07.25.08
Links 25/07/2008: Microsoft Buys Some More GNU/Linux Technology
GNU/Linux
- Microsoft buys data warehouse appliance maker DATAllegro
Perhaps the most interesting is that DATAllegro doesn’t even support SQL Server at the moment. It was built on Ingres and Linux. Microsoft claims that it selected DATAllegro because its architecture is “open” and therefore easiest to port to SQL. But it certainly seems that by selecting an MPP player proven to scale beyond the capacity of the competitors (and one built on Linux no less) Microsoft has snipped the head off a competitor while filling in a hole in its offerings for SQL Server 2008.
- The rich irony of Kevin Johnson’s departure from Microsoft
Johnson, the man who for years fought against open source, and particularly Linux. The man who talked about Linux forking back in 2005 and then who, as head of Microsoft’s Windows unit, must have been involved in trying to foster that fork with Microsoft’s patent deal with Novell. The same Johnson who, as head of the Windows business, had to have been involved in Microsoft’s patent campaign against Linux.
Johnson, the man who now heads up a company deeply indebted to and entrenched with the open-source FreeBSD operating system at the heart of its JUNOS operating system, as well as Linux.
Yesterday: Open source, Johnson’s enemy. Today: Open source, Johnson’s friend. Oh, how sweet the irony!
- Mobile Digital TV Co. i-Vision China Intros Open Source Multimedia Player
i-Vision China, a company that develops mobile digital TV solutions and interactive TV applications, today that it’s launched the first Linux-based commercial level China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting mobile multimedia player.
- Using Adobe Flash and other 32-bit applications on 64-bit Linux
- Ubuntu on a laptop is great!
- Users may help to vet Android apps
- Folder View becomes smarter
After some hacking I have got a nice requested feature for the folder view containment. Mime type filter support. I took some screenshots so you can have a look yourself.
- Writing Without Distractions in Linux
The best way to write or compose something important using a computer is to do it without any distraction. But how is it possible to concentrate if your email notification keeps on popping, your Twitter updates are flashing, and you are always tempted to open your RSS reader? What’s my solution? I use a distraction free writer. — A full-screen writing environment minus the desktop clutter. No distractions, no buttons, menus, and formatting; Just me and my text.
- Linux 2.6.25.12 [Released]
RMS
Debian
F/OSS
- When Is Open Source Not That Open Source?
- MySQL: Back to Its Roots via Sun
- Ingres gives Fortify security study a good fisking
- Open source leadership model
Rights
- The new Brazilian Internet surveillance
- The new Brazilian Internet surveillance
- Ask Apple about the iPhone
- EFF: Yahoo Music should compensate customers
- Comcast Slapped with Three BitTorrent-Related Lawsuits
- Open Source P2P Streaming Getting Ready to Disrupt CDN Business Models
- Court defends America’s right to online smut
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.