Another article I wrote for the 49er

I wrote this one during the first issue of the 49er during the beginning of this fall semester. Feels like ages since I wrote this.

"It's in your blood."

I have been a student at Long Beach State for more than two years and, after seeing two seasons of success, big victories and bigger memories for our teams, I can be proud to say that the concept of Beach Pride is coursing through my veins.

The tradition, the history and commitment for those who believe in The Beach is something that flows in me because I believe that it plays a huge role in what this university has to offer. These are aside from, of course, a great value, great professors and an awesome drummer-turned-Associated Students, Inc. president in Mark Andrews.

For many freshmen and transfers, this may be the first newspaper you picked up or the first time you have heard of Beach Pride. Let me explain to you what Beach Pride is all about.

First, you cannot find something like this at any other university. You won't find it at any university that has a beach next to it. What other university's athletics teams have the word "Beach" in them? None! That's why you can only find Beach Pride here.

Secondly, you can find Beach Pride at work during our home athletic events. Whether it's at the pool, at George Allen Field, the softball complex, The Walter Pyramid or Blair Field, you can count on seeing your fellow students cheering for the 49ers and Dirtbags, letting out a hearty "GO BEACH!" as you step on the battlegrounds.

Finally, there are those who can feel it once they step on campus. When I transferred from Long Beach City College a few years ago, I felt great vibes, a unique air and feeling as I passed through Maxson Plaza on Beach Drive, the Friendship Walk and all over campus.

Those vibes and that air and feeling, do you know what that is? It's Beach Pride, a unique feeling you can never find anywhere else. It grows on you and never dies. And once it's in your blood, you won't want to be anyplace else.

So, on behalf of those who believe in The Beach, I welcome you to this campus. For those who are returning, welcome back. And I hope to see you at the games. Go Beach!

On the importance of Linux and Ubuntu

Another article that I wrote for the Daily 49er a while back. The recent version of Ubuntu now is Gutsy Gibbon, with Hardy Heron coming in 2008.

made a switch from Windows Vista to Ubuntu Linux on my laptop in late August. It took me a day to get used to the new controls and install the right applications. After getting the hang of it, I embraced it as if I owned my own house (which I do).

When I asked one of the staff at the College of Business Administration computer lab if he could install a link to allow my Linux laptop to print, he said, "No, we do not support Linux because Microsoft is paying us to use their products, exclusively. Our labs use only Microsoft products."

I find it galling that a computer lab at a college rated as one of the best can be so technologically one-dimensional.

It's a blatant dereliction of responsibility to students who use open-source software as an alternative to paying hundreds of dollars for an operating system that will be obsolete in a few years.

Linux and open-source software are the future of computing because you don't have to pay a single dime to download them. And the community that embraces "distros" - Linux distributions like Red Hat, Linspire and Ubuntu - is working to improve and fix any potential problems.

Why hike your phone bill to call Microsoft support when you can go to a forum and find out how to do it?

I am convinced that CSULB needs to look at these alternatives instead of being wined-and-dined by the "sugar daddies" from Microsoft. There are many companies around the world who currently reap the benefits from software they can customize to their hearts' content.

But as long as these power brokers are courting CSULB, we will be slaves to an OS that already has the world longing for freedom from its unrelenting, suffocating grasp.

It's time to reject the hegemony of Bill Gates' posse and embrace more user-friendly alternatives.

A recent article written by Lauren WIllIams

A number of weeks back, outgoing Daily 49er opinion editor Lauren Williams wrote an article about me as I was watching Long Beach State play a nonconference soccer match at George Allen Field.

A game spent with 'Superfan'

By: Lauren Williams

Posted: 9/5/07

For many a Long Beach State fan, Jo-Ryan Salazar has become quite a sight to see at games and has gained the notorious title of "Superfan." To many he's the outspoken man in the stands waving his flag, supporting LBSU at nearly every game. Although Salazar is known to most LBSU students as "Superfan," Salazar is many other things.

In addition to being one of the most enthusiastic fans in the bleachers, Salazar is a Dodgers, Angels and Galaxy fan and is fond of UCLA and USC football as well. He is a practicing Catholic, and the values of a Catholic upbringing are a part of Salazar's everyday life and influence his perspective on the outcome of games.

"I know that if it wasn't in the plan for us to win, somebody up there didn't want it that way," Salazar said.

"It can't be helped."

Salazar is also a graduating senior, who will leave LBSU this winter with a degree in systems information, and hopes to get a job in Las Vegas and live in his family home there. Salazar said he eventually wants to get a master's degree in sports management.

This weekend, I sat down with Salazar at the women's soccer game against Utah and learned about Salazar's rituals when preparing for a game, his habits at home and even his views on Iraq.

"The fact that [the game is at] at 9 a.m. is foreign," Salazar said, noting the match's early time. "It's usually around 11 a.m., but it's probably because of the Blues Festival."

Salazar arrived fully prepared, having completed his pre-game ritual.

"I had my Wheaties and Rockstar today," Salazar said. "I'm ready."

Each morning Salazar wakes up to the sound of Peedy, the parrot on his computer, saying "Rico Suave, is that you? Holy Prospector Pete, it's you! The Superfan is back! That is, Mr. Superfan again! What's up, Jo-Ryan?"

After that, he boards the Long Beach Transit routes 91 or 171 bus headed to school, and says to the driver, "When you're ready, let's roll." On game days, as he leaves, he makes sure to add, "Go Beach!"

"I always try to say thank you, a little bit of courtesy," Salazar said.

Throughout the game, Salazar cheered on the women's soccer team, often shouting "Get ready, Liz!" to Liz Ramos, the team's junior goalkeeper, whom Salazar believes to be the team's star player.

"The way these ladies are playing, they could beat (the) Galaxy," Salazar said at one point.

During the second half, when midfielder Kim Silos was injured, Salazar shouted, "Believe in yourself. This too shall pass," as she was assisted off the field. Superfan sees the game as "A metaphor - sometimes [the ball] goes in, sometimes [it] doesn't."

Salazar believes the lessons learned through sports are far-reaching and applying to all life aspects - even war.

"I don't believe in war, violence," Salazar said. "This is better than Iraq. There are no roadside bombings in soccer."

At the end of the game I finally got to see the side of Superfan that has gained him infamy - shirt off, Hanes showing, cheering at the top of his lungs.

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