Nisadas

CVO. Chief Virus Officer. That’s what my pals at Vesess call me. Hmph. I read so much about the havoc caused by viruses on Microsoft’s operating system that paranoia stalks me all the time. Especially when you consider the time it takes to reinstall the whole thing when something goes wrong. So, downloading virus updates on a religiously regular basis is something I do.

At home, I was running Vector Linux, which gave me a cute little application called KGet for downloads. Looking for a similar application led me to WackGet. I’d wax lyrical on this little package, but it seems that after two months of using it and deciding to do a little post on it, Lifehacker beat me to it. Read all about WackGet here.

So before Lifehacker beats me to it yet again, let me share another little jewel with you – www.TinyApps.org. This site has a list of various small, low-overhead software for well, various uses.

Whereas my experience with Linux is still in the fall-down-more-times-than-walk and really-smelly-diaper stage, I’m lovin’ it. Since moving to Ubuntu, I’ve been a big fan of the little software called Axel. It’s a fantastic downloader that I use quite often.

Of further interest to interested parties may be Steven Watsky’s Lagniappe! page. Of course, if you take the time to visit it, then you should also check out his homepage and blog. This guy is more or less responsible for BeatrIX, and subsequently my shift to a totally linux environment at home.

UPDATE (2008 Aug 10) It seems that the whole BeatrIX program was discontinued ages ago. I have since disabled the links to Watsky’s pages.

The internet is a great way for obscure information to come into the spotlight – like the musings of an eclectic guy in Sri Lanka, for example.

So it’s something of a minor triumph that I should turn up in a google search at all.

Anyone who’s been involved in the web design industry is already well aware of how important being in search engines has become. There’s a separate industry built around Search Engine Optimization (SEO), so much so that spammers have taken to creating bogus websites to lure unsuspecting surfers.

After all, being able to find out something in this vast sea of information is very important. So important that the term “google” has become an adjective a verb in everyday english today.

There was an interesting article on the power of Google recently at ZDNet.

So who do you think turns up first on a google search for “failure“?

It’s worth a look.

After messing around with Dial-Up, paying the nice people at Linuxant for a modem driver that works with my Conexant Winmodem on that lovely version of Vector SOHO Linux , I’ve been given the good news.

The people at Sri Lanka Telecom have extended their service area for ADSL to my hometown.

So,
Step 01

1. I go to the local SLT Teleshop and asks for an ADSL application.
2. I fill in the application, stating no need for installation or equipment, because I’ve already bought a 4-port Edimax Router and splitter from the people at Eastlink.
3. Of course, I’ve got documents proving that I have the permission of the phone line owner to get ADSL.
4. I thank the nice people at the Teleshop and go home.

Step 02

1. The people at SLT call back a few days later and say that the ADSL connection has been made available
2. I attach the little wire that comes with the splitter to the little box that normally connects the modem/phone line, the other end being connected to the splitter.
3. The Ethernet cable that comes with the router is then connected to the Router and the LAN port on my PC. Of course, if there wasn’t an inbuilt Ethernet port, I would have to buy a separate Network card.
4. I start up the computer, and my router is immediately recognised by my operating system.
5. I follow the instructions for installation(included in the router package or available online)
6. I open my browser and go online.

Life is good.

PostScript: This is for all my pals who wanted to know about how I setup ADSL. Individual experience may vary. Drop me a mail.

PPS: In case there is more than phone in the home, there might be some wiring required. In that case, a good conversation with the SLT people should be of some help.