Create a Bootable USB Drive for Linux or Troubleshooting

There are two good reasons to create and use a bootable USB stick.  One is to play with different Linux distros on any compatible PC.  The other is to build a custom USB stick with bootable versions of popular rescue tools such as "System Rescue CD", "Trinity Rescue CD", or "Kaspersky Anti-Virus Rescue CD".

You can use a tool like Yumi or Unetbootin to create a USB stick that will boot.  Both are free and open source.

Raspberry Pi

Want a Linux Desktop on the Cheap?
Get a Raspberry Pi!

The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It is a capable little device that enables people of all ages to explore computing, and to learn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python...

You can get one from a number of different suppliers including Amazon. Note that there are now two newer models (the 3 and 4) that are much improved. The newer Pi 3 is now updated to an even better Pi 4. When it comes to physical design, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B looks a lot like the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, the previous flagship model.  The pic at left is a model 3 B. Take a look at the getting started page and then explore the other links by clicking the read more below.

Using Multiple Displays for the Command Center Look

Want to use multiple monitors to create a "command center" look to your computing setup?  You can have each screen with a start menu or merge all screens (or a portion) to tile one large image--very cool!  Click read more to see the links for multi-monitor stands and display software...

  

Are You Looking for a Job in I.T. or a Career in I.T.?

In every one of my courses for I.T. majors I ask this question:  What do you plan to do when you graduate? Some students answer very specifically and demonstrate they have a clear idea of where they are headed and how they plan to get there.  For quite a few however, it is a bit more murky.

In either case, the class discussion inevitably turns to the issue of salary and what's in "demand".  I don't want to diminish the importance of choosing a specialty that is in "demand" or that pays well, but there is a lot more to it than that. At this point our class discussion usually goes much deeper into the subject.  I decided to write this article for those students who don't attend any of my face to face courses.