Yesterday I downloaded the newly released version of a program called FreeCiv. It is a strategy game Christian likes to play on the computer. With the new release, I found versions for both Windows and Linux. FreeCiv is a game you can either play by yourself on a single computer or on a network against other players. I knew there were games out there it was possible to play using both Linux and Windows computers across a network, but never had the inclination to try them because they usually cost quite a bit of money. In this case, though, we have a whole evening to burn because Lorena and Kelly are going to be giving a Pampered Chef party for Sandra Ramey at our house on Friday night. We got FreeCiv going on our Windows computer yesterday afternoon. We tried to install it on the Linux box, too, but I downloaded files I could not figure out how to install. So I will download the right files today and try again tonight. That should be fun.
While I was futzing around with the Linux computer trying to get FreeCiv to install, I came across the solution to one of my most frustrating problems on our Ubuntu computer. It turns out, all I had to do to make RealPlayer work so the kids can listen to Adventures in Odyssey, was to change a flag in a configuration file. There was a thread in one of the Ubuntu forums that explained how to do this, so know I am off and running. I can also now play CD’s on the computer. The day before yesterday, I got a firewire card so I can download videos from our camcorder to the computer. My buddy, Steve Wilcox, from my job at work has an old computer he is planning to throw away, but will give to me instead. I will try to set that up as the “multimedia” computer to edit videos and the like. I will need to get a network hub to hook everything together.
Lorena’s aunt Mina, Martha’s mother came to town from Monterrey, Mexico yesterday. She will be coming over for dinner on Sunday along with Grandpa Milo and Grandma Sarah. Lorena enjoyed speaking with her very much. I think it will be good for Martha and everyone else in Tony’s family to have Mina there. Martha and Mina are coming over to the Pampered Chef party on Friday night, too.