Both ping and traceroute are tools to test or troubleshoot a network connection and diagnose problems between your computer/ISP and a destination server. They are commands entered on the command line interface, and are similar in the fact that they both can determine if a particular IP address is accessible by your computer, and how […]
Graduation!
Last week I graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign after finishing up my master’s program in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science. It feels great to be finished, although I really enjoyed my time here and can hardly believe it has already come to an end! Over my two years at GSLIS […]
Is Linux Worth Using? Key Differences Between Windows OS and Linux
Windows vs Linux OS First, the most crucial difference between Windows and Linux OS is the overall business model, with Windows being a massively profitable proprietary venture by Microsoft and Linux a community-driven project that is free and open source. This isn’t to say that no Linux developers make any money at all, as some […]
Why Should I Start a Blog?
In recent years, millions of people have taken the plunge and joined the blogosphere, but there are also many who are still skeptical of its benefits. Some are stuck on the idea that blogs are little more than personal diaries broadcast over the web, and do not recognize other contexts for which they might be […]
Why Would You Use the Command Line Interface (And Should You?)
The Command Line Interface (CLI), a computer dialog operated using text commands instead of clicking on various icons and graphics, can be useful, but only to user communities with specific, often more advanced needs. There are a number of reasons why the CLI is not ideal for a typical lay user (for example a student […]
What Makes a “Good” Computer? Reviewing the Hardware and Specs for 4 Different Models
There are so many different types of computers out on the market today, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and a variety of emerging hybrids that attempt to give tablets more functionality or make laptops more convenient. This post is a review and comparison of 4 different models: the iPad 2, (a tablet), the Toshiba Satellite L750D-BT5N22 […]