Marshall

Ubuntu Rocks the house

2007-04-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

So I bought a new laptop a few months ago and I was determined not to pay for an OS, truthfully I don't think I have ever paid for an OS but this might have been the first one I was in the position to and well I said NOOOOO thanks.

I bought a NO-OS Sager 5760 from Discount Laptops and I installed Ubuntu.

Honestly I was very pessimistic, I knew this was something I wanted to try, more because I am cheap but also because I have used unix and linux at several jobs and I always liked it. Well it has been 3 months later and I am more happy every day with Ubuntu, I went to a user group meeting the other day and it has surpassed all my expectations, I don't think I will ever use Windows again, well except for at work...uggggg!

Why I hate Microsoft.

2007-01-05T10:40:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I have been working on my new political blog. It is going pretty well and I am excited how things are progressing. I'll let everyone know about it when the time is right. In the mean time this blog will be more about regular stuff in my life. So on to my story.

So I program websites in Microsoft languages, I am a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (say that three times fast) yet I have gradually gravitated away from Microsoft, I am trying to become a SCJP, slowly but surely. But this morning I was reminded why I have developed such a displeasure with Microsoft.

My wife got a new Macbook for Christmas and she wanted her emails from her old windows computer put onto her Mac. I thought no big deal, I'll get it done before I go to work.

Two hours later I reminded why I come to hate Microsoft. I couldn’t import the emails right into Entourage (the Microsoft email program for the Mac) from Outlook on the old windows computer. Instead I had to install Thunderbird (the free email client related to Firefox) on the old computer, import the emails from Outlook into Thunderbird and then export out of Thunderbird in the .mbox format that Entourage could use. Is that insane? Wasn’t there someone at Microsoft maybe thinking that ‘hey people might want to move their emails from one Microsoft product to another Microsoft Product’ durrrr!!!!!!

Just stupid.

I was tempted to just stick with Thunderbird on the Mac except for the fact that my wife's parents spent all this money on Microsoft Office for the Mac because my Wife is afraid to edit documents in OpenOffice.

Welcome Utah

2006-12-07T21:35:00.000-08:00

I am working on revamping my blog for Utah. Evidently leftyblogs doesn't like feedburner any longer so I will need to work on that but I am excited. Ogden even recently got a new drinking liberally, so that should be fun.

So long and thanks for all the fish

2006-11-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

First off people have asked me if I am happy about the Democrats victories and I would describe it more as the feeling of having to go to the bathroom really badly while on a road trip and walking back to the car after visiting the rest stop, you are relieved that it is over but you wish it never would have happened.

Second I have an announcement, I know my blog has basically been dead the last month and mostly that was because I was doing stuff for the election but it is also because I am leaving Colorado for the red shores of Utah. My wife is graduating from CSU this December with a degree in aerospace engineering and she was offered a position out there that she has accepted. Her position starts January 1st but I have already found a new position that will start November 27th. I am going to be making a lot more money and I am excited start a life with her, buy a house and do all that stuff.

I am thinking about trying to start a soapblox out in Utah but I haven't even decided on a name or if it would even be worth it. I feel someone has got to try, 50 states...Dr. Dean. This blog will definitely not be as active for the next few months and if you a Colorado blog that is linked to me please feel free to remove me. Thanks again and I will miss all my Democratic friends in Colorado, hopefully we will be back soon but you never know.

Marshall Collins

All Hat No Cattle

2006-10-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

Update! - IN ACTION

Kyle gets setup

2006-09-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

One of our very own, CO Democrat, gets setup by the Westword.

I wonder how they knew Kyle was acting president, that really isn't public knowledge.

Jesus Camp

2006-09-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

Check out the new movie Jesus Camp.

This might not come as a surprise but this is nothing new. I went to various religious schools until the 10th grade. I remember we had to see a special "documentary" when I went to middle school at Beth Eden telling us how all the cartoons we watch were evil including the Smurfs, the cat evidently is named after a demon...go figure.

Who Would Jesus Torture?

2006-09-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

podcast

What are Rick O'Donnell's qualifications?

2006-09-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

Evidently being a nerd, working at a grocery store and looking 14.

And which party are you of Rick? Funny how you left that out but that is probably because you wanted to tell us more about how you are desperately trying to tell us nothing.

I think this ad should be called 'A new generation of rubber stampers'

Good job Rick with the pathetic ad.

Hacking Democracy

2006-09-14T07:28:00.000-07:00

I think most people will find it astonishing that we have more oversight on our financial transactions then on our voting systems. No audit procedures, no testing procedures...nothing...basically PLEASE OH PLEASE count our votes correctly. This is amazingly scary and a real threat to our Democracy.

Check out the video below of a researcher from Princeton that was able to hack a voting machine.

The Path To Sin

2006-09-12T06:24:00.000-07:00

podcast

Beauprez unable to multi task?

2006-09-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

Seems running for governor and fulfilling his duties in Washington is just a little too much for Both Ways Bob. Bob missed a crucial vote last week on the "American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act".

Colorado is full of horse lovers and I married one of them. My wife has had horses her entire life and she is doing some english training right now. The way that these horses are transported and processed is appalling but evidently Bob couldn't take time out of his busy schedule to do his job. If Bob can't handle his current responsibilities, how is he going to handle being governor?

Mockumentary Vs. Democrats

2006-09-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

podcast

I was thinking about this more on the way home and I think it is time that at least the Colorado Democrats really take the gloves off with this mockumentary. And if the congressional candidates think they are going to come away unscathed they are kidding themselves, this piece of crap will cast all Democrats in a bad light. I say all Colorado Democratic candidates tell KMGH-TV that they won't spend a dime in advertising on their station if this Republican propaganda is played.

Also please contact KMGH-TV.

All these stations understand is ratings. Here is my letter to them.

If the documentary The Path to 9/11 is played by your station I will no longer get my local news or programming from your station. This documentary is not an objective analysis of 'the path to 9/11' but instead seeks to demonize Clinton and distort the record of that day. This documentary borderline is Republican propaganda and I will not tolerate it. I will gladly cut your station out of my viewing habits and will choose other stations to get my local news also if you show this documentary.

Marshall Collins
Arvada, Colorado

Rick Santorum and Abortion

2006-09-05T05:56:00.000-07:00

My Life By Clinton and Dems Vs Repugs

2006-08-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

podcast

DCCC Slams O'Donnell On Social Security In New Mailing

2006-08-29T20:29:00.000-07:00

Rick O'Donnell - "Social Security must be abolished"

I guess I can post a personal story.

My step-Dad has Multiple Sclerosis and is confined to a wheel chair. He can't brush his own teeth and I have no idea where my Mom and him would be without social security and his union pension (which is actually a great amount than what he receives from social security).

I don't know what Republicans want him to do, go out and get a job...social security is the bedrock of a society that treats others like they would like to be treated (where have I heard that before?).

Republicans like Rick O'Donnell that think it is an 'entitlement' program for people that have paid into this program their entire lives are not worthy to represent us in Washington

Pure Stupidity

2006-08-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

Awhile back I posted about an Ad that was Pure Genius from the Lamont Campaign.

Well Joe has come back with an ad that is Pure Stupidity. This ranks right up there in commercial history with those horrible Quizno's ads with the screaming puppets.

Oh and Joe, the sun doesn't set in the east. You might know that if you ever visited Connecticut.

Test of the Emergency Blogger Network

2006-08-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

Porn and the Family

2006-08-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

I want someone to explain to the guy on the front of the Denver Post how porn in hotel rooms has broken up his marriage. These right wing wacko nut job groups like Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America are nowhere to be found when American family are being bent over barrel day in and day out to try to just keep a roof and food on the table.

You want to know what is breaking up the family! - When both parents have to work 60 hours a week and they can't find time to even tuck their kids in let alone spend any ''quality time'' with each other.

If porn is breaking up the family then it is just a symptom of the incredible economic pressures families are under today. But these so called family groups are no where to be found when it comes to raising the minimum wage or actually doing anything that helps families spend more time together and aren't spending every waking moment wondering how they are going to survive.

These groups are a fraud when it comes to protecting the family and we should call them out every time.

Both Ways Bob and the do nothing congress

2006-08-14T22:46:00.000-07:00

Republicans control every branch of government yet nothing is done about the abysmal shape of our immigration laws until...Election time. Now it seems Both Ways Bob is abusing his franking privilege to run for governor. Check out the mailer below sent out at taxpayers expense.

I called Both Ways Bob congressional office to ask what specific legislation Bob was preparing based upon the feedback he receives from these taxpayer funded meetings. I never got a straight answer on if Republicans or Both Ways Bob will be voting on any immigration reform in this session.

I want to know if Both Ways Bob is wasting our tax dollars to have a dog and pony show for his gubernatorial run.

There he goes again.

2006-08-11T09:28:00.000-07:00

O'Reilly made an assertion last night that NSA obtained these intercepted communication via the illegal domestic spying program when in fact all information was gathered with warrants obtained by the FISA court as required by law. The FISA court and the law worked exactly as designed and allowed us to intercept these messages. If Bush doesn't like the law he should change it but as the law stands now it did not impact our ability to stop this terror plot.

O'REILLY: OK. Last question for you. The fact that the NSA was able to intercept some of these phone calls that were made in the United States to Al Qaeda in Britain by using the very controversial — although I understand warrants were obtained for this by the FISA court. In your opinion, does that mean that the Bush administration is justified now in its original policy? Is this a big win politically for you guys?

h/t newshounds

I could find no other news outlets that made the assertion that NSA intercepted these communications with any other measure but by warrants obtained through the FISA court as required by law. If you find any other 'news' (Drudge!) agencies making this assertion please let me know and lets stop this meme before it gets going.

Smooth Move Salazar

2006-08-10T13:06:00.000-07:00

So you probably think this diary is going to be about Ken Salazar support of Lieberman and you would be wrong.

I don't really care so much what happens in Connecticut but I do care about having a Democrat represent me in CD-7

How absolutely selfish was it for Senator Ken Salazar to announce his support for Lieberman at the Unity in CD-7 event where Ed Perlmutter had center stage to start his dismantling of Rick O’Donnell and his position on social security.

Now instead of the next news cycle being about the next great congressman Ed Perlmutter, the news cycle is going to be about Senator Ken Salazar, how very Liebermanish.

I just called Senator Ken Salazar office (303-455-7600) to rip him for this selfish move. Maybe give some dough to Ed Perlmutter to help mitigate this bone head move.

Hey Bill, I'm calling you out.

2006-08-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

What happened to Bill O'Reilly? I have read several of Bill's books, I thought they were pretty good, he seemed like an honest guy and then something happened 3 or 4 years ago and maybe it was the same thing that has happened to our entire country but now this guy spins like a top every night. And this was the no spin zone. But what happened? I can't sit through and watch this guy anymore. Bill has become the ultimate apologist for this administration and Republicans in general.

Watch this clip by mediamatters where Bill tries in this bizarre way to attack the 'powerful corporation' and 'power brokers' at comedy central...HUH? This is what keeps Bill awake at night are the 'smear merchants' at comedy central?

There is a reason I don't watch normal news anymore. I will get my news at websites like google and such and leave the megalomaniacs like Bill to figure out why their ratings are headed south.

Question of the Day?

2006-07-18T20:58:00.000-07:00

Will the Bush administration have evacuated the Saudi Royal family from the United States after 9/11 faster than our own citizens from Lebanon during the middle of a war?

Stay tune for the answer...

Marshall

Ubuntu Rocks the house

Why I hate Microsoft.

Welcome Utah

So long and thanks for all the fish

All Hat No Cattle

Kyle gets setup

Jesus Camp

Who Would Jesus Torture?

What are Rick O'Donnell's qualifications?

Hacking Democracy

The Path To Sin

Beauprez unable to multi task?

Mockumentary Vs. Democrats

Rick Santorum and Abortion

My Life By Clinton and Dems Vs Repugs

DCCC Slams O'Donnell On Social Security In New Mailing

Pure Stupidity

Test of the Emergency Blogger Network

Porn and the Family

Both Ways Bob and the do nothing congress

There he goes again.

Smooth Move Salazar

Hey Bill, I'm calling you out.

More questions

Question of the Day?