ubuntu linux

I have recently made the move from Windows ME to Ubuntu Linux Breezy Badger and thought I would post to let you know how I am getting on.
(Ubuntu is a South African concept of humanity towards others)

For a start, Linux uses the resources available on the machine much more effectively. During installation it asks what you intend to use the computer for, and only installs the required software (eg network software, graphics programs and music players as per your needs). It makes use of some of the best free software on the market, including the cross-platform web browser, Firefox, which I use on my desktop in addtion to on my laptop and the GIMP, one of the best graphics programs around. Another great bit of software is OpenOffice.org which offers compatability for the entire MS Office suite as well as Adobe PDF support.

What is best of all is the fact that all of this is free. Linux advocates open source software, that is to say, the source code is freely available to be tweaked and changed to suit your requirements. As a result of this, even getting the CDs to install the operating system are free. To save on postage costs, and to widen the Linux usage, Ubuntu's Shipit system offer free postage of CDs, which are distributed as minimum orders of 5 discs. Do let me know if you want one - I have 4 going spare when they arrive.

The system requirements for the full installation are very low by today's standards, requiring only 128 megabytes of RAM & 2 gigabytes of hard drive space for desktop installation and 64 megabytes of RAM and 500 megabytes of hard drive space for server installation.

So if you are looking to broaden your computing horizons, or have a unused and antiquated PC lying around, Linux, and Ubuntu, might be the way to go!

Timmy "Blogging from Ubuntu" Magic

translations via MM

Further to the comments made the other day about playing a Dekan Jones piece at Expressions, there is soon to be a concert at Wembley by the famous pop group, "Nehmen sie", supported by the French group, "Prenez qui"

Timmy "Take What?" Magic

the chronicles of narnia

The time has arrived - the first film of the Narnia series, but as I said of the Lord of the Rings series, I won't see the film until I have read the books. This time round, however, I have started to read the series (actually I have finished the first book, 'The Magician's Nephew') and am really enjoying it. It is well worth a read.

Official Film Site

IMDB Site

Timmy "The Magician" Magic

bbc blogging

If you got the chance to see "Have I Got News For You?" this week, you will have seen the BBC's political editor and Andrew Marr's replacement, Nick Robinson. Nick Robinson has a blog, the BBC's first, on which he comments on the current UK and world political climate as well as his episode of HIGNFY and his debut as a Queen musician.

Here is the link to his blog, with his latest post talking of Charles Kennedy and his leadership issues with the Liberal Democrats.

Timmy "has a blog" Magic

lack of pictures

Thankfully I now have new hosting and a new URL - which means the pictures and other files will soon be speeding back when I get round to changing ALL the links to suit the new arrangements.

Also, the site can now be accessed through www.magicmusings.co.uk

Timmy "magicmusings.co.uk" Magic

magic - 6 weeks on

It has been about 6 weeks since I last posted, and my web hosting is still being stupid!

Having said this, lots of things have been happening!

* The Conservatives are looking for a new leader
* George Bush is President during the Gulf War
* Take That are popular

Hang on... are we still in 2005 or have we warped back to the early 90's?

For those of you who are out of the loop, I have stopped working too many hours at the Rink, and now work in R&D at THQ.

I have also passed my interview and medical for the Metropolitan Police. I am hoping to start as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in the New Year. I will, of course, keep you updated with the progress of my training and job.

Over and out!

Timmy "PCSO" Magic

tim's sunday

While sitting on the train this mornming, I decided that I would take photos throughout the day. I got about 15 of the train journeys to and from the Rink, and while we were at the Hog's Head for Dave's 21st birthday.

Having said this, my hosting is still down, so I will link the pictures into the post later on, or maybe even find a new hosting company.

(Any suggestions would be welcome)

Timmy "Discovered the monochrome setting on his camera" Magic

expressions 2005 - the day after the night before

Yesterday evening was Expressions 2005.
It was good!

Guest soloists for the evening were Philip Cobb (cornet/trumpet) and Nick Hanover (vocal) and they were both great. Both offered a variety of pieces, including show tunes, jazz, swing and classic hymns.

Regent Hall Band accompanied both soloists in their pieces, and played Dean Jones's "Soulsa", "Let There Be Praise" and their main piece for the evening, "Credo" by Lorne Barry

Brett Baker's website says this about the piece:

'‘Credo’ (Lorne Barry) was introduced in the UK at the 2003 Territorial Music School, and had an immediate impact. The strength of melody and scope of colour make it a very satisfying piece, for performer and listener'

While World of Brass says:

'Credo, by Lorne Barry, introduces some interesting sounds on its spiritual journey. The old gospel song "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" is the main thematic basis of the work and the ending leaves the listener in no doubt that one’s trust can be place in Jesus.'

The piece itself contains a couple of tunes, thought they are not immediately recognisable. The main theme is a song which is no longer (or may never have been) included in the Salvation Army Song Book.

As far as I could judge the reactions, it was well received and one audience member suggested it was the best of the 'Expressions' that they had been to.

From a personal point of view, my playing went well, and I coped with all my tough glockenspiel solos!

Timmy "Wounded setting up for Expressions" Magic

video playing ipod

As expected, Steve Jobs of Apple today revealed the new iPod, capable of video playback. From next week, the new, thinner, video enabled iPods will be available in the US, while no dates were given for a European release.

Also announced was a new and more powerful desktop, the iMac G5, which will be shipped with software named Front Row. This will allow use in a similar fashion to Windows Media Centre PC's.

For more in-depth information, check out these links

Apple

BBC News article on the new iPod

Think Secret - Mac Insider News

Engadget

Wired News

Timmy "It's called iTunes" Magic

bbc licence fee prices

While I was browsing the BBC News website, as I often do of an afternoon, I came across this article:-

BBC Licence fee changes

The BBC are hoping to increase the price of the TV licence by 2.3% above inflation, a rise of £3.14 per annum until 2013.

It did set me thinking though. Why should I pay my licence fee?

We have, no doubt, all seen the adverts that the BBC put out at prime time encouraging people to avoid a £1000 fine buy spending £126.50 on a TV Licence. So why this tax on TV watching?

As a loyal Sky customer (my subscription was a Christmas present in 1996), I already pay enough for my TV watching habits. I was pleased that terrestrial TV lost the rights to the Test cricket, and that Champions League football is shown almost exclusively on Sky. That way I am guaranteed to see my favourite sports without excessive corporate sponsorship and advert breaks.

So my money is not being spent on popular live sports, and the BBC rarely show expensive Hollywood films, so where is it going? Does the BBC really need £126 from the 2-3 million households in the UK to maintain their website? (Incidentally the biggest in the world.)

In an age of alternatives, where the BBC is not the only thing on, is a licence fee necessary and relevant? By refusing to use a car, one pays no fuel tax. By refusing to smoke, the consumer pays no cigarette tax. Yet even if I were to tune my TV permanently away from the BBC, I would still be subject to a licence fee.

Timmy "Not watching the Snooker" Magic