Logiciel Libre

Just moved from my long-time Web host, “Eddie’s Basement”, to bluehost. They are awesome!

Nobody. But I can’t help being impressed! You really have to see/use/try a compositing window manager to appreciate the coolness.

LXF had a great interview with Jeff Waugh on the topic of the evolving Linux desktop. Imagine a thin client with GLX that is faster than VNC! Also, read about his take on the origin of Ubuntu.

LXF has to be the most exciting and inspirational FOSS-centric magazine available today.

Major accomplishments of the day: 2.

1. Completed the GRE with a decent math score
2. Downloaded transactions directly into my FLOSS money management software

You know I’ll sleep well tonight!

Page 389, Analyze an argument

The country Myria, which charges fees for the use of national parks, reports little evidence of environmental damage. This strongly suggests that for the country Illium, the best way to preserve public lands is to charge people more money when they are using national parks and wilderness areas for activities with heavy environmental impact. By collecting fees from those people who overuse public lands, Illium will help preserve those lands for present and future generations.

Myria may charge fees for the use of national parks, but this may not be why it enjoys little environmental damage. And while charging more money for activities with heavy environmental impact may curb their proliferation in Illium, it does not necessarily follow that increasing fees for this type of use of national parks will definitely save Illium’s environment.

The author makes no mention of whether the demographics of both countries are similar. For instance, if Illium had a large population of wealthy, environmentally unfriendly off-road motorcyclists, Illium’s national parks might still be at risk. Paying the fee might free the motocross maniacs from the moral burdens associated with damaging the land, and even attract riders from neighboring countries. And what of the security of the collected fees? Without a plan in place, the money might not be spent on ensuring proper repairs and maintenance occur.

Other important information is also omitted by the advocate for higher park fees in Illium. Perhaps the parks in Myria have more stringent laws and regulations governing the use of these parks that impose fines rather than fees, or have a better ranger force policing their parks. Even if Illium did raise fees, they might need even more money to enhance the infrastructure that ensures those fees are actually paid, and that the paid-for use is as expected.

In order to determine that raising national park would in fact preserve public land, more research must be conducted supporting the claim that this increase definitively causes the desired effect.

In preparation for the GRE, I’m going to be posting writing samples in hopes that you feel like providing some constructive criticism on the quality of the work.

Scores for this section range from 1 to 6, 6 being the best possible response. Here’s what ETS is looking for, in a nutshell. Did I…

1. consider the complexities and implications of the issue?
2. organize, develop, and express your ideas about the issue?
3. support your ideas with relevant reasons and examples?
4. control the elements of standard written English?

And here’s a more comprehensive scoring guide (for instance, what constitutes a “6″ essay), and here’s even more than you ever wanted to know about scoring a writing section.

There are two essays per test and they are graded as a pair, but I’m going to post them on my blog one at a time and would humbly request they be graded individually. Please don’t feel like you have to be all official about it; any comments and criticisms are welcome.

So, there it is. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Page 386, Present your perspective on an issue

Most of the people we consider heroes today were, in fact, very ordinary
people who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Being a hero may involve being in the right place at the right time, but it is much more than that. The aspect of luckiness must be met with sufficient preparation. Being heroic is possible when opportunity strikes but only for those who have done their homework. And only extraordinary people have the drive for the proper amount of preparation required to be a hero.

Ghandi took a stance on human rights and stuck to it. He met with people and used his years of experience as a kind, benevolent, empathic person to lead and guide peaceful protests. His efforts were indeed ready when the time was right, but he was ready when he was needed.

Richard Stallman is a popular figure in the geek community. He travels the world and preaches that computer software should be free like speech is free: that you should be able to modify it even if you have to pay for it. Had he not extensive experience as a software engineer and an education from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he would not be credible as a speaker in the world of software.

Civil servants such as firemen and the police often risk their lives, hence, often become heroes. But no fireman or policewoman would be given a ladder or gun without many hours of training on how to properly use it. These people are extraordinary.

The news sometimes features stories like “Cat saves owner’s life by calling 9-1-1.” This type of contribution is definitely lucky. That cat was in the right place at the right time! Cuddles or Frisky or Jinxie may even be a hero to some, but the story is sensational and singular. That cat is not my hero.

Perhaps the author had other more ordinary and less-prepared heroes in mind when writing the statement at hand. My heroes are different. Only by much practice and focus are they ready when the time comes to be a hero.