10.25.08
Posted in News Roundup at 6:43 am by Roy Schestowitz
GNU/Linux
- Linux PC auction benefits charity
Want to combine your love for robots and strange mini-ITX systems with your interest in furthering educational opportunities for U.S. schoolchildren? You, too, can bid on this strange, one-of-a-kind Linux system available only through a charity auction on eBay.
- [KDE:] the next battle lines
- New Xfce beta focuses on usability
- Puppy Linux 4.1 Retro ScreenShotsI
was very pleased with Puppy Linux 4.1! The interface was smooth and easy to use.
- Three Linux Distros To Watch and Use
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Research
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Networking
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Preinstallations
- Mac Clone Maker Psystar Offers $299 Linux PC
Psystar’s OpenLite system ships with the Ubuntu Linux desktop preinstalled, running on a 1.8-GHz Intel Celeron chip with integrated graphics support. Upgrading to a dual-core Pentium chip costs an additional $40. “With unparalleled affordability, this computer can bring Windows computing into every home and office,” Psystar boasts on its Web site, even though the system runs Linux, not Microsoft Windows.
- Dell readies small, cheap computer for small biz
Speaking of the Mini 9, while Dell did begin offering the cheaper, Linux version of the SCC earlier this month, readers report it’s still taking the company around two weeks to ship orders. To be fair, the company warns buyers of the XP model that they face the same waiting period for their machines too.
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Mobile
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Robotics
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Embedded
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*Ubuntu
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Distribution Releases (Also BSD)
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Applications
- Five accounting apps for Linux
One of the most often heard complaints from users looking to migrate to Linux is that there are no good accounting applications. To be fair, there is a degree of truth in that concern. At least there was, until now.
There are now a number of good accounting applications available for Linux, no matter whether you’re looking for a personal finance manager for your home budget or something to keep your small business finances in check. So, if you’re in the market for an accounting application that won’t break the bank, grab your bank statements and check out these five apps.
- Linux browser smackdown!
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Games
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Sub-notebooks
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Red Hat
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Security
F/OSS
Leftover
Digital Tipping Point: Clip of the Day
Digital Tipping Point: Dan Gillmor, creator of the phrase, “Distributed Journalism” 01 (2005)
Digital Tipping Point is a Free software-like project where the raw videos are code. You can assist by participating.
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10.24.08
Posted in News Roundup at 4:22 am by Roy Schestowitz
GNU/Linux
- All Russian Schools to Use Free Software
- Van Dam Iron Works vacillates between Linux and Windows
When Ben Rousch joined Van Dam Iron Works close to a decade ago, it didn’t take him long to move off a proprietary network operating system and start experimenting with a Linux server. He changed horses again, to a Windows server, but today Van Dam is back in the Linux fold — lesson learned.
- Pogo Linux and Nexenta Systems Deliver StorageDirector Z-series: High- Performance and Power-Efficient NAS and iSCSI Storage Solution Based on AMD Processor Technology
- Seven Ways that GNU/Linux Tops Vista
- What Is So Good About Linux?
- Mac OS is better than Ubuntu Linux: A myth
The myths
* Ubuntu does not have a good UI : This is absolutely rubbish, checkout the new KDE that comes with Ubuntu.
- Introducing Open Source to the World - Part 3
Now as you have seen, evangelizing FOSS and Linux is a very hands on proposition. You can’t just hand them a CD and say “go for it”. Your parents never did that to you when you were learning to ride a bike, so we can’t expect them to just leap on the Linux bike, so to speak, and ride off into the sunset. But once we get them on that bike and take off the training wheels, the rest becomes a lot of fun.
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Devices
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Multimedia
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Desktops
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Sub-notebooks
- Netbook runs Debian on China-made CPU
A Chinese vendor of microprocessors and computer systems will reportedly soon ship a low-cost “netbook” with an 8.9-inch display, Debian Linux-based software, and a Chinese-made processor. The Lemote Tech “Fuloong Mini” has a 600-800MHz Loongson 2F processor, 512MB of DDR2-666 RAM, and an 80GB hard drive.
- iKit: Linux Netbook as Ultra-Mini
After the glut of netbooks on the market, Imovio, an offshoot of U.S. company Comsciences, presents the iKit Multimedia Messenger, a palm-sized netbook with Linux.
With a dimension of 3.7″ x 2.6″ x 0.6″ and a weight of 4 oz. (including battery), the iKit is more like a PDA (the company calls it a pocket mobile companion). The device is equipped with Bluetooth and WLAN and is perfect for chats and email, although it brings along other applications. Included are those for multimedia such as graphic display and a video player. Its camera is 0.3 megapixels, it has a built-in mic, and a mini-USB port for a stereo headset. The browser provided is Opera Mini 4.1.
- ARM Cortex-based netbooks due soon
While Microsoft has not produced an ARM-compatible version of its mainstream Windows operating system, the chip architecture is supported by Windows CE, multiple Linux distributions and a version of Apple’s OS X.
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Distributions
F/OSS
- Where are all the Virtual Desktops?
- Event eyes ICT Innovation with Open Source & Mobile Content
- KOffice 2.0 Beta 2 Released
The KOffice Team has announced the release of KOffice version 2.0 Beta 2, the second beta version of the upcoming version 2.0. The goal for the second beta is to show progress made since beta 1, as well as to gather feedback from both users and developers on the new UI and underlying infrastructure.
- EU Commission: Open Bids Favor Proprietary Software
- Apple: A Bigger Open Source Enemy Than Microsoft?
- BMW wants to pimp your ride with open source
- Support the Free Software Foundation’s high-priority list campaign
As a journalist, I don’t often come straight out and endorse anything. Having worked as a marketer, I have had a strong reaction against hype of any sort, including my own. Nor is endorsement my style. Anyway, just by writing on an issue, I can often do far more by encouraging others to support it than I could if I were to volunteer time or money. However, every once in a while, a cause comes along that is so obvious worthy that I make an exception.
Take, for example, the Free Software Foundation’s high-priority list. How anyone who is the least interested in free and open source software (FOSS) could not support this cause is almost inexplicable to me.
- Open Source to the Rescue
- Qt Gets Prettied Up
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Collaboration
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Firefox
Leftovers
Digital Tipping Point: Clip of the Day
Digital Tipping Point: Jacob Saufer, an experienced gamer reviews GNU-Linux games (2004)
Digital Tipping Point is a Free software-like project where the raw videos are code. You can assist by participating.
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10.22.08
Posted in News Roundup at 10:24 pm by Roy Schestowitz
GNU/Linux
F/OSS
Digital Tipping Point: Clip of the Day
Robert Pearsall, editor of Hentzenwerke Publishing 02 (2004)
Digital Tipping Point is a Free software-like project where the raw videos are code. You can assist by participating.
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10.21.08
Posted in News Roundup at 8:49 pm by Roy Schestowitz
GNU/Linux
- How much have you saved by using GNU/Linux?
With GNU/Linux, I’ve spent a total of $A210 - $100 for a second-hand HP e-PC which does the work of a back-up server, and $110 for some extra RAM for my Cobalt server which does most of the other work. All my hardware has been hand-me-downs. The software, needless to say, is all free.
With Windows, the amount spent, at a conservative estimate, would have been in the region of $A10,000 - a fairly big amount for a poor man like me to spend on a hobby.
- Primera Announces Linux Developer Support for its Disc Publishers
- Infobright Releases Open Source Data Warehouse Software for 32-Bit Linux
- Kernel Log: More than 10 million lines of Linux source files
After the release of Linux 2.6.27, kernel developers are currently busily integrating patches for the next kernel version into the main development branch of Linux. This usually involves discarding some old code and adding new code thouhg on balance, there are usually more new lines than old ones, making the kernel grow continually.
- [Sarcasm] Silly Linux users..
- Introducing Open Source to the World - Part 2
One of the biggest things I’ve seen that powers the resistance of people to using Linux is the desire to stick with what’s familiar. We are a people who naturally do not like to change, and thus we tend to resist it whenever possible, except at times when change is necessary. That’s covered in more detail in another article, so I’ll leave it at that here.
Given that we’re naturally inclined to stick with the familiar, we have to understand this fact and act accordingly when convincing someone to switch to Linux (or BSD, depending on the individual). One of the first things I’ve learned is never throw Linux on someone’s machine and then just walk away. Especially if it’s someone who’s just switching from Windows due to major viruses or other issues common to Windows.
- 10 reasons for switching to a different Linux distribution
- An Introduction to Tiling Window Managers
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Servers/Mainframes
- New Server Linux Distribution
- IBM’s System z10 Business Class Offers Mainframe Performance
- Building a Linux Small-Business Server
Linux oldtimers have known for years that it’s not necessary to go into hock for expensive, proprietary networking gear, because Linux comes with a powerhouse networking stack. It also comes with a host of first-rate network services such as intrusion detection, firewalling, proxies; file, print, Web, and e-mail services; excellent groupware and messaging; genuine secure remote access and administration; secure wireless; diagnostic, monitoring, and repair tools; backups and restores; and most everything else needed to run the small-to-big enterprise.
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Embedded
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Devices/Appliances
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Mobile
Distributions
F/OSS
Monopolies/Intellectual Abuse
MAFIAA
Digital Tipping Point: Clip of the Day
Robert Pearsall, editor of Hentzenwerke Publishing 01 (2004)
Digital Tipping Point is a Free software-like project where the raw videos are code. You can assist by participating.
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10.20.08
Posted in News Roundup at 8:15 pm by Roy Schestowitz
GNU/Linux
- Linux games - First Person Shooters - Part Deux
In the last article, we have reviewed three excellent First Person Shooters (FPS) - OpenArena, Sauerbraten and Nexuiz - which offer you a good mix of solid graphics, fast-paced action and cross-platform compatibility, while being simple to use and configure, free, stable, and low on hardware demands. OpenArena and Sauerbraten allow you to test your fingertip skills against a range of monsters in both the single and multiplayer mode, whereas Nexuiz is geared toward online, multiplayer gaming only. Regardless which one you choose, you are in for some great fun, killing nefarious fiends from another dimension.
- Is CompUSA.com poised to become the Crazy Eddie of Linux?
With its rock-bottom prices, CompUSA could be positioned to be the king of cheap Linux-based PC sales, if they take this to the next level, which would be to preload the OS on its bargain PC refurbs and get some value-added SystemMAX OEM whiteboxes out there with Linux pre-installed. CompUSA.com-branded $400 or less Quad Core PCs sans-monitor with 4GB RAM and 500GB hard disks running on Ubuntu? I can see it.
- Linux Ecosystem worth $25 billion
The Linux Foundation is set to release a report on Wednesday estimating that the Linux ecosystem is now worth $25 billion.
- Nintendo DS Sized Linux PC?
- Does Linux Need a $300 Million Ad Campaign?
- Linux Gains Flash, Ubuntu Gains Wikipedia - but Can They Change the World?
On the other hand, “I think the more important news for Linux is that Wikipedia uses Linux!” yagu said. “While most people don’t really care, it’s something worth bragging about occasionally.”
Most people assume “Microsoft runs the world,” yagu added, but many “would be surprised (and maybe even amazed) if they knew how much of their world is run on Unix. It’s worth noting that for really hard, really big and really important uses, Linux is well-represented.”
For Ubuntu, meanwhile, “this is a great accomplishment, as it’s emerged as a favorite distribution,” he said. “Ubuntu demonstrates Linux can be easy to use and functional.”
- DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 275, 20 October 2008
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Sub-notebooks
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Embedded
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Phones/Mobile Devices
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Ubuntu
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Red Hat
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KDE
- KDE 4 Is The New KDE 3 (Are You Ready?)
So I have been wondering for some time “Is KDE 4 ready for me to use full-time?”. That coupled with me being totally institutionalised by my KDE 3.5 desktop has meant that I just haven’t made the switch. The truth is, KDE 4.1 rocks pretty damn hard. My mission at Linux Expo Live this week is to try a convert as many people as I can into KDE 4.1 users. The approach is not to convince people the KDE 4 is ready for them. It’s subtler than that; it is to convince them that they are ready for KDE 4.
F/OSS
Rights
- Legit free music site downed
Here is where things hit a snag. Jeff has registered the label’s songs under the Creative Commons License, which is only available to see while the site is on-line. The host insists it requires the US Copyright Office forms from back in the daze where things were done by monks chained to desks.
If that wasn’t enough, Jeff has also had his main storage drive crash on him and lost most of the material he had, which means all his website material is gone. He’s addressing the fans to send him whatever artwork and songs they have so he can rebuild from scratch.
- Sky and BBC in iPlayer deal [infectious Microsoft influence, Windows DRM]
- The Jesus Phone NDA - No one cares but you
- UK.gov says: Regulate the internet
As unemployment looks set to soar in the months ahead, quangocrat and soon to be outgoing head of Ofcom Lord David Currie appears to have discovered a cunning plan to find jobs for tens of thousands. The time for regulating the internet is nigh – and Ofcom could be the body to do it.
- Passports will be needed to buy mobile phones
Everyone who buys a mobile telephone will be forced to register their identity on a national database under government plans to extend massively the powers of state surveillance.
Phone buyers would have to present a passport or other official form of identification at the point of purchase. Privacy campaigners fear it marks the latest government move to create a surveillance society.
Digital Tipping Point: Clip of the Day
Digital Tipping Point: home audio video buff Marc Merlin 09 (2005)
Digital Tipping Point is a Free software-like project where the raw videos are code. You can assist by participating.
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10.19.08
Posted in News Roundup at 9:26 pm by Roy Schestowitz
GNU/Linux
- Andrew Lahde: Goodbye!
My suggestion is that this great man start and sponsor a forum for great minds to come together to create a new system of government that truly represents the common man’s interest, while at the same time creating rewards great enough to attract the best and brightest minds to serve in government roles without having to rely on corruption to further their interests or lifestyles. This forum could be similar to the one used to create the operating system, Linux, which competes with Microsoft’s near monopoly. I believe there is an answer, but for now the system is clearly broken.
- Linux versus Windows: another fine Microsoft TCO Analysis
So what’s the bottom line on the review? simple: if you hire someone to prove that increasing upfront spending on school computers by about 30% without getting a productivity improvement is a good thing, they’re going to have to make some pretty slick logical leaps somewhere - and I think this one got to its destined conclusions by using nicely formatted Excel tables and lots of verbiage to hide assumptions amounting to the required conclusions.
- Alien Arena 2008 Receives Graphics Improvements
While not commonly mentioned at Phoronix, Alien Arena is an open-source sci-fi first-person shooter that has been around since 2004 and uses the CRX engine, which is a derivative of the Id’s GPL source-code. Version 7.20 of Alien Arena 2008 was released this week and a few features had caught our attention. In addition to a number of game-play improvements, Alien Arena 2008 has received a number of improvements to its graphics renderer with GLSL program management, parallax mapping, new lighting, new shaders, and other work.
- The Sine Qua Non of the Free Desktop
- Yakuake — yet another pop-up terminal
- Elive 1.9.10 ScreenShots
- Metro Released
- Leave It To The Little Guys…
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Versus Windows and Mac OS X
- Why good people make bad OS choices
For my mother-in-law, I picked her up an ASUS Eee 900A, which runs Xandros Linux for, with sales tax, just over $300. She loves it and she’s been reading the Miami Herald news using Firefox and playing solitaire like a fiend for the last day and a half.
- R.I.P. - Windows XP
It’s true that Ubuntu has some quirks for the user switching from XP, but I’ve found these quirks to be a byproduct of 15 years of Windows use - not any inherent problem with Ubuntu itself. In fact, once I get used to the Ubuntu way of doing things, they’re almost universally better.
I have debated for 3 years making the switch to a linux distro, and after 2 weeks of making the switch, this is all I have to say:
Goodbye Windows XP. May you rest in peace.
- Linux incognito part one: the Leopard
- If you sit out Vista, what are your alternatives?
Linux proponents have seemingly declared every year since 2000 as being the year for Linux On The Desktop. Linux seems to get better with every iteration, but is it there yet? It might be.
I spend about half my day on a Linux box. About the only time I flip to Windows is when I have to do something that Linux can’t - like working with Exchange’s calendars conveniently for example.
With the new distributions that are constantly coming out, Linux programmers have been consistently moving the ball down the field, encroaching on Windows’ desktop territory. As decent as things are now, with another 2 years of coding 2010 just might BE the year of Linux On The Desktop.
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Ubuntu/Debian
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PCLinuxOS
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Desktop Environment
- Join us in Jamaica next January for Camp KDE
In January 2008, the KDE community celebrated the release of the much anticipated KDE 4.0 in Mountain View, CA. When the event was celebrated by a packed house, we realised that there was a strong demand for KDE events in the Americas. One year later, the community will celebrate this new conference series at Camp KDE 2009, to be held in Negril, Jamaica.
- The 5 Best Xfce - based Linux Distributions
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Sub-notebooks
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SaaS
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Kernel
F/OSS
MAFIAA
Leftovers
Digital Tipping Point: Clip of the Day
home audio video buff Marc Merlin 07 (2005)
Digital Tipping Point is a Free software-like project where the raw videos are code. You can assist by participating.
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Posted in News Roundup at 3:58 am by Roy Schestowitz
GNU/Linux
- Linux phone pioneer acquired
- PSPP brings an industry standard statistical tool to Linux
- Ten essential Linux office apps
- Vista marks end of ‘planned software’
Whitehurst claimed that there are “half the number of bugs in Linux per thousand lines” compared to the Microsoft operating system, because of the open source collaborative model.
- Russia’s Open Source Revolution
From what I have seen and experienced of ALT Linux, it appears to be a first class platform on which to build a strong, flexible network of Linux-driven computers.
- Hands on: Revive an old PC with Linux
So what about computers more than just a few years old? Reader Graham Steel wrote to ask about his computer. He said: “I have an old IBM Thinkpad installed with Windows 98 and incapable of running newer versions of Windows, with just 96MB of Ram and a Pentium II CPU.
- Switch to Ubuntu Linux not Apple Mac OS
So why are people not going over to Ubuntu? Beats me. If you are looking for commercial technical support, Ubuntu does offer that. If you are looking at extreme personalization options Ubuntu offers that, probably even more than the Mac OS. If you are looking for easy upgrades to future versions, Ubuntu offers that. If you are looking for ease of use, Ubuntu offers that. If you are looking for robustness and security, Ubuntu is the best. Ubuntu can be installed on all types of hardware and even on older hardware. Mac OS does not offer this flexibility.
The more I use Ubuntu, the more I fail to
