How I loaded up my new Gutsy Gibbon box...

For those of you that don't know, Gutsy Gibbon is the name for Ubuntu's latest, non-beta release of their distribution of Linux. The following is a work in progress and I will be modifying this post in the coming days...

Hardware...
I treated myself on this one. The only thing that I reused was the case from my old machine.

• Mobo: ASUS P5N-E
  
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz (Kentsfield)
• Cooling: Rosewill RCX-Z4
  
• Memory: 2 x 2GB DDR2 (PC2 6400)
  
• Video Card: EVGA GeForce 9600GT 512MB
• HDD: 2 x 320GB SATA2 (Mirrored by Mobo)
• Optical: LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner
• Power: Antec Neopower 550W
  
• Monitor: 2 x Acer 22"AL2215WBD Widescreen LCD with HDCP
• Input: Microsoft Wireless Ergonomic Natural Desktop 7000
  

OS and Software Configuration...

• Workstation Install of Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon, using most of HDD
• Install of Windows XP Professional to remainder of HDD
  
• VMware Server
• Google Firefox Extensions
• Running Your XP Partition Directly in Ubuntu Using VMware
• Automatically mounting SMB shares
• VMWare server using HD partitions
• Use your existing Windows Installation & Apps in Ubuntu
• VMware running native XP on SATA disk | part 2
• Change the GRUB Menu Timeout
• Firefox Tweak Guide
• Mounting SMB File Shares Using Cifs
• Mounting SMB Shares
• Installing LAMP Using TASKEL
• Network Printing from Windows XP
• Fix sound in VMware Server
• Installing MediaWiki via GUI and Synaptic
• Switching to Ubuntu from Windows
• Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000 Install
• VMware How To
• Schedule tasks using gnome-schedule
• Make your extensions work in Firefox Beta 3
• Image preview extension for Firefox
• Turn your PC into a DVD Ripping Monster

Lingering Problems...

• Sound management in Linux overall and within VMware
• /etc/X11/xorg.conf craps out every now and then, requiring me to restore a good copy
• Can't get a picture from my Microsoft Lifecan NX-6000 in Skype
  

Cisco? We don't need no stinkin' Cisco!

I came across this email today as I was transferring the last of some old PST files up to Gmail. I still get a kick out of this today and since I created the Franken-Network, I can vouch for it's authenticity. My only regret was not putting the Linksys routers up inside the 4006 chassis for the pictures...

From: Vincent Raicovi
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2005 11:22 AM
To: *Names Removed to Protect the Innocent*
Cc: *Names Removed to Protect the Innocent*
Subject: A tailor made Linksys commercial. Too bad Cisco will never let you see it!

How does *Name removed* route VLANs when their Cisco 4006 goes on the fritz?

Linksys routers, that’s how!

Yes, what you’re seeing is really true. I’m currently routing 3 VLANs (if I don’t get parts fast enough, I’ll be going to five!), using $50, Linksys routers! While trying to re-cable a rack late Friday night, my 4000 decided to go out on me. Upon learning that Cisco SmartNet had expired back in September, there was only one thing that I could do to get administrative staff up and running; rely on Linksys!

You’re looking at 2 Linksys BEFSR11’s and 1 Linksys Network Everywhere router,
doing the job of a $10,000+ router. Of course, they don’t handle fiber, but with a little creative wiring, everyone is happier and if I didn’t tell anyone, they wouldn’t even know!

No Need for Words - 20080302

Courtesy of My New Hotrod