09.12.08
Links 12/09/2008: Android is Near, Tesco to Stock GNU/Linux Sub-notebooks?
Sub-notebooks
- Lenovo Launching Linux Netbooks
- High capacity hard disk drive for Eee PC
- Netbooks to blame for loss of revenues, says Quanta
- Acer raises UK prices
- Tesco reveals unannounced Dell 12in netbook [Ubuntu Linux]
Now, we did wonder if Tesco’s spec is a garbled reference not to a netbook but to an upcoming Dell MID. But the spec also mentions 1GB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive, “Ubunto Linux” (sic), dimensions extending to 30 x 30 x 17cm and a weight of 1.2kg, all of which are rather large for an MID.
GNU/Linux
- Is Linux growing at Windows’ or Unix’s expense?
George Weiss, the vice president of Stamford, Conn.-based Gartner Inc., said that there is probably “a whole lot more Linux [in use] than people realize” because so much is downloaded for free that is not counted in server shipments. Although the survey did not break down Linux use by organization size, Weiss speculated that Linux may be used in 80% of large enterprises, with lesser percentages in smaller businesses.
- Mandriva One 2009 - KDE4 - RC1
With its complete hardware detection, out of the box support and all in one stop control center and no major bugs, this release is going to be another success story for Mandriva.
- Some Reasons NOT to use Linux. Ever. At all.
- Dropbox drops beta tag, adds Linux client
- Face Reader Technology Migrates to All-Embedded Linux Design
- Satellite STB runs Linux
LyngBox Media is shipping a Linux-powered set-top box (STB) designed for European satellite TV enthusiasts. The IP-ready LyngBox combines an HDTV receiver/recorder, dual DVB-S2/DVB-T tuners, and a 160GB hard drive, and offers daily updates to LyngSat Network’s worldwide satellite programming guide, says the Swedish company.
- Red Hat to demo heavy Oracle processing
- 64-bit Linux, is it time?
On the Linux platform, there are still some issues with software that haven’t been compiled for 64-bit. However, they are closed source applications so getting them to work for 64-bit is up to the software company. Adobe has not yet released a 64-bit version of their venerable Flash plugin, however its been said on one of Adobe’s blogs that Flash 10 may be released 64-bit. Another package is a 64-bit version of Sun’s Java interpreter. 64-bit Java is available for Windows and (surprise) Solaris, but not for Linux. It’s unsure if Sun is not offering 64-bit Linux binaries because of its Solaris operating system.
- T-Mobile May Begin Selling Google Android Phone Within Weeks
Android, based on the Linux operating system, is free code that allows programmers to develop applications for mobile devices.
- McObject’s Embedded DBMS and Texas Instruments’ DaVinci™ Technology Revolutionize Biometrics-based 3D Face Recognition Product
- Why isn’t Ubuntu the number 1 operating system?
- Linux Foundation Expands Fellowship Program to Support Kernel Developers
The Linux Foundation, in concert with several well-known industry names (hint: they start with letters like I and G), has hired a key contributor to the Linux kernel development community, the system administrator for kernel.org. It’s an important position. kernel.org is crucial to the Linux kernel’s collaborative development environment. It is the actual physical space — in cyberspace — where kernel developers get their work done. Without it, nothing happens.
- New Ulteo Application System coming soon
- The end of physical reboots with Linux.
Applications
- 8 Essential Applications Included by Default in Kubuntu 8.04
- SMPlayer: A high quality wrapper
- Viewing the Night Sky with Linux, Part II: Visit the Planets With XEphem
Events, Software Freedom Day
- Ohio Linux Fest Looms!
- Software Freedom Day in Boston is a Wealth for the Commons: Saturday, September 20, 2008
- Unlimited Potential in open source software
- Sun Leads Global Mobilization of Communities Around Software Freedom Day 2008
F/OSS
- CICT wants to create national open source body
- Polk Community College, USF get $812,000 grant to develop Linux curriculum
- Michael “Monty” Widenius investing in Finnish IT Mill
- Open source quantum simulator libquantum in two complementary versions
- OnRelay embraces open source - with a surprise
- The open source principles of participation
- Ah Um: mingus 0.3
- Alfresco releases first draft CMIS implementation
- Open source geospatial conference heads to Cape Town
- Sun to raise awareness on OSS
Web Browsers
Literature
Video by [H]omer.
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.
AlexH said,
September 13, 2008 at 4:52 am
Looks like the Tesco thing is just a cheap small laptop rather than an actual sub-notebook, though obviously that’s a bit relative.
Shame; I got to play with an Eee901 just yesterday for the first time and was extremely impressed with the default install and interface: it’s not trying to compete with standard laptops, and what it says it can do in theory it does extremely well in practice. I could see a number of people buying these things as additional devices.
Roy Schestowitz said,
September 13, 2008 at 4:57 am
I’m still trying to figure out what the Tesco thing is about. There are many rumours, but no confirmed reports. This would not be the first time Tesco dabbles in GNU/Linux (with success even):
Tesco sell computers with Ubuntu pre-installed - Linux on the up?
Tesco breaks free of WMA chains
AlexH said,
September 13, 2008 at 6:44 am
Well, Tesco’s whole business model is buying things in large bulk and selling them cheaply, but they’ve been selling computers in store for a while now: mostly no-brand imported machines. A few have been GNU/Linux, most haven’t.
I think what interests them most is the price point, which is what I don’t really understand about the Dell: £299 is cheap, but you can pick up a laptop at that price in their stores already. 12″ is small, but not that small.
Roy Schestowitz said,
September 13, 2008 at 9:18 am
Maplin sells small sub-notebooks for just £169. That model runs GNU/Linux, but its does not say so.