I response to my previous post, I started defining a set of requirements for a separate local server. By separate, I mean specifically a physically different machine than my desktop. Previously I had my desktop PC running Linux (Fedora) with all desktop applications, as well as several server applications in the background. The following is list of ideas, requirements and plans I hope to achieve with this server. Provide file access locally (on the LAN) and remotely (over the internet).

Dell’s IdeaStorm provided a method for Dell customers to provide feedback to the company on what consumers really wanted. Not surprisingly, the biggest request was for Dell to pre-installed Linux on their Desktops and Laptops. Currently there are vendors who support Linux on their computers, however most of this focus has been on enterprise level linux (Red Hat Enterprise Desktop, Novell SuSE Desktop) and not necessarily free community distributions like Fedora or Ubuntu.

In the past I’ve never actually changed my time settings on my computer, usually when booting into Linux the NTP (Network Time Protocol) server does the trick. However the local operating system (whether Linux or Windows) usually retains timezone settings in some way. I do not know if the RedHat/Fedora method is consistent with other Linux distributions. My personal desktop is running Fedora, Ubuntu, Windows 2000 and XP - all rather modern software with updates, so I wasn’t the least bit worried.

Although there is no update on the official Linux Flash Blog from Adobe, it does appear that a final NON-beta version of the Flash 9 Plugin has been made available for Linux. The release version is 9,0,31,0 (the last beta was 9.0.21.78 on Nov 20, 2006). So update!!! Fedora Users: The official Fedora Flash repository has not been updated. However if you pick: Option 2: .rpm Download the Flash Player .

I have a decent computer with a large hard drive. My initial intent was to boot multiple different operating systems (as can be seen by the 6+ EXT3 partitions). However the latest technology hype is the need for virtualization or emulation. In effect, this would allow loading one operating system inside another without any reboot. I use the term “hype” because the consumer demand (i.e. non admins, non developers, people with real lives) is very low.