Dell gives you no excuse to not try Linux

And it's about damn time. Despite pressures from the big M, Dell has bitten the bullet and begun offering laptops with Ubuntu Linux 7.10 installed right out of the box.

It isn't the first time that Dell has made a decision like this... but it is the first time that Dell has made the decision and stuck with it.... because previously they HAD caved to pressures from Microsoft not to do so.

Not this doesn't mean that Dell has gone completely Linux-crazy -- far from it. In fact, there are only four machines being offered with Linux on them, and they are hard to find. And once you find the correct page, Dell makes several efforts to turn you away from the pages.... constantly asking you if "you're sure" you want to take the plunge into Linux-dom.



But beggars can't be choosers and I'll take what I can get. It's a start right? Now I, unlike many, don't need a computer to come pre-loaded with Linux to use it. In fact, I'm writing this post on my Linux machine right now. But it is nice to see a little exposure for my open source operating system. And it helps that it's my favorite Linux "flavor," Ubuntu.

No, this appeals to me for a whole different, selfish reason. You see, with Linux pre-loaded on machines, people who buy them don't need to pay that pesky additional cost for Windows Vista. This is because Ubuntu is free to use. It's just as good as Windows, arguably better. But I will admit it isn't for everyone -- especially for those without patience or computer skills.

But I know which computer I'm buying next. It's funny, the appeal of this offer is actually reversed for someone like me. This is supposed to rope Dell customers who normally wouldn't try Linux to try it. For me, it's supposed to rope in a Linux user who normally wouldn't buy a Dell. And it worked.

Bravo!

Blackout: The Halo 3 savior (I hope...)

So it's come to this. You know, Halo 3 didn't always need a "savior." Back in September when the title was released, hopes were high. Oh goodness how they were high. And they should have been -- things were good. Halo 3 was the most anticipated game since the day Halo 2 came out. And at first, it lived up to its billing -- a wonderful conclusion to the main storyline, competitive online gameplay, and a dedicated fanbase playing it at all hours of the day.

But, as expected, the game got stale. The unexpected part was in how little time it took for the stale-ing to occur. Certainly there were the normal distractions which did their part -- video game groupies jumping onto the bandwagons of other games such as Assassin's Creed or the god-forsaken Call of Duty 4. But Bungie did its own part in creating a dwindling lifespan for its game. Poor choices in the matchmaking playlists such as the dropping of fan favorite "Social Doubles" in favor of the much-maligned "Rocket Race" was just the tip of the iceberg.

This is a bit unusual for Bungie, who is known for its active community contact. And it didn't take long for them to start trying to remedy the problem -- though it may have been a tardy. Better late than never, I suppose.

The first attempt was an adaptation much like Rocket Race -- a non-killing game variant better identified as a gimmick..... Grifball. It is best described as a rugby takeoff of assault on the highly-customizable map known as Foundry. Foundry was the crown jewel in Halo 3's first Downloadble Content map pack, which was as equally disappointing as the game's previous failings. While Grifball was indeed a gimmick, it was highly successful -- but it wasn't true Halo.



The second attempt appeared the be the most promising, but was an utter disappointment that truly sent things further into bleakness for Halo. Two weeks after Grifball, its replacement was none other than the much sought after Team SWAT -- a quick paced game variant involving one-headshot kills. It was very highly anticipated, even by me personally. Life was good.

Just kidding. What we got was not Team SWAT, but a bastardized modified version of it for Halo 3. Normally with no grenades, Bungie decided to include them pointlessly in the Halo 3 version. If I were to take the time to explain why and how it was different to the non-Halo player, this post would challenge the Super Bowl post in length. Just know that the community was not satisfied with the results.

Bungie has always been secretive when it comes to new developments, and their 2nd Downloadable Content map pack was no exception. Slowly piece by piece the names and layouts of each map were revealed. First, there is an all-new map named Ghost Town. Secondly, there is a remade version of a Halo 1 map called Avalanche. Ho-hum, blah blah blah blah... who cares? But the identity of the third map blew my mind, and the minds of many in the Halo community.

You see, in Halo 2, the first Halo game I experienced, there was a map above and beyond the rest in popularity. It was named Lockout, and it was spectacular. And the identity of the third map is none other than a remake of my snowy heaven, entitled "Blackout."

This could be it. I predict it will be it. But, as with Team SWAT, Bungie could do its magic and find a way to ruin this. I pray that they won't, but they might. The world will find out on April 15th.

See for yourself!