Daviey

One of my boxes is actually a Dreamhost account. I use this box with the promise of high bandwith and large storage for low annual cost. I really do take advantage of this offered service. However, I went to log in and was greeted with a rather sluggish shell. I ran top and got “427.38” (!) as current load (for those that are not aware - it ideally shouldn’t really exceed 1.00). It’s probably the highest load I have ever seen on any *nix box - but still provide a usable (but very slow) SSH connection and yet recover back to a reasonable load.

To be fair to Dreamhost, it did recover itself within a few minutes - but I was quite surprised at this load and thought it worthy of mention.

Screenshot of “top”:

Tesco are selling computers with Ubuntu pre-installed. However much I dislike ‘Tescopoly’; I am impressed that they are selling these systems, and may even get one myself. They state under ‘Features’ that it comes with 6.06, which in some ways is a shame, although it is the current LTS release - these computers are modern enough to really see a benefit from the advancements, and ‘eye-candy’ that Gutsy has given us. Sadly the users will probably not be prompted to upgrade until “Hardy Heron - 8.04″.

One slight concern I do have, is support. New ‘converts’ to Linux tend to require some support and I suspect this is not being offered. Hopefully I am incorrect.

Surprisingly this has come in quietly, and was noticed by the ever shrewd “John Levin” on the Ubuntu-UK mailing list.

Links to the systems offered:

• http://linkpot.net/kidnap/
• http://linkpot.net/chastened/

Digg This

The Ubuntu-UK LoCo team held our release party today. We had a mini-install fest with Ubuntu Gutsy CD-burning, upgrades and installs coupled with some great conversation. The venue even mirrored the Gusty ISO image for patrons.

The team were delighted to be joined by members of Greater London Linux User Group, Datahop IT and some awesome people from a little company called Canonical. Some random bloke calling himself “Mark Shuttleworth” turned up; we allowed him to join our party as he had bought a round of drinks and some nibbles.

We are still at our party, and drinking some good real ales.