Peng’s links for Friday, 26 September

• Alan Pope: Minor Annoyance of The Day. I have to admit I’d said something very similar a time or two (text zooming in Firefox 3 got this type of response from me), but Alan gives a bug fixer’s perspective to the old “if this bug isn’t fixed I’m changing apps” threat. Unfortunately some bugs (like Firefox’s text zoom) change basic functionality to the point where the program is no longer a good fit for the user. Yes, sometimes it’s an unfortunate realization rather than a churlish threat, but Alan still puts a good, short look at the matter.
• DesktopLinux.com: Linux Foundation courts individual members. After looking mostly for developers to join, the LF is letting individual users join for a mere $50, and you get not only the quarterly newsletter and other perks, you also get a tee to show that you love, and support, the penguin. A great deal at any price, at no matter what value for the USD.
• Oliver Grawert: Announcing the first ubuntu-mobile image. Do you own one of those snazzy little netbooks? If so you can snag a daily build of Ubuntu Intrepid to check out on it. Of course Ubuntu Intrepid is still in alpha stage and shouldn’t be used on any device that is used on a regular, if not daily, basis just yet. That said, I wish I had a device that could run it.
• Frank Taylor/Google Earth Blog: Top 10 Games With Google Earth. You’ve probably played FlightSim in Google Earth, but did you know you can play D&D in GE, as well as (American rules) football?  And you thought Google Earth was just for being productive and looking things up. I may have to fire up GE for a round or two of Mars Sucks.
• Mackenzie Morgan: Swfdec 0.8: Open Source Flash. Even the latest testing versions of Flash 10 don’t work completely right in Linux (and not just because they’re testing versions, either), and if you’re running a 64bit build of Linux it’s even worse. Mackenzie has an open source alternative that comes in a 64-bit version that I may have to check out (although I’d use the 32bit build). There’s even builds in a PPA for Hardy and Intrepid so you won’t have to build it to check it out on Ubuntu. Swfdec even prevents Flash video from starting automatically, making it as if you had FlashBlock installed.
• Nicolas Deschildre: Introducing the Ubuntu Wanted project. Do you need some specific help with a project? Or are you someone that wants to help out with Ubuntu but don’t know where to start? Sense Hofstede and the Ubuntu Wanted project may be just what you’re looking for.
• LinuxDevices.com: GNOME Mobile hits the road. When GNOME 2.24 came out earlier this week they included a mobile version of their desktop environment, and LinuxDevices is happy to get away from their desk and check out the new kid in the mobile computing town.

WE LOVE IT!

Around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, the quiet around Chavez Ravine was broken with a song that is always welcome in the neighborhood.

Even though the Dodgers lost 5-7 to the Padres to close out their season at home last night they’re still the NL West champs thanks to yesterday’s Cardinals drubbing of the Snakes 12-3.

The Dodger’s opponent for the NLDS will either be Phillies or the Cubs, depending on who wins the NL Wild Card race, with the Dodgers doing the traveling. Either way, the team isn’t done playing this season, and this fan is hoping they can play for several more weeks. Out of the four teams going into the ALDS, I’m leaning toward either the Angels or (I can’t believe I’m typing this) the Red Sox. I wouldn’t mind facing the Angels in a Freeway (World) Series because then hopefully we can settle who is Los Angeles’ true team. If it were the Sox and the Dodgers, then we can see if Bill Shakin’s column on Sunday was prophetic or not.

Either way, I love this game, and I love the fact that I don’t have to cheer for some other team in the NLDS.

Woops!

Yesterday I went to see Peng to we could look at some possible theme changes for the blog, and for us actually see what the changes would look like I had to log onto the blog as me. Unfortunately Peng and I forgot to log me out when I left so when he wrote his two posts about Firefox and the updates he wrote it signed in as me. He just called me and pointed out the error so I made the changes of authorship on his two posts. I apologize for the confusion, especially for anyone reading the posts on Planet Ubuntu who wondered who I was and was using Peng’s hackergotchi. I’ll try not to let that happen again.