Author: Mike Cline, T/X Resources
How cool is this? I just found a new online spreadsheet application that allows you to share, collaborate, and publish spreadsheets that actually work when they are posted on a website, or blog. EditGrid received a very good rating from PC Magazine. The concept is somewhat similar to what is already being done with the online spreadsheet applications of Google Docs, and Zoho. However, the company focuses all of its efforts on the spreadsheet application solely, and apparently does a much better job at it, than either of its competitors.
Author: Mike Cline, T/X Resources
Being in business for myself, I have to wear several “hats” during the day. Not only am I a Geophysicist, but also must be adept at geology, marketing/sales, finance, etc. (and now running a blog). Whew, sometimes there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day!
Another one of my duties, which often seems to take a lot of my time, is being the unofficial, computer support person for several computers: three of my own, one in a currently active client’s office, and three for my family—all with Windows XP (I’ve had no desire to jump to Windows Vista yet, with all of its reported problems, and slowness). It seems that I’m continually fixing something that is broken, corrupted, won’t work, etc., or continually searching for upgrades/fixes, and boy do I get frustrated with the seemingly never-ending problems.
As a result, I have recently started to investigate the possibility of using Linux as an OS (operating system). Let me state here, that I’m not an expert yet, by any means—I’m still way down on the learning curve. There’s still a lot to learn, but I thought that I would share some of what I have found out so far. Here’s a recent Linux user survey that I found, about some of the leading Linux distributions (distro’s in geek speak).
Author: Mike Cline, T/X Resources
This is a continuation of my previous Linux article (which eventually got too long for one posting), discussing the results from my Linux tests.
First, the negatives from my tests: From the initial results, additional research, and my other experiences, many of the currently available Linux operating systems (OS) doesn’t yet seem to be able to recognize every hardware component available like Windows usually does. Generally, Linux still has problems with network-related hardware (especially wireless adapters), video adapters, and some external devices such as printers, and digital cameras. Because of these network, and video-related problems, laptops seem to have more problems than desktops do.
Fixing a problem usually requires delving into the very “geeky”, and unfamiliar domain of the CLI (Command Line Interface, similar to the old MS DOS commands). It can be a bit intimidating, initially. Also, the general user-interface appearance on many distros are still very garish—I have no idea where they come up with some of the colors, or graphics symbols which are used, or when they did think of them, why they decided to use actually them. However, as they become a more mainstream OS, they will improve these problems. Actually, I can already see it happening, in just the short time that I’ve been looking into Linux.
Author: Mike Cline, T/X Resources
Since the first posting, I’ve gotten nothing but encouraging comments. Here are a few:
“Good work Mike.” (Michael M.)
“This is very interesting!” (David W.)
“Excellent idea.” (Teri B.)
“I think it’s a great idea.” (Sara V.)
“Works!” (Yvon H.)
“Wow! You did it.” (Mark C.)
“Thanks a lot for your blog, brilliant idea.” (Julien F.)
From the sound of it, visitors may be starting to realize the potential usefulness of the blog (at least I hope so), and how the old SMT User email forum might mesh with it. I also just checked my website stats, and the number of “hits” is up by orders of magnitude–so I know it has gotten some interest from viewers.