Howdy my fellow lazy webbers! I have been having issues with one of my desktops (currently a Pentium D with 1GB DDR2 and an ATI Radeon 9600 Pro) and I am looking at upgrading. It seems these days the reviews are kind of garbage like out there so I was wondering what you all prefer. I am an Intel fan nowadays and have been using Intel chipsets with integrated video because it always just worked for me and KDE 4 or when using Gnome and Compiz. I would like for it to continue to work as well. Something dual-core or more, DDR3 if possible, and gigabit LAN if possible. If you know of a good setup that you would recommend for a Linux only box, please speak up. Thanks!

Yesterday, Brian Green (one of the original Ubuntu Chicago OG’s) and I joined up with the Chicago Critical Mass bike ride throughout the city of Chicago. Last night we toured through the west side (almost got caught up in a gang fight at an intersection, but we peddled through it), headed north up Western and ended up in the Logan Square area. From there we went a little bit more north, then west again, then north again, then east, and then south through Lincoln Park and Old Town. To end it, a thousand or more cyclist took over Michigan Avenue, Chicago Police included, and yelled “HAPPY FRIDAY” to all of the pissed off automobile drivers and the cheering pedestrians. The entire trip lasted about 3 hours and went on for about 30 miles (48.387 km). It was a beautiful ride, and a painful one at that. I took my Trek 1.2 T road bike which has a racing saddle and clipless peddles. I wore my new cycling shoes which aren’t broken in yet, OUCH! I also forgot to wear my chamois so my butt is a tad bit sore today, but not sore enough to go cycling more.

Click HERE for more pictures of the ride.