Tsikbal: from my perspective

I've been using Ubuntu for over a year now, and it is my favorite OS by far. In one way or another, I've been using open-source software for quite sometime. Yet, until last year I made up my mind to use a Linux distro and get rid of Windows for good. After doing some research, and asking around, I decided to use Ubuntu since it was one of the most user friendly distro out there. So, the first version I used was the 9.10. And since then, I've have no intention what soever to return to using Windows, or to start using the Mac OS. And now with the Unity UI, I enjoy using Ubuntu even more. For me, I find that I like the way it looks and it works for me. I find it easier to get around, so I can do my work with it. I just enjoy it much. Most importantly, it's open-source software. Which is important for me, since the philosophy that come with the open-source software community is the same that I have. I do believe that we all should have the ability to fr...

I feel rather frustrated how many companies, and some individuals, seem to look down to community driven projects. And, for better or for worse, many people seem to buy into idea that if a company isn't behind a given product or service, it can't be trusted or it couldn't be any good. Yet, I don't buy into that. Community driven projects can be as good, or better, as those driven by companies. But, most people don't seem to be willing to give community a chance, because they are afraid that there is no support if or, when, they run into problems. This idea is perpetuated by companies, in order to make weary about moving to community driven project. But, finding support is as easy, and sometimes easier, when compared to company driven projects. It's just a matter of a way to contact the support. As a matter of fact, contacting support on community driven projects is easy. Most often than not, when you reach for help you'll find someone willin...

It's important for society at large to understand that telling others how to spend the money they have earned for their work. After all, we are entitled to spend the money we earn in any way we see fit. The truth is that, since we earn that money with the efforts of our labor its fair that we can use it to reward ourselves. Yes, there are people have more money than most. Yet, this is just life; and life is not fair. There'll always be people that have more, and people that have less. What we should strive for, is a society in which the powerful where the powerful can't step on the people below them. The key for a fair society is that everyone earns the same, or has the same of everything, is one where the individuals have the same rights and access to have their basic need meet. If the individuals living at a society, don't have equal rights it becomes a society that won't be self sustaining. Wealth alone is not enough to make society prosperous,...

After using GNOME 3 for three days, I just couldn't take it any more and came back to using Unity as my user interface on Ubuntu 11.10. Even though I do like GNOME 3 in general terms, I do feel that Unity is better suited to the way I interact with the user interface. I don't only like Unity looks, but also the way it works. When I started using Unity with the release of Ubuntu 11.04, I did come across several bugs. But, at the end there weren't that important and for the most part those bugs have been ironed out. So, I expect that with the release of Ubuntu 12.04 Unity will be fully mature. But, this rises something that I really like about Linux in particular, and the FOSS movement in general. What I like is that there is always a choice. If there is something doesn't work for you, or you just don't like it, you can always choose another distro or app that suits you. Of course one can has the right what one likes or not, yet I don't see the po...

One should always avoid dealing in absolutes. Most things in life are not black or white, but rather a shade of gray. But often than not, is better to judge things relative to the context on which those things occur. What is appropriate on one situation in one place, might not apply to the same situation in another place. There are many factor that makes anything that is done acceptable or not. There is only a really few things that are almost universally accepted. Yet, the vast majority of our actions fall in a gray area. Most often or not, there will be someone that finds what you do objectionable and other that agrees with the way you view it. Instead of lashing out when someone tells you that what you so is not the thing to do, instead of attacking back try to understand where they come from. In many cases, the person who disagrees with your position doesn't have the whole context, or information, on why you act the way you do. Once they understand why you do, ...

Open source is something that I really hold close to my ethics system. The core values of sharing knowledge, ways to do things and builds things, in a free and open way is a way to innovate faster and in an easier way. If all can see how something is done, it makes it easier to people actually knowing how to actually do something from the blueprints themselves. This has the added benefit that people can modify according to the needs of the people who are going to use it. Or, people can make modifications that actually make it better and being open they can share those modifications back to the community so that the benefits as a whole. But, since there are more people actually seeing and using the blueprints there is a greater chance that if there are any defects, those can be addressed a lot earlier than they would if it was Closed sourced. Open source gives all the people who actively participate on each project a sense of ownership. This is a good things, since it g...

Let's keep something clear, I do agree that Apple produces great hardware and software. Most of the products that Apple releases are great in design, and technology. Their products are innovative, and bring new things to the table. Or at least they are a flesh implementation of a technology that's already out there. My problem with Apple is their philosophy. I don't mind that their software is proprietary, though I rather see in being open. And, I don't agree how they managed the hacking of the iPhone. Once I buy a product, I expect to be able to do whatever I want with it, and I don't appreciate a company telling me what I should do with my phone. And I just had to roll my eyes, when many of the features that came from hacking the iOS where later integrated into it. I didn't expect Apple to thank, or acknowledge, those came first from the coders that hacked it. But, why fight so hard to avoid having people to hack your product, just to end up addin...

I've been reading about the SOPA act, which aim is to protect the copyright holders from piracy. I agree on the principle that everyone has the right to receive payment for any work that they do, after all it takes time and effort to do so. But, I've a problem with how the SOPA act intends to protect the copyright holders from piracy. The idea that just by accusing someone of piracy brings about the kind of actions SOPA proposes are, for me, disturbing. I believe that the Internet should be an open and even field for the exchange of information and ideas. I do agree on the proponents of Net Neutrality, there shouldn't anyone that can stop the exchange. Having access to information, and being able to exchange your ideas with other people is a fundamental right. And is specially important to bring forth innovation. Sharing ideas, and comparing notes freely, can lead to new ideas. The more people contribute and share ideas, the easier it is to solve proble...

It can be really depressing how many people actually expect that someone else to come to solve their problems, and it that doesn't happen they just moan on how bad things are for them. If more people came to realize that the key to solve most of the problems, if not all, is in their own hands the world would be a different place. Most of the changes needed to solve the problems each person have is within. Of course some problems are harder to solve that other, but there is no problem that can't be solved in one way or another. The only thing that it's needed to fix whatever we want, is the will to find the way to do so. The key to arrive to a solution, resides in being able to pay attention on what is what behaviors are the ones that take us to the outcome that we want to change. All is in what actions are the ones that make things happen the way they do, not the outcomes. By fixing on the outcomes, we don't see the complete picture of what is going on ...

I've been following the several #Occupy movements that have sprung up on several cities around the world. It has make me wondered if such a movement could occur in any of the mayor cities of Mexico, to call for peace and to prompt politicians to take actions in the matters that most interest Mexican society. Yet, I've some doubts that there will be any such movements at any city in Mexico. Most of the people here are not that politically active. There is a view that any one that is politically active is not to be trusted. And, after 70 years in which most people came to expect that no mater what they did or said nothing come happened because our voices just wouldn't be heard. Things have slowly beginning to change, but most of the time when we rally we don't stay at it for long. More are more people are becoming aware that they can do something to change how the system works, but we haven't gotten a critical mass as of yet. We need more people pressurin...

As much as hacking is being depicted as something bad, and that should be avoided at all times, I can't find a reason why people shouldn't be able to hack their own software and hardware. Granted, rules should be put in place to punish those who hack into places, or things, they are not wanted. But, if anyone wants to hack their own computer, mobile phone or software to work in a way they deem they need; they should be able to do it legally. And, if they want to share it with other people they also should be able to do so if they choose to do so. Face it, hacking is not bad in itself. It also brings benefits to the larger community of users. Hacking fosters innovation, and makes good motivator for companies to do things better. Most of the hackers are curious people, who just want to know how something works or who wants to make whatever product they use do something they believe it should be able to do. In some cases, they modify the behaviour, or look, in...

I've been using Ubuntu 11.10 since yesterday that it became available for download, and I'm very pleased with it. The user interface is a lot cleaner, and easier to use. I really like the look of it, in my opinion is a big step forward for Ubuntu and it has cemented it as my favorite Linux distro. I've been using Ubuntu on regular basis since the 10.04 LTS version, though I used for a while the 8.04 LTS before, I've found it to be easy to use and very stable. And since the 10.04 LTS version, I've like the look and feel of the user interface a lot better than the one in Windows and I like it as much as the Mac OS X one. But, with the current Unity shell, I like it even more. I find the design to be clean, and easier to use than the previous ones. You could say that Unity has won me over, and I plan to stick with it. I can't recommend Ubuntu enough if you want to make the jump to Linux, specially if you are new to the world of open source software. ...

It's sad to see how many people don't question themselves why they believe what they do, or if those believes are a valid platform to stand on. Many just accept what is told to them, without really analyzing what's is told to them. Some won't see the contradictions on the information given to them, because they don't bother to actually pay attention. It seems that they don't want to take the responsibility and face the consequences of their own actions. Some seem to have the need to be told what to believe, and how to act. It's important to understand that what's good for some doesn't make it so for others. The idea that something will work for us, just because it works for someone we know is not true. Yes, we should consider several paths before one is chosen. But, at the end each of us needs to choose what is best for us as an individual. More often than not, it's hard to be completely certain if what was chosen will work out t...

When I read the news that Steve Jobs had died yesterday afternoon, at first I couldn't bring myself around it. I mean, even if I disagree with how things are done in Apple, the man was a visionary. He did make great products, easy to use and with exquisite design. Products that just work, and perform in many cases better than advertised. Is easy to see why people want Apple products, and why Apple has such a large and loyal group of base users. Personally, I don't use Apple's products because of philosophical reasons. I do like the design of both of the software and hardware, they are pleasing to the eye and easy to use. Mac OS X is stable as OS's come, and it's really user friendly. But, at the end Steve Job is someone that I admire, and respect. He was a visionary, that showed us that technology can be sexy and easy to use. His innovations managed to keep putting the bar higher and higher. I remember being pleased when he putted Apple's mi...

If I remember correctly, it has been a year since I started using Ubuntu, or Mint, as my main operating system. I have found that I really enjoy using Ubuntu much more than using Windows. So much more so, that I've no plans to go back to using Windows. All the programs that I use, or need, are available in some way or another on Ubuntu or Linux in general. My favorite web browser, Firefox, is available. Also,my favorite office suite, LibreOffice is. I've found Ubuntu to be more stable than Windows. In the year I've been using it, Ubuntu has only crashed once, an it was an early beta version of the 11.04 version. So, it was to be expected, since most of the bugs weren't ironed out. But, once I installed the stable version I haven't had no problem what so ever. At this moment, I'm running the 11.04 version. I admit that initially I had my doubts about the Unity user interface, but I've found that I do like the look and feel it has. And I'v...

What is most frustrating for me, is the fact that if things don't change things would only tend to get worse. As things are at the moment, things seem to have no solution anytime soon. Structural changes are needed as soon as possible, if these these don't arrive things are seriously never to get better. Yes, a wider segment of society as pushing for changes. In hand with that, some of the politicians are actually doing something. But, when you look at the changes made, or proposed, the realization that most of changes are merely cosmetic are self-evident. The time for cosmetic changes has long since passed, and now what Mexico needs are deep and structural changes that help the country to face the future. If we want to keep our position in the world, we need to make and apply changes that gives us the ability to better adapt to new circumstances. Other countries like China, Brazil, and India have already started to make these changes, and the results on their ...

I find it rather sad that it's hard to really become involved in the community where you live in, because most of the services you need are to be found outside the community. There are a lot of people are against having shops, banks and other of the kind of business that people use on regular basis arguing that it would disturb the peace and quiet of the community. Which, they shouldn't since and should make life more practical having things like banks and small shops that carter to the needs of the necessities of each particular community. By letting businesses that carter to these needs to operate at each community, many problems would be solve. Transportation would be easier, since people wouldn't need to move as far. Thus saving time and money, and freeing people to actually do more. Security would be improved, since people living there would have a greater sense of ownership over the community. Also would foster better relationships of the people living th...

Even though there are still people that don't do much other than just say how bad things are, and how things will never change, it's uplifting to see there are people who are acting to make things better. What's best, the number of those who take action are increasing with time. The awareness that we can do something to make things work, and that we can actually do something to make our world a better place. That we don't have to wait, or depend, on our politicians to do something about the issues that concern us. At the end, if we don't do what it takes to make things work no one else will. We are the ones who are responsible of our life and our communities. The ones who can make it better are ourselves, and we must be aware that is up to us to make our life better. As much as we would like, no one else has the obligation to do anything for us. What we do for ourselves, and others, is up to each of us. Is important to understand that each of us is ...

As far I can see, many politicians still don't understand they are facing a more active and educated society. They still want to manage thing the way they did in the past, yet it's not possible to do so. People have become more aware of their power they have on the government. And more importantly, people has become to see that the power of the government comes from the people. At the end, the government is there to serve us, not the other way around. There is more of an understanding that the government has to surrender to the will of the people, since the government is just an expression of such will. The people who decide to work at the government need to realize that they just serve to make sure that the will of people comes to be realized. At the end, the government that doesn't come to terms to this fact is not going to last for long. We need to keep the government on check. People needs to realize that there is the constant need to keep tabs on government. Castin...

I've been interested and supportive of open source software for a while now, since the collaborative nature and philosophy of it resonates with my core beliefs. If we worked like this in more aspects of our daily lives, the world would be a far better place to live in. In many ways, the interest of the community at large overlap with those of the individual. So, the individuals should be involved with the community as much as possible. True, the interests of the community are not always the same of those of the individual. There for, I also believe that the individual should be free to engage and work on those projects that are most beneficial for him with as few restrictions as possible. I mean, no one should be allowed to do things that damage the community at large. But, at the end each individual should have the freedom to work on what interest and benefits him the most. It's equally important that individuals to be allowed to associate as they see fit. There shouldn...

It's sad to see how many people complain about things don't worry, or how their needs are not being attended to, and when given the chance to do something about it they choose to stay and do things the same way. They ask for change, but when change comes to their doorstep they choose not to take it. I've been seeing it happing a lot more often than I'd like. People demanding some sort of change, and when an opportunity comes to make that change happen they just freak out and don't capitalize that opportunity. Most of the time it happens because many expect to change come in a certain way, and at certain time. When it comes in some other way, some times they don't see it. But, it's sad when the opportunity is seen and not taken because it didn't come as they wanted it to come. Instead of taking the chance to change and making it work their way, they just let it go without realizing that the missed opportunity might not come again in a long time. Most ...

Listening to the news and reading the papers can be really a depressing or annoying thing, depending on the report o news that are being given. Most of the newspapers and radio stations don't seem to understand that even though they are entitled to give their own perspective to the information that they are giving, it doesn't mean that they have to always be in opposition or agreement with everything. I'm tired that the left leaning are always being overly critical of the right, without questing their own position and the right leaning ones doing the same. There are good and bad things being done on both sides, at the end we all make mistakes so often. The news outlet job is to find what is happening, and why. Yes, they have the right to criticize or praise when they say fit, but they have to see that just not all that is done by people they support is a good thing, or that what is being done by people they oppose is done wrong. One of their main goals should be getting...

Many people seems to have trouble with the private sector, since every time they hear that a private company is to be involved in anything they have something against it. In many cases I find it to be both sad and irksome, since the ones opposing the private sector involvement are themselves part of the private sector. There is a need to understand what the private sector really is, and how it works. The private sector in itself isn't evil, and can truly be an important engine for the development of the society at large. Any healthy society needs a private sector that is vital, since it can generate and foster innovation faster than the public sector ever could. Private companies, and individuals, have more motivation to actually do things better and in a more efficient manner. For me, the private sector should be more involved in doing things and working in the way it seems fit. The free market is a far better way to screen which companies and individuals have the better ideas ...

For all it's worth, is disheartening to see how people focus to much at particular parts of whats going on. This makes it harder for them to see how that particular situation actually plays out at the bigger. There is an urgent need to see things as if they stand by themselves, and not as part of the bigger picture. If we keep fixing things as if they don't have interactions with other parts of the system, those solutions won't really be the solutions needed. In order to bring solutions that actually work, the whole picture needs to be taken into account. There is to be understood, that sometimes the problem in one particular subject, can be traced to something somewhere else. And if you tackle and solve that issue, it would actually solve both problems. But for that, you have to take into account the whole system, and not only the parts that make the system. There are problems that affect each part of the system without affecting other parts, and others that affect the ...

I've been thinking about what would like to have close by where I live, and I've come to the conclusion that mainly I'd like to have places like parks and more plazas. Places that would let the community where I live to come together, and have a greater sense of belonging. I think that is people feel that they are an important part of the community they live in, it would bring an improvement to the quality of life of the people who live in it. At the end, when people feel like close to the place they live they actually do things to take care of it. But, if there aren't places that bring the community together, it becomes difficult to bring people to care about their community and the people living there. Is important to build the sense of belonging to the community on which we live in.

While there are many who view change with fear, it is something that can give us the room to grow and make ourselves better. In a way, change is part of what keeps individuals and societies healthy. They both need to adapt to new set of circumstances, and it means that changes are needed to face the circumstances as they show up. Everything around us is constantly changing, and if we don't change and adapt accordingly we'll not survive for long. Even tough most of the time we can't control how things change, we can control how we adapt to those changes. And, we even can make those changes work for us. At the end, the choice is adapt or die. Change can not be avoided, it will happen we like it or not. But, we can choose to become better and stronger with it, or be simply be overwhelmed and destroyed by it. History is full with examples that the winners are the ones who better adapt to change, and use it to their advantage. It's not easy to do so, and the success is ...

It's sad to see how some of the labor unions are not doing what they should do, protecting the rights of the workers that form them. Some have become a platform on which the leaders use to get money, or power. The structure of those unions has been corrupted to serve the interest of a few, and the power that they have amassed make it difficult to fight them. Even the workers within those unions have a hard time getting their voice heard. Unions that truly defend the interest the needs of the workers are needed. They serve both the workers and the employer interests, if the union really conducts negations in a pro positive and constructive manner. They balance the power, and generate a healthy relationship between workers and bosses. The truth is that if unions do their work as they should, their are beneficial to society at large. They generate a balance, and enable a better working environment for everyone. Yet, some have been corrupted and no longer serve the original purpos...

It feels odd that many people seem to take criticism as an insult. Apparently, if you say something about what isn't being wrong or how things could be done better you are against them. It's even worse if you point out things that are actually being done wrong. It needs to be understood that criticism is needed to keep things in check. It's also useful in order to correct things that are not being done correctly, and to make things work better if needed. Criticism is useful, specially if it comes alongside possible ways to do things in a better way. As a society, we need to understand that we should accept or dismiss things on face value. We need to dig deeper into the how and why of things, and praise or critique accordingly. Not everything that is done is good or bad, all depends on the context. We need to pay attention to why each action is to be undertaken, and how it'll be undertaken. In order to gain a better quality of life, we shouldn't just accept wh...