I've been using the Linux operating system (OS) for many years (since 1994) and in that time I've installed and used many different distributions (versions) of the OS.

During the past couple of years, I've mainly settled on using Debian/GNU Linux, Ubuntu and/or Linux Mint, although I will frequently download and try other versions just for fun. I also like Bodhi Linux for quick/easy "Internet Cafe" type installs. I tend to stick with Debian based systems (package management) and have never been a big fan of RPM or other packaging systems. While I can understand why some people like the "do it yourself" approach (Gentoo, et al.), I just don't see the point (on modern hardware) and, frankly, don't have the time or energy to do it from scratch every time (I don't grow my own food for the same reason).

I recently decided it was time to start looking for a new headset. I've been spending more time on the phone and also wanted to be able to listen to some music, in stereo. I had misplaced my previous Bluetooth (mono) headset some time ago and was not happy with the cheap wired headphones I'd been using for listening to music.

After a bit of online research, I decided to try the Plantronics Backbeat 903+ Stereo Bluetooth Headset.

I've now been using the new headset for a couple of days and have to say I am quite happy with them, but...

I did have a few issues at first (after pairing them with my HTC Sensation - that bit was easy!), because the connection kept dropping out every few seconds. I had charged the battery for at least 3 or 4 hours before using them so I was confident this wasn't the cause. After using them for a while, I went online to do some more research and discovered I wasn't alone in my experience. One of the pages I read suggested to do a reset (Turn off. Hold power button in and plug in the charger), so I gave it a shot. This helped a little but the problem persisted.

Recently, while 'doodling' with The Gimp, working on a submission for a logo design challenge - for the Perth Linux Users Group (PLUG), I decided to combine some of the elements into a Wallpaper image.

The attached images include the following elements: A "black swan" logo, representing Perth, that is also a map of Western Australia. The 'web' and connecting dots represent various locations of existing (and potential) PLUG members.

Tux is included for obvious reasons...

PLUG, apart from promoting Linux, also supports free, open source software.... thus the inclusion of various free software logos.

The logos on the far right are 'representative' of just a few of the Linux versions use by members of PLUG. http://plug.org.au

The image may be a little 'busy' for those of you with lots of stuff on your desktop.... I did leave a little bit of room on the left for a few icons :-)

I figured it might make a bit of a conversation starter for those wanting to introduce their friends to Linux and/or PLUG.

I've been using Linux in one form or another since some time back in late 1993. Things were a little different then. Installing and using Linux wasn't for the faint of heart.

Things have changed!

Back in the day I used Slackware, because it was pretty much the only choice out there unless you wanted to do 'everything' yourself. I purchased a couple of CD's and started digging in to the wonderful world of open source software. It was a challenge... and it was exciting!

Admittedly, I continued to used another operating system for my day-to-day stuff for some time but a couple of years later, with the introduction of Debian/GNU Linux, things started to become a little easier.

I know there are some 'hard core' Linux users out there who prefer to do everything from source (compiling everything themselves) and while I can understand why (I've tried Gentoo), at the end of the day I just a little to lazy to bother with that anymore.

I've continued (to this day) to use Debian on my servers but have tried a wide variety of Linux distributions on the 'desktop'.