Linux Mint on the Job

[hagensieker]

Here's a neat implementation of Linux Mint on the job (I think).

I'm a US Gov employee working at a military base in Japan. I work on the runway specifically on Visual Landing Aids and Arresting Gear. I found that with an RTL SDR dongle I can listen to runway frequencies which aids me in my job.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C37 ... UTF8&psc=1

I recently picked up a Dell Inspiron 1545 used for about $100. Put Linux Mint 13 LTS on it.

With the RTL SDR dongle I can tune in to Ground Control and hear our Marines and follow their movements on the runway. I'm using GQRX,and GNURadio to accomplish this. Best part is GQRX has Input/Output controls so I can pump the sound from work out of the laptop speakers while simultaneously stream from Pandora (Pithos) or Spotify through a USB DAC to a stereo we have in the office. Runway transmissions are infrequent and don't interfere too much with the music. Actually I should say they don't interfere at all but rather there are two outputs through two different devices. Just distracting is all.

I also was able to configure a smart card reader to use our CAC Cards with on the computer as well. Pretty versatile and I can't do this stuff on my government computers (CAC Card being the exception).

[The-Wizard]

Ah, but the question is.. Dose it perform better than the operating system supplied on the works computers?

wizard

[hagensieker]

Ah, but the question is.. Dose it perform better than the operating system supplied on the works computers?

wizard

I use this to supplement our work computers. The laptop w/docking station Uncle Sam supplies me is over 6 years old and as a matter of fact because it has Windows XP they kicked it off the network early this week and didn't replace it. So yes. It works better.