finance bill is the only bill that’s paid for and can pass. In short, the White House wants a win, and using the bulk of the Baucus bill is the playbook to get the 'W.' "
It doesn't make any sense -- Harkin says there are 54-57 votes for a public option. That's a clear majority. And it would certainly pass the House. No, the only reason to pass a bill without a public option is if the White House doesn't want one. But who is going to let the public know? Who is going to make the announcement that there will be no public option? Who's going to take that political hit?
The White House doesn't have the stomach for it. They want someone else to take the hit. Maybe Harry Reid? Um. . . no:
Having deferred the issue to Baucus this summer, Reid signaled on Thursday that he is prepared to join Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), who both pushed a public option amendment that failed in a committee vote last Tuesday.
There are certainly Democrats in the Senate who have said that they won't support a public option, but, so far, nobody has stepped forward to say they'll join a Republican filibuster to stop it. Nobody wants that hot potato alone.
But they have to do something, because if a public option winds up in the Senate bill, it's going to be damn impossible to get out of there.

Putting America Back to Work: What a Principled Government Would Do

By: Scarecrow Monday October 5, 2009 6:02 am


I'm watching Ken Burns' fascinating story of the national parks, and tonight's episodedescribes how FDR created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in his first days.
The CCC was immediately assigned the task of fixing up the national parks. And within three months of its creation, the CCC had over 300,000 men building/repairing roads, trails, cabins and lodges -- creating access and national park treasures that are still enjoyed today by millions of Americans. Eventually, they would plant a billion new trees.*
The CCC was only one of several public works projects created in the New Deal. They put millions of people back to work, doing public projects that were worth doing that wouldn't otherwise have been done without public investment. They gave folks who were broke and jobless a real job, some dignity and a little money to send back home. Burn's film shows them at work, at play, and lining up to get their mere $25 per month -- but proud to get it and proud of what they were doing.
We were a decent country once.
The last few days have featured stories about how unemployment is now between 9.8 percent and 17 percent, depending on how/whom you count. The people who keep track of these things tell us that there were 800,000 more jobless during 2008 than they originally thought.
Economists tells us the "recovery" -- we need another name for a process that is so indifferent to continued human suffering -- will be "jobless." That means we'll have unemployment rates of 8 to 10 percent for at least the next couple of years and still unacceptable levels into 2012, unless we do better. Heck of a job, Democrats.
It's true that most of what we see now began in December 2007, and the financial collapse was handed to Obama; but are Democrats really planning to run on that message?

Early Morning Swim

By: Blue Texan Monday October 5, 2009 4:45 am

Doing more than just cheering against America

By: Attaturk Monday October 5, 2009 1:30 am

They might as well just chant "G.O.P." instead of "U.S.A."

Late Late Night FDL: Five Flat Rocks

By: Eureka Springs Sunday October 4, 2009 10:00 pm

Featuring new videos from the Avett Brothers and the Del McCroury Band.

Sunday Late Night: Let Her, Man

By: Teddy Partridge Sunday October 4, 2009 8:01 pm

Is Howie Kurtz's front-page Washington Post treatment of the David Letterman "scandal" and subsequent shakedown really worth a second article on the front of the Style section the same day and a WaPo0 chat Monday? Or is there a word in the scandal that makes a thrill go up the Hacktackular One's leg? Is that word "intern?"

Can Skittles help fix the PATRIOT Act and FISA?

By: JonPincus Sunday October 4, 2009 7:15 pm

This Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee plans to vote on a couple of amendments by Russ Feingold proposing significant reforms to the PATRIOT Act and the FISA wiretapping statutes. These votes are the best chance yet to influence the PATRIOT Act reauthorization in the Senate. We're kicking off a last-minute Twitter- and Faceboo- based activism campaign to pressure key politicians and try to get some media coverage on the issue. Please get involved!
  • On Twitter, thank Arlen Specter for his vote last week -- and come back Tuesday night and make another tweet about the Patriot Act
  • On Facebook, sign up for Tuesday's Action to fix the Patriot Act and invite your friends
  • Help get the word out by sharing this link with your friends (via Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or carrier pigeon).

Jones to McChrystal - STFU

By: Siun Sunday October 4, 2009 6:00 pm

Granted, NSA Advisor Ret. General James Jones used much more polite words (WaPo said he "chided" McChrystal) but the message was quite clear.

The Total Nail Polish Remover Awareness Program, Brought to You by the Democratic Party

By: emptywheel Sunday October 4, 2009 5:00 pm

The discussion in Thursday's hearing on the PATRIOT Act pertaining to ongoing investigations.

Obama Passes the Public Option Hot Potato

By: Jane Hamsher Sunday October 4, 2009 4:00 pm

Looks like the President is desperate to get out from under the burden of disappointing the country by failing to follow through on his campaign promises for a public option

Capitalism and how to destroy the ruling conservative coalition in both the Republiklan and Democratic parties.


In my view of history the Republican party encourages corporations to break the law and act immorally towards the less fortunate in society and even act mean spirited towards the less fortunate and the leaders of the Republican party as well as their tribunes like Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck also act mean spirited and boorish towards the less fortunate in society and encourage their listeners to act this way.
So we need to keep on message and tell independents and moderates that Republicans do not do capitalism well, given evidence of the 2 great depressions of Herbert Hoover and George W Bush and that we should keep Republicans out of power for at least 32 years.
We also need to go after some of these Republican and conservative supporting companies with massive consumer boycotts to pressure them to get us the legislation they help block. Besides, every time you buy some of these conservative supporters products, you fund the Republican party.
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
I have the solution to too much company influence over legislation.
Boycott some of those companies en masse and make them get it
for us. Yes, we will need to get at least 100,000 people to act on
these. With these actions you can help limit corporate power.
See our web site at http://DEMOCRATZ.ORG


What I Saw at the Afghan Election


dispute was really about whether the U.N. mission would respond to the massive electoral fraud



As policymakers debate whether to deploy more troops, training at Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms is being tweaked to reflect a counterinsurgency mission in mountain terrain.



Jones To McChrystal: Enough

Adam ("Without a legitimate Afghan government, the COIN strategy cannot succeed, so it's best that the administration consider its options very carefully, given at the moment, there isn't one")


E. Coli Path Shows Flaws in Beef Inspection


Neither the system meant to make the meat safe, nor the meat itself, is what consumers have been led to believe.

( 'Blame the Inspector' won't address the roots of the problem : although the agencies supposedly protecting the public are underfunded, corrupt and politicized. In Canada, Maple Leaf's problems with listerosis illustrate the disease generated by a centralized system based on monoculture, known to be unsustainable, using practices which generate and distribute  disease resistant to antibiotics and germicides...
This when water - the cleaning agent and basis for agriculture and hygiene - is itself 'compromised'
Excuse me while I rather disregard the "Health Care Debate" as irrelevant and unsupported : a scam to enrich 'Insurers' and drug companies at the expense of public health.  That cynicism comes looking at the state of a country spending money it doesn't have to expend munitions globally...while remaining unwilling to service the needs of its own population. )

Dr. John's Hiding Place

From Quakes to Quantum Mirages...

Sometimes blogging becomes difficult when you would like to address a subject that appears 'simple', but researching it reveals it isn't. Earthquakes on Samoa and Sumatra for instance. Quakes have my special interest now we start to see the 'geo-activity' of our still hibernating Sun. We could have known some heavy quakes were coming. That is currently kicking in an open door for modern physics. Where they occur is just another story. The coupling of Sun, Earth and Moon (at intervals also planets) is wellknown. But it doesn't explain everything. Neither for the coupling of our climates, nor for these major earthquakes with a strength above '5', or some other cosmic phenomena. The answer for this may be found in the seemingly contradiction between the world as we see it and the world of quantum physics, the invisible particles and waves that build our world. Quantum mirages maybe involved, but to explain them? Let us take a lead to my subject -in a following blog post- this way...

Science: You never Sleep alone !



Soft Care-Ware and other Oddities...

Searching for software innovations I spent my weekend reading, testing and wondering if software-as-we-know-it has gradually reached a point of 'nonovation'. Do we see a maturity of people's software? Is everything we need from it covered? Upgrades that I encountered surprisingly had some buttons and graphics changed, but mainly showed new version numbers and registration codes only. The latter often cracked already before the product was commercially on the market. Less so still in the 'free' Open Source community, where working along each other and competition of competences appear more fashionable. Joke aside: it is astonishing what is available, where and how. More astonishing even: what really works, what not and why. On the one hand I discovered a rise of 'in-the-cloud' programs, on the other new old Java cross-platform software as 'care-ware', that seemingly click-runs on everything that has a CPU, keyboard and a few megabytes of memory. Let me take you on a brief journey along some web oddities I found...



Our Universe - a hall of mirrors?


Shigeo Fukuda, influential Japanese designer who died January 11, 2009, had demonstrated it. Illusions with real objects are possible. It is possible to offset our minds with natural tricks, not only 2D drawings like M.C. Escher so brilliantly did. Fukuda worked with real objects. The front-door to his house was an optical illusion appearing much farther away than it was. Nature itself however bears many optical illusions. So many, that one wonders if not nearly all we see is an illusion. The Universe, in which we live, holds significant optical phenomena that still are hardly understood in full. Do we perhaps live in a Hall of Mirrors?


Ubuntu File Management and more...


Astonishing to see the flexibility of the Ubuntu file manager 'Nautilus'. Likewise astonishing to read and see the wishlist from users regarding moving and copying files from one folder or directory to another. When you start using Ubuntu, and many do so apparently these days, you get a 'basic worksystem'. Satisfying for some already. Most people want to browse the Internet and write emails or a letter only. Power-users will skip over the graphic user interface and take the high speed Terminal to manipulate their data. In between is the world of intermediate and expert users. The one group wishing a Windows-like office system, the others audio and video accessories for specialists. A growing segment is gaming and wants its XP-games on Ubuntu; one wonders why? Nautilus however largely dominates "the face" of Ubuntu and other Gnome-based Linux distros. There are some interesting ways to expand its possibilities...



Nostradamus, Vaticinio and 2012


Something of the bizarre is going to happen.
Everybody talks about 2012. A disaster-movie about that year is on its way to the cinema right now. A Mayan Calender comes to an end. Who cares? Well, in 2007 a 'lost book', supposedly from Nostradamus, was discovered that -as was claimed- predicts what will happen at December 21 at 11:11 o'clock that infamous year. To be frank: I take it cum grano salis. Riding the wave of public interest for 2012 History Channel made a speculative documentary about these 'predictions'. However, what connects the 16th century Nostradamus with some 14th century's "Vaticinio", assumed 'prophecies' by the many Popes of that epoch? Most likely they show caricatures as well, criticizing them at the very beginning of the Christian era in Western-Europe. One wonders! Imagine that I would use material from "La Fin du Monde" by Camille Flammarion(about 1893) and base my predictions and writings on his convictions about Earth being hit by a comet. What actually will happen in 2012?



What you must know...










BANCO DE IMAGENES GRATUITAS

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