07.18.08
Links 18/07/2008: Another Disappointing Quarter for Microsoft (MSFT)
GNU/Linux
- SGI Platforms Running Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.1 Clear IT Security Hurdle
- Linux 2.6.26 Kernel Benchmarks
The benchmarks we used for this kernel testing was LAME MP3 encoding, Mencoder LAVC encoding, timed Gzip compression, parallel BZIP2 compression, timed LZMA compression, IOzone write performance, GnuPG file encryption, OpenSSL RSA performance, Super PI, SQLite, BYTE Unix Benchmarks, SciMark 2, RAMspeed, and Java SciMark 2.
- The Acer Aspire One Netbook Review
- Is Linux the disruptive technology, or is it the GNU General Public License which really shook up the open source world?
Stallman’s greatest contribution, however, was the GNU General Public License (or GPL), which he devised to fulfill the objectives of free software. The GPL has become the most prolific open source/free software license, and is perhaps the greatest reason for the growth of Linux beyond its humble origins.
- TuxSoftware.com is up and running
- Admission and Lesson - Don’t Overcomplicate Linux!
Finally, the light came on in my rather dense head… The network manager is accessible through that icon, and there you can get a list of currently visible wireless networks, select one to connect to, enter the key if necessary… and the whole thing “Just Works”.
Security
- Debunking the Linux virus myth
However, if you’re in a Linux-only environment, the only thing you should ask yourself is… what to do with the money you would have otherwise spent on antivirus products.
- Piracy and Malware - Pfft!
Phones
F/OSS
- The Year of the Free Software Desktop
- Sweet Home 3D: simple interior design
- Proprietary software? Counsel objects
Dowlen says, “I may be a bit of a pioneer when it comes to Linux in the law office, but I’m not the only one. Linux may actually make it into law offices through the courts, because more and more courthouses are starting to migrate to Linux and open source software based solely on the cost.”
- ActiveState Challenges Open Source Myths
- Matt Hartley Doesn’t Understand Why We Need Open Graphics Drivers
- The Finance Sector: Open Source Rising
Leftovers
- Microsoft hit after earnings and forecast miss
- Microsoft ready to lose more money online
- Yahoo! accuses Microsoft and Icahn of sabotage
- Test Center review: Office killers pack some heat
- When Mac Owners Think Their Hardware is Broken
- EU thumps Intel with more anti-AMD charges
- AMD loses $1.19bn and CEO Ruiz
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.
aeshna23 said,
July 18, 2008 at 8:41 am
I was disappointed by the Phoronix article on the kernel 2.6.26 benchmarks. No standard deviations were given and so I’m at lost of the significance of the numbers provided.
Roy Schestowitz said,
July 18, 2008 at 9:07 am
Yes, I suggested this to him before. He doesn’t make repetitions for all I know (maybe a matter of laziness). Another critique is the basing on benchmarks on CPU-intensive CLI programs.
Peter Kraus said,
July 18, 2008 at 2:47 pm
From my own practice, the deviation tends to be at about somewhere from 5 to 10 %.