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Posted in News Roundup at 11:40 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
Summary: Some catch-up with news from the past week or two
Why I still hate WindowsI’ve posted many times over that I used to be an avid Windows and Microsoft supporter, mainly around the Windows 95/98 days. However, after being introduced to Linux, I soon realized that Linux surpasses Windows in many ways, especially system reliability. Kids get free computersLearners with very little prior computer exposure were taught programming languages in a primarily Linux environment at the Centre for High Performance Computing in Cape Town and the course organisers feel that they will have the tools to begin further studies in computer programming.[...]He explained the choice to teach using the Linux platform.“Linux is a free OS (Operating System) and is also virtually virus free. Unlike Windows, it comes with a variety of useful applications which are also free and all the PCs the kids have has (Linux) Ubuntu installed,” he said. Operating systems: all about personal preference- Linux users: Many have used Windows and Linux at some point. Windows/DOS was around before Linux, so there are even some that used Microsoft’s earlier products. But for some reason they have chosen to dump Windows and stick with Linux. I know very few within the past 3-4 years or so, that know Linux in and out, and have chosen to use Windows as their primary operating system. I would be happy to hear from somebody that has done this, to find out why they took the path they did. Personally, I made this move myself in 2002 (about 8 years ago) when I attempted to migrate to Linux from Windows for my personal workstation, and I ended up back on Windows XP. I didn’t like Windows, but there were too many things that didn’t work in Linux at the time. However, within the past 3-4 years, things have changed significantly; Linux is now capable of handling Windows software with ease, as well as its own catalog of software growing exponentially. In 2008 I finally made my migration from Windows XP to Fedora Linux on my personal PC plus two other PCs in our home used by my family, and I will never use Windows as my primary operating system again. Low-cost ComputingOLPC to add multitouch screen to future XO-1.75 laptopNonprofit organization One Laptop Per Child on Thursday said it is adding a multitouch screen to the upcoming XO-1.75 laptop and is modifying software to take advantage of the new hardware. OLPC laptop to get multitouchIndiaIndia’s $35 Tablet- The Everything KillerOn July 22 a $35 (or 1500 INR) hand-held Linux computing device was unveiled by Shri Kapil Sibal, the Union Minister for Human Resource Development of India. The goal of the project is to lower the price to around $20 in time and eventually reaching the amazing price of $10.In a tablet form-factor and using an unspecified variant of Linux (that some have said might be Android), the cost should remain low while offering a wide range of functionality. The Sakshat descendant is said to be capable of supporting video conferencing, viewing a wide selection of video and image files, word processing, de/compressing files, printing with CUPS, full Internet browsing with Javascript and Flash, wireless communications, and remote device management. Missions impossible for nowGujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi doesn’t mind following the Marxists when it comes to providing cheaper IT education in schools. On learning that the Kerala government used the open-source free software, Linux, for its schools, he has decided to do the same in 3,650 schools in his state. Though his babus objected, Modi saw he could save Rs 100 crore by installing Linux in schools. Before opting for Linux, his aides tried to negotiate to install the Microsoft Windows operating system at a cheaper rate. But the talks failed. ChinaTaobao initiates Chinese open source revolutionSo three years later, Taobao, a user of Linux and FOSS, sets a precedent by not only admitting to be using Linux (OMG!) but also launching their own open source repositories, hosting their own projects and sharing them with the world–yes, the world! Its objectives are for the message not to only be constrained within the Chinese borders but as with any other corporation, to extend across the globe. Here’s the blog post announcement from a member of the Taobao Technical Committee, Coly Li. China finally getting the open source messageMuller calls this “a dream come true for those of us who have been advocating openness and contribution from those Chinese companies using FOSS.” His hope is that other companies will join the effort, and “admit” to using open source. He thinks it could boost the quality of open source worldwide.Which is the important point. Taobao isn’t doing this out of the goodness of its heart, although the company may have a very good heart indeed. But companies create forges and open their code to scrutiny to improve it, and in hopes a community will form they can benefit from. ServerIBM Launches 5000 MIPS Hybrid MainframeIBM’s zEnterprise server pushes mainframe performance on, and converges mainframe technology with blade servers Vietnam Banks On LinuxVietnam Joint Stock Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank), one of the largest banking institutions in Vietnam, has selected an IBM System z10 mainframe to support the expansion of its banking businesses. What is Web 2.0 anyway?This is important to counter the entire “2.0″ stupidity and media brainwashing. Linux runs the internet. Almost totally. There are several factors in play, not the least of which are security, lack of viruses on linux, useability, accessibility, and cost. All these factors weigh heavily in favor of non-Microsoft products. It costs anywhere from TEN to a HUNDRED times less to operate an internet service using Linux. Why? Support is cheaper, the initial software is FREE, and there are no licensing or patent issues to fight over! Q&A: Carl Meadows of The Planet, on its New Server CloudAccording to the launch announcement, key to The Planet’s server cloud is transparency into the systems running behind the interface. The offering is built on high-end physical infrastructure, from Dell, Intel, Juniper, Cisco and Sun, along with the Canonical Ubuntu Linux OS and virtualization using Kernel-based Virtual Machine. Cutting Edge and Leading GIS Company Esri Announce New Linux Servers with ArcGIS Server 10Cutting Edge Networked Storage (www.cuttedge.com) and Esri (www.Esri.com) are pleased to announce new Linux Server Solutions with ArcGIS Server Enterprise 10 preinstalled to the U.S. Geographic Information Systems community. Esri has selected Cutting Edge Networked Storage to manufacture and deliver the new Linux Servers with ArcGIS Server 10 based on the popular Redhat Enterprise operating system to its customer base. VoIPDesigning a VoIP Media Phone FrameworkLinux-based VoIP for Intel architectures Is your business ready for VoIP?Alternatively, many Linux aficionados have taken the Asterisk freeware to create a Linux PBX appliance with excellent results. Teo launches single-server unified comms systemTeo Technologies today announced a unified communications (UC) platform that relies on a Linux-based server to provide multiple applications, including voice mail, across a variety of devices. Teo Delivers Linux Based UC SolutionTeo’s system relies on a single Linux server, a single administrator’s portal, and a single user interface to track calls, emails, and voice mails. The company claims that the Teo UC could cost customers 30% less than conventional approaches, which tend to rely on multiple servers, each supporting a different communications function. Kernel SpaceCareers Q&A: Happen Business’ Paul Berger Happen Business’ technical director, Paul Berger, has had a fairly meaty history in IT. Entering the industry with an electronic background, he is responsible for building a popular kit computer in the mid-1980s – the Applix 1616 – and the partner he built it with is now a co-maintainer of both the ext3 file system and the Linux kernel. Re: ARM defconfig filesI’m willing to try my solution, some others on the linux-arm-kernel lists considered it worth trying, too. Kernel prepatch 2.6.35-rc5ApplicationsProprietaryData Architect Version 4.2 Available For Linux/Solaris/Windows/Mac OSVizioncore releases new version of vOptimizerSupports Linux-based Vms and reduces the size of thin provisioned VMs Vizioncore, a provider of virtualisation data protection and management offerings, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Quest Software, has released new version of vOptimizer Pro that provides greater benefits and additional value from their virtual infrastructure. New tool for Linux VMsChromeChrome team sets six-week cadence for new major versionsGoogle announced today via the Chromium Blog that it plans to release new stable versions of Chrome every six weeks. Though the team has managed to ship five major revisions in less than two years, the new accelerated pace means we could see Chrome 9.0 by the end of this year. Google Schedules Chrome 6, 7, And 8 For This YearGoogle said that it is planning on releasing a new stable version of Chrome every six weeks, which is about twice as fast as the release pace today. The goal is to make new features available when they are done and to make Chrome releases more predictable. Has anyone complained that there were too few new Chrome releases? What’s in? What’s out of Chrome 6InstructionalsScreencast howto screencastReset GNOME When Things Go Wrong on Your Linux DesktopWeekend Project: Using PulseAudio to Share Sound Across All Your ComputersPulseAudio is a Linux sound server that, through abstraction layers, promises a myriad of flexible audio features: combining multiple sound cards into a single, multi-channel device, changing output devices on the fly for running applications, even redirecting input and output between machines over the network. Sadly, though, it is usually used just as a bare-bones drop-in replacement for older, buggier sound servers like ESD — because that is the most common use case, and because the PulseAudio documentation and tools aren’t caught up to the same level as the underlying library. Full PulseAudio nirvana entails digging into the project in depth, but you can at least get your feet wet over the weekend, directing and even multicasting audio between Linux machines on your local network. Installing Ubuntu Linux On Your Nexus One (or Android) Is Easy [How To]GamesNexuiz gets CryEngine 3For those of you who have not heard of Nexuiz, it is a free open-source first person shooter developed by the folks over at IllFonic that was released in 2005 for Windows, Mac, and Linux. DistributionsSpecialisedSecurity: Disposable VMs For Tighter SecurityA new flavor of the Linux Operating System is now available that might prove to be one of the strongest defenses put up against malware. The new Operating System is called Qubes, and it is a combination of Linux with the Xen Virtual machine. Qubes is the invention of Joanna Rutkowska, a Polish researcher of malware and exploits. Rutkowska is famous for a paper she authored and presented at a Black Hat conference in 2006 that described a technique called ‘Blue Pill’ for moving a running OS into a virtual machine using hardware virtualization. SingleOS Improves Management Of High Availability And Load-balancing Services In Fuscan Linux CloudThe new functionality enables Fuscan Linux Cloud based web hosts to better control the load-balanced and High Availability services on the Cloud. SystemRescueCd 1.5.6 Although SystemRescueCD offers a desktop, it can be complicated to use and requires a some basic computer knowledge. However, it doesn’t require much Linux specific knowledge to operate most of the tools, so I would be happy to recommend it to a Windows guru. Besides, people who don’t understand the basics shouldn’t be operating partition managers and file recovery utilities anyway. ReviewsLinux Distro Review: Mandriva Spring 2010.1It has been many years since I spent much time with Mandriva. I did try the last release for a bit when writing up the Linux.com 2010 Distro Scorecard, but haven’t used Mandriva as a primary distro in many years. Actually, it might be more accurate to say that I’ve never used Mandriva as a primary distro. The last time I used the distro consistently, it was called Mandrake.I still prefer the old name, but I like Mandriva 2010.1 much more than I liked the last Mandrake release I used. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Mandriva 2010.1 to any user looking for a solid, user-friendly Linux desktop. It’s not the only distro that I’d recommend, but it’d be one of a handful that I’d be comfortable recommending. New ReleasesSystemRescueCd 1.5.8 Fixes a Couple of Critical Bugs in GPartedSystemRescueCd has been updated bringing newer Linux kernels and a newer GParted. With SystemRescueCd 1.5.8, both kernel lines offered have been updated to Linux kernel 2.6.32.16 and Linux kernels 2.6.34.1 respectively. A newer version of GParted, the graphical partitioning tool, has been included which fixes a couple of critical bugs from the previous release. Reverse Engineer Releases Linux Distro for Malware ResearchA reputed security expert named Lenny Zeltser, who specializes in reverse-engineering malicious software has put together a special Linux distribution tailored to the specific needs of malware researchers. Called REMnux, the distro contains a wide variety of tools for analyzing malicious traffic and inspecting various threats. Zencafe 2.2: Zenwalk Linux for Internet cafésThe Zencafe developers have released version 2.2 of their Linux distribution designed specifically for internet cafés. Zencafe includes a built-in, “Deep Freeze like” auto-recovery tool and various specialised internet café applications, such as software for billing and system management. Zenwalk Internet Cafe Edition 2.2 ReleasedPCLinuxOS/Mandrake/Mandriva FamilyFund Buys Software StakeRussia-backed fund NGI acquired a stake in Mandriva, a French maker of software based on the Linux operating system, as part of a program to develop a Russian operating system, Kommersant reported Thursday. Red Hat FamilyRed Hat executive to lead MeridianThe new CEO of a Moore County company that makes touch-screen kiosks is a former top executive at Linux software company Red Hat. HP and Red Hat Introduce Consulting Services to Improve Efficiency of Virtualized EnvironmentsHP (NYSE: HPQ) and Red Hat Inc. (NYSE: RHT), the world’s leading provider of open source solutions, today announced joint consulting services to help clients more effectively migrate to a Red Hat open source platform on an HP infrastructure. HP, Red Hat Ease Linux-based x64 Open Source Server MigrationDebian FamilyDebConf10: the Debian ProjectThis operating system that we have been creating is called Debian GNU/Linux, or simply Debian for short. Every year, DebConf allows new and existing Debian project participants from around the world to assemble, share knowledge and ideas, make collaborative contributions to Debian, build tighter community bonds and improve communication within the project. Canonical/UbuntuOperation Cleansweep: We Need YOU!Devices/EmbeddedGoogle’s China rival to create Android-like OSGoogle’s biggest search rival in China – homegrown market leader Baidu, is to develop a Linux-based smartphone to rival the Californian search giant’s Android-based devices. ARMARM Lines Up a Warp Speed Future For Mobile ProcessorsARM has solidified its position today as master of the mobile processor universe, announcing a deal with TSMC that will take smartphone chips all the way down to a 20nm process. That means: faster, better, more efficient. Linux: New Distribution for the ARM mobile processingA group of hardware companies that produce ARM-powered mobile devices have gotten together to create a consortium called Linaro. ARM produces ultra-low-power consumption chips for mobile devices, like for the iPhone, and is available at a relatively low unit price. ARM has been successfully attacking the low end of the chip, a game-plan similar to Intel’s from a couple of decades back, and now ARM is capturing market share that would normally have belonged to Intel. About 98 percent of mobile phones use ARM chips and the chips are also used heavily in other consumer electronic products. It is expected that Linaro should help speed the time to market for new mobile devices. Wind River (Intel)Wind River Introduces First Embedded Linux Operating System to Be Accepted for EAL4+ Certification by NIAPEmbedded Linux Gets Enhanced Security — Does it Matter?CaanooGamePark Caanoo portable gaming handheld runs on LinuxGamePark is not quite dead just yet, as the company recently unveiled a spanking new Linux-powered portable gaming handheld known as the Caanoo. While it ships with a similar 533MHz ARM9 processor as its predecessor, the built-in memory has been doubled to 128MB (rather measly in this day and age, we might add), not to mention the presence of a dedicated 3D GPU to make full use of its 3.5″ touchscreen display. In order to further keep up with the times, it will come with a built-in accelerometer and vibration functions for added immersion when playing. gamepark caanoo: new linux handheld gaming system gets weird nameGamePark GP2X Caanoo Open Source Handheld DebutsiRiveriRiver Story ebook reader gets WiFi updateThe Linux-based device now supports WiFi (802.11b/g), which allows the Story to connect to and download ebooks from the WHSmith online book store. iriver Wi-Fi Story ebook readerYou can download books and comics wirelessly and read them on the move on iriver’s latest Linux-based ebook reader. iRiver Debuts Wi-Fi Ebook ReaderIriver WiFi Storyiriver device is fully bookedIt is built on Linux so clever programmers are sure to have their wicked way with it and add new functions to the operating system. Nokia/MeeGoFCam platform for Nokia N900 offers photography appsMembers of Stanford University, Nokia and other partners have surfaced with an interesting offering that grew from the Camera 2.0 project. Stanford University has collaborated with Nokia to create FCam which is an open-source digital photography platform for the company’s Linux based N900 handset. Nokia’s MeeGo – Smartphone OS face-offAndroidAndroid’s ascent in China might not elevate GoogleAs the sole arbiter of Android’s dominant application delivery channel, Google has enormous control over the platform and how it is used. This is an extremely effective tool for preventing platform-level fragmentation and discouraging vendors from building forks that deviate from upstream Android in ways that might diminish application compatibility across devices. Motorola Droid X Gets RootedHardcore Android fans have been leery of the Motorola Droid X because of the chip and bootloader combination in the device that could potentially brick it if custom versions of the Android operating system are loaded on it. Droid 2 being prepared for launch, set to arrive August 23rd?The Droid 2′s been leaking out all over the place in the past few weeks, but it looks like it’ll be another month before it officially hits shelves — we just got these shots from a packaging facility that’s handling the phone, which puts it right on schedule for that rumored August 23rd launch. We’re also told that the phone will definitely ship with an 8GB microSD card, and that pricing appears to be $199 on contract and $599 standalone, although those numbers could change. Just a few short weeks left, we suppose — although give the rate at which this thing is leaking, we’re thinking Motorola and Verizon might do well to push that date up a couple weeks. We’ll see. Graffiti for Android scribbles Palm OS memories all over Google’s platformNew Google tool lets anyone become an Android developerGoogle’s launched a new software tool that it says allows anybody to become an Android developer. New Java IDE: Google App Inventor for AndroidGoogle has released App Inventor for Android, a new Java development environment aimed at the recently oft-targeted non-coder developer who wants to build an app for the Android operating system. WebOSHP PalmPad trademark foretells WebOS slateThe United States Patent and Trademark Office granted Hewlett-Packard a trademark for the term “PalmPad” late last week.HP hasn’t released specific details on what it plans to do with the trademark; however, the application form confirms that HP will limit its use to “Computers, computer hardware, computer software, computer peripherals, portable computers, handheld and mobile computers, PDAs, electronic notepads, mobile digital electronic devices.” Will HP Create PalmPad To Fight iPadAccording to reports, a PalmPad is on its way — at least is in consideration. HP has been granted a trademark for name ‘PalmPad’ by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. What the Palm webOS Platform Has to Offer DevelopersHP Using Own Software in Phone Wars with Apple, GoogleIn its bid to take on Apple and Google in smartphones, Hewlett-Packard won’t use Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 software. TabletsLenovo to launch Android tablet by year’s endLenovo is launching its own tablet to debut in China by the end of this year.Dubbed “LePad,” the tablet will run Google’s Android operating system, according to comments made by Liu Jun, senior vice president for Lenovo Group, as reported by TradingMarkets.com and other sources. Details are few so far, and there’s no word from Lenovo or other sources on whether the tablet will venture abroad after its initial debut in China.
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