12:02 PM

Installed Red Hat GNU/Linux 9.0 on my old IBM Thinkpad 1400i (now al-rassan). Space prevented me from installing with existing windows partitions, so I backed them up to Atlantis and wiped them clear. 9.0 is much improved from previous installs - RH detected the Winmodem, sound card and video card without a hitch. Minor problem with the display was fixed by increasing the resolution from 800x600 to 1280x1024.

After long discussion with Ryan last week about network nomenclature schemes (weapon names, Tolkienian weapon names, starships), decided to stick with the established use of Guy Gavriel Kay’s fantasy worlds. Renamed Atlantis to Sarantium. Renamed Ithilien to Al-Rassan. Two other machines waiting in the wings: Arbonne and Gorhaut. It will be some time before we run out of names.

Anyhow, back to the linux installation. Wireless card was easy to configure with the drivers already present - connected to my Windows desktop (sarantium) via Samba.

Nasty surprise - Red Hat removed MP3 support. Was aware of it in the back of my mind but still unexpected. Still, gives me a chance to reburn entire CD collection. Add to todo list - find MP3->OGG converter. WMA not an option.