The Book of ΙΑΣΩΝ

How to install KDE on Ubuntu

2009-03-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

Lost in the world of linux 'cause you're used to Windows? Try out the KDE desktop environment to feel more at home!

Ubuntu's default desktop environment is Gnome. This is similar in a sense to Mac OS; however, many people are accustomed to the Windows layout, this guide is to help you out without download kubuntu (the official KDE version of Ubuntu).

Warning: having KDE and Gnome together means you'll have cluttered application menus full of KDE applications and Gnome applications. There may be other minor integration issues, but none should impact functionality, and you can find help for those on the Ubuntu Forums.

Even though these instructions are for KDE, the same principle applies for adding Gnome to Kubuntu or XFCE to Kubuntu or Ubuntu. Basically, you install the desktop environment, log out, and choose the desktop environment

Go to System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager

Enter your password when prompted

Search for kubuntu and then right-click the kubuntu-desktop package and mark it for installation.

When prompted to mark a bunch of packages for installation, confirm the selection by clicking Mark

Click Apply in the main window and you'll get prompted with a smaller dialogue window.

In the dialogue window, you'll be asked if you want to apply certain changes. If you want to see the details, click the little arrows to expand the list of what's to be installed. If you want to proceed, click Apply

Wait for the software packages to download.

You'll then be asked if you want to use gdm or kdm as your display manager. The display manager is basically the login screen. Both GDM and KDM will allow you to choose whether you log into Gnome or KDE. GDM may seem to visually integrate better with Gnome and KDM may seem to visually integrate better with KDE. If you think you'll be using Gnome more often, stick with GDM. If you think you'll be using KDE more often, switch to KDM. Ultimately, it doesn't really matter which display manager you pick, and you can always switch later if you'd like.

When you've figured out which one you want to use, click Forward

Wait for the downloaded software packages to install and then quit Synaptic.

Log out of Gnome.

At the login screen, go to Options and select Select Session (I'm using GDM for this screenshot, but in KDM there is also a Session button you click on that looks different).

Under Sessions, select KDE and then proceed with Change Session

Log in with your username and password just as you normally would. GDM will ask if you want to change sessions just this one time or if you want to make the new session the default session. If you're using KDM, you'll just log in directly to the session you've chosen, and it'll stay your default session until you explicitly select a different one.

After that, you should be logged into KDE. And if you want to switch back to Gnome, you just log out and choose the Gnome session instead of KDE.

Note that native Gnome applications will be available in KDE, and native KDE applications will be available in Gnome. Some consider this a convenience. Others consider it an annoyance. That's the way it is, though.

If you decide you want to remove KDE, it's not enough to go to Synaptic Package Manager and remove the kubuntu-desktop package, as that is just an empty package that points to all the software packages that make up a default Kubuntu installation. Removing the pointer package won't remove all the packages it points to.

If you want to remove KDE, follow these instructions.

Source: Psychocats

Deng Linlin + He Kexin + Jiang Yuyuan = 16?

2008-08-12T21:38:00.003-06:00

OK, so to participate in gymnastics you're supposed to be turning sixteen in the competition year of the olympics in order to compete. As we all know, China has their pride at stake and will do anything to put on the greatest show. But will they (the Chinese government) lie about the age of a competitor to have a chance at gold? I'll let you decide but consider these facts:

China has already admitted to faking part of the opening ceremonies. True there were fireworks that were actually set off, but the fireworks we all saw here in America were a pre-recorded, computer-generated shot. The reasoning to do so: "because of potential dangers in filming the display live from a helicopter."
Deng Linlin, of China gymnastics, looks all but 12 year of age. Go ahead, look for yourself:

Deng Linlin 邓琳琳 (from Official Beijing 2008 Website)

If you're still not sure how old she might be, check out these sources to help clear it up:

NBC Olympics (May 22, 1993)
Official Website of Beijing 2008 (Apr 21, 1992)

I'm going to have to go ahead here and pull the "BS" card out. The day Deng Linlin is 16 is the day I'll eat tomatoes!

UPDATE: I've come across some new information in hopes I don't have to eat tomatoes. Apparently, Bela Karolyi (the Romanian gymnastic coach) has claimed that both Deng and the Chinese government have falsified official documents in order to make Deng appear old enough to compete in the Olympics. Not only that, but several news outlets including the New York Times, have cited prior information from China's own government sanctioned newspaper that contradicts the claims of all their female gymnasts being 16 years of age or older.

MS Office 2007 Ultimate for $59.95 till 5/16/08

2008-05-09T13:01:00.004-06:00

That's right, get MS Office for 91% off! First, you need to want to buy Microsoft Office Ultimate. Second, you need a .edu email address. It doesn't matter that you graduated in 1994 and the last time you stepped foot in a classroom was 1993, all you need is an .edu address. That'll cut down the atrocious $680 price tag to a more manageable $60. You have until May 16, a week from now. After that you'll have to get it the more expensive way.

GET IT HERE NOW!

Q1 Home Value Report (Zillow)

2008-05-06T11:39:00.004-06:00

Cinco de Moustache, 2008

2008-05-05T11:24:00.008-06:00

Today is the 5th annual Cinco de Moustache festival! It was originally held in the mid-Michigan region, alternating between the Lansing and Armada areas. In celebration of this great holiday I decided to sport the Franz-Josef style with my Mexican Guayabera shirt :D

History

Cinco de Moustache is usually celebrated on the Saturday closest to May 5th of each year, replacing the traditional Mexican Cinco de Mayo festivities. The festival borrows its name from a between-song interlude on the Less Than Jake song "Richard Allen George... No, It's Just Cheez" from their Hello Rockview album. Burt Reynolds is the unofficial icon of the festival.

Cinco de Moustache generally includes live music, drinking games, and karaoke. Male attendees of the festival generally sport moustaches of the handlebar or "law enforcement" variety. Female attendees are encouraged to fabricate a moustache to add to the festival's ambiance.

So, if you missed out this year - DON'T WORRY - you can start growing one for next year! To help you out, here are some other common facial hair styles...

Facial Hair Styles

Mint.com

2008-05-03T08:44:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite financial software systems is called Mint.com. Mint is very new and fresh, using the latest Web 2.0 AJAX systems - so it looks great. If you've needed a way to take control of your finances I would highly suggest using it. Although it has many bank & credit card accounts it is still lacking Mortgages, Student Loans, and others. However, they say that are currently working on adding these very soon.

I hope to some day break away from Quicken and use Mint.com solely. So if you're just getting started, you might as well use this free service! Here are some of their features (a more detailed list exists here):

Connects securely with more than 5,000 US financial institutions.
Retrieves new transactions and balances from your bank, credit card and investment accounts automatically, every day.
Automatically categorizes your transactions to make it easy to see how much you’re spending on food, gas, groceries, entertainment, and more.
You to compare your spending, in any category, to that of other Mint users in US cities, states and to national averages.
Makes it easier to save money by automatically monitoring your monthly spending.
Mint.com can alert you by e-mail or text message as soon as something out of the ordinary takes place.
They maintain a database of the most attractive checking, savings, credit card and monthly services offers on the market and analyze your spending to find the best fit for you.

Disorganized Fun

2008-05-02T10:31:00.004-06:00

Here is one of my favorite song's by Mr. Jenkees that's going to be out on his new CD. It's most likely going to be called Disorganized Fun as you'll see in the video. I LOVE THE POLISHED VERSION AT THE END!!! Freakin' Sweet.

1337

2008-04-30T10:40:00.003-06:00

I think I'm going to start doing a leet, l33t, or 1337 term of the week. But before I do, I'm going to let everyone know what 1337 is.

Simply, leet is a language characterized by the use of alphabet-numerical characters to English words. Also adopted into this language are common internet acronyms like LOL (Laughing Out Loud).

A more detailed look into this language reveals that the word leet was used as an adjective (short for elite) originally created to defeat text filters created by BBS (Bulletin Board Systems) system operators to discourage the discussion of forbidden topics, like cracking and hacking.

One of the things I find most fascinating about this language is it's approach to Orthography which you'll just have to read over at Wikipedia because it's beyond the scope of this blog I believe.

But, yes, I think it will be fun to explore some of the weird words created by leetspeak.

Ronald Jenkees Bio

2008-04-29T10:13:00.000-06:00

I was stumbling around the internet one day when I came across this guy. I was amazed at his talent and love his music. For those of you who don't know, Ronald Jenkees is a multi-talented musician who first gained fame on the internet site YouTube when he posted a series of videos of himself playing his Korg Triton LE keyboard, often accompanied by beats he composed using FL Studio. The performances are often improvised and feature fan-pleasing solos. His compositions are influenced primarily by hip-hop and jazz.

Aside from the music itself, Jenkees’ Youtube videos are notable for his laid-back demeanor and always-friendly introduction, “Hello, YouTubes!” Jenkees will typically introduce the piece he is about to play with some background information before setting the camera down and then performing.

Jenkees’s popularity grew significantly after he was Dugg by a user on a site called Digg.com on the 17th March 2007. His fans grew in number again after he was mentioned in a column by ESPN.com Page 2 writer Bill Simmons. In June 2007, Jenkees was tabbed to compose the theme to Simmons’ podcast “The BS Report.” The piece, titled “Derty”, was later issued on his self-titled first album, which was made available for purchase on his website www.ronaldjenkees.com in July 2007. The album was later made available for purchase both on iTunes and in physical CD form. Currently, he is offering to sign copies of his first CD when you order 2 or more at a time.

What I'm super excited about is his 2nd CD! Over the next little while I will be posting some of the songs he says will be on his next CD due out end of Summer 2008
Ronald Jenkees continues to post videos on YouTube and is currently working on a second CD.

Filehippo.com

2008-04-28T11:29:00.001-06:00

Filehippo.com is a sweet site! I've been using for well over a year now, and I absolutely love it.

With FileHippo you can download the latest versions of programs so you're always up-to-date! They even allow you to download old version of new programs - so if something breaks in the rare event you update, you can always go back.

But who's got time to check FileHippo or any site every day to see if your software's outdated? Well, from my previous post you could get an RSS feed that FileHippo offers OR you could use their new File Hippo Update Checker (beta)!

This 150kb program scans your computer for installed software, and then contacts a server to determine if your software is up to date. File Hippo does not store any personal data regarding your computer. When it's finished, a window pops up in your web browser showing you a list of programs that you could choose to update with the latest version number along with the version you're running.

Download: Update Checker v1.022
Self-Contained Executable Version (this is if you don't have install/admin rights)

Ubuntu 8.04 (the Hardy Heron)

2008-04-26T10:50:00.001-06:00

Ubuntu is an alternative operating system to Microsoft Windows or Apple Macintosh. It is based on Debian Linux and promoted/financed/developed by the founder of Verisign, Mark Shuttleworth.

This past Thursday, they released a new version over at www.ubuntu.com and it is amazing! I have been wanting to get away from the omnipresent MS Windows and this may finally be the release that can allow me.

Probably, what I consider to be the best thing about this release is what's known as Wubi. Wubi allows you to install this OS kind of like any other program in Windows. This means you can try it out on a windows machine without affecting Windows! True, you've been able to run it off the CD for a few years now - but it was slow since it had to load everything into memory instead of the hard drive disk. So, now I can truly see how it will work/perform on my home computer! Just gotta make some space for it now :S

You can grab yourself a copy today at:

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

And for those of you interested in a comparison of Windows Vista to Ubuntu 8.04, here you go:

CollectMyRent.com - A Win-Win Situation

2008-04-25T10:55:00.004-06:00

I found a new website that I really like! As many of you know, I like to take a different approach to business. I firmly believe in philanthropy and that there can always be a win-win situation to any business transaction. In negotiation this is referred to as Integrative Decision Making (an agreement process that better integrates the aims and goals of all the involved negotiating parties through creative and collaborative problem solving).

At CollectMyRent.com they have set up their business to create a win-win situation for both Landlords & Tenants. Renters can build credit to buy a house and landlords have less headaches over the collection process. Here is how it works:

TENANTS
Good credit is the key to future homeownership – CollectMyRent helps them get that key. With credit bureau reporting and automatic transfers, tenants are virtually guaranteed to build their credit so they can one day own their own home. Other powerful online features make the normal hassles of renting an apartment or home just as easy as checking their email.

Payments are transferred automatically, lessening the chance of incurring late fees!
Build your credit while you rent, helping you on the path to homeownership
Online maintenance requests mean less hassle and quicker responses
Online notifications of when lease expires and gives the opportunity to digitally sign an extension without time-consuming meetings with property managers or owners.

LANDLORDS
CollectMyRent is designed to help landlords leverage more control over their property and tenants. The intuitive design allows them to effortlessly manage maintenance requests, disperse notifications, and even renew leases. With CollectMyRent.com landlords can:

Increase their collection rate with the automated payment system
Import property information electronically to dramatically reduce data entry time
Manage their events and notifications online
Streamline their maintenance request process with online maintenance request and job tracking functions
Renew their tenants leases online with certified electronic signature technology
Create a competitive edge by helping their tenants build credit while they rent

We (Streatham, LLC) hope to implement CollectMyRent with our current tenants soon to help them on the road to Home Ownership!

Really Simple Syndication (RSS)

2008-04-24T10:14:00.006-06:00

Ever wonder what this ginormous icon is in my navigation pane? Perhaps you've seen the more familiar orange version? What it is, is what's known as Really Simple Syndication (RSS).

If you ever catch yourself visiting the same websites frequently looking for updates - THIS IS FOR YOU!

RSS allows you to easily stay informed by retrieving the latest content from the sites you are interested in. You also not only save time by not needing to visit each site individually, but you can ensure your privacy by not needing to join each site's email newsletter list.

How we can use this to our advantage, is by getting hold of what's known as an aggregator. This is simply a feed reader. I recommend using Google Reader because no matter what computer you use, you'll get all the news that you care about. I found a great video at youtube that helps explain all this, hope you enjoy:

Offshoring (CC #6)

2008-04-23T16:34:00.008-06:00

Today, I gave a presentation to my Human Organizational class on Offshore Outsourcing. This counted for my sixth competent communicator speech in Toastmasters. I thought it interesting enough to share some of the information I learned about this current phenomenon:

Common Problems Associated with Offshoring

Job Loss
Entry-Level Jobs
Poor Communication w/Call Centers
Travel Agency Call Centers are unfamiliar w/US geography
Personal Information is Available Internationally
Lower Standards of Safety/Security/Maintenance
Original Company Loses Control Over Product
Time Zone Differences Result in Abnormal Work Hours

Benefits of Offshoring

How do we gratify our “endless wants” with the most efficient use of resources?

The study of economics is based on a simple problem: human wants are endless; however, the resources to gratify those desires are, simply, finite. If something can be done more cheaply in India, it should be. The US should use its relative advantage to produce things that it is good at, leaving India to produce what it's good at. If we trade the goods and services that we have comparative advantages in, we'll both be better off.

Helps our country solidify its’ status as the wealthiest nation on Earth.
Facilitates developing nations grow and become stable.
Eventually raises our standard of living.
Risk Sharing

Our Proposal

America must adapt to changes as companies innovate
We encourage companies to stay current with technology

What we hope to achieve:

Success in business
An end to distortions in trade
A boost in aid for workers hurt by global competition
Growth in the economy
Specialization and innovation
Increased fulfillment in high-valued work positions
Americans to become more productive, skilled, and agile

Another interesting problem that offshoring can solve is by the surprising analysis by Evalueserve, a company that interviewed economist and offshoring experts across the globe, where they forecast a labor shortage in the near future. Statistics from the US Congressional Budget Office and US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the US will see a domestic labor shortage this is due to the U.S. population that continues to age. At current productivity levels, the country will need 5 percent or 15.6 million more workers by 2015 to maintain both its current ratio of workers to the total population and its living standards.

According to Evalueserve’s report, this labor shortage could cost the county’s economy over $2 trillion if companies do not address the issue soon, and offer offshoring as merely one way to ward off the looming economic crisis. By 2015, the U.S. will need more, not fewer workers. Even factoring in jobs lost to offshoring, the demand for workers in the U.S. will increase significantly as the number of workers who retire increases. Offshoring, therefore, may prove to be America’s solution to an oncoming labor shortage as opposed to the problem behind the country’s short-term job shortage.

Petition for Government Regulation of Offshoring

We encourage political representatives to enact the following regulations to law in support of offshoring:

Government shall not use American tax dollars to relocate jobs offshore and that government workers shall be forbidden from performing any work, overseas, that is paid for by US tax dollars.
Professional licensing requirements should be extended to cover all public and private work performed offshore. However, if an occupation or task requires a professional license, when performed in the US, then an equivalent license shall be required for the work to be done in another country.
All transmission of personal, identifiable information about American citizens to other nations is prohibited; except to those nations that Congress has identified as having a level of legal privacy protection and enforcement that is equal to or stronger than that provided by current US law.
Any transmission of personally identifiable information about American citizens outside of the US requires notice to, and prior written consent of, that individual.
Government shall not allow manipulation of the visa system to facilitate moving jobs to other countries by using temporary visas for the specific purpose of preparing managerial personnel to manage work that is to be sent offshore.
Forms of public support such as: government subsidies, grants for economic development and research, and tax abatement are conditional only upon local job creation. No government subsidies are to be given to businesses that transfer jobs to other nations.
Government must enact policies and international trade agreements that promote worker and human rights, require fair pay and decent working conditions, protect the environment, and ensuring peoples' freedom to form and join independent trade unions.

Blast from the Past

2008-04-22T08:42:00.005-06:00

I was doing some spring cleaning and found my old Blog that was exported to an SQL file from a while back. So, instead of just losing all the work I have previously done, I decided I would import these to this blog. Unfortunately, though, there's no current way for Blogger to import these automatically so I will have to import them by hand.

Hope you enjoy my previous works and now you'll know what's going on when you start seeing older posts :D

GetJONAS.com

2008-04-21T23:03:00.000-06:00

In an effort to further pursue my entrepreneurial dreams, I have launched the Computer Repair Service, known as: GetJONAS. I realized this past weekend that I do have a very specific skill set in repairing computers as well as creating websites. So I put two and two together and thought I'd test out the waters!

So if you know anyone that might be in need of some computer help, I have official launched my site :D And granted I definitely don't like the site right now - but I was told once:

"You will lose your life chasing after small things."
- Les Brown

So I'm trying hard ever day to stop worrying about all the details and to just grow as I go. It doesn't have to be perfect right from the start.

A New Hope

2008-04-20T13:56:00.000-06:00

For a while now, I've been wanting to write in my Journal. That is, if I had a Journal :D You know, to write down my thoughts and other things that I think will be of interest to my ancestors. However, I know myself better than anyone else and know that I hate to actually physically write things down. I guess why, is because:

I like things to look professional and Journal writing is much more consuming to make look really good.
It's more interactive than Journals with pictures and video easily being embedded.
It's a lot easier to rewrite sentences and make edits than using white-out.

So for anyone interested in the man they call Jason Kendall Seegmiller; hopefully, I'll be able to write things of interest to me. And for those of you who thought I would never get this going, here's to a new hope!

David Bach Madness!

2006-03-10T10:30:00.006-07:00

Well it looks like David Bach is kicking off his tour (the whole reason why I''m going to the Bay Area) with some serious power! He has just finished a three part series on The Early Show. If you missed any of it, you can check it out here (there''s short 5 min videos to watch too):

March 7, 2006

Part 1: Automatic Millionaire Homeowner

March 8, 2006

Part 2: From Real Estate to Riches

March 9, 2006

Part 3: Making Your Home Your Gold Mine

The sad point he brings out is that: "The average renter in America today is poor. They''re worth less than $5,000. The average homeowner is worth over $172,000. So, what we''re seeing in this country is a real separation between the rich and poor. In order to have wealth in America, you have to own a home." I must tell you that even though we don''t have a renter yet, I''m still very excited about our house and that I''m going to this seminar! I hope this gets you excited too.