Bradezone

First things first: I should like to apologize to Mozilla and my literally dozen(s) of readers for lambasting Firefox, the browser we have come to know and love for its speed and reliability. It turns out Firefox is actually just as capable as alleged, but my previous system configuration was apparently not up to the task. I use the term “previous” because with the recent release of the superlative Ubuntu 7.10, I have decided to expunge Microsoft Windows entirely from my system. And not only that, I chose to create a new installation of Ubuntu rather than just upgrading the prior version. During this process, which required the creation of four DVDs with my backed-up files, I must have thought it would be hilarious not to copy onto one of these discs the folder entitled LINUX_STUFF, which contained the entirety of my Ubuntu-specific personal files, such as Firefox bookmarks and add-ons, as well as every line of code I have written since becoming an employee at BigBlueHat. (Cue dramatic music indicating irrevocable tragedy.)

Oh, did I mention we back up all of our code via Subversion, and therefore I didn’t really “lose” anything? I suppose that’s an important detail, although it severely hampers the dramatic impact of my anecdote. And I really did lose my Firefox particulars. But this ended up being a blessing in disguise, as once I had my current system up and running I was forced to commence the bookmarking/adding-on process anew, and uncovered some possible reasons for my aforementioned browser troubles—namely, another session manager extension competing with Firefox’s built-in one, and having Firebug and HTML Validator enabled for all websites and not just localhost. My current Firefox experience is alarmingly fast and stable—after a couple of tweaks, natch—and once again all is right with the world of open source software.

Another significant change—and one that affects you, the steadfast visitor—is my decision to host this site with my employer and dump the deplorable Dreamhost, who should seriously consider changing their name to Nightmarehost after perpetrating an extended era of ineptitude on their customers, myself included. I certainly notice a dramatic increase in the speed of Bradezone, and hopefully you can too.

Posted on Thursday, November 1st, 2007 at 2:16 pm in Web Stuff.
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