J vs. Technology...

Right now, technology is winning.

I've been trying to set up our new Flexcell system. I just have to attach the reservoir to the vacuum pump. And try to remember how Jack unplugged the incubator to get the tubing in, but plugging it up such that it's still closed from the room's atmosphere.

I was asked to update software on three bricks (very outdated laptops). Originally, I was going to install XP on them, but our dept can't find their XP cds (like the lab's printer, they apparently walked away). So, I decided I'd go the Linux route. However, with the newest brick, I get to a certain point in the Ubuntu installation and I get the following error: -bash: /dev/null:Permission denied. The other two don't even have DVD drives, so I was going to try Puppy Linux, but that's not being cooperative either. Damn Small Linux looks like it might be the way to go. Any thoughts?

Lastly, I have an HP photosmart all in one (C3180). It was 'free' when I got laptoppy (nearly 2 yrs ago). Since then, it sat under Mom's desk acting as a tennis ball blocker. However, it's not turning on. It's not the power brick, because I tried that with Mom's and it worked. The light on the power button turns on and the buttons' backlighting turns on, but that's it. HP will charge $40 to dx the problem, nevermind fix it. Suggestions?

Back to fighting the tubing of the Flexcell system.