The Server Guy

Over the next few weeks I plan to install and work with some of the more popular Linux distros on VMWare Virtual Infrastructure. In my posts I will work my way through installing and configuring each distro as well as any issues I run into along the way.

I plan to review three or four of the top rated distros but if anyone has a specific request I will consider adding it to my review list.

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I recently ran across eyeOS, a web based operating system. It’s not a new idea, but it’s the first implementation I’ve seen that actually seems like it may be functional. I’ve been playing around with it a bit and I have to admit I’m pretty impressed. EyeOS doesn’t have every application you might want to use but they have quite a few different applications available already.

I suppose some of you may not be familiar with a web based OS. The idea is simple. Think of all the things your computer does and move all of that to a web page. All you need is a web browser to access it. The idea is quite intriguing. Imagine walking up to a public kiosk with Internet access. You type in a web address, log in, and all of your programs and documents are available to you… all with no need to take anything with you. I know I would love to have something like this available.

If course this whole concept relies on having web access of some form, but really where do you travel anymore that doesn’t have some sort of access available to you if you don’t have your own computer. If this concept sounds even remotely interesting to you I urge you to take a look. It really is interesting stuff.

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Did you know that Google makes a program for managing and editing pictures? The app (Picasa) has most (all?) of the main photo editing features the typical person would would be interested in using for quick picture touch ups.

After installing Picasa the first thing it does is scan your computer for images files allowing you to browse all of your pictures in Picasa rather than having to search for the picture you want to work with. The file browser portion of the program is easy to use. All of the pictures are laid out by folder and have good sized thumbnails so you can see what the picture is without opening it.

When you click the image you want to work with it opens up the picture and gives you a set of basic filters you can apply to the picture such as Crop, Straighten, Redeye, etc. These filters are quite good at doing what they are supposed to.

The next tab over allows you to adjust lighting in the picture with several slider bars. Again they make it quite easy to adjust settings.

The last tab has a set of effects that can be applied to your pictures with the click of a button. Just click the effect you want and it is applied. Picasa has everything from a sharpen effect, to a sepia effect, and even a soft focus if you want to draw attention to a specific feature in the image.

All in all Google’s photo organizer is a very feature rich program that allows you to manage and edit your photos all in one application, and to top it off it’s free.

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