Oliver Hansen

This is the first in some posts that will be from the wiki I use at work. I’ll remove the work-specific details but leave the general info for others to use. Many of it is compiled from different MS Knowledge Base articles. (more…)

I just installed Linux mint KDE CE on my desktop computer. I love it! It’s great and looks brilliant with the advanced desktop effects that my laptop couldn’t produce last time. Well there was one thing that I remembered from last time. It’s really more of an annoyance than anything but when booting up you see a message that says

The solution was found by clem on the linux mint forum. Apparently

A grub on a separate /boot partition cannot access /etc. Known bug.

but because if it is changed it will not work if /boot is on the same partition there is no default fix for it right now. As mentioned in the post, the solution is “in menu.lst change /etc/grub/message.mint to /grub/message.mint”. Have fun!

Wow, it’s been a while. I’ve been quite busy at work lately but documenting a lot of what I’m doing. I do this mostly to help coworkers and myself if the same task needs to be done in the future but I also would like to post some of what I’ve been writing for the general public to use.

Ok, well I’m still busy but I will make more of an effort to put more up on the blog in this next week.

Ok, so some of you may have seen this stuff before but it’s pretty cool! I’m used to seeing stunts on a bike or skateboard but only with the human body? Impressive.

From the Jamaica Gleaner online:

LETTER OF THE DAY - Nuh Linga … sort it out
published: Thursday | August 28, 2008

The Editor, Sir:

I am writing this article in response to your editorial of August 26.

Following the euphoria of the greatness that the athletes achieved in Beijing, shaking the world and bringing back nationalism, pride and the true Jamaican spirit, many expressed concerns and wishes for peace for the entire country. Why can it not be like this always? Why not put an end to crime?

Of course, people will talk about the kind of crime that takes the lives of others by guns, knives or any other way that makes the heart stop beating and causes them to die. I think that this is the right and perfect moment to deeply reflect on this.

Crime has been defined as “a violation of the law; an offence against morality or public welfare; wrongdoing”. This kind of crime, which takes people’s lives, is just the tip of the iceberg. We can see it. We can feel it making our lives miserable. But what about other crimes?

Child abuse

As we have defined crime from the dictionary, what about the ones that we commit on a daily basis? We beat our children, abuse them sexually, do not allow them to have a proper education, no health care, no “I love you”, no “You can do it”. Is that not a crime?

Accepting bribes, offering bribes and dealing in corruption - are these not crimes?

The way our teachers are treated by students, parents and others - is that not a crime?

We disrespect our wives and husbands, treating them like a ‘nobody’ in front of our children and not providing psychological support when they need it. Is that not a crime?

The remuneration we pay our employees and the negligence we have with our job descriptions, is that not a crime?

Irresponsible or dishonest management of the money of the rich and poor, leaving them without their savings, is this too, not a crime?

Self-interest laws

Throwing garbage through the car windows, not stopping at traffic lights, breaking the rules and not respecting the rights of others, only doing things for your personal benefit and not for the benefit of others, is this not a crime? Creating and approving laws for self-interest, is this not a crime?

Disrespect for human rights, is that not a crime?

To win a marathon, it is necessary to take the first step. However, the last step that leads to victory is the step that everybody sees and says is “the step”. Likewise, the crime that kills people is the tip of the iceberg and everybody sees it and says “the crime”; but the iceberg, like the marathon, is built with every small step - every small one.

There is great pressure on the athletes to become the role models and ambassadors of the country - with which I would agree, but what about you and me? When we go to take on the responsibility to be a good role model, we say that we are going to be a good father, mother, neighbour, worker, manager, boss, politician, coach, player, teacher, student, driver, lawyer, etc. We are always trying to make my neighbour clean his yard, but I don’t clean mine. Let us all take responsibility to melt this iceberg by being a good example.

I know we cannot change the past, but if we all decide, we can make the future different.

I am, etc.,

RENÉ SIMOES

Kingston