More Ubuntu ...

Ubuntu is working great for me. Got my head around the SMP issue and got the right kernel, it wasn't obvious (choose K7 SMP from synaptic package manager seemed to work), but it works now and we can see both cores.

In fact it works so well that we are using it on several desktops (yes, desktop linux!) and have even converted a Debian weirdo (and we all know what they're like).

The only downside, and this is true for pretty much all distributions is that you end up a bit behind the bleeding edge, i.e. Firefox 1.07 not 1.5. I have tried to keep with in the distro and not go off installing from source in an attempt to see if it is possible to use it with a consumer mentality. And I think it succeeds, it is stable (more so than Suse) simple and easy to administer, complete and works well on a range of hardware from a Via C3 mini ITX box that I use as a media server, Athlon X2, P3/P4s the works and all without complaints.

However the 64 bit version was shite, unlike Suse that worked in 64 bit mode like a dream, which is fine because I have yet to be convinced by 64 bit for what I do.

More later, but try it it works.

UK Pensions "timebomb"

So, the UK Government is floating the idea of a universal pension that all businesses are forced to pay into for their employees.

Not a bad idea I must say. A surcharge on employees to cover the pension provision for their employees in the future, even if they don't have a company pension scheme.

But surely that's what happens anyway, it's called Employers National Insurance contribution? How can they then suggest that we pay more. And worse, no-one is saying so.

Sometimes I despair.

Random ID card thoughts

Whilst chatting with my mother, with whom I often have my best thoughts, it struck me that the concept of ID cards has a critical flaw.

ID Cards are there to provide a link between a biological entity and a database record, i.e. you and the data the government holds about you. The ID Card solution is to encode some biometric data on a piece of plastic and silicon that has some a unique code that can look up your record and confirm identity. This is the wrong way round (or arse about tit as we say around here), the real solution is surely to add the unique code to the biological entity.

By simply tatooing a number on an individual, say on the inside of the forearm, you have made that link and solved the identity problem. If I'm stopped by the police for any reason they can confirm my identity from the number tatoo'ed on my body.

And the beauty of this is that you can extend the concept as you wish, want religious identification, no problem make people wear a badge or tatoo identifying it, moslems could have a crescent moon tatoo, jews a yellow star, christians a cross, etc.

Simple eh? I'm surprised no-one has thought of it before :-)