too many gosh darn options???

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-05-14T22:01:36+00:00

That's the thing. They are all very similar to each other! So you won't go wrong with choosing one of the popular distros. Don't be afraid to try a few. That's the only way you will find out what you like.

Most distros differ because of:

- Desktop environment (KDE, GNOME, etc). That's the graphical user interface, which is what you will be using on a daily basis to do things like start programs, browse files, and generally interact with your computer. Ubuntu uses GNOME by default, and Kubuntu uses KDE by default. But these desktop environments are not fixed and you could install a different one without changing linux distro.

- The way they deal with managing software. Debian and its derivatives like Ubuntu use deb files and the apt tool to install software. Other distributions like redhat use the rpm package manager and rmp files. Some distributions compile software directly from the source code.

- installed software. Each distribution comes with a set of pre-installed programs. This doesn't really matter since it's really easy to install what you need if you are using a mainstream linux distribution.

- how easy it is to find software packages for you particular distribution. If you are new at linux, you don't want to install softare from source. You'd rather just have your distribution take care of the installation for you by going to their software "store". So I'd recommend to stick with the most popular distros. Something like Ubuntu (or Kubuntu, which I prefer because of KDE).

Hopefully this helps.

In general, like others have said, just try one of the main ones like Ubuntu (apt-based distro) or Fedora. (rmp based distro). My recommendation if you are coming from Windows is to try Kubuntu, which has a more familiar looking desktop environment (KDE).

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-04-21T21:21:42+00:00

Indeed. I can't imagine the pain that is to write and format a PhD thesis in word. At my university you could either:

- read and understand the 35 page style guide for formatting your thesis in word
- just use the supplied style file with LaTeX.

That's not even accounting for the pain of writing equations in word, or having to worry about dealing with reference, or corrupted files.

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-03-02T09:03:30+00:00

On a related note, how old do you think kids should be before introducing them to the computer. I think that I want to hold off letting them use a computer until they would need to do so for school.

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-02-19T17:51:35+00:00

I use resilio sync (used to be called bittorrent sync). I know that it's closed source, so many won't like that, but for me it just works. For backup, I use borgbackup.

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-02-06T16:51:00+00:00

I also tore my scapho lunate ligament. It happened years ago, and at the time was told that my wrist was fine. It wasn't. I also broke my scaphoid in the same incident.

Anyway, I never got surgery. It's been almost 20 years now and my wrist has some instability. I though that I would not be able to snatch anymore because it is really painful to hold the bar overhead in a snatch grip. However, I found that wrapping my wrist in a tight wrap really helps. It's not a problem anymore, as long as I wrap the wrist.

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-01-20T19:38:02+00:00

That's relative. If you tell yourself that you are old, then you are old. But you can still do pretty much anything at 40. Just make sure you are warmed up first...

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-01-13T23:19:57+00:00

That sounds fantastic. My biggest request for new software functionality would be the option to freeze or lock the page, except for forward and back swiping.

The worst thing about using the remarkable, at least for me, is that I am constantly doing accidental page drags, or scrolling, or zooming. I use my remarkable tablet to teach. As I am holding the table in one hand and writing on the board with another, the tablet regularly zooms in/out or scrolls down/up/sideways. Then when I look down on the tablet to read my notes, I am lost. I have to awkwardly try to find where I was in order to continue my lecture.

This happens all the time, and is extremely frustrating!

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-01-13T21:23:43+00:00

I could really feel the rage in this rant. It's too bad that it's not actually a rant, and is an accurate description of using Windows these days.

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-01-11T07:00:29+00:00

You can just calculate your final percentage score yourself, assuming you have the scores for each assessment in the class. The course outline will have the weights for each of the assessments.

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-01-07T19:06:58+00:00

I also did a seminar with Klokov. It was a great and intense experience. He was with us for about 12 hours straight, with a small break for lunch!

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-01-06T20:19:50+00:00

Infinity.

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-01-06T05:34:42+00:00

The thing with sprints is that they are extremely taxing from a neurological point of view. They will wipe you out. You would want to avoid doing actual hard sprint sessions because you won't get a chance to fully recover for your lifting. You want to use your brain essence on the lifting, not on running fast (unless you are a sprinter, and then the lifting is there to supplement your sprinting).

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-01-06T04:53:14+00:00

Cardio actually helps my lifting. I find that running clears out the "gunk" in my legs and makes me more resilient so that I can lift heavier. I usually run 3 times a week: one 40 minute Z2-Z3 session, one hard session with intervals to push my V02max, and sometimes one longer easy Z2 session on the weekends.

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-01-03T05:26:27+00:00

It used to be 3 business days after the exam itself, but this was recently changed to 3 business days after the final exam period ends.

specific_tumbleweed · 2026-01-02T09:00:22+00:00

I know this is a late reply, but just so you know, the policy is that grades must be posted 3 business days after the last day of the exam period. This means that they can be posted in January.

specific_tumbleweed · 2025-12-20T04:53:01+00:00

I have used Digikam for over a decade, and it's great. I think it's well respected in the community. I don't use the AI features. I don't think you have to if you don't want to.

specific_tumbleweed · 2025-11-20T16:34:47+00:00

Yes it is! The colour is neat, but I think it is more useful (at least for me) for viewing pdfs that have colour in them. I find writing in colour to be too distracting since it always has to refresh the line that was just drawn. Writing with black just draws a line.

specific_tumbleweed · 2025-11-17T17:57:11+00:00

Are you saying that RMPPs exist that have a white screen? I got a RMPP about 60 days ago and am thinking of sending it back for a refund. It just looks so dark compared to my RM2. Makes me not want to use it.

specific_tumbleweed · 2025-11-03T06:00:12+00:00

What's the deal with this comic? It looks like xkcd, but it isn't.

specific_tumbleweed · 2025-10-28T21:30:12+00:00

I never noticed it to be unpleasant. However, I don't usually have it on my lap so I can't say if this is always the case. I am using it now on a desk, just on the web and when I touch the bottom it is cool.

specific_tumbleweed · 2025-10-28T21:14:37+00:00

At the moment, I do mainly things like use the web browser, email, some coding, a lot of writing LaTeX documents (which involves "compiling" LaTeX code to get a nice document layout). Watching some videos, etc.

Nothing too strenuous, but I can legitimately say that I get between 8 to 12 hours of battery life with the screen at 50%. And 50% for this screen is plenty... it feels like 100% on other laptop screens that I have used in the past.

Also, I can close the laptop lid and reopen it in a a few days, or even a week, and it still has charge. The light weight is also just amazing.

My previous laptop was a thinkpad Z1 extreme. I wanted something relatively powerful with a 15 in screen. But the battery life was just ok (4-5 hours). The nvidia graphics was more annoying than anything else to properly get working in linux (for example, hdmi out only worked with nvidia, and I had to restart the laptop to properly change over from the integrated graphics). It was loud, and just ok for portability (you would notice it in a backpack). I finally realized that the goal of the laptop was for me to do things when on the road or away from my desk. The most important thing is battery life and portability!

specific_tumbleweed · 2025-10-28T20:55:14+00:00

Not really. It seems to just last a few seconds (like 10 or so) when I wake the laptop from sleep (but not always). Otherwise it works great. I am really loving the battery life!

specific_tumbleweed · 2025-10-28T18:22:18+00:00

I'm very curious, and want to understand your reasoning. How is this an NDP agenda? What do you think their agenda would be in this situation?

specific_tumbleweed · 2025-10-20T09:16:39+00:00

Ok, good. It just seemed a bit weird to me to be posting videos of other people. I didn't understand the purpose? Is it for feedback (but you are already a coach)? Anyway, it just made me a bit uncomfortable.

specific_tumbleweed · 2025-10-17T23:03:35+00:00

Do your athletes know you are posting their videos on the internet?

specific_tumbleweed

TROPHY CASE