08.17.08
Links 17/08/2008: GNU/Linux in South Korea, Linux Powers the Olympics (Quietly)
GNU/Linux
- Torvalds: Fed up with the ’security circus’
- Free Geek Chicago needs your help!
When FreeGeek/Chicago first opened in October, 2005, we hoped it would fill an important role in the Chicago nonprofit technology world.
Since then, we have sold dozens of $50 computers, served over 150 volunteers, and responsibly recycled several tons of electronics.
- 10 Best-designed Linux Distribution Websites
Most Linux Distribution websites have been redesigned to sport a Web 2.0 look. To give credit to their talented web designers/developers, I’ll pick 10 Linux Distribution websites that I think stand out from the rest. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so you don’t have to agree with me. Anyway, you can always comment later on and share your views.
- Linux and Unix Admin Humor - The Web Site Is Down!
- RP, Asia give open source the space to expand wings [120,000 copies of Hancom Linux in SK]
For instance, the South Korean government bought 120,000 copies of Hancom Linux Deluxe as early as 2002 in an effort to switch approximately 23 percent of its Microsoftbased desktops to open source.
- The end of Windows as we knew it
Which may be why Microsoft is trying to figure out ways to extend its desktop dominance to the cloud, using the desktop as a receiver and transmitter of data from and to the cloud. Windows 7 is likely to take us a ways toward that vision, but Midori is its realization. This is why I view efforts like Canonical’s to open up the cloud by opening up the desktop so important.
- Limelight Networks: Why the Olympics didn’t ‘Melt’ the Internet
Surprise! There’s some Linux back-ending all that Windows Media.
- A High Wire Act with the Whole World Watching
In 1996 the World Wide Web was truly in its very early stages. The Olympics took place less than a year after Netscape went public, which many consider the key event marking the transition of the Internet from a research network used primarily by the technical community to the commercial behemoth that it went on to become.
- Merrill Lynch travels rocky road to ’stateless computing’
Just getting everything up and running, the physical deployment of a network with so many servers, was daunting, Chalmers said. Merrill Lynch also experienced problems with networking, provisioning and storage, she said.
- Scientific Linux 5.2 Live CD Works in Persistent Mode
Compared with the previous version, Scientific Linux 5.2 Live CD/DVD works in persistent mode, which means that it will store/restore your settings if you run it from an USB flash drive. Also, this new feature will allow you to carry the USB stick with you, and boot from it whenever you need a stable and reliable operating system.
- VxWorks, Wind River Linux Support Intel EP80579 Integrated Processor
- Things To Know Before Using Linux
Ubuntu
- 5 Reasons Why a Newbie should try Ubuntu
- Ubuntu 8.04 Ease of Installation
- 10 Reasons Why Ubuntu Linux is Better Than Microsoft Windows OS
1. Ubuntu Linux has fewer security issues and viruses
Ubuntu Linux is created based on Open Source concept of code-sharing and the source code is available to anyone who understands. Thus, any security issue encountered can be fixed withing 48 hours or less.
KDE
- Akademy 2008: Album with pictures
After a lot of deliberating this, I decided to put online an album with a lot of the pictures I took at Akademy.
- KDE 4.1.0 in the Press
- Photo KDE Tutorial 1-2: Curves adjust
F/OSS
- More on Open Source
- Spend your vacation getting started with OpenStreetMap
- BuddyPress, an open source competitor to FaceBook
- Google Invested Once More In Open Source Lab
- SkyBlueCanvas Development Team Announces Version 1.1 Beta Release
The system is licensed under the GNU/GPL v3.0 License. Service packages for business owners including site setup, customization and design are also available from the development team.
- Open Source: IT, IP & Business
Leftovers
- Anthony Doesburg: Activist urges end to software stranglehold
- Government proposes email and internet tracking
Digital Tipping Point: Clip of the Day
Lindependence 2008 organizers Ken Starks and Stephen Rufle chat about the project 01 (2008)
Digital Tipping Point is a Free software-like project where the raw videos are code. You can assist by participating.
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.