Why I Use Linux: Reason #417

When I extract files from a compressed archive, I do not have to worry about ending up with a million files on my desktop or multiple nested folders with the same name:

Why I Use Linux: Reason #418

Because it is 2011, Microsoft has released Windows 7, and users of their flagship operating system still have to use a tiny non-resizable 33.5-character wide window to type environment variables:

Why I Use Linux: Reason #419

So I do not have to deal with stuff like this (as experienced on Microsoft Windows 7):

Pantech UML290 pppd Script

As reported in this article, one can utilize WvDial on Linux to use a Pantech UML290 modem on Verizon's 4G LTE network. For those who do not like using WvDial, this article provides a basic pppd script to connect to the network using this modem.
You will need the following two files:

• Verizon-4G-LTE
• chat-Verizon-4G-LTE

Assuming that you have pppd installed on your machine (duh), place the file chat-Verizon-4G-LTE in /etc/ppp directory. Similarly, place the file Verizon-4G-LTE in /etc/ppp/peers directory.
Now insert the Pantech UML290 modem in a USB port of your machine and use the following command to connect:

sudo pppd call Verizon-4G-LTE

Update: If the above method fails with the error message mentioned in this comment, then please try the solution described here.
Enjoy!!

Verizon 4G LTE keeps getting faster...

These are the latest speedtest.net results using a Pantech UML290 modem on Verizon's 4G LTE network and Ubuntu Linux 11.04. I am pretty satisfied with this. :)

Ubuntu Powered Laptops !!

System76 is selling some awesome Ubuntu-powered laptops. If you are looking for a Linux laptop and do not want to pay the Microsoft Tax, consider buying from them.

High Level of Water Contamination due to Hydrofracking

Methane levels 17 times higher in water wells near hydrofracking sites