Chris Since my digital sabbatical started yesterday morning, I’ve decided to clean up and purge a few things.
I removed the Linux and Windows 7 partitions and did a clean install of Ubuntu 13 Beta Raring Ringtail as the primary operating system. Also added Virtualbox.
Inside the virtual hard disks I am running Windows 7, Fedora 18 and pretty soon Linux Mint.
These will be for various programs, testing and needs.
Due to the schizophrenic weather, I am not running. However, I just purchased a book on running for beginners.
Why do I feel like I am running backwards?
I am going to struggle with this concept.The next time you adjust a setting, think twice. Sometimes it’s better to change yourself to appreciate the defaults than to change the defaults to suit you.
Someone
86 and muggy by day, tornadoes at night. 40 degree drop in temps the next day. Where is Spring?
After the mental stress of sending off the tax check I sat down to the laptop and mindlessly surfed the internet for an hour.
Right then I declared it is time for me to cleanse and purge.
As I consumed large quantities of posts, tweets, videos and images, the eyes strained, my back hurt and I wondered where the time went as I shuffled off to bed.
Yes, it was downtime but I kicked myself for not making the most of it. They say that “the time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time” but this was not enjoyable.
Over the past few years, we’ve been purging our material stuff and relied on essentials only. We are surviving without them. So it is also time for a quick cleanse to my digital consumption.
I don’t need to keep up with the latest news and trends. I am really not missing out. I don’t need to know that yet another company has shunned Android users with a great new app. Who cares? I used to.
I will not be reading blog feeds, G+ posts, tweets or mindlessly surfing for a minimum of a week. Emails will be addressed from the laptop only, not the phone.
If I get a text, I will not respond immediately. You may get a voice response instead(!)
The laptop will be used only as a medium for tasks such as emails, bill paying, blogging, etc.
The tablet will do the same and for book reading only.
I’ll add more posts later with the thought processes and experiences.
I’m finding small ways to lower stress and enhance my calm such as meditating. I would suggest a minimum of 2 minutes in a quiet spot and focus on breathing, nothing else.
I use my Android’s built in timer but you can simply use whatever is convenient. Try it!
This is my second check-in of GHR 2013. By now, most people have abandoned their NYE resolutions and that is where GHR comes in for me. So, on with my resolutions.
Here is my progress from 3/3 when I started this until today, 4/4.
I need to lose a minimum of 8 pounds this month to achieve my goal of 20 pounds off in 4 months.
Keep up the relocation effort. After a couple of phone interviews and no results, this is discouraging and difficult to do in another state.
Tax season has taken a large mental toll on me and I have to shake this off.
I’ll be checking back in on 5/5 with updates.
With Google shuttering the wildly popular Reader, I’ve looked at some alternatives such as Flipboard, Feedly and even the other Google product, Currents.
I am also trying to create a feed reader on my server using the TinyTiny RSS schema. Having issues with the PHP and mySQL files. Really don’t want to rely on a third party service anymore.
Also comes with an Android app. w00t.
Wish I was where I was when I was wishing I was here.
The minute I stopped caring about what other people thought and started doing what I wanted to do is the minute I finally felt free.
Just formatted my Linux laptop and am adding Windows 7 to it. I will then format the desktop drive from W7 and add Linux server to it instead.
The desktop just can’t handle W7 but can run Linux easily.
Of course my backup schema allows for this and will restore files to both automagically.
*03/07 Update* The data is secured and migrated already. Was attempting to format the drives. Now BIOS can’t find either of them or the Master Boot Record.
“No boot device available.”
After investing 3 days and going no where, I have set it aside for now.
I’m always a sucker for apps and software that doesn’t look like it is generic or stock. I want something functional and sophisticated looking. That’s why my devices are in a constant state of evolution.
Recently I purchased a few apps that have upgraded my Android experience. My Nexus tablet is running the latest Android version 4.2. However, my Galaxy mobile is running 4.1. Big difference? Oh yeah.
The clock/alarm app does not have a widget for display. I just changed that with the JB+ app. Also, it doesn’t have the updated camera app to take advantage of the new software so I installed a camera app simply called Snap for a cleaner interface.
Also added are two productivity apps. Agenda is a calendar app that syncs with Google Calendar. The design is retro, clean. Love it.
Press, is an app that syncs with Google Reader. A more sophisticated style of reading the news.
All of these apps are in the Google Play store and are paid apps up to $3. Bargain!
