Month: September 2020

Distrowatch Weekly for the Win

Preview of Distrowatch Weekly reviewing LinuxFX.
Distrowatch’s Jesse Smith recently reviewed LinuxFX, otherwise known as WindowsFX

Thomas Holbrook II | The *Nixed Report

This week’s Distrowatch Weekly is now available, and it highlights some new OS releases that use a Linux, *BSD, or POSIX-compliant kernel at its core. They’re a great resource for Linux/BSD-related news.

In this week’s issue, they talk about:

  • LinuxFX, a.k.a. WindowsFX.
  • The Ars article talking about Lenovo going all in by offering Ubuntu-based systems.
  • openSuSE’s Jump Edition
  • The Haiku project contest
  • …and more!

To cap off Monday night, WWE fans will get to witness the aftermath of Roman Reins retaining the Universal Championship. He’s building himself as an effective heel by torturing members of his own family.

Only time will tell if Paul Heyman’s presence will enhance Reins in the future.

RIP Road Warrior Animal

Road Warrior Animal
He was a tag team legend.

Thomas Holbrook II | The *Nixed Report

This week, I learned of the passing of Road Warrior Animal, one half of the legendary tag team known as LOD (Legion of Doom). As 2020 continues towards its conclusion, I fear we will continue to see legends from a variety of industries close the book on their lives due to age, illness, and more.

It hasn’t been an easy year, but thr best way to address his passing is to remember the amazing career he had in the squarred circle.

He held numerous titles alongside his partner Hawk and they wreaked havok wherever they went. The simple mentality of tough powerful people who don’t go without a fight was the hallmark of LOD.

So here’s to Animal, one who was tough enough to not take anyone’s shit while being spiritual at the same time.

Pumpkin Spice

Pumpkin Spice Spam! 'nuff said!
Your argument is invalid!

Thomas Holbrook II | The *Nixed Report

It’s fall, and October is just around the corner. For that reason, I’m sharing my favorite thing from the pumpkin spice memes. Spam!

Yes, it was a thing.

Searching E-Bay listings will reveal that a single can cost at least $20 USD or more, give or take a few. So, the next time someone wants to argue with me about something ridiculous, showing it off will be how I end the “debate” for the last time!

While You’re Here

Would you be willing to become one of our patrons on Patreon? We would like to do so much more with the website and magazine full time. Thank you for your consideration.

ChromeOS Ryzen Above DoD

Thomas Holbrook II | The *Nixed Report

Image of an HP Chromebook with the Ryzen graphic over the top of it to illustrate how epic it would be.
A Chromebook with Ryzen?! Yeah!!!!!

It’s hump day, and what better way to start than with a Chromebook with an AMD Ryzen processor with integrated graphics! Michael Crider of Review Geek breaks the interesting news of HP releasing an enterprise-grade device with AMD’s hardware inside.

Android apps can run in ChromeOS, so having a more powerful APU (CPU with GPU integrated) makes sense.

HP has a page where those interested may sign up to be notified when the Pro c645 Chromebook Enterprise becomes available. It seems Ryzen has been living up to its name and rising above more than the competition.

The other entity that has risen above things of sorts is the Department of Defense, if by things we mean ethics….

It turns out that money from the CARES Act meant for COVID-19 related supplies, like masks and swabs, was redirected towards things like jet engine parts, body armor, and stuff that had nothing to do with COVID-19. Oops!

Some of the companies that received funding from the DoD provided by the CARES Act also benefited from the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program).

This shouldn’t come as a surprise since Economic Impact Payments from that law wound up in foreign countries, much to the confusion of those countries’ residents.

Extra Bonus for Today

I’ve written about Jeremy Hambly before. He was the one who revealed some issues in The Magic the Gathering community. He may have to wind up in court over a copyright claim on YouTube, which he argues that an image used was fair use.

It’s important to note that Hambly requested that his audience not contact the individual in question. I’ll keep an eye on this and will update everyone as things progress.

While You’re Here

The goal is to provide an entertaining media outlet that provides value. This means not relying on corporate sponsors or just “pushing products we believe in.” By becoming a patron on Patreon, you’ll have access to our digital magazine for cheaper than individual issues.

That’s nearly $50 a year in savings alone.

If you want us to be able to expand and do this full time, you can help us by signing up here.

Ubuntu Touch is No TikTok Crock

Ubuntu Touch logo.
Ubuntu Touch hasn’t gone away. It’s now an independent project via UBports.

Thomas Holbrook II | The *Nixed Report

Full Disclosure: Thomas owns a fraction of a share of Microsoft via SoFI Invest. He was also a Walmart Associate until December of 2016.

In the past, Ubuntu’s Unity Desktop was designed to work on mobile devices and desktop computers. When Canonical changed plans and moved back to GNOME 3 as their desktop environment of choice, the mobile variant all but disappeared.

Thanks to UBports, however, Ubuntu Touch is still being developed and works on several mobile devices.

Their newest release includes but is not limited to:

  • QtWebEngine 5.14: Now allows more flexible text selection and opening of multiple file types (PDF, MP3, images, text).
  • Icon-based System Settings Menu.
  • Newer backend components that will allow Ubuntu Touch to be based on Ubuntu 20.04.
  • Revamps of Messages, Dialer, and Contacts
  • Better compatibility with IPv6.

Their official release announcement can be read here.

It’s nice to be able to have progress without dealing with political theater, which TikTok has fallen victim to, according to media mogul Barry Diller.

“It has now morphed into a ludicrous game-match between tossing ownership here, control there. … Its original aims are out the window. It has just come a whole political mismash.”

–Barry Diller on CNBC’s Squawk Box

Microsoft was initially going to attempt a deal with ByteDance until China placed more export restrictions on computer-based algorithms. Now it’s Oracle and Walmart. World politics will continue to impact e-commerce in 2020, especially in the age of COVID-19.

Can You Do Us a Favor?

Patreon button.

We are on a mission to make media better by being more entertaining while at the same time educating and empowering the public on a variety of topics. Besides downloading the first issue of the magazine and giving it away to all your friends and family, would you be willing to become one of our patrons on Patreon?

This will help us pay for web hosting expenses, software licenses, better equipment, and eventually allow us to do this full time. Future issues of the magazine will cost $5 USD each, but just $1 USD will allow you to have an issue for $4 USD less.

That’s a savings of $48 USD a year.

Our tiers cost so little because we believe in earning your trust while providing good value.

Volume 3, Issue 1 Now Available

Cover Issue of the 1st Issue.
Conspiracy theories, a first glance at Linux Mint 20, and Pro Wrestling in the COVID-19 era.

Thomas Holbrook II | The *Nixed Report

The first issue of volume 3 of the magazine is now available free of charge. In this issue, the following topics are covered.

  • Why conspiracy theories go viral.
  • A first look at Linux Mint 20, an operating system that’s an alternative to OS X and Windows
  • Pro Wrestling in the age of COVID-19 by Stephen Kelley.

In the future, we’ll sell individual issues for $5 USD. If you become a patron on Patreon, it’s only $1 USD.

You can also get a free copy if you write for us and get published. With this issue and others in the future, please give away copies for free. Whether you share the file through torrenting or cloud storage links or print it, the more people read it, the better.

For those who want to print, bear in mind that the color scheme is RGB as opposed to CMYK, so inkjet and laser printers instead of commercial printers used for newspapers and traditional magazines.

19 Years Ago

Thomas Holbrook II | The *Nixed Report

Based on work by Michael Foran / CC BY

I was in high school walking back to class from a restroom break when I heard the news of the twin towers being struck. The day went from being normal to surreal in a matter of moments.

Learning the rest of the day was going to be out of the question.

At one of the computer classes I was in at a vocational school that was partnered with my high school, we watched the news. We were in awe and terrified as the twin towers came down.

I was emotionally numb about the event for several days.

When the numbness began to wear off, I became uneasy as the Patriot Act was passed into law. The next thing I knew, talks of Saddam Hussein and weapons of mass destruction entered the news cycle.

The former Iraqi President was dealt with more swiftly, even though he had nothing to do with 9/11, than Osama bin Laden.

Today is a reminder of the thing that we have forgotten.

We must not let fear prevent ourselves from speaking up. Traditional media has had too many failures in the past, which is why there is so much distrust now. Crying wolf one time too many has its price.

Due to circumstances in my life and too much negativity, I stepped away from this project as the motivation was just not there.

I’ve concluded that the time has come to bring back The *Nixed Report.

There will be plenty of discussion of things that are not always for the faint of heart. At the same time, I’ve learned that a hard price is paid for taking things too seriously. When people say they get four hours of sleep a night or less as they grow less and less sane, it should be obvious that they are about to crack.

While not everything in life is a joke, being able to laugh is important; even if it’s at ourselves occasionally.

The magazine will be returning next week and will be on sale. The first issue will be free for everyone, and copying will be encouraged. I want the word to get out.

The idea will be to sell copies as well.

They can either be purchased off the website directly or through various crowdfunding platforms such as Patreon. Since choice is important when it comes to media consumption, multiple platforms will be available as well.

Publishing again for the sake of it isn’t a part of the mission statement.

The website, the magazine, and other media published will also serve as teaching tools as well so that others who want to know how to build an independent media venue will have a place to start. A store front with tools, supplies, and learning materials will also be provided as well in the future to help fund this project and help others learn about media creation.

Finally, having fun will be of the utmost importance.

If I don’t enjoy doing this, then there won’t be any point to it. I’m looking forward to rebuilding this brand into something better. Stay tuned.

P.S. Fuck Paul Isaac Jr.