Welcome From The Chief Editor

Exactly one year ago, I had the very sad task of writing about the untimely and sorrowful loss of one of our PCLinuxOS moderators, Joseph Gable, a.k.a. Joble. Troubled for as long as I knew him by his estranged wife and accused murderer, Joble was sometimes kooky, often irreverent, rarely serious, and universally loved in the PCLinuxOS forum.

He must have known the taste of his own boot quite well, since he more frequently than not inserted foot-into-mouth during many casual conversations. To say that his presence is missed among PCLinuxOS users who had the pleasure of knowing him and working with him is one of the understatements of the still-young 21st Century. For those new PCLinuxOS users who never got to know him – you really missed out on getting to know one kind hearted, wacky, helpful individual. His legacy lives on in the archives of the forum, and in the hearts of those that he touched with his kindness, wackiness and friendship.

One year later, his estranged wife still has not been brought to trial for his murder. Numerous delays have ensued, as she attempts to manipulate the judicial system and the trial process. For an entire year, we here at The PCLinuxOS Magazine have followed the trial process – that same trial process that she has attempted to turn into a circus-like atmosphere. When we find out about any developments in bringing his killer to justice, we’ll keep you informed here in the pages of this magazine.

On a happier note, November delivers the annual Thanksgiving holiday for PCLinuxOS users from the United States. The Thanksgiving holiday also marks the “official” start of the Christmas retail push – even though Christmas items have been out in the stores since before Halloween. This is, of course, thanks to the annual “holiday creep” where Christmas items appear earlier and earlier every year. Before long, I suspect we’ll see Christmas merchandise lining retail shelves in July.

During this time of year, it’s “customary” to think about and reflect on the things that we are thankful for. Restricting it to just my role as a computer user, I’m thankful that …

1. I’m no longer a Windows user (except running a copy of Windows XP in VirtualBox).

2. I can download and use PCLinuxOS for free.

3. I no longer have to worry about viruses, malware, spyware, crapware, or any other kinds of “ware.”

4. the PCLinuxOS developers give so much of themselves and give so much of their time to provide such a stable and robust operating system.

5. Texstar started PCLinuxOS so that users, like you and me, could have a better choice.

6. I won’t be shelling out any more money for any Microsoft products (period!), and that Windows 8 – in any form … PC, tablet or phone – is NOT on my radar of “things to buy.” I’ve paid plenty of money to Microsoft and Windows software vendors over the years, and probably enough to put some of their children through college.
   
7. Linus Torvalds created the Linux operating system for users like you and me.

Most of all, I’m thankful to be a part of this close-knit PCLinuxOS community, where we are a mostly large, happy, helpful family. Until next month, I bid each and every one of my PCLinuxOS family members peace, happiness, serenity and prosperity.