Reflections

I was reading through some blog posts recently and someone, sorry I don't have a link or remember who it was (stupid planet rss), mentioned that the upcoming release for Ubuntu is the tenth. I was kind of shocked by that since I've been using Ubuntu since the first release, well technically before. :)
That really isn't the shocking part. No, the shocking part was me remembering how cool it would be to become a part of what I then thought was an up-and-coming Linux distribution (how right I was:)) and how ten releases later I am still not really THAT involved. I mean I've joined Launchpad and UbuntuForums and even the Ubuntu Ohio LoCo but since doing that I haven't really DONE anything. I haven't quit wanting to be involved but in the five years since the first release my focus has shifted. I still care about Linux, heck I use it everyday at my job. My work desktop is Ubuntu Linux and for the most part it works fine. I'm still a happy Ubuntu Linux user even though I tend to blog about problems I have with it. I complain because I care is a horrible excuse but I think it is still true.

Example, today for whatever reason Rhythmbox just froze during what I would consider a basic function, playback. Had to force quit and restart. Since the restart hours ago it is still going strong. Annoying when you think about it though something so basic should just work all the time. My problem is was it Rhythmbox or PulseAudio? Would the same thing have happened if I had been using Banshee? Or even Amarok and KDE? Don't know. I suppose I could try playback using those other applications and/or desktops but should it matter? No. Would it help doing any of that? Probably not. It may help in determining if it was an issue with Rhythmbox or PulseAudio but ONLY if I could get it to freeze again. To me switching to a different program/desktop is basically running away from the problem not fixing it. Unless of course the program/desktop you are switching to is superior to what you are currently using. :)

Anyways, my point is that in looking back I think my intentions were good but never followed up on. I still consider myself a part of the community and I still want to be more involved. Hopefully, I will eventually stop finding excuses for my lack of effort. Either that or just give it up and move on to other things...