I rather like Remote Desktop for Windows XP, the windows terminal services application. I found that when I installed Windows Server 2003, each user that connects to the box will spawn a new session, or connection. In Windows XP, any new logon will force the existing session to terminate. I wanted to change Windows Server 2003 to have that functionality, but I couldn’t figure out how.

After searching google for about an hour, I was able to find a solution. Essentially, the client needs to specify that it wants to connect to the “console session” of a server. You can specify this by running “mstsc /console” instead of simply “mstsc” for the Remote Desktop client.

I installed Ubuntu Linux about a 3 days ago on my new system. It has not performed up to my expectations. I have compiled a short and concise list why I feel Ubuntu is not for me.

First, the OS is workstation oriented, in contrast to server oriented. There is very little support anywhere for a non-GUI based Ubuntu install, and everything is setup according to an ‘ease of use’ principle. There is talk on their forums about how the distro is slightly slow compared to some other Linux distros which compile their application packages, whereas Ubuntu simply installs the binaries. Moreover, something that really annoying me was the fact that you can’t by default su to root in an Ubuntu install, you have to instead sudo every command you want to execute as root. While I’m sure there are workarounds, such a ridiculous default option is nothing short of pestering.

Next, and further suggesting the above, the fact that the OS by default comes so bloated with software is somewhat annoying. It would probably be good for a typical workstation user, but for someone wishing to use the system as a server, the fact that OpenOffice, Gimp, etc. are installed is simply a waste of space. Personally, I think that Windows makes a great workstation, and I doubt I would anytime soon find a replacement. If the server were bloated with option server software, well that might be a different story…

Next, I was having some issues installing Oracle 10g. It turns out that Ubuntu isn’t a “Certified Linux Distribution” for Oracle 10g. Currently the only distros that are certified are

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 (RHEL 4)
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 (RHEL 3)
• Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 (SLES9)

I’m pretty sure each of those distros cost money. While I’m sure that the issues are probably easy to fix, I really don’t want to have to deal with it. I want an install that will work “out of the box.”

Next, the default “remote desktop” for Gnome acts as a vnc server, but it has enormous lag problems (compared to a system with 1/3rd the CPU speed and 1/4th the RAM). Not exactly sure why…

Lastly, their documentation is heavily lacking. But, I might have spoiled early in my *nux career.

Next step for getting an Oracle server? I’m somewhat ashamed to admit that I’ve considered a Windows 2003 (win2k3) server, or maybe a VPS like Virtuozzo with win2k3 and some *nux (probably back to FreeBSD).

I installed Ubuntu 5.10 (Breezy Badger) on a shiny new system I just received… which barely fits under my desk.
Relevant stats:

2x Intel Pentium III 1.05GHz
2GB RAM
2x 250GB 7200RPM IDE hard drive
1x 80GB 7200RPM IDE hard drive
4x 40GB 7200RPM IDE hard drive
ATI Rage 128 (it is a server…)

With an onboard RAID device, and plenty of power, this system has support for 8 HDDs (room to grow!). It really is a thing of beauty. It also has room for 4 hard drive caddies, which each have built-in fans for cooling the HDDs.

I immediately installed Ubuntu server onto the system. After having it installed, I noticed that all of the documentation and guides out there were for the GUI version of Ubuntu. Apparently nobody uses Ubuntu for a server? So I scrapped that and reinstalled with the GUI version.

I found some great documentation for learning Ubuntu:

• http://ubuntuguide.org/
• https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation
• Oracle on Ubuntu

Speaking of… since one of the main reasons to switching to Ubuntu is to install Oracle, I decided to try installing Oracle 10g on Ubuntu.

Checking operating system version: must be redhat-3, SuSE-9, redhat-4, UnitedLinux-1.0, asianux-1 or asianux-2
Failed <<<<

ccole says you have to trick the system:

Add the following to new file /etc/redhat-release:
Red Hat Linux release 2.1 (drupal)

I’ve yet to try this, but I will as soon as possible.

So far, it looks to be working great. There are a couple of things I need to solve before I consider this a good replacement. Those things are, namely:

1. Where do I get the gcc compiler?
2. Java 1.5?
3. UFS r/w compatibility?
4. Vncviewer only has “takeover” mode, meaning the target machine still has all things viewable, potentially causing excess lag. How to get around this?

My iPod sold for $166 shipped. I’m happy with that, considering I bought it for $135. I had a chance at another one of similar quality for $110. Dang I should have snagged it.

Since the iPod I was selling was removed by eBay almost 2 weeks ago, I decided it was finally time to relist it.

SILVER MINI IPOD 4GB MP3 NR LIKE NEW PERFECT CONDITION: (in case I lose it again, for some reason)

This auction includes a 4GB iPod mini, silver. It’s used but in close to perfect condition. There are absolutely no scratches on the screen.

Along with all of the original accessories, I’m also including two skin/covers. It is VERY like new, and in great working condition.

Shipping is $10 in continental US.

More info about the silver 4GB iPod mini:

• Holds over 1000 songs at near CD quality
• Up to 8 hours of continuous playback with rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
• Super portable at 3.6 ounces and only 0.5″ thick, 2″ wide and 3.6″ tall.
• Automatically synchronizes music, playlists, and audiobooks with your Mac or PC

Comes with:

• Stock headphones
• Two skins; one stylish green skin with carry cord, and one super protective rigid blue case with screen and wheel protector. See picture below.
• Belt clip, FireWire cable, USB 2.0 cable, AC adapter

Click any of the following for a larger picture, or see the entire album (http://raydehler.com/photos/v/raystuff/ipod-mini/):

In this picture, the blemishes are on the protective outer screen of the green skin, not on the screen itself.

My camera is pretty crappy as far as lighting goes, but you get the idea. The iPod really is in great shape.

Thanks for looking!

How much does this cost to list? Not $4.95 (cough), but with a standard 7 day listing and no additional options, $0.25. There will be a small percentage afterwards, but I think it will be worth it.