Well, this may seem like a forgone conclusion (based on http://linux.sci-tech.co.uk/ as one of our sites), however here at WhyDontYou we are always open to debate.

Today I was in a discussion about the merits of Windows vs Linux and vice versa. One of the main arguments against the wonder that is linux was the boot time.

Now, everyone knows Linux is a powerful server operating system which is why it takes for ever to boot up and let you do things. Windows is soooo much quicker.

Or is it?

Yes, this is a loaded question! To prove a point I booted up a Dual Boot (WinXP and SuSE10) computer. The time to go from GRUB choice to log in screen was, indeed, about twice as long for the Linux machine as for the windows machine. (Both run roughly the same software). In fact, compared to the Linux machine the Windows system provided a log in prompt almost instantly.

However, this is where things went wrong. From entering the password to having a useable machine in windows took about half the lifetime of the universe. Each of the USB devices was checked, MSN started, tried to log in, failed because it had come up before the network device (etc.). Absolute chaos. While it is easy to be fooled into thinking the log on prompt means the machine has “booted,” in windows this is FAR from the truth.

In comparison, the Linux box had a fully loaded desktop (connected to the internet and running more server software) in about a hundredth of the time the Windows machine managed it. The difference made the delayed boot sequence inconsequential in comparison.

If you dont believe me, try it yourself!

Obviously there is a substantial interest in the photoshop effects (previous blog entry). Within about two minutes of the previous image being uploaded to flikr it had been viewed 20 times. Not bad going considering the normal rate of hits.

Lulworth Cove – Coloured Pencil,
originally uploaded by etrusia_uk.

This is another example of what can be done with the photoshop effects. After a long portion of my life being spent thinking the effects were worthless, I am now starting to change my mind!

The original image is reproduced to the side here, and as you can see, this (artistic effect) is quite effective (pun?). It does help that the cove is almost ideal for a pencil effect. I did try with a watercolour but this was no where near as good.

Over the coming weeks and months, I will try experimenting with other filters and effects to see what is good. Obviously, only the best will be posted here…

As an aside, you would be amazed at how hard it is to get the two images into one blog entry. Amazing. So much for the advances of technology!

Insect,
originally uploaded by etrusia_uk.

Found this in the garden.

Any one know what it is?