> I live in a remote place. Getting stuff shipped here is very hard and finding "Ubuntu-friendly hardware" is simply not an easy option, at all. I find it odd that Ubuntu is purportedly an answer for those who live in rural or remote areas, yet those are the areas where it can be extremely difficult, or expensive, to get specialized Linux-friendly hardware.
Why even worry. I build a new computer last year completely blind. Everything on it worked fine in Linux. Linux has far better hardware support now than windows does
For me as a heavy linux user. I went to the store and Tried OS X for around 20 minutes. At the time I really wanted a macbook. I actually hated the OS experience. While the hardware is really nice, the software really wasn't up my alley.
I never have the same issues as this guy in Linux. I have been using Ubuntu 100% of the time for years.
Setting up dual monitors in Ubuntu is easy and has been for years. All you need is the drivers from the repo and use nvidia-settings
It all depends on how good of a HS education you got. It also depends on the fun and relationships you are having outside of your school work. For me that was the best part
I'm a sys admin too, just one with a CS degree. I don't think you need a degree to do well but it certainly does help. You were right in that many companies have strict education requirements. It may not limit you now at a younger age but once you are in your 30's or above and you start to be considered for management that's when the education requirements really kick in. In many cases you may be in line for the management position but they simply cannot hire you due to internal policy. That royally sucks. It's a reason why many CS classes are occupied with older students, they are coming back due to that limitation.
You're only young once. College is fun, especially if you go to a big school and live on or near campus. Yes it's expensive and a lot of potential income is lost but the experiences you can have are really priceless. I say can have instead of will have because it's what you make of it. If you go and are a hermit you will have some good times but not the full package.
Some people like myself didn't come from families who could afford college. I had to take loans. Some people who took loans hate paying them back and regret going. I happened to get a good job out of it doing something I really enjoy (I get paid to play with linux all day). I don't mind paying off my loans. I am very grateful that I was able to take the loans and when I pay them I know it was for one hell of a good time. It really made me who I am today. I was challenged in class, met a few professors who changed how I learned, was exposed to all sorts of new ideas and met a bunch of friends who were actually smart. I found it well worth it.
College is not beneficial to all people but to many it is critical. At least in America the state of elementary, middle and high school is simple failure. Students are graduating with skills 8th graders had 30+ years ago. Students are graduating with only ever have taken watered down math and science courses.
I was one of those students who went to a public school which the standard of education was pretty darn low. When I got to college I was hit hard with just how behind I was. Many students were far above me all around.
When I graduated HS around 98% of students went off to colleges of some kind. Now when I look at facebook at least of the people I knew only a handful actually has a real job and of those people they are the ones who finished college. The rest don't have careers.
For me and the few others college fixed us. It forced us to do the work and work our way up to what most people are capable of.
So when you hear about the all star developer who never went to college and is doing great. Be sure of one thing, that person got a great education and good problem solving skills were learned. For the rest of us who never got this, you need to make up for it somehow. College is your shot.
Instapaper lately has been having many messed up conversions. I use instapaper because they have a pretty clear business model. They make money from subscriptions and app sales. Pocket and Read It Later both don't have paid apps nor subscriptions. So the only other option is that you are being sold.
I'd much prefer an app I run myself with user maintained site defined scraping definitions.
I like instapaper though, it's good for what it does. Could be better though.
The biggest threat to this is that it's a 4 digit code to unlocked on the phone. A stolen phone would allow access to everything. Figuring out that 4 digit code is super easy from fingerprints.
To make it more secure it should be two factor. Users enters code, scan and then the phone gives him a unique to enter.
Why even worry. I build a new computer last year completely blind. Everything on it worked fine in Linux. Linux has far better hardware support now than windows does