If you are upgrading Solaris, you will see a bunch of patch numbers fly by along with a bunch of return codes. When I first saw the return codes, I was concerned that something was not updating properly. I saw lots of Return Code 2 and Return Code 8.

When I checked out what the error codes represent, I was relieved. Code 2 is for a patch that is already applied. Code 8 is when a patch attempts to modify a package that is not installed.

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• Migrating to Ubuntu Hardy Heron from Windows XP

I’ve spent much of my time over the last week migrating from Windows to Ubuntu on my Thinkpad T60. I’ve fiddled with linux off an on over the past 5 years (I did write the linux rpm installer for WSAD-IE v5) and did the majority of the linux testing for that release, so I was familiar with RedHat and SuSE.

I guess since those many years ago, Ubuntu has become the platform of choice and it’s easy to see why. I was able to load the CD onto my USB 2GB key drive and boot it up to play around. It also includes a powerful disk repartition program in the same vein as Partition Magic. I was able to split my primary 120GB hard drive formatted as NTFS in half without disturbing windows, so currently, I dual-boot as needed.

I could go on and on about the features of Ubuntu Hardy Heron (8.04) but you can view them all over the internet. If you plan on doing this migration on a thinkpad, check out the thinkwiki. It’s an awesome resource for thinkpads.

I have my VMs with Windows WID et al running just fine under Linux. I’ve also gone and installed the Linux native version of WID to my laptop directly. The reason I was using VMs was more about how a windows machine slowly chokes itself over the registry. I don’t think Linux has this issue, so I don’t see a point in running Linux in Linux.

My current issues with it include:

•  ipod support. There’s no itunes for Linux for some reason, so you are left with Banshee or Rhythmbox neither of which I could figure out yet.
• Battery Drain. Linux seems to consume way more wattage than windows does. There is a handy utility called powerTop created by intel that allows you see what is waking up the CPU and what powersaving state it is in. Currently, I can’t really get my idle laptop with LCD screen at min and wiress connection below 18w.
• Notes Support. You have to use Notes 8.5 but sometimes my .id file doesn’t get recognized by notes and I can’t check my work mail. Also, I used to use NotesBuddy which doesn’t exist on Linux.Therefore, I use my blackberry and it’s unlimited data plan for my lightweight notes client.

If you haven’t checked out Linux for a few years, I think it may be time to go back. I’d say you still need to have that computer-oriented mind (so no migrating your mother yet) but if you are willing to occasionally browse google for a solution to your problem, it’s worth it.

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• Solaris 9 Operating System Update – Return Code 2 and Return Code 8