Math

The thing I love about math is its abstract nature. For example, let’s take a look at the Dirac’s delta function. It’s the function that has the value zero, everywhere except at x=0, where it has infinitely large value. And it has a property that its total integral (area beneath the function) is 1. So, to think a bit about it, it an infinitesimally thin peak, which has infinite height. And the area beneath it is 1. Something like … Ain’t that amazing ?

And on the opposite, less abstract side, … Or to put it in a more descriptive way …

Mind-expanding …

Are we a bit hypocritical?

I’m a regular on Serbian’s Ubuntu LoCo forum. Today I stumbled upon one post that got me into thinking “Are we a bit hypocritical?”. Here’s what happened…

There is one guy who messed up his system a bit with Windows and Linux installations and removals. He wanted to have both operating systems on his computer and he asked for a solution. Another guy tried to help him. The problematic part of his message was the comment “If you need help with removing Linux because you want to stay on that other OS, you’re not gonna find it here.” But why?

We, the FOSS community (or Ubuntu community in this particular case), are supposed to fight for freedom. In my opinion, that includes the freedom of choice, to let the user use whatever he or she wants. Including that other OS, which may have a lot of restrictions.

Sure, it wouldn’t be wise to just say “Remove Linux”. I’m not for that in the first place. But if there was no fix, why wouldn’t we help someone to switch back? That is what freedom of choice is all about, right? Someone might say that by not helping others to switch back to that other OS, we will make them adapt to Linux. Someone might say that it’s against its principles to help someone switch back to that other OS. But, if the only fix is the switch back, wouldn’t it be helpful to explain how to switch back.

What is my way of fight for freedom? Education. I think that is the best way to do that. Show people what freedom gives. The rest will follow.

Facebook spam

I had a MySpace account, got irritated over time by its terrible design and decided not to use it anymore. I didn’t want to give Facebook a chance, because I was expecting something similar to MySpace. Another reason was because of all the spam it sends. I heard my friends complaining about all the e-mails they got from Facebook’s applications. A friend even made a label in Gmail called “Facebook spam”.

And now, I got my first Facebook notice by e-mail, even though I don’t have the account. It’s an OK one, a friend of mine tagged me in a photo and I got a link to it. Quite polite on first glance. I clicked on the link and got “You have not been tagged in any photos yet.” The usual login fields were on the left side of the page. Should I create an account in order to see the photo? Well, I surely won’t. And it’s not very friendly not to give an explanation why someone can’t see a photo. Is it because someone deleted it? Or maybe you should login? It would be more useful if they sent “Hi, click this link to see the photo. You have to be registered.” sort of message. Or a notice on the page that the photo doesn’t exist anymore. Still, you only get the message that is not helpful (and probably not true).

So, no Facebook for me.