Monthly Archive for December, 2005

Xandros Desktop Linux – the real deal?

Published on December 30, 2005 in Info Tech, Opinions, Reviews and Solutions. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Say hello to Xandros
Folks, I’ve been following this amazing Linux distro and I just keep getting dizzy the more I read and use it. Of course, there’s also the excellent free edition which is available for download. So far, I’ve never had any problems whatsoever with the product, and the fact that it’s based on Debian Linux – the largest community-supported distro on the planet – means that it’s rock-solid under the hood.

Superior craftsmanship
One thing that really impressed me about this distro is the company’s attention to details. Never have I seen another Linux (or BSD desktop variant) product that is well crafted from top to bottom. Everything just works well…that’s all I can say!!

To get an idea of what they’re about, take a peek at this Q & A on OSNews.com with a Xandros executive:

OSNews: In what ways Xandros Desktop’s KDE differs from a stock/default KDE installation? What tools/features Xandros have added/modified? In what way the default KDE UI was modified?

Michael Bego (Xandros): We have touched almost every single KDE app that we are shipping. For KDE apps, we have concentrated mostly in fixing usability problems, app crashes, or features that just do not work or are missing. Up to today, we have discovered and fixed well over 1000 of these bugs/enhancements in KDE. In a way, our enhanced KDE Desktop is more stable and more user friendly than the stock KDE from an average user’s view point. On top of that, we have added our own Xandros File Manager which, in our opinion, will cater better to someone that is an average Windows users. We have also added several control panel modules that will make an end user’s configuration experience much simpler and smoother than the competition as ours are all tightly integrated with the KDE Control Center. In most other distros, the end user are usually very confused as they have to do their configuration from two to three different tools. There are also many other features that we have added to Xandros Desktop 1.0 – User Switching and Time Based User Login Control are just a couple that come to mind.

KDE has always been an excellent desktop choice. However, it is always lacking the tight integration with the underlying operating system since KDE is designed to run on almost any favours of UNIX. We, at Xandros, have completed this tight integration so any low level operating systems events will be handled nicely with our enhancements. For example, by plugging an USB storage device into the USB port, the device will immediately be available in the Xandros File Manager. The user can then manipulate the files on the USB storage device use the same drag and drop technique that one uses on hard drives…

As you can see, this company’s playing for keeps! Everything they do is very methodical and well-thought out. You’ll also be pleased to note that Xandros is based on Corel Linux, which was way ahead of its time around 2000. {Too bad Corel got into deep “doo doo” by purchasing WordPerfect for $900 Million along with Borland’s Quattro Pro and Paradox, which ultimately lead to their downfall.}

Say goodbye to buggy software
To conclude, I urge you to take Xandros Linux for a spin! You’ll feel just as though you were running Windows XP (or Windows 2000) with the exception of not having to run Windows Update in order to avoid all of the nasty surprises (spyware, trojan horses, viruses, etc.) that currently plague Bill’s (Gates) empire. In this case, “better them than us” is a phrase to behold. :-)

And how can you not fall in love with these sexy screenshots?

Seeing is believing!

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Getting Hired: Make an impression by asking the right questions

Published on December 23, 2005 in Business, Info Tech and Opinions. 0 Comments Tags: , .

It’s true what you’ve heard all along: “The first impression is the one that lasts.” In an interview scenario, the ability to make a verbal impression can make or break your chance at landing that sought after position.

What do I mean by verbal? The answer may surprise you, but the ability to ask timely questions could make the difference in separating you from other job seekers.

Before I give you some tips, remember two important facts:

  • Asking questions will place you in a favorable position to be hired by the interviewer.
  • You can obtain valuable information from the interviewer about the job and the company that will be of help when deciding to accept or reject a potential offer of employment.

Now, let’s get you some tips to have that interviewer begging to hire you.

In general, you should ask questions that:

  • Demonstrate you have done research on the company and how they operate.
    Example: “I noticed on your website that Acme Corp. is looking to set up an E-Commerce site. What application server technology will be the backbone for this implementation? Cold Fusion, Active Server Pages, .NET, PHP, IBM’s WebSphere, or something similar?”

  • Tell you what the prospective interviewer is looking for.
    Example: “I understand the job opening is for an Application Developer. Could you please highlight some specific traits your’e looking for in a job candidate and how these directly relate to the new job opening?” or “Can you explain why this Application Developer position is available?” or “What specific duties does the Application Developer position entail?”

Compensation issues should be shelved until you progress further in the interview process. “How much money can I make?” is perhaps the best example of what not to say.

Questions focused on monetary rewards genarally signal a red flag. In other words, the interviewer may conclude you’re jumping ship because of money.

So how do you slip in a question regarding compensation without giving a bad impression? Try this one: “How often does Acme Corp. review performance?”

Finally, caution is required when inquiring about corporate culture and working conditions since it gives the impression that you’re only looking out for yourself. “What is the atmosphere like at Acme Corp.?” should generate a positive reply while maintaining your spotless image during the interview.

Good luck and happy hunting!

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Welcome

Published on December 21, 2005 in Info Tech, Life and Opinions. 4 Comments Tags: , .

Gaia (Mother Earth) is under attack by mankind's unlimited wantsThanks for visiting my blog. I’m sure you probably have other websites that you’re aching to visit at this very moment, which is why I appreciate you stopping by for a quick peek to see who the heck this fellow, MaxTheITpro, is. You can learn more about me here.

Getting started
Well, I’ve always been an IT (Information Technology) buff after my COOP high school work term at Computing Devices Corporation (now part of General Dynamics Canada – aka the military industrial complex) along with a 16 month Industrial Internship at the Bank of Montreal in Toronto. In addition, I’ve always had a keen interest in new technologies on the horizon that would improve our daily lives (or bring in the big bucks as an IT professional). :-)

Suffice to say that “it’s a jungle out there” – with tons of interesting things to learn and try out. The sad part about this business is that you can quickly fall behind if you take too long a break.

Why blog?
That’s why I created this blog so that I can share my knowledge, experience and opinions on a wide array of issues and technologies (Open Source Software, mobile technologies like PocketPCs, databases, Linux, BSD Unix, Windows, Open Source ERP/CRM products, Content Management Systems, programming languages like Python, and much more) in the IT field.

New interests
But now that I’ve been here in East Africa, I have a new passion for green alternative solutions such as biodiesel, biomass, hemp, miscanthus, pongamia, etc. that promote  self sufficiency and a cleaner environment. Let’s face it, we’re at the 11th Hour as well as living in The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight.

If you like any of my articles or topics, please feel free to leave a comment in the appropriate section of said page. Enjoy the ride!

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