06.27.08
Links 27/06/2008: Migration Stories (to GNU/Linux); A Look at KDE4’s Folderview
GNU/Linux
- Insurance company bets health on open source
Having started with claims and then rolled the Web application out to other areas of the business in a moderated transition, IMAN employees began using Firefox on Windows in preparation for a company-wide desktop migration to Linux and KDE.
- Improvements in KDE’s Folderview
Folderview is an awesome plasmoid which makes it possible to show the content of a folder on a screen. It also is the first step to say good bye to the traditional way of storing links and folder on the desktop itself. The idea is that files inside the folder “Desktop” are not shown right on the desktop but that in general files from any folder or place can be shown in “containers” on the desktop.
- Cloudbook Maker Everex Snapped up by Newmarket
Everex is well-known for the Linux-based Cloudbook, an inexpensive ultraportable notebook computer like the Asus Eee PC, which it introduced earlier this year. In April, Everex announced Cloudbook Max, an ultraportable laptop that includes WiMax mobile broadband capabilities.
- ATI Radeon HD 4850 Linux Performance
AMD is also quickly ascending to a feature parity between the Windows and Linux Catalyst suites. As we shared last week, CrossFire is coming to Linux next quarter.
- Zenwalk 5.2 on a Dell Inspiron 1150 Review
I’ve been running with Zenwalk for about a week and am really liking it. I have tried both the Standard and Live versions and they each have impressed me. The Live version has a CD ISO remastering tool so you can make someone your very own custom version of Zenwalk.
- Connecting with the Do’ers…Here’s Your Shot.
And we place an additional 12 GNU-Linux machines in other teachers’ classrooms.
- Hacking tools: A new version of BackTrack helps ethical hackers
- Liberation Fonts Increase Interoperability For Linux Users
- Red Hat CEO: Oracle/BEA Deal is Helping Us
Learning Curve Debate
- What is the best way to learn Linux?
- The Best Way To Learn Linux
- Linux Is Supposed To Be Easy?
- How Linux make me have a painful day (or why i hate windows)
- When it comes to Linux, Read the Manual
F/OSS
- Linus Torvalds’ opinions regarding the GPL
- Free as in Speech
- The State of Open Mobile OSes
- Amarok 2: Artwork is Back
- Ripping Videos for MythTV with AcidRip
- 30+ Must-Have Updated Firefox 3 Extensions
- Yes, Firefox does Phone Home Everyday
- Sourceforge.net Blocked In Mainland China
- Who’s using Creative Commons? Now you can find out.
- The great open source CMS debate
Microsoft
- I’ve Seen the Future, and It Has a Kill Switch
“Digital Manners Policies” is a marketing term. Let’s call this what it really is: Selective Device Jamming. It’s not polite, it’s dangerous. It won’t make anyone more secure — or more polite.
- Fiji’s fury over Microsoft’s Pacific solution
“Fiji’s military government has written to the software giant Microsoft demanding the company not use their country name in any of its products.”
- Greenpeace: Nintendo and Microsoft are worst eco-offenders
- Ballmer Is Left With `Google Envy,’ Sinking Stock
- Microsoft (MSFT) PriceWatch Alert Targets 6.38% Downside Protection
- Would Microsoft ever split itself up?
- Ballmer Ponders Changes at Microsoft
- Icahn renews pressure on Yahoo
- Another Yahoo Overhaul as It Tries to Right Itself
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.