Why I Love Linux - Totally a Big Rave

Last week I was browsing the local electronics retailer's multi-page ad. I like browsing and the wishful thinking I'll buy something new. I am totally into gadgets and computers. But on the back page was no less than seven anti-virus products all sporting a cost of $0 after rebates of course. Of course when you get the product they are betting on yearly fees for renewals, updates etc.. Just imagine how lucrative the anti-virus market is. No really just imagine it for a minute ....................................................................................................................................
Okay that was long enough. The average renewal is probably $10-25 per year and upgrades for current customers are usually $25 and up. Take millions of customers and that is a ton of dough. Where is the real incentive for these companies to really protect you? I see virus activity all the time in my work and every time some anti-virus product is installed. Sure they say they want to help. They provide tech support and online forums but they really can't stop the threats 100% of the time.

That is one of the main reasons I run Linux. I really don't worry about it any longer. And I save hundreds of dollars not buying software and renewals. Something to ponder the next time one hits or you pull the credit card out for a renewal or update. For those that won't ever switch from Windows at least visit this site and download and run Secunia's Personal Security Inspector tool. It's free and they are independent of the anti-virus vendors. It will tell you where your system is vulnerable and tell you what to do. It may very well save you some serious headaches.

OnebookAZ - Code Talker

I have a personal interest in this book since I'm married to a Navajo woman and her sister's father-in-law is a Code Talker. I believed at first that it was he whom the story was being told by. It wasn't until I was well into the book that Danny Akee was mentioned and I knew then he was not the narrator.

 Joseph Bruchac encourages the reader to turn pages not with gory details of war but rather the easy conversational tone he gives the story. You find yourself pulling for the hero of the story and his Marine buddies. I will not ruin the story for you since I consider this a must read for anyone interested in WWII history and the history of the Dine people and specifically the code talkers.

ONEBOOKAZ is a program for Arizona Libraries to encourage reading. There are programs for everyone in Libraries all around Arizona. Copies of this book and the adult featured book, 'Hopi Summer: Letters from Ethel to Maud by Carolyn O'Bagy Davis', are available for free while supplies last.

I'm happy and proud to have met Dan Akee and having shook his hand. I knew then what he had done but I have even more respect for him and all the others for their courage and bravery. I salute them all and say a prayer for those who did not return.

Update: I just learned of this terrific site with an article about Code Talkers in WWI. I never knew about this. It is a very interesting read and I will be following the links too. Enjoy.


Update: I have just learned of this memoir Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII and plan to read it. I wanted to get the news out for everyone else that are interested in these stories. I'm glad to see they are finally getting told and getting the recognition they deserve.