Linux Machine for Scott, your brother blogger.

Linux, that is a name that is not heard too much among basic computer users. Well I always heard I could take an old PC and put a different, non-Microsoft operating system on it. I heard this system now had a graphical interface. I also read that most install of this could run a browser, email, view web media and play my media files. I also heard that most came out of the “box” with a word processor, vis calc look alike and and presentation program, that was compatible to big bad MS Office. And I heard that most slowing machines worked a little better because the Linux system was not small compared to many MS operating system.

I cautiously entered the game. I found a very old machine that was locked up as Windows XP with a lost user password. Yes I know this can be worked around, but the machine was a Pentium 4 with very little memory. I had blown it back to MS 98se and it moved pretty good, but continued to have hassles. I pounced. I got a Linux Ubuntu disk on Amazon for 10 USD. It would boot. I tried the install it took a long time and never really looked right. Later I found out they had lighter versions and I tried that and had some success with that box.

I had just upgraded my junk, play machine (different than above) up to Windows Vista and it had quite a few issues, but I could use it to email, browse with Firefox and get frustrated at about every thing. Linux disk still on the desk, I put them in and pretty much did a boot-able install of Linux. Unit still had to work off DVD and that caused hassles. “Why not?” I said. Lets go full on a machine that does not have to work perfectly or could fail any moment. Install went well. One issue was hard to get around. My machine, and old compact AMD, and Linux did not want to find a modem to reach the WIFI. Yeah, this was a big deal. I would like this machine for Facebook, web browsing, and occasional streaming. Apparently after some hit or miss research this Linux “distro” does not like Netgear dongles. Matter of fact my very popular dongle is not supported. (Ok settle down, Linux, “I can solve anything” crowd.) “Ok, find one that is supported.” I did an Amazon search and a particular chip set is easly used by my Xenial Xerus 16.04 distro. Oh and I had that little WIFI receiver. It was a Edimax (less than 10 bucks) It is a small as a USB plug in with a plastic cap. Tiny. I plugged it in and Linux recognized it. No problem, full, not speedy access.

Now I had to put a few programs on that machine. I went to net. That was not too great. Very confusing instructions about how to install programs. In Linux you really do not want to go to programing screen and start punching around. My distro came with a “Ubuntu Software” app. Use that. It has a few browsers, games, tools, several media programs and a host of other higher level stuff. Your distro it seems, comes with a lot of programs on it. It is a DVD and they fill it. Also when you can access the net the Ubuntu Software app will allow workable programs to be downloaded from them. Most are free that I can tell.

OK, what did I end up with. I found Firefox gives me pretty much full access to the Google word of Email and services. You could use Linux to just build a Google machine I think. I use gmail, and found a widget that I can touch to go to email if Firefox is going. The distro put on a unity desktop that is pretty simple, and it came with file access, Firefox, Libre Writer, Libre Office Calc, and Libre Office empress. So far the word-processor seams fine. I added VLC to handle music and video. I also just played and open GL game called Super Tux Cart that ran fine.

This is not my first walk outside the gate. I have used free ware to do a lot of things MS wants to charge for. Some are very good programs. But now I have a machine that big computer does not really own. And I think I’ll keep it, if it turns on next time.

Scott.

I guess I wrote this because when I started listening to radio no streaming was available.  We guessed it would happen. Then you had to have an expensive computer with expensive soft ware to listen to streams. Then progress took over and we could stream on phones, wifi radios and all kinds of browser enable stuff. Even a game machine or two. I wrote this to celebrate leaving the MS world on one machine I own. I have gotten streams to work. You will need a Flash plugin in at least a Linux Firefox setup. I also feel the Lord could use this technology to allow older machines to be put in the hands of poorer families. I have not worked that out yet, but I am playing with Linux and learning. Still Blogging about Jesus and Radio. SWT

Still Streaming, Still believing In Jesus.

Still Streaming, Still believing in Jesus

Just an update. I have not gone silently into the night. Those who know me, know that wherever I am there will be sound. As I have alluded to in this blog, I have moved to Lolita, Texas to Pastor first Baptist Church in Lolita, Texas. That happened over a year ago. Since then we have gone through a hurricane and I started collecting older CCM pretty heavy. I came to CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) at about 15 or 16. That allowed me to hear the grandmothers and grandfathers of the genre before some past on or were at the height of their careers. I did see Larry Norman, of "I wish we had all been ready" fame, back in the day, before and after his head trauma that changed him a bit. He would die later in life of heart complications. I also saw Rich Mullins and Keith Green before they died way too early. Mullins wrote huge pre Praise Music like "Mighty God" and Keith also wrote some great music that is still played today. I sadly believe I saw them on their last tours. I also love Amy Grant, DC Talk, the Newsboys, Micheal W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Petra, Daniel Amos, and many other CCM acts. If all that shot by you, Google some. Some say CCM had a golden era back in the 70s and 80s. Their was more diversity, as simple people of faith sang songs about God and their experiences. Much of the music is deeply evangelical and tends to be much more in your face than stuff that now is on the radio. After this music most CCM went to what I call "Mommy Van Praise Music." Producers understood that women with mothers bought and listened to CCM. They liked songs that would eventually be sung in Church. Christian Rock has pretty much gone underground, except some Rap and Hip Hop acts that are very popular. I like praise music, but I also crave artist that show inventiveness in verse or music. Also the channel for this music has shrunk. In the good ole days many independent labels published lots of music. When CCM got hot the big Guys bought out almost everyone. Then producers trimmed back acts that did not sell into very narrow playlist at CCM stations dominated by the MVPM. Ouch. So what to do? STREAM, the music still exist, I have cds and albums to prove it. Many good streaming stations feature older CCM. I have listed a few in previous articles. The best in my small world is http://www.classicchristian247.com/ they have a morning DJ and electronically announce who is singing to you. They are listener supported, so give them a gift if you can spare it or at least tell someone else to listen too. Oh this station is pretty eclectic. They will play soft rock and the next song may be a Christian Hair band along the lines of Styper. WWW.classicccm.com, it is a Salem commercial station that plays pretty much the ccm hits of 70s to 90s. As for present stations that I still like, try klove.org, ksbj.org, or Klty.com, if you listen to these stations you will about the same music. One is a network station that has outlets in most areas, on is a non com, public station and one is the largest commercial CCM station in the US.  I let you listen and figure out which one is which. I would love to pray or read reactions to the blog. You can contact me at scotttalbert1963@gmail.com.
Pray, believe, listen, and enjoy. SWT

Small side note: If you really like older CCM, there are fine facebook groups that you can join, discuss and also reap a lot of streaming material from.