Remembering May, 2008
Refunding the Windows Tax | 27th May 2008
A lot of Linux users hate the fact that most PC computer vendors only offer computers with MS Windows installed. They never plan on using Windows, and it sucks to pay $50-200 for something you don’t need or want (affectionately known as the “Windows tax”). A major reason for this is the horrendous Windows EULA [...]
Say Cheese! | 21st May 2008
Well here’s a way to kill two birds with one stone. I’ve been meaning to try out the new WordPress gallery feature on my blog. I’ve also been meaning to see if my Ezonics EzCam IV (EZ-314) webcam works under Ubuntu now. Since it does (plug ‘n play), I was able to mess around with [...]
Ultimate HTPC? | 21st May 2008
I began wondering how easy it would be to build an awesome HTPC these days. I then began to wonder about price and abilities of software. Here’s what I came up with. Would you add or change anything? Tasks Play DVDs Copy full DVDs to HDD Shrink DVDs Burn Shrunk DVDs Record TV Watch recorded [...]
Netflix Set-top Movie Player | 20th May 2008
NetFlix announced the release of a new set-top movie player today. Previously, anyone with a NetFlix account costing $8.99 or more per month could stream unlimited full-length movies to their computer. This box will allow you to stream them directly to your TV. The box costs $99, and after that you’ve only got all the [...]
Ubuntu Tutorials | 17th May 2008
I just ran across a very nice set of Ubuntu tutorials by psychocats. They’re very well written and are often accompanied by lots of pictures. Awesome resource!
Economic Stimulus Laptop | 15th May 2008
Did you get a $600 (or more) economic stimulus check from the government? Been looking around for a new laptop for you or the family? Wouldn’t it be great to get a top quality laptop for under $600? Lenovo always has great deals on their ThinkPads, but there is a particularly good deal going on [...]
Panda Throws in the Towel | 15th May 2008
Well after years of writing, it appears that Panda Bear, M.D. is throwing in the towel on his blog. His was one of the few blogs I read regularly, and it’s one that no doubt has left an impact on my past and future as a physician. He says that he’ll be working on a [...]
Review: Free Culture | 12th May 2008
I finally finished reading Free Culture by Lawrence Lessig a few weeks ago. With my impending exams, I decided I should wait to write a review. All-in-all this was probably one of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read. Normally I am not a fan of non-fiction, but this book tackled a subject that I [...]
Working Class Hero | 8th May 2008
Powerful music from John Lennon. Why is it that every time I hear a great song like this, the first thing that pops into my head is “why can’t stuff like this be made today?” As soon as your born they make you feel small, By giving you no time instead of it all, Till [...]
The Day The Music Died | 7th May 2008
This is so incredibly frustrating. On one hand, I want to rub people’s faces in it. But on the other, I see a ton of people every day buying songs from iTunes, and they’re in the same boat. They just don’t think it could happen to them, or they don’t care because the DRM isn’t [...]
I'm Jonathan Blackhall, a 4th year medical student at RMC. This is my blog, where I ramble about technology, medicine, free software, and other random stuff. 
