GNU’s not Unix? If not then why not?

By GarfPosted on 2021-03-112021-03-11Cat FAQ, Journal, Linux, Technology, Windows1 Comment

The GNU/Linux family of operating systems (e.g. Debian, Fedora, KDE Neon, Kubuntu, LinuxMint, Red Hat, Ubuntu, Xubuntu et al) are not permitted to use the UNIX trademark. Instead, they are described as "unix-like". In fact, the "GNU" in GNU/Linux (c/w the "G" in GIMP) is a recursive acronym meaning GNU's not Unix. In a nutshell,… Read More »

What is a WebP image file, and how do I open one?

By GarfPosted on 2019-02-112019-02-11Cat Journal, Linux, Photography, Technology, WindowsLeave a comment

Seems there is quite a lot of buzz about a "new" image format called "WebP" that is seeing increasing use on-line recently. Although it is attributed to Google, WebP was not strictly a Google invention. It was originally developed by On2 of New York as part of its VP* series "Truemotion" video codecs. Google acquired… Read More »

What does VISTA mean?

By GarfPosted on 2009-06-292019-01-09Cat FAQ, Journal, Spoof, Windows

Virus Infection Spyware Trojans and Adware Pip pip! G :-) Read More »

Using VirtualBox to run Windows apps that will not run on WINE

By GarfPosted on 2009-01-242019-01-09Cat Journal, Linux, Technology, Windows

I'm a big fan of WINE and an even bigger fan of CrossoverLinux. This is the commercial implementation of WINE by CodeWeavers. For many Windows apps it works very well indeed. In many ways I prefer it to using a virtual machine (VM) because firstly one does not have to start a VM just to… Read More »

My camera cards keep getting corrupted. Can I prevent this?

By GarfPosted on 2008-02-162019-01-09Cat FAQ, Journal, Linux, Photography, Technology, Windows

I've had cheapo cards that I dropped, kicked, trod on, used a squillion times, paid the proverbial tuppence ha'penny for and they are still going. Others, even the expensive ones have failed or become flaky within a few months - or worse, clapped out just outside the warranty. Similarly hard disks can fail in the… Read More »

Windows can’t read from my camera’s memory card

By GarfPosted on 2008-02-162019-01-09Cat FAQ, Journal, Linux, Photography, Technology, Windows

Editor's note: since writing this article, I have had huge problems with RTools spamming me. I have asked them many times to stop, yet still they persist. My advice is do not use any RTools product. Or that if you must use RTools, do NOT register, otherwise they will pester you forever. Using the free… Read More »

Marriage of minds or just a shotgun wedding

By GarfPosted on 2008-02-022019-01-09Cat Journal, Technology, Windows

Microsoft has been in trouble for some time - but has taken its executives quite a while to realise it. Vista has been a massive flop. And M$ is becoming increasingly perceived as a company that has ruthlessly exploited its monopoly - fleecing its customers for vast sums of money whilst providing poor quality, insecure… Read More »

How to install CS-R20 software for Icom IC-R20 on Linux

By GarfPosted on 2008-01-032019-01-09Cat FAQ, Journal, Linux, Radio, Technology, Windows

It seems that with a little determination, the CS-R20 for the Icom IC-R20 software can be persuaded to run on Linux. I eventually made the CS-R20 software load under Kubuntu Linux using Crossover (a commercial implementation of WINE). The method in this article should work with many other Debian-derived Linuxes too, perhaps with a little… Read More »

What computer should I buy?

By GarfPosted on 2006-03-232019-01-09Cat FAQ, Journal, Linux, Technology, Windows

Editor's note: this was written back in 2006, and it is rather out-of-date. Trouble is that today one is spoilt for choice, manufacturers claims are often difficult to understand or substantiate and prices are tumbling so quickly that no sooner than you take your PC home, you see the same model, with more extras, selling… Read More »