By George Walters

Only On The Walters Post!

You know, I ain’t no computer expert, not by a long shot. But I’ve been around long enough to see the way things are going, and I can tell you one thing for sure—Linux, or whatever version you prefer, is the way to go.

Now I’ve been using Linux for a while now, and the more I learn about it, the more I realize just how much better it is than the alternatives. Some of these big-name companies out there seem to be more interested in emptying your wallet than giving you a good, solid operating system. They charge you for everything—your software, your updates, even just for the privilege of using their system. And if you don’t pay up? Well, good luck keeping your system running smoothly.

Linux, on the other hand, is open-source. Now, what does that mean? Well, it means real smart fellers and gals from all over the world can work on it, improve it, and share those improvements with the rest of us. It’s a system built by the people, for the people, and that’s something worth supporting. The best part? It doesn’t cost you a cent. You can download it, install it, and run it for free. No hidden fees, no sneaky charges, just a solid, reliable system that does what you need it to do.

And let’s talk security. These days, viruses and malware are running rampant, and a lot of the big-name systems out there seem to have a hard time keeping up. Every time you turn around, there’s another major security breach, another batch of personal data leaked, and another round of updates that may or may not actually fix the problem. With Linux, security is baked right into the design. It’s not perfect—nothing is—but it’s a whole lot safer than some of the alternatives. That’s why so many servers, businesses, and even government systems rely on Linux. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me.

And let’s not forget the latest news. The Linux kernel has now surpassed 40 million lines of code, meaning it’s growing and improving all the time. Ubuntu just rolled out version 24.10, keeping up with the latest technology. The Gnome desktop is getting new updates, LibreOffice just released a fresh version, and Wine 10 is making it easier than ever to run Windows programs right inside Linux.

Even big companies are taking notice. System76, one of the leaders in Linux-based computers, just refreshed their Meerkat mini PC, showing that Linux isn’t just for tech folks—it’s for anyone who wants a solid, reliable system.

I have to give credit where credit is due—my son Karl, a very high-tech fellow, got me into Linux years ago, and I’m glad he did. I will never know as much as him when it comes to Linux and technology, but I’m making out okay with what I do know. Plus, they are also making it easier to use, much more so than—well, I won’t mention any names.

So, if you’ve been thinking about making a switch, or if you’re just tired of paying for an operating system that should be free in the first place, maybe it’s time to take a closer look at Linux. There are a lot of different versions—Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, and more—but they all have one thing in common: they put control back in the hands of the people using them.

As I said earlier—I may not know everything about Linux, but I know one thing—it’s the best of the best, and in a world where everything seems to come with a price tag, it’s nice to have something that’s truly free.

Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive! GW

Back in 2016, the idea of cars driving themselves seemed just around the corner. One well-known tech entrepreneur even went so far as to say that with just a few software updates, owners would be able to sit back, relax, and let their vehicles do all the work. Fast forward nearly a decade, and while the technology has advanced, true hands-free driving still isn’t a reality.

The issue? Turns out, the hardware in many of these vehicles isn’t quite up to the task. Even models built in recent years—ones that were said to be ready for full autonomy—are now being left behind as newer versions roll out. For those who paid extra, believing they were investing in the future, this has been a frustrating ride.

Over time, several updates have promised to bridge the gap, but each new version has quietly pushed the finish line further down the road. The latest hardware might finally be capable of delivering on those early promises, but there’s still no clear answer on whether older models will get the upgrades they need.

Some owners have taken legal action, arguing that they were sold a dream that hasn’t materialized. A recent court ruling has stated that updates should be provided at no extra cost—a decision that will no doubt be costly for the company behind it all.

As for the man at the centre of it? He’s no politician making empty campaign promises. He’s a businessman and an innovator, and while his confidence might have been ahead of the technology, at least he’s still working toward the goal. If history has taught us anything, it’s that big ideas often take longer than expected.

So, will cars ever truly drive themselves? Probably. But for now, best to keep your hands on the wheel—just in case.

“Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive!” GW

Well, as I sit here on this chilly morning, pondering on the latest headlines about this poll, I have to say, it leaves me with a sense of frustration. The Ipsos poll, which claimed that nearly 70% of Canadians hold a more negative view of the United States due to Trump’s tariffs, is one thing. But let’s take a step back and ask: where exactly was this poll taken? Who decided who should be surveyed? You see, I’ve always had my doubts about these polls. I mean, who are the people answering these questions? Do they represent the broad spectrum of opinions, or is it just a carefully curated group that gives them the answers they want? In my humble opinion, a lot of these polls can be skewed, and perhaps even rigged to produce the results someone wants. But that’s just me, George Walters, looking at things through the lens of someone who’s seen a lot of manipulation in my time.

Now, what really gets me fired up is how so many folks seem to point their fingers at the American people, as if they’re the ones behind the chaos we’re experiencing in Canada. But let me tell you, it’s not the people of the United States who are responsible for these actions. The real blame lies with the powers that be, both south of the border and right here at home. And we, as Canadians, need to wake up and realize that the folks we ought to be questioning aren’t your average American citizen. The ones making the decisions that affect our lives are the ones in charge, and that’s who we should be directing our energy towards.

As for Trump and his tariffs, let’s face it—he didn’t exactly win any popularity contests with that move. But you can’t really blame the American people for voting him in the first place. They were looking for someone who wasn’t afraid to shake things up and call out the corruption that’s been festering in their system for years. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? We’ve got our fair share of corruption here in Canada, too. Politicians say one thing and do another. How many times have we seen that? How many times have we been promised change, only to be left wondering what happened?

You see, what people want—whether they’re in the States or here in Canada—is someone who’s going to fix things, someone who’s going to take a stand against the corruption that’s been eating away at our trust for too long. And it’s the same story on both sides of the border. Whether it’s Trump with his tariffs or our own politicians making empty promises, it’s high time we all wake up and demand real change. But don’t mistake that for blaming the average person on the street. We need to direct our frustrations where they belong: at the folks in charge.

“Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive!” GW

Only on The Walters Post!

Well, folks, here we go again. Another day, another round of political gymnastics, and this time, it’s a good old-fashioned tariff reprieve—thirty days of temporary relief, courtesy of our southern neighbour’s top dog, Donald Trump. Now, depending on who you ask, this is either a goodwill gesture or some secretive scheme cooked up in a backroom somewhere. Me? I think it’s just another round of what I like to call “The Great Political Theatre.” Plenty of drama, lots of finger-pointing, and the occasional plot twist that keeps folks talking around their morning coffee.

Some are reading between the lines, trying to decode some hidden message in Trump’s move, like it’s one of those puzzle books where you have to hold the page up to a mirror to see the real answer. But here’s the thing–sometimes a delay is just a delay. Maybe he’s buying time, maybe he wants to talk trade with Canada and Mexico down the road, or maybe, just maybe, he enjoys seeing people tie themselves into knots trying to figure out his next move. Wouldn’t be the first time.

Of course, up here in Canada, we’ve got our fair share of folks who love to sound the alarm at the first sign of a shake-up. You’d think Trump announced he was moving the whole country south of the border. But no, it’s just thirty days. A brief pause in what will surely be another long-winded debate about who’s getting the better deal. And let’s be honest, when it comes to trade, everybody thinks they’re getting the short end of the stick—until they’re the ones holding the stick.

Meanwhile, Canadian politicians are doing what they do best: talking in circles while pretending to walk in a straight line. Our Powers that be says they’ll have a chat with Trump, which in politician-speak means a carefully crafted conversation where both sides say a lot– without actually saying much at all. That’s diplomacy for you.

Now, I’m not saying we should all sit back and ignore what’s happening, but maybe—just maybe—we could take a deep breath and wait to see how this unfolds before jumping to conclusions. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that politicians love a good crisis, and if they can’t find one, they’ll make one. Keeps the headlines fresh, after all.

So, for now, let’s enjoy our thirty-day reprieve. Maybe even take a moment to appreciate that, as for once, something in politics actually came with a timeline. That alone is a rare sight. And when the next round of trade talk theatrics begins, we’ll grab some popcorn and watch the show—because if history’s taught us anything, it’s that there’s always another act waiting in the wings.

“Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive!” GW

Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

You know in my mind, Canada’s been taking it easy on defence for years, figuring someone else would handle the heavy lifting while we tossed a few bucks at our military and called it good enough. Now the government’s promising to hit NATO’s 2% spending target by 2027, which sounds nice—if you believe it. Problem is, we’ve heard this kind of talk before. The thing is—Politicians love making big promises, spreading out spending like a farmer spreading too little manure over too much field, hoping no one notices. Meanwhile, our allies are shaking their heads, likely wondering if we’ll ever pull our weight.

And one has to remember that the world’s not getting any friendlier, either. Trouble’s brewing in all sorts of places, and relying on others to keep us safe might not cut it much longer. It should also be noted, that some of our closest allies are already spending far more, leaving Canada looking like the neighbour who borrows tools, but never buys his own. And with new defence deals being talked about, we might find ourselves left out if we don’t start taking things seriously.

Of course, just throwing money at the problem won’t fix it, not by a long shot. Our military needs better gear, quicker action on getting what it needs, and a real commitment–something more than another batch of fancy words that never turn into action. If we truly care about keeping the country safe, it’s time to stop talking and start doing. Otherwise, we’ll be left standing there, hands in our pockets, wondering why no one’s got our back when we need it most.

“Until next time—keep your minds open and your stories alive!” GW