Last Updated on September 30, 2010 by Dave Farquhar
I was going to cannibalize a computer to turn into a Linux-based MP3 jukebox–I figure get the OS up and going on it and figure out later what software to run on it. It’ll take me a while to get the sound card and wireless NIC working in it, I’m sure. Especially in Debian. If it turns out to be too much of a struggle, I can cave and run Red Hat or SuSE on it since they’re likely to just autodetect the stuff. And then I’ll be a Linux wimp, yeah, but hey, I’ll be a Linux wimp with a really cool sound system.
I ended up going to the store. A couple of stores. I needed vitamins and shampoo and fabric softener. It was really weird hearing “A Letter to Elise” by The Cure as background muzak in Kmart. Not that I was complaining.
I also wanted that Plumb CD I asked about yesterday. I could have saved some money by ordering it online, but I was impatient. It had a once-in-a-lifetime song on it and I wanted it. It was a longshot but I looked. Nope, no Plumb at Kmart. Just Newsboys and DC Talk–the kind of stuff my post-college girlfriend Rachel tried to get me into in 1997. I know a lot of people like them but I just couldn’t get into them.
I guess for me it was a good sign. As far as secular music goes, if it’s sold at Kmart I probably don’t like it. So I should probably expect the same for contemporary Christian music too.
Best Bait-n-Switch had it. So I got it, hopped in the car, put it in the CD player, and turned the volume up a bit. Maybe it’s just how my brain is wired, or what’s been on my mind lately, but “Real” just resonates. To me, it’s an instant classic, like “Day After Day” by Badfinger or “If You Leave” by OMD or “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division.
I’d tell you about the rest of the album but I’ve had that one song on repeat play for most of the night. I think the last time I did that was six years ago with “Want” by The Cure–which turned out to be a smart move, since there wasn’t much else listenable on that particular record.
David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He started his career as a part-time computer technician in 1994, worked his way up to system administrator by 1997, and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He invests in real estate on the side and his hobbies include O gauge trains, baseball cards, and retro computers and video games. A University of Missouri graduate, he holds CISSP and Security+ certifications. He lives in St. Louis with his family.
Why not install Knoppix or Morphix on it? They can autodetect everything, you can then do a hard drive install (easier with Morphix, by all accounts, which is nice and GUI friendly) and then apt-get upgrade it to the latest Debian?
Nice choice on music Dave. I’ve got Plumb’s first two CDs, but I haven’t gotten the most recent one yet.
If you ever want to find a good deal on Christian music, check out http://www.christianbook.com
The first and second Plumb albums are available for $12.99 and you can get the ‘The Best Of Plumb’ album for $6.99.
They will also sometimes have some great deals on stuff in their bargain bin. (I got a PFR cd for $4 last year).
Speaking of music, have you given Evanescence’s new CD, Fallen, a listen? Honestly it’s one of the best CD’s of the year; I know that a lot (or any) Christian retailers are carrying their CD, but they really should because the lyrics are just fantastic, and the singing (and the whole album) incredibly passionate. My favourite tracks: 6 – Tourniquet (like a gothic version of Psalm 51) and 10 – My Last Breath.
Give it a listen if you haven’t, even if you don’t like Gothic music, you really owe it to yourself listen to this one. They’re awesome.
sil, I may well do the Knoppix trick if all else fails. Nice suggestion.
And Lawrence, you’re about the 12th person who’s recommended that Evanescence CD to me. And as for goth, I’ve got Sisters of Mercy imports in my collection, so I guess you can say I like goth. 🙂 I’ve heard three tracks of theirs on the radio and liked them all.