The next 3 months in France, my home land. I look forward to a lot of things of course but most of all it will be an experiment, without any salary, to work full time on Linux Mint, to see if donations, sponsors and advertising will suffice for me to be financially independent and to see what it's like to work on my own.
This is obviously going to have a positive impact on the release of Linux Mint 8 this autumn. The big question is: how much of a difference will it make? And for me, how is that new life going to be, socially, financially, and within my family.
I can't wait to find out...
Friday, June 5, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
How to recognize a French developer?
Easy:
mint@mint ~/nautilus-actions-1.4.1+svn521/nact $ search for toto in .
./nact-profile-editor.c:560: g_print ("toto42\n");
./nact-profile-editor.c:563: g_print ("toto43\n");
./nact-profile-editor.c:566: g_print ("toto44\n");
To tell you the truth, when I saw "toto44" I thought it was my code.. and then I didn't remember maintaining/patching that package in Linux Mint.
Apparently, "Les grands esprits se rencontrent." :)
Note: I personally have a preference for "toto" and then derivatives like "titi", "tutu"... using numbers is SO old-fashioned ;)
mint@mint ~/nautilus-actions-1.4.1+svn521/nact $ search for toto in .
./nact-profile-editor.c:560: g_print ("toto42\n");
./nact-profile-editor.c:563: g_print ("toto43\n");
./nact-profile-editor.c:566: g_print ("toto44\n");
To tell you the truth, when I saw "toto44" I thought it was my code.. and then I didn't remember maintaining/patching that package in Linux Mint.
Apparently, "Les grands esprits se rencontrent." :)
Note: I personally have a preference for "toto" and then derivatives like "titi", "tutu"... using numbers is SO old-fashioned ;)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Chilli Chocolate Muffins
Somebody made these last week and gave me the recipe for it. It was new to me and I absolutely loved it.
If the concept doesn't make sense to you, think of ginger biscuits. The taste is obviously very different but the effect of the spices on the other ingredients is actually quite similar. Here's the recipe:
- Mix basic scone mixture in a bowl: 450g self-raising flour, 150g melted real butter, 150ml lemonade (7up or so).
- Add in chocolate bits, chilli bits/powder (alternatively oats and raisins).
- Preheat oven 180 degrees.
- Use paper bun cases or muffin tins (better, with butter to lubricate).
- Put the mixture in, don't overload.. will double in size.
- Should have enough for 12 muffins.
- 25 min cooking.
Enjoy!
If the concept doesn't make sense to you, think of ginger biscuits. The taste is obviously very different but the effect of the spices on the other ingredients is actually quite similar. Here's the recipe:
- Mix basic scone mixture in a bowl: 450g self-raising flour, 150g melted real butter, 150ml lemonade (7up or so).
- Add in chocolate bits, chilli bits/powder (alternatively oats and raisins).
- Preheat oven 180 degrees.
- Use paper bun cases or muffin tins (better, with butter to lubricate).
- Put the mixture in, don't overload.. will double in size.
- Should have enough for 12 muffins.
- 25 min cooking.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Middle-East, what matters most
The more I look into it the more I'm confused. I feel like an external and foreign observer missing most of the facts and the information coming towards me contradicts itself depending on the source. I'm still eager to learn about this but I don't think I'll ever get a clear picture. If I had to do it again I probably wouldn't take sides.
The most important thing for me is the suffering of the people on both sides of the conflict. Out of anger from what I saw being done by the Israeli army, I initially cared for the Palestinians, but I do also care for Israeli families and citizens who suffer from it.
To all people seeking peace in this conflict: I just want to let you know, many people here in Europe, do care about what is going on. I hope one day you'll find a solution to it and you'll enjoy the peaceful life we have here.
I received hatred comments and emails from both sides. Don't fall into racism. Whether it comes from you, your education or your personal context, it's important to understand that most people actually want the same, irrelevant of what religion or ethnicity they are. This is not, at least it should not, be a conflict of religion or ethnicity. And if it's not, or should not, then YOU victims on both sides, should demand from your political representations to implement what you deserve, and that is peace and forgiveness.
I know it's easy for me to ask for forgiveness when I personally lost nothing. I understand anger all the same, but then how long will it last? I guess it's not for me to judge.
As for me, I regret pointing the finger when what I should have done was to show support for the victims.
If there is a God, and of whatever Religion, then I hope he'll put an end to this and let you all live in peace, without fear and suffering.
Good luck to all of you who are directly impacted by this tragedy and all my wishes for a peaceful resolution.
PS: If the EU can help I would expect them to do whatever they can and having lived in Europe all my life, I can tell you the feeling is shared around here. It's probably for Palestinians and Israeli to agree on something first, then eventually mediate with the UN or the US, but I would expect the EU to fully support any plan towards a fair and peaceful resolution. May you all find peace in this generation.
The most important thing for me is the suffering of the people on both sides of the conflict. Out of anger from what I saw being done by the Israeli army, I initially cared for the Palestinians, but I do also care for Israeli families and citizens who suffer from it.
To all people seeking peace in this conflict: I just want to let you know, many people here in Europe, do care about what is going on. I hope one day you'll find a solution to it and you'll enjoy the peaceful life we have here.
I received hatred comments and emails from both sides. Don't fall into racism. Whether it comes from you, your education or your personal context, it's important to understand that most people actually want the same, irrelevant of what religion or ethnicity they are. This is not, at least it should not, be a conflict of religion or ethnicity. And if it's not, or should not, then YOU victims on both sides, should demand from your political representations to implement what you deserve, and that is peace and forgiveness.
I know it's easy for me to ask for forgiveness when I personally lost nothing. I understand anger all the same, but then how long will it last? I guess it's not for me to judge.
As for me, I regret pointing the finger when what I should have done was to show support for the victims.
If there is a God, and of whatever Religion, then I hope he'll put an end to this and let you all live in peace, without fear and suffering.
Good luck to all of you who are directly impacted by this tragedy and all my wishes for a peaceful resolution.
PS: If the EU can help I would expect them to do whatever they can and having lived in Europe all my life, I can tell you the feeling is shared around here. It's probably for Palestinians and Israeli to agree on something first, then eventually mediate with the UN or the US, but I would expect the EU to fully support any plan towards a fair and peaceful resolution. May you all find peace in this generation.
Friday, May 8, 2009
European citizenship
I visited Ireland, fell in love with a woman, and I decided to stay here. I got a job, opened up a bank account and eventually bought a house, had kids and settled in. This year I'm even thinking of voting at the local elections and soon or later I'll create a company. I did all this without being Irish and it was just the same as doing it in France. I could have done that anywhere in the EU as being European is almost the same as being a citizen in all the countries that are member of the Union.
The only difference between me and the local crowd are the fact that I have a foreign accent, that I can't vote at the national elections (although it's easy to get the citizenship), that I'm a real pain when it comes to criticize the quality of their food and that we don't wear the same jersey when it comes to watch Ireland play against France :)
I feel privileged and lucky to be part of that. To me, that freedom of movement and that exchange of rights within the EU is one of the most significant political achievements.
Many of my friends here in Ireland are Indians and things are much tougher for them. One of them in particular is very close to me. He's married to a Nepali woman, and we work in the same company. Neither of them have the Irish citizenship and they don't have any guarantees they'll be allowed to stay. In comparison to me, being European, their situation is harsh as he's been here for years, they're thinking of buying a house, there'll be kids down the line, and they just don't have any guarantees for the future or any of the rights I personally enjoy. Now, the difference between me and him are simply based on where we were born. We work for the same company, we're both here to settle.. but I don't even need to ask, and he's almost sure he won't be allowed. I do understand why, of course, and I know no country can fully open their borders to everyone... I just feel really lucky about this and I hope for everyone, one day, to get the same.
The EU is driven by many different agendas but I see how Europeans feel alike, how that feeling of being European has become a reality, how we don't look at each others anymore but together at others, and how we share what we have and welcome each others. I feel really proud of that and again, to me, this is a huge political achievement.
My hope to other nations to be able to join the club or to make their own, and to their citizens to be able to move freely and be welcome wherever they go.
And to the Irish reading this, thanks for the hospitality, now if only we could get decent food, that would be perfect :))
The only difference between me and the local crowd are the fact that I have a foreign accent, that I can't vote at the national elections (although it's easy to get the citizenship), that I'm a real pain when it comes to criticize the quality of their food and that we don't wear the same jersey when it comes to watch Ireland play against France :)
I feel privileged and lucky to be part of that. To me, that freedom of movement and that exchange of rights within the EU is one of the most significant political achievements.
Many of my friends here in Ireland are Indians and things are much tougher for them. One of them in particular is very close to me. He's married to a Nepali woman, and we work in the same company. Neither of them have the Irish citizenship and they don't have any guarantees they'll be allowed to stay. In comparison to me, being European, their situation is harsh as he's been here for years, they're thinking of buying a house, there'll be kids down the line, and they just don't have any guarantees for the future or any of the rights I personally enjoy. Now, the difference between me and him are simply based on where we were born. We work for the same company, we're both here to settle.. but I don't even need to ask, and he's almost sure he won't be allowed. I do understand why, of course, and I know no country can fully open their borders to everyone... I just feel really lucky about this and I hope for everyone, one day, to get the same.
The EU is driven by many different agendas but I see how Europeans feel alike, how that feeling of being European has become a reality, how we don't look at each others anymore but together at others, and how we share what we have and welcome each others. I feel really proud of that and again, to me, this is a huge political achievement.
My hope to other nations to be able to join the club or to make their own, and to their citizens to be able to move freely and be welcome wherever they go.
And to the Irish reading this, thanks for the hospitality, now if only we could get decent food, that would be perfect :))
One's personal relation with God
I wasn't brought up as a Christian and I was never given any religious education, so the concept of God was foreign to me during my childhood. Then came Science and as many I believed in it, it was logical and seducing. So I was a strong Atheist to begin with. I don't know exactly how it happened but it appeared to me that Science, although logical, was based on axioms which were neither demonstrated nor questioned. As such I realized Science could also qualify as some sort of Religion. In the panel of possible explanations to all that we can observe, Science appeared as the most "probable" one. Yet, it didn't explain everything and other explanations couldn't be rejected. Someone also pointed out that Atheism, well my version of Atheism at least, was based on the denial of the existence of God... and that believing that there is no God, was in itself a belief. So that disturbed me of course and I had to agree with that person and admit that in the end, whether God existed or not... I just didn't know. The great thing about not knowing though is that you know exactly what you don't know. So I wasn't believing in Science or in the "there is no God" theory, I just knew. I just knew that I didn't know. I've been knowing that since and I think people call that "Agnostic".
Anyway, that's not what I'm interested in. What interests me when it comes to God, isn't whether "he" exists or not, but how is "he" materialized, or "thought about". Now, before I go further, this is a question I've never actually asked. Most of the people I know are religious by education and I think they have far more to do with the Church than with God.. in other words, I'm not sure they have any personal relation with God, and that's what really interests me.
I was outside tonight, smoking a cigarette and looking at the moon, and of course I asked myself this question. If God indeed "was", "where" would "he" be? I looked at the moon of course and I guess, if anywhere, he would be up there, in the sky, near the moon, or beyond?
I came back inside and entered a room, and thought it further. Where would "he" be now? "Around" me? "Inside" me? or simply "everywhere at once"?
When people pray some look up and some close their eyes. So I guess for them he materializes within them (not their body of course, but within their spirits I guess) or above? I've seen other people focus on a particular object.
If you're religious and you're reading that, don't be offended, I'm not trying to be sarcastic. I'm genuinely curious about that. How do individuals think of God in terms of "where" "he" is, "how" he listens or look after them.
I know some religions forbid to represent God in any materialistic way, so if I'm going against something sensitive here, please don't take offence and simply don't answer. I really don't want to force or alienate people (I think the Palestinian debate did its fair share already).
When you close your eyes or look up for God, how do you see or imagine "him"?
PS: I never had any such thing but there are values which dictate my life and in those quiet moments I guess sometimes I look up and hope for things. I don't see anything though. I just kind of detach and elevate myself and I look at what I did, what happened, and me smoking that cigarette, in the distance. There's a term for that in psychology I think when the brain is used by the individual to think about himself. Is one's personal relation with God close to that? or is it different? Whatever you do don't feel offended by my question, and if you can answer it, please do. I'm really curious.
Anyway, that's not what I'm interested in. What interests me when it comes to God, isn't whether "he" exists or not, but how is "he" materialized, or "thought about". Now, before I go further, this is a question I've never actually asked. Most of the people I know are religious by education and I think they have far more to do with the Church than with God.. in other words, I'm not sure they have any personal relation with God, and that's what really interests me.
I was outside tonight, smoking a cigarette and looking at the moon, and of course I asked myself this question. If God indeed "was", "where" would "he" be? I looked at the moon of course and I guess, if anywhere, he would be up there, in the sky, near the moon, or beyond?
I came back inside and entered a room, and thought it further. Where would "he" be now? "Around" me? "Inside" me? or simply "everywhere at once"?
When people pray some look up and some close their eyes. So I guess for them he materializes within them (not their body of course, but within their spirits I guess) or above? I've seen other people focus on a particular object.
If you're religious and you're reading that, don't be offended, I'm not trying to be sarcastic. I'm genuinely curious about that. How do individuals think of God in terms of "where" "he" is, "how" he listens or look after them.
I know some religions forbid to represent God in any materialistic way, so if I'm going against something sensitive here, please don't take offence and simply don't answer. I really don't want to force or alienate people (I think the Palestinian debate did its fair share already).
When you close your eyes or look up for God, how do you see or imagine "him"?
PS: I never had any such thing but there are values which dictate my life and in those quiet moments I guess sometimes I look up and hope for things. I don't see anything though. I just kind of detach and elevate myself and I look at what I did, what happened, and me smoking that cigarette, in the distance. There's a term for that in psychology I think when the brain is used by the individual to think about himself. Is one's personal relation with God close to that? or is it different? Whatever you do don't feel offended by my question, and if you can answer it, please do. I'm really curious.
Marion Barber
"Marion the Barbarion" they call him. From the Dallas Cowboys, my favorite running back in the NFL.
I don't know how he survives each season. Let's hope he lasts for a long time.
I don't know how he survives each season. Let's hope he lasts for a long time.
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