Kanaka Technologies

So, since I’ve discovered the wonderful world of Open Source Software I have since uninstalled windows as my primary O/S and installed Linux Mint.  One of the most time consuming tasks I had when I decided to switch to the Open Source platform was deciding which flavor of Linux to install on my system.  I went through all the forum posts and read the pros and cons and bashing and name calling.  I finally settled on Linux Mint.  I’ll go over some of the determining factors in another post.

After installing Linux Mint, I went out and got the software packages that I wanted.  They were all free, from word processors to MySQL modeling and adminstration tools.  I went through numerous sites and read countless write ups to find the software that I wanted.  I finally got everything I needed on my computer, and it didn’t cost a dime.

I have Firefox setup with my free iGoogle homepage customized to what I want to see.  Firefox is also configured with a free Password manager that remembers all my passwords for me, also accessible via my iPhone.  I have most of my neccessary documents in Google Docs online, which I can access and edit from my iPhone if I need to.  I have a small business that I’m trying to get off the ground, so I have a free Quickbooks online account.

I did notice a pattern though, finding out about a lot of these packages took a lot of time.  Time that average Joe wouldn’t spend, because face it, he’s just not THAT interested.  He just wants the stuff to work and not have it take up his entire weekend.  I also have friends that I try to enlighten and I rattle off numerous website addresses to.  I know they won’t remember them all, if any at all.  So, I need a place that is accessible to everyone for me to store and make available all this knowledge.  I need a website.

Hmmmm…. I’m not the most graphically inclined person, so I figure I’ll get a cheap hosting account and buy a cheap web template and wallah!!!  Now, I would have someplace to tell everyone about all the cool free stuff out there….  Hmmmm… if I’m going to attempt to let people know about free stuff, shouldn’t I try to do it “on the free” instead of “on the cheap”?  Yup, so I assessed the situation, I want a platform that I can use to continually keep people informed of my findings as time goes on.  Sounds like a blog to me.  WordPress, here I come…. and here I am.

So over the next couple weeks I’ll be posting stuff about free software and services.  Mostly for ordinary Joe, but some for techno-nerds as well.  I won’t keep it all Linux either.  Those with Windows can use a bone or two or twelve since they’re paying inflated prices for most of their stuff anyways.

Stay tuned…..

Aloha!!!