Things I miss when I run windows.

I work in a Microsoft Windows shop providing support for the Windows desktop. I also do support work on the side. Whenever I am working in windows I find there are things that I take for granted but are missing in windows.

Sometimes, it will be some feature my window manger of choice, Fluxbox offers. Sometimes it is workflow related. As I go from File Manger, to Web Browser, to Command Prompt, cutting and pasting text, missing features plague me. Other times I will be talking with an end user and realize I want to show them something that would take 15 seconds to do in Linux but will take several minutes to do in Windows.

Here is a list of 10 such annoyances. I will cover each of these in more detail in the weeks to come.

1. Software Repositories
2. Virtual Desktops
3. Scrollable volume control
4. Dock-apps
5. The ability to work with ISOs (master, mount and burn)
6. Select to copy, middle click to paste
7. Ssh
8. Sshfs and fuseFS in general
9. Virtual Displays
10. Drop down terminal

Dancing with the Devil

One of the things I have always wanted do with this blog is share more information about Slax and Porteus Linux. The problem is I have made several custom modules and without providing access to the modules there is not much point in talking about these things.

I have had a need for online storage. Someplace that would be around for a long time so the links won't expire. Services like Rapidshare won't work. Without a paid account any files that I upload that are not accessed after several months are removed. So that won't work for me.

What I need is someplace that is permanent, easy for people to download from, allows me to store files that are up to 300 megs (the size of a customized Slax iso file), and has a large enough capacity to hold all of my files. I am glad to say that I have found a service that fits the bill.

It is ... Drum roll please...

Microsoft Skydrive

Yes, I am now dancing with the devil. However it does bring us to an interesting point. I will be able to post these files for the long term on the Internet thanks to Microsoft. Microsoft is now my partner in promoting Linux.

Microsoft, welcome to team Linux.