Why should you run Ubuntu instead of XP?

Dude, it’s spring. As in, “spring cleaning”.  You really need a better excuse to GLD? Okay, it’s prettier to look at than XP, faster than XP, less venerable to viruses than XP, has a better file management system, and looks way cooler/geekier running on your computer. Go check it out here.

What do I need to get started?

You need an uncool PC running Window XP or Vista to start. I have an Acer Revo 1600 net-top that I got at BestBuy a year ago for about $160. This would be a great operating system for many early netbooks as well. Then download the Ubuntu OS and burn it onto a disk or USB stick. You can boot the whole thing from that disc and try it out.

What software can it run?

I have Google Chrome and Firefox installed for web browsing. I also installed Skype, VLC and Dropbox. There’s built in apps for creating documents, and listening to music. That’s all I really need, but there’s plenty more.

How does it all work together?

Pretty good. I like it a lot. It’s still not quite as nice as the latest macs, but hell of a lot cheaper. If most of what you do is browse the web, I think you’ll like it a lot. If not, well at least you avoided some of that spring cleaning.

I used a URL purchased months ago called lendcamp.com, installed wordpress on it, embedded the famous YouTube video, and laid in wait. Months later, the topic of mortgage conferences came up while texting with Dan, and I asked him if he was going to LendCamp. His delayed response was, “is there really going to be a LendCamp, or was that the most elaborate RickRoll ever devised”? MuhuHaHAHAHa!

But here’s my problem. After such a beautiful RickRoll, I’ve been having a hard time trying to figure out how to top it. Then, I started reading about QR codes and how to make them. Hmmmmm. I… Have… A Plan

The first step is to generate the QR code. I use the goo.gl URL shortening service. Specifically, their Chrome extension widgitmacallit.

Once it’s installed, head over to YouTube RickRoll page.

Click the widgitmacallit and copy the shortened link.

Paste the link into your address bar and add “.qr” to the end of the shortened URL. You now have a QR code!

I wanted the code to be bigger for printing so I looked at the new URL and noticed part of the link structure was telling the code to be 150 pixels wide and high. I changed both to 500.

Then I printed my QR code and took it to work, where it’s displayed just outside my cube.

So did it work? Patience young Padawan. You have much to learn in the ways of the force.

#WWDC coverage

Helping people get less done since 2007 or 2008, I don't remember which.

You know how sometimes, you start out doing one thing, and then it becomes something completely different, or even totally opposite? That’s what happened to me when I started writing this post.

See, I was gonna write a very witty post reminiscing about Seesmic. No, not the social notworking dashboard that we know about today. The ORIGINAL Seesmic– the video social network that was one of the most enormous timesucks EVER. In fact, it was going to be tribute post. I tribute to a site that really was dedicated to helping people get less done.

I had assumed that Seesmic video had gone the way of the Dodo bird. I knew that I wanted some reference material for this post, so I googled “seesmic video,” and much to my surprise it is STILL helping people get less done. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

So now, I don’t have to reminisce. I can give you real live evidence of Seesmic video’s enormous power to help you get less done. SWEET!

I was lucky enough to be one of the early beta testers of the Seesmic video social notwork. Hell, I can actually remember when they chose the raccoon as their mascot. Not only that, I’m not even embarrassed to say that I created a Seesmic video offering my dog as the mascot. We were serious about getting less done.

It was cool being a beta tester, because the community was small, and it was filled with some cool people. In fact, I still run into some of those people today when I am social notworking.

It quickly became apparent, however, than Seesmic was actually a diabolical plan by the French (executed by Loic LeMeur) to crash the American economy by sucking the productivity power out of some of its brightest minds.

Ok, maybe not exactly, but if you’ve never tried to have an asynchronous video conversation with one or multiple people, you know how great it can be for getting less done. Don’t believe me? Just check out this thread about drinking wine. I think that’s what it’s about. It’s mostly in French. All I know is that it was started over 700 days ago, and has over 2500 replies. That is over 2500 instances of nothing getting done over an almost two-year period. That is EPIC getting less done.

If you want to get less done, just head on over to video.seesmic.com and let the wave of useless, boring, video minutia pour over you. Its like a constant stream of train wrecks. You can’t help but gawk.

So here’s to you, Seesmic Video. You exemplify everything there is to getting less done.

Those who are about to do nothing, salute you.

***Caution!!! This procedure was performed on a Mac. I take no responsibility for what may happen if you try this on a PC.***

Step 1. Create a file folder on your desktop. (I called mine, “Deal With Later”)

Step 2. Drag all the stuff on your desktop into this folder.

Step 3. Like the GLD Facebook page or  go visit The Onion because you’re done here!

“Follow me” on plank.ly and we’ll Get Less Done together.

Click on the image for an example…

Getting Less Done

Promote Your Page Too

Okay, so it’s supposed to be for toddlers, but I’ve spent HOURS on this app. Bubbles is simple. Swipe the screen to blow bubbles. Then poke them to pop them. That’s it. Friggin awesome.

Don’t have an iPad? There’s an iPhone version too. Don’t have an iPhone? I guess you could go to Walmart or something and buy some real bubbles, but that’s kinda’ lame. Just like your phone.