Utorrent Finally comes to Linux, but too late..

So, if you haven't yet heard, Utorrent's development team has announced it is working on a version for Linux operating system users. Many Linux users like myself, grew up using proprietary software like Utorrent in Windows or Mac OS. And it was a nice piece of software.

But then something happened. We got a taste of something different. Something that wasn't restricted, or proprietary. Honestly, most Windows Users don't even know the meaning of the word "proprietary" in terms of software until we get into Open source and Free software. It's not until we find that something that is different and grow to really like it, that we decide to and start to learn more about it. At first, it's an awkward relationship. Almost like a mail order bride that's really hot but you can't completely speak her language, although you are familiar with parts of it. And it has your interest enough to get you started on your way.

When you first get into it, you'll discover things like WINE and see that many windows programs will run in Linux. So, what do you do? You run out and grab some of these programs from the net, and get to installing them! (For me, the first program I chose to try out was utorrent, which is what inspired this article.) And in no time you feel almost at home again in this new Operating system. But after a while of use and trying more windows software, you can't help but notice something just isn't the same. A compatibility bug here and there, and sometimes a lot of WINE/Linux configuring that becomes bothersome compared to just installing it and running.

This happens quickly for most, especially after getting a taste of a Linux Distribution's Repository System. After seeing how incredibly easy it is to find a software "package" or two from within the operating system itself which can do everything you needed to do with the windows software, it's hard to go back, and even harder to not at least give it a try.

When do you try open source software, you see the difference. It's really easier to see when software has been created by people who actually care about the software being good. They didn't create it because somebody who's a corporate bigshot with money and lawyers made them create it so they could make more money and buy more lawyers. They made it because they needed it. and therefore, they needed it to work. And they see so did many other people. Some of them have skills that can help them with this cause. So they started working together, because without all the restrictions and red tape of proprietary software, it was easy to do. Soon they had formed communities based on their cause. Communities open to anyone willing, or just interested. The great part of all this is that the users have all this to fall back on for support. Which is easy to see that it's far better than any proprietary company running a monopoly on support. Seriously, have you ever tried to call Microsoft with a Windows problem?

So, what's the outcome of this? Software that works, and will continue to grow with the users and get better. Software that's easily installed without worries of what's hiding in it. Are you going to have spyware? No. Are you going to get a virus? No. Is it going to be full of ads? No. Is it going to make me install a bunch of toolbars from horrible sites yahoo!, or ask.com? No. Am I going to start getting emails for black market Viagra and Nigerian princes? No. What if I need help? It's everywhere. take your pick. That is the difference.

This is why I have to type the next sentence. Yes, Utorrent has finally come to Linux; No, I will not be using it. It's too late. I am just fine and happy with the open source software I now use. It has over time come to replace Utorrent. I read Utorrent was coming, and for a split second, I thought: "Hooray!"... then I also read that it would not be open source. It's in that decision that I realized they (Utorrent) haven't changed. So I say No. I don't want to install ask.com toolbar, and I don't want to install Utorrent.

Soft-Modding the Wii: "Why?"

Well, where to start...

I guess the best thing to start with is the Question- "Why?", a question that can be answered differently by almost anyone soft-modding a console, Wii or otherwise. We all have our own reasons for modding. Whether you are interested in open source software, homebrew games, PC or gaming emulation, making disc backups and playing from them, or just because you want to see how much how can get out of your console that you didn't know you could before.

For me, I have always been interested in the emulation of gaming, vintage PCs and Operating Systems, and just about anything else you can emulate. As I would put it, the never ending search for the one "does everything" box that I can plug in just about anywhere. I personally think hardware and software emulation alike is an important part of technology today that is often misunderstood. That as it may be, it is still very important. It's a lot of different things for a lot of different people, so once again we could stay on this topic forever. So for me, it's about compatibility. Keeping all my media compatible with my hardware as it and it's technology changes over time, with out the need for keeping a museum's worth of old consoles, PC's, ect, all laying around in a heaping mess so I can enjoy an night off with my games of yesteryear. And then spend a whole day cleaning it up and putting it all back away.

Until one day.. I like many of my fellow peers, I realized it doesn't have to be that way. All these old cartridges, disks, CD's, memory cards, operating systems, consoles, old PC's and all the cables and plugs (you know you have been there) - all this can exist "virtually" ( I don't like using that term, but you get the point) on a single machine! A machine that is small and portable, so I can even take it on the go, and plug in anywhere there is a TV. And for me, the Wii may not be a perfect "solves-all" system, but it's pretty darn close at the moment. It already has a great variety of reliable free software and alternatives, and they have a constantly growing community and a mostly constant stream of updates and support by it's users, gamers and hackers alike. No Modchips or soldering necessary, just patience, a PC, an extra SD Card, and some researching a few "how-to's". Easy enough for even beginners with a fair to moderate PC skills.

This was the driving force to me to make the decision to attempt to mod my Wii, and actually going through with it. Chances are if you own a Wii, you are already interested in gaming. Want to bring those old gaming glory days back to life on your Wii, and even make it capable of a lot more than Nintendo wants you to know it is capable of? Then get to it!


(Note: If you're interested in the subject, and want a good source for info on Wii Modding and Homebrew to dive into, check out www.wiibrew.org)