Deconstructing Linux and Building a ‘Heaven & Hell’ Linux PC
Over the past few months, and on account of a failing hard drive in one machine and wanting to build a PC for my sister and brother-
in-law, I have been fiddling with different derivatives of Debian Linux (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, etc.) as well as experimenting with some other odd Linux distributions on older PCs I have kicking around. I tried Linux Mint 10 (Julia), using the Gnome desktop and both 32 bit and 64 bit versions. I also tried Ubuntu 10.10 64 bit (with the Gnome desktop). I really liked Ubuntu 10.10 and I am considering putting it on the PC I intend to repair and rebuild. If not, then I will use Linux Mint 10 as the main operating system (OS) for that computer.
Linux Mint Explained
Linux Mint is derived from Ubuntu and focuses more on a casual user: basically meaning a user who does not want to fiddle with his/her computer. It comes with needed software to play most media and much of the administrative functions are streamlined in the form of a useful GUI, with accessible menus mostly replacing command line activities. Since Ubuntu is developed by a corporate entity 
(Canonical), it is respectful of and stays completely clear of any copyright and license concerns. Many other distributions add all kinds of functionality (like playing commercial DVDs out of the box) that at times exist in legal grey areas. This sometimes takes the form of hardware drivers and such. So, while Ubuntu is often considered as one of the most user-friendly version of Linux, it still can be daunting for casual users who plunk in a DVD thinking it just plays on any hardware. Linux Mint fills that gap while trying to provide most functionality and simplifying common but complex functions. It is so easy to use and secure that I have my mother (who is in her seventies) using a laptop running Linux Mint 9 and am building a computer for other members of my family that will be running Linux Mint 10.
It is in my estimation that the free and open source operating systems that centre around Debian and Ubuntu, and which includes all kinds of other software such as the Gnome or KDE desktops, and other versions based off of all this (such as Linux Mint) represent a branch of F/OSS operating system development that could (if it doesn’t already) compete with the major commercial, mass markets OSes out there. While I have not yet tried them, I have also heard that Mepis, PCLinuxOS, and Ultimate Edition are also friendly for newcomers to Linux.
Deconstructing Linux-based Operating Systems
A few years ago now, when I first made the decision to learn more about Linux, one of the central problems I had was wrapping my mind around what it actually is. I have used DOS and UNIX in the distant past, as well as various incarnations of Windows (1.0, 3.1, 95, 98, 2000/ME, XP, Vista and Windows 7). Likewise with Mac OS (including some of the earlier ‘System’ OSes, as well as OS 9 and OS 10.x). With Windows and Mac OS, the operating system is easily understood as there are basically discreet versions. However, with Linux, it is not so straight-forward. Firstly, there is the Kernel, the foundation for any operating system. And the Kernel is what is properly called Linux. Other software that forms the rest of the operating system is a collection of discreet but interconnected pieces of software. The user really does not directly interact with the operating system to any great extent but instead will more likely use other software packages that sit on top of the operating system such as word processing software, video editing software, etc. But that is not the end of it. Operating systems made for PCs and which use the Linux kernel come in different flavours, each made by different but interconnected communities of individuals. In the Linux world there are a few main distributions (such as Debian, Slackware, Fedora, etc.) from which many other distributions are built. So, in the case of the OSes mentioned above, Linux Mint is derived from Ubuntu and Ubuntu is derived from Debian. (To get a handle on the various ‘distros’ out there, search for “Linux Distribution Timeline” (an image search might be most useful) and it could lead you to a place like this: http://futurist.se/gldt/).
With distributions like Ubuntu and Linux Mint, there are in reality specific collections of operating system software, using a Linux Kernel, and packaged with associated bits of user software packages. On top of all that, these versions might come in different flavours of desktop environments (Gnome, XFCE, KDE, Unity) which offer different functionality and levels of complexity. As you can probably tell, I am most familiar with Gnome but I intend to explore some of the other desktops out there in the future. So, for someone coming from a Windows and Mac OS experience, all of this variability can be hard to comprehend.
Building a ‘Heaven & Hell’ Linux PC
All the versions of F/OSS Linux-based OSes have taken interesting lines of development, mostly catering to specific uses/needs and/or communities of users. Some are used for PC recovery and trouble-shooting, some for home theatre PC needs, still others for use in a network attached storage device or public kiosk PCs. Then there are others that cater to specific audiences and demographics. Scientists, media artists, computer and network technicians, and casual users have distributions directed at them and there are even distributions that are meant for spiritual, ideological, and aesthetic purposes.
Seeing the variety and the endless examples of how computers are used is fascinating to me and I often spend time looking at different 
distros (at places like Distro Watch). And this led me to a fun little project for this past weekend. I decided to turn an older Dell workstation into a ‘heaven & hell’ PC. Recently, I came across two distributions based on Ubuntu but with radically different agendas: Ubuntu Christian Edition (UCE) and Ubuntu Satanic Edition (USE). Not surprisingly, UCE is built for those of the Christian faith and is themed accordingly and comes bundled with useful software such Bible software software. USE is not directed at Satan-worshippers but metal fans. It is themed accordingly and comes with open source metal music. While UCE is more serious, USE is a little more playful. As I understand it, early versions of USE were simply themed content for use with any version of Ubuntu but they ‘suggested’ that it should be installed over an installation of Ubuntu Christian Edition. At any rate, I found this to be a fascinating example of how different communities have taken the open source software world and build it around specific communities.
Consider some of these Linux variations:
#! (http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=crunchbang): designed to be lightweight and minimalist in its design.
GParted LiveCD (http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=gparted): built to be used ‘live’ and to partition hard drives.
Linux Mint (http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=ubuntu): based off of Ubuntu (which is based off of Debian) but designed with more built-in functionality and for any casual user.
MeeGo (http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=meego): Originates from Intel and Nokia open source projects and aimed at netbooks and entry-level desktops, handheld computing and communications devices, in-vehicle infotainment devices, connected TVs, and media phones.
Puppy Linux (http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=puppy): designed to be extremely lightweight, including use on older hardware.
Ubuntu (http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=ubuntu): based on Debian, Ubuntu has become one of the most used versions of Linux and is designed for casual users world-wide.
Vinux (http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=vinux): A remastered version of Ubuntu optimised for the needs of blind and visually impaired users.
Yellow Dog Linux (http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=yellowdog): built for PowerPC architectures and can be used specifically on the PS3 (at least, before Sony removed that functionality from the PS3).
Zencafe GNU/Linux (http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=zencafe): designed specifically for public Internet cafés and includes auto-recovery features, Internet café billing and management software, and other graphical system administration tools.
So, back to the ‘heaven & hell’ PC. I have an old Dell Precision 360 Workstation (circa 2002) that I use to play with (which mostly means 
I install versions of Linux on it to try them out) and decided to install both Ubuntu Christian Edition an Ubuntu Satanic Edition. Since they are installed side-by-side and I can boot into either one at start up, I now have a ‘heaven & hell’ PC. So far, I like both. However, I did install a relatively old version of Christian Edition (simply because I didn’t want to set up a torrent on the PC I was working on to get the latest version… so I just found an old version on the web somewhere). There are nice features on both but I have not really had much time to explore. Although I would consider myself an atheist, I attended the Catholic school system up until high school and still like many aspects of the New Testament. I also understand and respect the sense of community that religion can foster, especially its most humane forms (it’s the fundamentalists, of any religion, that I dislike). So, I did spend a little time with the Bible software and that was interesting (and brought back memories). The Satanic Edition was fun (even though it is slightly disrespectful to the Christian Edition… which is partly the intent for some using it no doubt). The wallpapers and 
icons were very well-crafted and if the metal/satanic themes are your kind of thing then it would represent a perfectly useful version of Ubuntu. I have yet to check out the music but that is on the list.
A word of advice to anyone wanting to try this: since I was working with a slightly older version of Christian Edition, it may have causes some hiccups with the installation and the ability to dual boot so that you can select one or the other from the menu at startup. If I was going to do this again, I would install Christian Edition first and then install Satanic Edition. That way you will get the entries for each (along with the ability to boot in safe mode with each and use the Memtest software). Doing it the other way around left the Satanic version without an entry to boot from.
Even though this is not the PC that I do any work on, I will try these for a time, particularly for web surfing. And it is a fun little project if you have a spare or old computer lying around. But it was intresting on other levels too. As an aspect of culture, both provide meaning, psycholigical comfort and aesthetic pleasure to their audience. Case in point, take a look at the ‘Loser’ wallpaper from the UCE. I know that those who are religious often feel persecuted. And while some of that is brought on themselves and some of it is more perceived than reality (not to mention that it fits in with the dominant tropes of Christianity)there is some truth to it too. The ‘Loser’ wallpaper speaks to this. On the other side, USE does something similar. A marginal form like metal is not very well represented in mainstream OSes like WIndows or MacOS and USE provides a playful and humourous OS directed at metal fans (which fans would no doubt argue is akin to a secular religion).
Finally, in the end, this just shows how free and open source software (moreso than commercial versions) can cater to individual needs and very specific tastes… which is awesome.
Peace
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PS. No harm nor disrespect was intended for either Christians or Satanists/Metalheads with the construction of this ‘Heaven & Hell’ PC.
Peak Oil: The Ultimate Paradigm Shift
During my educational pursuits over the past couple of decades, I have encountered many ‘movements.’ Whether they are creative, philosophical, scientific, or cultural, when proponents of those movements spoke, the term ‘paradigm shift’ was often evoked to signify the (sometimes justified) belief that these movements, at their core, provided their adherents with a new perspective from which to experience the world. But looking back on many of them now, it seems to me that almost all shared a foundational assumption in cultural progress and, whether they acknowledged it or not, constant economic growth. If a movement, say, focused on cultural, religious or aesthetic progress (ones own aesthetic is, of course, always superior to any other) then it relied upon economic comfort in some form. If the movement preached progress in scientific or technological form, its assumptions too were predicated upon further economic growth or, more specifically, a constantly increasing supply of resources and energy. Perhaps we could generalize even more and say that this assumption is what perhaps ties together every movement, empire, or even human civilization up to this point in time: the belief that progress is a given and that the necessary inputs (resources and especially energy) would always be in sufficient supply.
Of course, we know this is a fiction… finite resources are by definition finite. And, more generally, so it would seem is progress. The very fact that every civilization, empire, and movement has eventually witnessed its own demise is perhaps another indicator of these principles. Even so, there is the lingering belief (hope) that while specific empires may fall and movements wither, progress still applies to the species itself; ever expanding, always progressing in terms of technology, agriculture, engineering and ways in which to live.
The phenomenon of peak oil puts an end to this.
What we are living through (more or less) is the peak of the hydrocarbon age… a period of human civilization characterized by cheap and abundant energy derived from petroleum. This has made everything possible. The rise of industrial society, the agricultural revolution, chemistry (in particular, herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals), electronics and communications technology, modern standards of living, and even the expansion of democracy from the few to the many; all is dependent upon petroleum and its chemical and energy by-products. What is unsettling is that judging from the available (but inadequate) information, this period is about to go into potentially irreversible decline.
While none of what I just recounted is new, an interesting piece of news was making the rounds this week that might just represent the final nail in the coffin so to speak. What is most fascinating is that this tidbit largely went unnoticed given the importance and immediacy of other current events (the unfolding protests in the Middle East in particular) and the constant spectacle of celebrities, sports, and politics that always seems to overwhelm everything of real importance. The news was Wikileaks documents from the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia discussing the possibility that the Saudi Kingdom might not be able to act as a swing producer nor be able to increase production in the future in order to meet projected world demand. Saudi Arabia has been protected by the U.S. for more than the past half-century and for good reason. It’s astonishingly abundant supplies of easy-to-access, easy-to-refine, and easy-to-transport petroleum has kept Western nations supplied with what is their lifeblood. What is more, in the past forty years, Saudi Arabia has been able to quickly step in with increased production whenever supply has been disrupted. While Saudi Arabia does not supply the U.S. directly with very much oil, it has kept oil prices largely stable and has supplied U.S. allies (crucial in the context of the Cold War). What is more, these diplomatic cables point to something that has been suspected for some time: Saudi claims relating to their oil reserves have been greatly exaggerated, perhaps by as much as 40 percent.
Many oil producing countries are in decline and that is why unconventional supplies of oil (deep water, oil/tar sands) are becoming more attractive. But this is not the light, sweet crude that dominated the twentieth century. It is heavy, sour (high sulphur content) and extremely expensive and energy-intensive to both produce and refine. And if Saudi Arabia can no longer act as the world’s swing producer or be relied upon to meet all the increased demand that is projected for the future, things are about to become very different.
Our development of alternative energy sources is very slow and very weak but even if we were to suddenly go on a spending spree to develop alternative energy (which we cannot afford since we are so bankrupt already), these energy sources do not really represent a viable, long-term solution simply because their energy density (what is available to humans) is low and are sometimes intermittent at their source. Some are dependent upon finite resources (uranium for nuclear energy for example) and all are dependent upon abundant energy for their construction and maintenance. Most importantly, these energy sources are often not well-suited for modern transportation. I hope we do find some magical, new energy source but I would not hold my breath. We have had the last one hundred and fifty years to develop and scale up the necessary technology and infrastructure needed to exploit petroleum and by all accounts we do not have any where near that amount of time to develop alternative energy sources.
As many oil geologists and others associated with the phenomenon of peak oil have been telling us, it represents the very real possibility that our species–in terms of both sheer numbers and cultural and technological development–has reached its apex. What this all represents is the ultimate paradigm shift… unlike anything that we, as a species, have had to face before.*
I do wonder if most in the world, citizens of developed Western nations and those in developing nations alike, will be able to adjust to such a change. Will we act collectively and cooperatively, set aside our expectations, and try to adjust as best we can? Can we feed seven billion souls in a world where the necessary inputs needed for industrialized agriculture become increasingly scarce and expensive? Or, will we resort to all-out resource wars to maintain some semblance of contemporary standards of living?
At the very least, we are living in very interesting times. And, if this turns out to be the ultimate paradigm shift, I am still very glad that I am alive at this particular moment in time… a singular moment where the human race–measured by its sheer numbers as well as its technological and cultural development–may very well be at its absolute peak.
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*Well, at least in recorded history. Researchers who have looked into the genetic diversity of the human population estimate that the human species was reduced, at one point in the long distant past, to something like a few hundred breeding pairs… meaning we were likely quite close to extinction at least once in our past.
Apple Pulls WikiLeaks App
Hmmm… it seems the Apple Afficianados are at it again. An app providing easy access to WikiLeaks materials has been removed from Apple’s app store with little explaination from the company. See this:
Apple Nixes WikiLeaks iPhone App. Will Google Follow? Andy Greenberg, Forbes’ Blogs
Yet again, major ‘tech’ companies prove they are not really interested in the information revolution but tying their devices to your bank account and controlling the information landscape for their own purposes. I’m sure that Apple’s lawyers had a hand in this–likely wanting to protect themselves from the wrath of the U.S. goernment–but it still speaks to the fact that all the hype about world-changing, game-changing, information technologies that empower the individual like never before is just marketing clap-trap… in reality, Apple and others are only self-interested with the desire to turn all media usage into consumer-driven, micro-transactions. Why engage with humanity, the environment or the wider world when you can blankly stare into the blue light of little, corporate-controlled LED screens where your perfected consumer image is constantly reflected back to you?
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