I've been using Debian for a while now as the base OS for this website (and a bunch of others as well). Why go through the hassle of migrating to Ubuntu? Well, partly because I'm more familiar with it, working with it on a daily basis, but also because it's supported for 5 years, has a predictable upgrade/release cycle, is more current in terms of the software it's running than Debian Stable, but gives me the same sense of confidence in the supportability as that does.

So welcome to hardy har har...

As is usual in these circumstances, someone piped up with a sarcastic comment about how "that's going to increase productivity". This is a standard way of saying that visually appealing features have no value because they don't increase "productivity". Normally I don't think too much of these comments either way, but for once I thought, hang on a minute... Why does "productivity" have to be the ultimate measure of a computer's feature? Are we all trying to do nothing but be productive? I agree that if it reduces productivity, that's a bad thing, but if all it does is maintain the same level of productivity and at the same time is a little easier on the eyes, why not? After all, most of us (myself definitely included) will be spending a significant portion of their lives in front of a computer, one way or another. I'd like to enjoy that if at all possible...

Now I happen to think many of the desktop effects actually increase productivity, but that's a different discussion. I guess my point is that computing (and life) should be about more than just productivity. Kthxbye.

Get yours!

Seems to be working quite nicely. You set the options in gconf (it's a gnome app) for which tag you want to use and what interval for the slideshow you want, and then just run the program. It will use any changed config options each time it changes, so if you set it to one tag and then run it and change it, it will use the new tag the next time it changes.

The next stage is to write a config front end so you don't have to edit gconf, and then write an install program (at the moment you have to manually insert it as a new program to start up as part of a Gnome session). Problem is, it works fine for me, so the motivation to do that is not so high. Hopefully I'll get around to it soon.

The instructions are very complicated. It says on the instructions "to enjoy all the features of this keyboard and mouse, you must install software". Not on Ubuntu Feisty, mate. plugged in and everything works as expected. No configuration required.

For anyone interested it's the Cordless Desktop EX 110. 

And I have to say, I've quite enjoyed the experience. E17 is a very well put together desktop environment. Things I love:

1. The amount of control you get over your windows (it can optionally remember which virtual desktop, size, postition, etc. you want an application in, as well as conveniently being able to start it at login and/or pin it to the desktop). Very nice, as Borat would say.
2. Low resource usage for nice bling - and not so much bling as polish really. Try it and you'll see what I mean. It's a good looking desktop, no doubt.
   
3. I like middle click on the desktop and you get a list of open windows. Switching to other windows is remarkably easy after a while.

Things I prefer about Gnome:

1. Transparency with compiz/beryl
2. Expose like feature of compiz/beryl
3. Integration of Gnome apps such as rhythmbox, etc. E17 still doesn't have a systray - I use trayer to get around it, but it's not ideal. It's a blight on an otherwise great desktop for E17.
4. Avant Window Navigator. Cover album integration is too nice.
   

I have to say, at this stage I'm not sure whether I'm going to stick with E17 or Gnome. Stay tuned....