Rob's Stuff

I enjoy quite a few hobbies, including photography. Some pictures are here.

I have a camera on my pond. Username: pond, password SeeTheFish

Some older pictures are here.

Free and Open Source Software

I am a big fan of Open Source Software; I use Linux almost exclusively at home and at work. It isn't just the cost; the free stuff tends to just work better, and can be fixed when something goes wrong.

Most of OSS software works about the same whether you have Windows, a Mac, or Linux, so you can take your experience with you.

David A. Wheeler has an interesting essay on Why Open Source Software?

Software I use and recommend

• OpenOffice.org - OSS replacement for Microsoft Office; runs on Linux, Windows, and others.
• GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) - OSS replacement for Adobe PhotoShop; runs on Linux, Windows, and others.
• PuTTY - OSS secure terminal for remote access; runs on Linux, Windows, and others.
• GNUPG (GNU Privacy Guard) - General purpose encryption and digital signature program. Great in conjunction with email; runs on Linux, Windows, and others.
  My GPG key ID: 2656F28B and fingerprint: 70D5 209F DCA5 D0BB B9A0 AB57 9EF2 A9A5 2656 F28B
• and extensions: Adblock, Tab Mix Plus, Session Manager, HTML Validator, Add Bookmark Here, Resurrect Pages,
• Mozilla Thunderbird - an email client like Outlook, but with better security and more features; runs on Linux, Windows, and others.
• TightVNC - remote control of your computers. Control just about any computer from any other (with appropriate permission, of course); runs on Linux, Windows, and others.
• Spybot Search & Destroy - a spyware scanner and removal tool; for the unfortunate Windows users.
• Ad-Aware - another spyware scanner and removal tool; for the unfortunate Windows users.
• Linux Distributions
  Linux is the free, open-source operating system that I use daily. There is a vast amount of software and support available. It's far less prone to viruses and spyware than Windows, and the software is generally written for the user, rather than corporate interests.
  • Debian - a very manageable distro; excellent for security and stability.
  • Ubuntu - a more up to date distro based on Debian. Reportedly great for desktop machines, and the fastest growing Linux distro.
  • Knoppix is based on Debian. However, rather than install on your computer, Knoppix boots and runs from a self-contained CD! This will give you a chance to try Linux without committing to it, or have a rescue disk in case your machine won't boot.

I spend a lot of time cleaning up friends' Windows boxes. Those I can wean away from Internet Explorer and Outlook, and who run the anti-spyware software correctly (Take the Updates!), are much happier users.

Setting up Debian

While Linux is very stable and easy to use day-to-day, sometimes setup can be a little tricky. Here are some configuration tips for various systems:

• HP Pavilion ZT1000 laptop
• Sony VAIO Picturebook PCG1X
  Don't buy Sony computers

Product Stories

Personal experiences and recommendations about various services and hardware products.

Informative links:

• How to ask questions the smart way
• Don't use challenge-response e-mail systems. I don't respond to the challenges, as I get more in response to spam than I get due to my sending a message.
• Don't put legal disclaimers in your e-mail.

Fun links:

• I am the Imperial Brewmaster of Colegrovia, a virtual nation.
• Daily Dilbert
• I use "Teliax, The Future of Telephony" for phone service; the pay as you go plan is dirt cheap.

You can reach me at rob-web@robsims.com

Perhaps you were looking for the other Rob Sims - the Fitness Fashion Photographer. More info here. Strangely enough we share an interest in photography, and even a common acquaintance - a friend of mine who bumped into him at JFK airport a few years ago. He apparently also likes travel and cigars.

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