05.20.08
Links 20/05/2008: GNU/Linux Releases and Reviews; Encouraging GPLv3 Snapshot
GNU/Linux
New versions of eAR OS and GParted (GNU/Linux distributions) released. Also:
- Litrix 8.5 final is Released
- Run Linux applications on Windows
- Living in the Age of Linux
- Commentary: Linux vs. not-Linux and the need for meaningful dialog
- Review: Sidux 2008.1
Sidux’s primary motto is that it’s “Debian Hot and Spicy”. Really, I didn’t find anything “Hot and Spicy” about it. In fact, the entire desktop experience is calm, soothing, and productive.
- My Debian Adventure, Part 2: Lenny
- Ubuntu 8.04 Review
I was incredibly happy & surprised to find out how easy it was to setup my new Samsung ML-2510 black & white laser printer. Thanks to Samsung for making the firmware Linux compatible, I literally plugged the printer into the USB port & started printing immediately.
- First Experiences with Ubuntu 8.0.4 DE (Hardy)
- Watching Live-TV On Your Ubuntu Desktop With Zattoo
- Ubuntu 8.04 LTS vs. Windows XP SP3: Application Performance Benchmark
- Grandmom’s Guide to the Asus Eee PC
- Babies, grandmas and Linux
- To Market, To Market
On the other end of the spectrum, there’s the call for the ubiquitous “Desktop”–the be-all, end-all interface that everyone, including our grandmothers, can use instead of the hated Windows products.
- Will Every Linux Distro Soon Look the Same?
- Discussing free software syncronicity
- Shuttleworth, Seigo Discuss Synchronised Release Cycles
- Choosing the Right Shared Storage
Older PCs are well suited for building a Linux-based home server. Most current Linux distros ship with the Samba networking software installed, or just a package download away. It’s fairly straightforward to configure Samba to work with Windows, Macs, and other Linux systems.
F/OSS
- GPL Project Watch List for Week of 05/16
- @Mail takes Webmail client open source
- The state of Open Source in the Data Centre
- OEM Deal Extends Reach Of Hyperic Open-Source Management Tool
- When is Open Open? And When is Open Closed?
- New group advocates for FOSS in libraries
- A tantalizing taste of Firefox 3: testing RC1
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.