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| LONG [News Digest] Linux News Digest for the 24hrs preceeding 26-01-07 |
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Group: comp.os.linux.advocacy · Group Profile
Author: Mark KentMark Kent Date: Jan 26, 2007 10:08
In today's digest, we have:
* Brazil and Linux (/FOSS)
* Nokia's Latest Linux Internet Tablet Scores 8/10
* Xandros Starts Shipping "Xandros Desktop Professional" Boxes
* Review of the New Xfce (4.4), with Many Screenshots
* "Changing Sales Models" Bring SAP to Knees
* Novell Enables Code to Be Easily Compiled for Multiple Linux Distros,
Unveils KIWI
* Death of Domain Parking Good News for Apache/Linux?
* Norway Illegalises Apple DRM
* Microsoft 'Buys' Studies to Hype Up Vista Release, Abolish Linux
* Fox News: Vista Could Lead to Linux Takeover
* Mandriva Linux Comes to West Africa, Targets OEM Prebundling
* US Army and Open Source Intersect
* New Plugins Brings ASP.Net Applications to Linux Server
* Red Hat Grabs Former Novell Exec
* Extensive Review of Motorla New Music Phone (Linux-based)
* Tanenbaum Criticises Bloat, Mentions Windows
* Another Article on Novell Deal Mentions Patent Rubbish
* Contact Centres Adopt Open Source Software
* The DRM Animal Explained -- Defective by Design, Anti Consumer
* Outside the Desktop World, Linux Gives Microsoft a Lesson
* The Real Growth opportunity is in GNU/Linux
* Microsoft Downgraded by Analyst
* Dell Compatibility Error Prevents Linux Buy
* Interview with Linspire CEO about CNR Sharing
* Mandriva Linux Will Include Metisse, Live CD
* C|Net: Vista is "Warmed-over Windows XP", No Need to Use It
* PCLinuxOS Climbs to Top of DistroWatch Chart (7 Days)
* Linux Journal on 'Media Lockin'
* Red Hat Addresses Linux Demand in New Zealand
* Tanenbaum: Microsoft Paid for Attack on Linus Torvalds
* List of Vista Annoyances; Criticism of DRM by the FSF on Vista's
Launch Day
* The Time of Linux Has Already Come
* New Partnership to Bring Linux VoIP to More Businesses
* Windows Vista Not Suitable for "Power Users", Scares User
* Screenshots Gallery of a Slick PCLinuxOS 2007 Derivative (Xfce+3D
Eye Candy)
* PCLinuxOS Rebranded and Improved
* Linux Builds 10-PC Cybercafe for Just 60 Bucks
* Mozilla Patches Better Than Microsoft
* More Praises for Open Source Software
* Sharp Profits Rise for the Linux-Friendly Big Blue
* Vendor-client Reciprocity in Open Source Software
* Crystal Space Open Source 3-D Engine Reaches 1.0 Milstone
* SeaMonkey 1.1 Released
* Windows Mobile Needs Palm OS Applications
* Short Review of the New Linux-based Tablet
* OpenMoko Linux Phone Available to Developers in March
* Ten Reasons Windows Isn't Missed
* New Open Source Development Centre Opens in India
* OSDL and FSG are Combining their Resources - The Linux Foundation
is Formed
* Linux Training Comes to Buffalo University
* Vista Degrades XP's Usability, Requires New PC
* Enterprise Linux Rivalry Serves Customer Best, Improves Quality, Cost
* Linux PC in the Car, Now With a CD Drive
* Linux Management Appliance Gets Launched
* Today's Dilbert Covers Linux; Shills in Digg
* New Development Release of GNOME Desktop is Released
* Microsoft Sponsors Interoperability, But Destroys It at the Same Time
* Mac OS X Could Soon Reach Non-Apple Hardware
* Linux is Getting Easier Through Unification
* SA Scientific and Industrial Research Moves to OSS, ODF
* Microsoft's Ajax - Little, Late, and Proprietary?
* Fixing Windows Security Problems, By Rebooting
* (Linux-ready) PlayStation3 for More Continents, Release Dates &
Pricing Revealed
* Driver Issues Ahead of Vista Released (with Picture)
* Large Chip Maker: Vista Will NOT Bring Boon to Hardware Makers
* Another Disaster Recovery Product Targets Linux
* Storm Trojan May Affect Vista, Captures 1.6 Million Windows PCs
* [SOT] AMD's Bright Outlook for 2007
* Pardus Linux is One of the Easiest Distributions to Manage
* Linux School in Belgium and the Innovation Opportunity of Linux
* Speculation/Thought: Sun and Red Hat/Novell Acquisition
* Linux in China is Booming with 9.8%% Market Share
* Reauthoring of DVDs in Linux Made Easy
This is a digest of the previous 24 hours (GMT day) of [News] postings
in comp.os.linux.advocacy. If you have any comments, suggestions or
remarks, please reply to this message and I will take account of all
that I can. The digest is created from my leafnode news spool, which is
pre-filtered, so some poster's articles might not appear.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message-ID: <1961917.IF1vD1gHZ5@ schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Brazil and Linux (/FOSS)
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:27 +0000
Brazil's FOSS utopia image at risk
,----[ Quote ]
| According to the international media, Brazil is a leader in free
| and open source software (FOSS) adoption. The New York Times
| describes the country as "a tropical outpost of the free software
| movement," while BBC News claims that "Increasingly, Brazil's
| government ministries and state-run enterprises are abandoning
| Windows in favour of 'open-source' or 'free' software."
`----
http://applications.linux.com/article.pl?sid=07/01/17/2018227&tid=51&tid=11
Related:
EnabledPeople & partners deploys 50,000 Linux desktops in Brazil January 6
,----[ Quote ]
| BitWay Computadores, Imtech Brazil and EnabledPeople launch
| massive deployments of Linux PCs with preinstalled Linux XP
| Desktop software for Brazil goverment program
`----
http://www.enabledpeople.com/blog/2007/01/06/bitway-imtech-enabledpeople-had-deployed.../
Dreamlinux Multimedia Edition 2.2 -- Things just keep getting better in
Brazil
,----[ Quote ]
| I am honestly pleased to give this package a 5 Pennie review, simply
| in the fact that I love the look, the functionality and the way
| they went about getting what any newbie would want into an easy to
| use Live CD, quick installer, ease of access to proprietary
| packages and functional desktop that is easy to use and a joy
| to work with.
`----
http://knolinux.com/2007/01/04/dreamlinux-multimedia-edition-22--things-just-keep...
Brazil Schoolchildren To Get $100 Laptop PCs
,----[ Quote ]
| President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday received a version
| of a $100 laptop computer to be distributed nationwide, and 50 were
| expected to be tested in Brazilian schools beginning next week.
`----
http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGBL1G1JXUE.html
E-Voting Raises New Questions in Brazil
,----[ Quote ]
| Fontoura confirmed that Brazil is considering a move away from
| Microsoft's proprietary code -- "We are studying the possibility of using
| an open-source program like Linux in future elections. This would make the
| entire process much more transparent and far less expensive," he said.
`----
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060929/brazil_electronic_voting.html?.v=2
Startup is counting on open source to launch its MMOG
,----[ Quote ]
| Hoplon runs Linux exclusively on its servers and on the majority of
| developer workstations. The production environment runs on a IBM System
| z mainframe running Linux virtual servers.
`----
http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=06/12/14/2040250
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1266490.6X4hd5lj6F@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Nokia's Latest Linux Internet Tablet Scores 8/10
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:19:22 +0000
Review: The Nokia N800 Internet Tablet
,----[ Quote ]
| Overall, the N800 is a good evolutionary step over the N770, but not
| without its flaws. If you want to get one of these two babies, get
| the N800 if you can, and only opt for the N770 if you find it in a
| very low price. For the price, at $400, I think that the N800 is a
| good deal considering that you can browse the web in a respectable
| way without having to carry with you heavy laptops. Regardless, we
| will make sure to revisit the device in the near future after
| updates and patches have been released from Nokia or when Skype
| has released their software for it.
`----
http://osnews.com/story.php/17052/Review-The-Nokia-N800-Internet-Tablet/
Nokia is hiring for the project (yesterday's news), which is probably a good
sign!
http://gnomedesktop.org/node/2853
Related:
Nokia N800 Internet Tablet First Thoughts Review
,----[ Quote ]
| Conclusion
|
| * From a software standpoint, I don't think the N800 is a huge
| step-up from the 770. However, its hardware is noticeably better.
| * I'm glad to see that Nokia seems committed to making its
| Internet Tablet line the best that it can be.
`----
http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=698
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1241837.PlaVIu1mlq@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Xandros Starts Shipping "Xandros Desktop Professional" Boxes
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:29:50 +0000
Xandros Desktop - Professional Box Now Shipping
,----[ Quote ]
| Xandros Desktop - Professional is compatible with Windows servers,
| providing a secure, stable alternative to costly Windows desktop
| upgrades. Seamless integration into existing Windows-centric
| networks is provided through support of domain authentication,
| logon scripts, and group policy profiles. Enterprise-class
| features include seamless access to shared Windows folders and
| printers, the ability to write to Windows NTFS partitions,
| seamless Microsoft Exchange connectivity, support for
| third-generation HSDPA UMTS (3GSM) and mobile telecommunications,
| dual-core, SMP and hyper-threading support, and ready for mass
| deployment in enterprise settings via xDMS, Xandros Deployment
| and Management Server.
`----
http://www.linuxlookup.com/2007/jan/24/xandros_desktop_professional_box_now_ship...
Still, it could be hard to compete with free distribution that get
proprietary codecs in trivial ways.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <8559956.yRJ3IrNuRA@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Review of the New Xfce (4.4), with Many Screenshots
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:33:36 +0000
Overview of Xfce 4.4
,----[ Quote ]
| To conclude this overview of Xfce 4.4, I will say that Xfce 4.4 has
| matured in a very impressive manner. Although Xfce 4.4 won't make me
| ditch KDE or Gnome, I wil have it installed on my computer and use
| it often. Furthermore, if I had a slower computer, I would definitely
| use Xfce over Gnome or KDE. The improvements in Xfce 4.4.
`----
http://lunapark6.com/?p=2790
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2861178.Pf2RxJQDN0@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] "Changing Sales Models" Bring SAP to Knees
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:11:03 +0000
SAP misses targets, gives hazy outlook
,----[ Quote ]
| The German software group, which shocked investors by announcing
| earlier this month that it had missed its 2006 license sales target,
| said it would no longer forecast license revenues due to changing
| sales models.
`----
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-6152809.html
It's moving to the Web, to services, to Linux, and to Open Source
alternatives that are free and Free. This should results is better prices
(affordability) and improved services, which is where money gets made.
A fortnight ago:
SAP takes a tumble
,----[ Quote ]
| SAP shares fell sharply after the software company admitted it had
| missed sales targets for 2006. Its shares on the New York Stock
| Exchange ended the day down ten per cent.
`----
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/12/sap_misses_street/
------------------------------
Message-ID: <19197222.yWAhNc5NQE@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Novell Enables Code to Be Easily Compiled for Multiple Linux Distros, Unveils KIWI
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:13:36 +0000
Novell Enhances Linux Development With New Open Source Services
,----[ Quote ]
| Novell today announced the open source availability of the openSUSE
| Build Service, an innovative framework that provides an
| infrastructure for software developers to easily create and
| compile packages for multiple Linux* distributions.
`----
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070124/sfw033.html?.v=91
------------------------------
Message-ID: <22091572.90LF280tOf@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Death of Domain Parking Good News for Apache/Linux?
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:30:34 +0000
The Death of Domain Parking and the Birth of a New Vertical Web 2.0 Empire
,----[ Quote ]
| Why domain parking as we know it is about to come to an end...
| and what's next
`----
http://www.dailydomainer.com/news/200733-200733-death-of-domain-parking.html
Apache controls over 73%% of the Web[1] while Microsoft pays[2] Web hosts in
order to switch over the idle, inactive and parked domains. This tweaks
various statistics, including Netcraft, and confuses people. Same technique
as that which they use with OEMs, which are threatened [3,4,5,6] if they
preinstall GNU/Linux. This also explains why some companies give a PC with a
blank hard-drive rather than have Linux installed.
Related:
[1] December 2006 Security Space Survey Results
,----[ Quote ]
| Security Space estimates that nearly 90 percent of all Web sites
| are "orphans" to which no other sites link. Its Web server survey
| ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
| therefore counts only those servers referenced on other sites.
`----
http://www.serverwatch.com/stats/article.php/3652421
[2] Open Source Fights Back
,----[ Quote ]
| Question: The OpenSourceParking.com announcement cites a Netcraft
| report, which found that GoDaddy.com's migration from Linux to Windows
| caused Apache to lose server share. Was this event the sole impetus
| for OpenSourceParking.com?
|
| Perens: Not the first. It's part of a continuing behavior pattern by
| Microsoft that I think it's fair to call "dirty fighting." GoDaddy was
| using Apache (I assume on Linux) because it was a great technical
| solution. They didn't switch to IIS on Windows Server 2003 for any
| technical reason. The switch was accompanied by a press release by
| GoDaddy, containing Microsoft promotional language. Now, I've changed
| many servers from one thing to another, but I've never made a press
| release about it. GoDaddy wouldn't be doing that unless Microsoft had
| offered them something valuable in return. There has been talk in the
| domain business that Microsoft has been offering the large domain
| registries a wad of cash to switch their parked sites. There is no
| other reason to do this than to influence the Netcraft figures.
`----
http://www.itbusinessedge.com/item/?ci=15108
[3] Dell's secret Linux fling
,----[ Quote ]
| It later emerged that Microsoft's OEM enforcer Joachim Kempin had
| promised Steve Ballmer that he'd be putting the screws on PC
| builders, or "hitting the OEMs harder" in his words.
`----
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/09/dell_linux_china/
[4] Microsoft's Dirty OEM-Secret
,----[ Quote ]
| They are, in short the secret to Microsoft's success. And the word
| secret is to be taken quite literally: No OEM may talk about the
| contents of his contract, or he will lose his license, and (assumption)
| likely be sued for breach of contract as well.
`----
http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2001/10/23/13219/110
[5] Microsoft 'killed Dell Linux' - States
,----[ Quote ]
| "I'm thinking of hitting the OEMs harder than in the past with anti-Linux.
| ... they should do a delicate dance," Kempin wrote to Ballmer, in what is
| sure to be a memorable addition to the phrases ("knife the baby", "cut off
| the air supply") with which Microsoft enriched the English language in the
| first trial. Unlike those two, this is not contested.
`----
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/03/19/microsoft_killed_dell_linux_states/
[6] Jury Hears Microsoft Competition Suit
,----[ Quote ]
| A judge on Friday told jurors they must accept as fact that a
| federal court found in 1999 that Microsoft holds a monopoly over
| computer operating systems and that it restricted computer
| manufacturers' ability to use competing systems.
|
| [...]
|
| She said she'll show that the company used its monopoly power
| to exclude competition and control prices and that it conspired with
| other companies to restrain trade, maintaining what she called a
| chokehold on software competitors and computer manufacturers.
`----
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/061201/microsoft_trial.html?.v=1
------------------------------
Message-ID: <6668056.e0lr36fNv5@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Norway Illegalises Apple DRM
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:37:58 +0000
Apple DRM illegal in Norway: Ombudsman
,----[ Quote ]
| Apple's digital rights management lock on its iPod device and iTunes
| software is illegal, the Consumer Ombudsman in Norway has ruled. The
| blow follows the news that Germany and France are joining Norway's
| action against Apple.
`----
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/24/apple_drm_illegal_in_norway/
DRM is dying. Linux and its freedoms needn't be compromised while a DRM-rich
Vista is DoA. There appears to be a chain reaction these days (see below).
Related:
Record labels rethink digital rights management at Midem
,----[ Quote ]
| Now that even digital music revenue growth is faltering amid
| rampant file-sharing by consumers, the major record labels are
| closer than ever to releasing music on the Internet with no
| copying restrictions -- a step they once vowed never
| to take.
`----
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/21/yourmoney/music.php
Independent record labels sign Web distribution deal
,----[ Quote ]
| The downloads will be sold in the MP3 format, meaning they can be
| played on any portable music player including the iPod. Apple's iTunes
| can be used only with an iPod while music from such popular services
| as Napster and Rhapsody cannot be played on the mass-selling device.
`----
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6151854.html
VirginMega adopts DRM-free MP3 on its music store
,----[ Quote ]
| VirginMega.fr, by Lagardere, is adding more than 200,000 tracks
| available in the MP3 256k format. So far, the store only offered
| Microsoft's PlayForSure WMA 192k tracks, and only made a few
| tracks available as an experiment in a similar way as Yahoo did.
| However, France is the first country where a full-DRM store adopts
| MP3 on a large scale.
`----
http://www.djing.com/news/1926/virginmega-adopts-drm-free-mp3-on-its-music-store/
EMI abandons CD DRM
,----[ Quote ]
| EMI has announced that it will no longer infect its CDs with DRM. I
| remember just a few years ago when an EMI customer-service rep sent
| an email to an irate customer promising that every CD in Europe would
| have DRM within a decade.
`----
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/01/08/emi_abandons_cd_drm.html
Amazon Soon Opening DRM-free MP3 Store
,----[ Quote ]
| Looks like rumors are afloat that Amazon is planning on a late
| first quarter 2007 launch of a new music download store. In an
| already crowded music download market, Amazon hopes to differentiate
| itself in two major ways...
`----
http://www.computers.net/2006/12/amazon_soon_ope.html
iTunes sales 'collapsing'
,----[ Quote ]
| The leading DRM digital download service, Apple's iTunes, has
| experienced a collapse in sales revenues this year according to
| analyst company Forrester Research.
`----
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/11/digital_downloads_flatline/
Music to be offered in MP3 file format
,----[ Quote ]
| After years of selling online music digitally wrapped with copy
| and playback restrictions designed to hinder piracy, major music
| labels are beginning to make some songs available in the
| unrestricted MP3 file format.
`----
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/technology/16179277.htm
Big labels are f*cked, and DRM is dead - Peter Jenner
,----[ Quote ]
| Few people know the music industry better than Peter Jenner. Pink
| Floyd's first manager, who subsequently managed Syd Barrett's solo
| career, Jenner has also looked after T.Rex, The Clash, Ian Dury,
| Disposable Heroes and Billy Bragg - who he manages today. He's also
| secretary general of the International Music Managers Forum.
`----
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/03/peter_jenner/
Sony 'deceived' on music
,----[ Quote ]
| Sony has been convicted of misleading the French public and told
| to pay damages to a consumer watchdog for selling downloadable
| songs that only run on its own music players.
|
| France's Union Federale des Consommateurs (UFC) took Sony's
| French and British subsidiaries to court in February 2005 over
| the music download site Sony Connect. The lawsuit also targets
| Apple, maker of the popular iPod, whose case is expected to
| reach the courts later this year.
`----
http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,21026144%%5E15322%%5E%%5Enbv%%5E...
http://tinyurl.com/y7hk7w
Who's Killing MP3 and ITunes?
,----[ Quote ]
| 1. The labels don't have a choice
| 2. Apple might be forced into interoperability
| 3. Thomson has endorsed selling watermarked MP3
| 4. Amazon is rumored to start selling MP3s by April
| 5. Sony: "DRMs are going to become less important"
| 6. People love AllofMP3.com
| 7. MP3 has future options
`----
http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,72412-1.html?tw=wn_story_page_next1
Apple faces suit over iPod-iTunes link
,----[ Quote ]
| As if its options woes weren't trouble enough, Apple Computer Inc.
| said Friday it is facing several federal lawsuits, including one
| alleging the company created an illegal monopoly by tying iTunes
| music and video sales to its market-leading iPod portable players.
`----
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061230/ap_on_hi_te/apple_lawsuits
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1852635.yFGHFavU0m@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Microsoft 'Buys' Studies to Hype Up Vista Release, Abolish Linux
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:45:47 +0000
Vista filip for US states, claims IDC
,----[ Quote ]
| Massachusetts's IT department two years ago decided to throw out both
| Windows and Office and embrace software conforming only to open
| specifications - namely Linux and OpenOffice. After much lobbying
| and politicking the decision was reversed.
`----
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/24/microsoft_windows_vista_idc/
Relevant links to support the above:
IDC pronounces Linux unimportant to European economy
,----[ Quote ]
| A recent IDC white paper on the economic impact of Microsoft's super
| soaraway new Vista operating system seems to be lacking one crucial
| ingredient -- other operating systems.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34542
MA Governor-Elect Names MS Anti-ODF Lobbyist to Technology Advisory Group
,----[ Quote ]
| That person is Brian Burke, the Microsoft Regional Director for Public
| Affairs, and if that surprises you, it surprises me as well, given the
| degree of acrimonious debate and disinformation witnessed in Massachusetts
| over the last 15 months involving the Information Technology Division's
| transition to ODF.... it is my understanding that it was Burke who led
| the lobbying effort on Beacon Hill against ODF, and also urged legislators
| to introduce the amendment intended to take away much of the ITD's
| planning power generally, and as regards standards specifically, and hand
| it to a task force made up of political appointees.... Although I'm told
| that Burke announced yesterday at the first meeting of the new working
| group that he will be participating as a private citizen rather than a
| Microsoft employee, I believe that Burke should recuse himself from
| participating in any discussions or recommendations relating to
| document format standards.
`----
http://www.consortiuminfo.org/standardsblog/article.php?story=20061128161343183
Changing the Report, After the Vote
,----[ Quote ]
| That agreement was nearly imperiled last weekend, though. Gerri
| Elliott, corporate vice president at Microsoft's Worldwide Public
| Sector division, sent an e-mail message to fellow commissioners
| Friday evening saying that she "vigorously" objected to a paragraph
| in which the panel embraced and encouraged the development of open
| source software and open content projects in higher education.
`----
http://insidehighered.com/news/2006/09/01/commission
A new Microsoft-commissioned anti-Linux study debuts
,----[ Quote ]
| Microsoft seemingly has backed off from trumpeting its "Get the
| Facts" studies, as of late. But that doesn't mean the company has
| ceased commissioning research outfits to perform its anti-Linux dirty
| work.
|
| On September 25, Mercer Management Consulting released a new
| Microsoft-backed study. The study is entitled "Driving Lower TCO and
| Rapid ROI through UNIX Migrations." The synopsis: "Microsoft Windows
| the preferred choice for UNIX migration when IT organizations migrate
| servers as part of a focused effort to improve business processes,
| deploy critical applications or restructure their IT architecture."
`----
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/index.php?p=12
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1942806.EDj6pOX0K4@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Fox News: Vista Could Lead to Linux Takeover
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 02:15:14 +0000
Windows Vista's 'Mac'-Ness Might Open Door for Linux Takeover
,----[ Quote ]
| The timing couldn't be better, but there are bound to be numerous
| shake-outs and a few collapses. And Microsoft looks vulnerable, too.
|
| The most important event is the formation of the Linux Foundation.
`----
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,246401,00.html
------------------------------
Message-ID: <5174923.AnhGE4cJ8L@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Mandriva Linux Comes to West Africa, Targets OEM Prebundling
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 02:26:43 +0000
Mandriva Linux to introduce ICT products in West Africa next month
,----[ Quote ]
| Ajisomo said Mandriva Linux West Africa Limited has its strategic
| goals the production and distribution of Mandriva Linux and the
| bundled Open Office and other bundled Open Source applications and
| to Work with Local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to
| bundle Mandriva Linux with their hardware, thereby making
| computers more affordable for West Africans.
`----
http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/compulife/article13
Earlier today:
Africa: 'Microsoft is Imperialistic' Says Open Source Advocates
,----[ Quote ]
| Microsoft Corporation's products have been locked out of the
| on-going World Social Forum (WSF) in Nairobi Kenya.
|
| With over 300 computers provided for participants and the press,
| organizers of the WSF have preferred to provide open source
| software products and blocked all Microsoft related products for
| the forum's usage and its related activities.
|
| [...]
|
| Activists at the forum also believe that since Microsoft is a
| corporate brand from the United States of America, a country
| they believe has intentions of maintaining the status quo of
| a unipolar world over which it is above international law and
| the UN, the brand should be locked out.
|
| [...]
|
| "The open source movement is providing Linux, a robust free
| software. Everybody owns it and it can be shared. And this
| is what WSF is all about - a free society, a movement
| fighting for ownership of free resources" he adds.
`----
http://allafrica.com/stories/200701230831.html
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1409670.RfeEbc2KOK@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] US Army and Open Source Intersect
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 02:29:40 +0000
Army Seeks to Catalyze Open Source Intelligence
,----[ Quote ]
| A new U.S. Army Field Manual is intended to advance the development
| and use of open source intelligence (OSINT), which is intelligence
| that is derived from publicly available data legally obtained.
`----
http://www.fas.org/blog/secrecy/2007/01/army_seeks_to_catalyze_open_so.html
------------------------------
Message-ID: <11718944.1ixiE2u3S7@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] New Plugins Brings ASP.Net Applications to Linux Server
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 02:32:20 +0000
Mainsoft readies Visual Studio-Linux link
,----[ Quote ]
| Mainsoft on Wednesday is announcing the release of Grasshopper 2.0
| Technology Preview 2, a plug-in to Visual Studio 2005 enabling
| .Net developers to write ASP.Net Web applications and deploy
| them on Linux and other Java-enabled platforms.
`----
http://weblog.infoworld.com/tcdaily/archives/2007/01/mainsoft_readie.html
Ongoing work from Mainsoft and IBM.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <11056861.Q1WTJ96FnG@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Red Hat Grabs Former Novell Exec
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 02:36:31 +0000
Red Hat Hires Ex-SUSE Sales Exec to Run EMEA Channels
,----[ Quote ]
| Heinrich will be based in Red Hat's European headquarters in Munich,
| Germany, and will report to Werner Knoblich, vice president and
| general manager of Red Hat's EMEA operations.
`----
http://www.itjungle.com/tlb/tlb012307-story05.html
Possibly another defection. Maybe he felt the same way Jeremy Allison
felt---betrayed.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <20542841.FmHKzqTj6C@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Extensive Review of Motorla New Music Phone (Linux-based)
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 02:40:31 +0000
Review: Motorola's Linux Powered ROKR E6 Music Phone
,----[ Quote ]
| Motorola has been selling Linux smartphones for a while now, but so far
| they have only been popular in Asian countries, particularly in
| countries with a large population that uses the Chinese language.
`----
http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Page=1&Id=3064
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3116540.zyvPkhyFnn@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Tanenbaum Criticises Bloat, Mentions Windows
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 02:43:30 +0000
Tanenbaum outlines his vision for a grandma-proof OS
,----[ Quote ]
| Software today is blighted by being too bloated, says Andrew Tanenbaum
|
| [...]
|
| "Maybe the direction Linux could go would be [as] the system that is
| ultra reliable, that works all the time and has not got all the
| problems that you get in Windows," he suggested.
`----
http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1942598204;fp;4;fpid;1968336438
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1760158.J3sW8fNMIj@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Another Article on Novell Deal Mentions Patent Rubbish
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 02:48:28 +0000
Novell-Microsoft Deal Is Mixed Bag
,----[ Quote ]
| "People who read into the Novell-Microsoft pact that Novell has any
| intention of doing anything other than figuring a way to sell more
| Novell Linux -- and do it in a way that protects its customers
| [from patent disputes] -- are seeing hobgoblins," Amy Wohl,
| founding analyst for Wohl Associates, said.
`----
http://www.linuxinsider.com/rsstory/55330.html
In the recent deal with Walmart, certain facts, such as the presence of Red
Hat Linux, was conveniently (for Microvell) omitted. Moreover, the Microsoft
man who sold the coupons is a former Walmart exec who probably deliberately
had patents mentioned as "a huge threat". The FUD army is marching. It's the
next SCO.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1729712.khoun4S47y@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Contact Centres Adopt Open Source Software
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:15:37 +0000
Contact centers opening to open source
,----[ Quote ]
| "Know your partner, that's the best advice I can give," he said.
| "Make sure you can work with them well and that they understand
| your business and your processes, that's the key. If you can do
| that in an open source world, you can come up all sorts of
| creative solutions."
`----
http://searchcrm.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid11_gci1240399,00.htm...
http://tinyurl.com/3ajcr9
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2621438.Ph1fallNJV@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] The DRM Animal Explained -- Defective by Design, Anti Consumer
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:19:52 +0000
DRM, Vista and your rights
,----[ Quote ]
| In the US, France and a few other countries it is already forbidden
| to play legally purchased music or videos using GNU/Linux media
| players. Sounds like sci-fi? Unfortunately not. And it won't end
| up on multimedia only. Welcome to the the new era of DRM!
`----
http://polishlinux.org/gnu/drm-vista-and-your-rights/
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1500885.oNrfn8af04@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Outside the Desktop World, Linux Gives Microsoft a Lesson
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:22:32 +0000
Linux Dodges Microsoft In Retail Vertical Space
,----[ Quote ]
| In the face of a big vertical marketing blitz by Microsoft, keenly
| evident at last week's National Retail Federation (NRF) show,
| several retailers in the "household name" category keep forging
| ahead with Linux implementations of their internal computer
| systems anyway. Linux-enabled appliances were also on hand at
| the nationwide expo in New York City, including an HD (high
| definition) video bridge from Avocent that played a large role
| in the NRF's annual "Store of the Future" demo.
|
| "There are really three places where you'll see Linux in in-store
| systems: servers, POS (point-of-sale) systems, and embedded
| appliances," said Heinz McArthur of IBM, during an interview
| in the IBM booth on the NRF show floor.
`----
http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/reports/6348/1/
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1441664.CjgquBuQJJ@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] The Real Growth opportunity is in GNU/Linux
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:24:52 +0000
BakBone's New Linux, Solaris Focus Concerns VARs
,----[ Quote ]
| Windows is important. Solaris is important. But the real growth
| opportunity is to land around Linux," he said.
`----
http://www.crn.com/sections/breakingnews/dailyarchives.jhtml?articleId=197000175
http://tinyurl.com/338owa
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3253354.AgUTOURSYN@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Microsoft Downgraded by Analyst
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:32:33 +0000
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/ud?s=MSFT
An overwhelming number of downgrades before the buybacks began.
A Dozen Stocks For '07
,----[ Quote ]
| Millen also thinks $36 billion in planned share buybacks
| will help the stock.
`----
http://www.forbes.com/2006/12/05/stocks-markets-investing-pf-ii-cz_ag_1205stockpicks...
http://tinyurl.com/yjzfbo
Microsoft counts on Vista to recharge stagnant stock
,----[ Quote ]
| There was a time in the 1990s when shares of Microsoft stock seemed to
| double every couple of years. 1996: college for the kids. 1998: a place
| on Whidbey. 1999: early retirement.
|
| Times have changed.
`----
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003437957_vista19.html
Commentary: Microsoft needs more than just buybacks to lift its shares
,----[ Quote ]
| Microsoft shares, which have been dormant for the last few years,
| have been looking up over the last couple months. The Dow industrials
| component has gained about 20%% since hitting a 4-year low of $21.46 o
| June 13.
|
| To help move things along, Microsoft not only launched a $40 billion
| stock repurchase program that lasts through 2011, the company also said
| its previously announced 4-year, $30 billion stock buyback program was
| completed in just 2 years.
`----
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%%7B685EFB89%%2D5791%%2D4E...
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1539266.IuABBRhLvG@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Dell Compatibility Error Prevents Linux Buy
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:43:39 +0000
Quote from Digg:
Dell's Confused Compatibility
,----[ Quote ]
| I decided to buy a Microsoft-Free Linux PC. When I was finished
| specc'ing out my system, I got this nice compatibility notice.
`----
http://www.elflord.net/wtf.jpg
Have a look below.
Related:
Is it Dell vs. SPEC? or Dell vs. Linux?
,----[ Quote ]
| In exploring SPEC.org's site for yesterday's blog I came across something
| interesting: specifically a configuration problem with a benchmark result
| for the dual Xeon, eight core, 2.66Ghz Dell 2950.
|
| [...]
|
| Since we're actually still in "Dec 06" what this suggests to me is
| that Dell's left hand is decidedly more enthusiastic about Linux in
| general and Red Hat in particular than its right - meaning in practice
| that they prefer seeing potential sales go away to correcting errors in
| their configurator.
`----
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Murphy/?p=754
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1559201.ttmkL7Rrtq@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Interview with Linspire CEO about CNR Sharing
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:54:55 +0000
Linspire CEO on opening up CNR: share the bread
,----[ Quote ]
| Linspire CEO Kevin Carmony says his company is opening up its CNR
| ("Click 'N Run") software download and management service to other
| Linux distributions because "Linux really needs an easier way to
| find and install software, regardless of which flavor of Linux
| you're using."
|
| [...]
|
| According to Carmony, Linspire has been working on this project
| more more than a year.
`----
http://desktoplinux.com/news/NS9961124197.html
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2510865.CMK4S7afTS@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Mandriva Linux Will Include Metisse, Live CD
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:49:55 +0000
Metisse is not a 3D desktop
,----[ Quote ]
| For some time now, I've been working with members of In Situ
| team to integrate their Metisse software in Mandriva Linux and
| it is really exciting. Mandriva will announce very soon (today or
| tomorrow) Metisse will be part of Mandriva Spring 2007 and is
| also available as a Live CD based on Mandriva 2007.0 and GNOME
| (yay) right now so everybody can try Metisse right now and
| report bugs.
`----
http://twinpeaks.dyndns.org/blog/general/2007/01/24/metisse-is-not-a-3d-desktop
http://tinyurl.com/37m6aw
No such thing in Mac OS X and Windows Vista.
Related (videos):
Metisse on GNU/Linux demo
,----[ Quote ]
| A demo of Metisse, an X-based window system designed with two goals in
| mind: make it easy to design and implement innovative window
| management techniques and conform to existing standards and be
| robust and efficient enough to be used on a daily basis, making
| it a suitable platform for the evaluation of the proposed techniques
`----
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsUKX6xXyE
This one is similar to Spaces in Mac OS X:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT89IOci5FA&NR
Here it is with some UI innovation:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Gp8GzKwBdsg
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1644475.njxhbofZSR@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] C|Net: Vista is "Warmed-over Windows XP", No Need to Use It
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 04:32:50 +0000
Windows Vista Ultimate - C|Net Review
,----[ Quote ]
| The bottom line: Windows Vista is essentially warmed-over Windows XP.
| If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason
| to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now,
| Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use.
`----
http://reviews.cnet.com/Windows_Vista_Ultimate/4505-3672_7-32013603.html?subj=fdba&part...
http://tinyurl.com/399wl6
Coming from a Microsoft-inclined site like C|Net, that's worth some "Wow"...
like that slogan of Vista's ad campaign.
Some other fun links...
Stuff you're not supposed to see:
http://www.google.com/search?q=%%22microsoft+confidential+-+Internal+use+only%%22...
The Linus shelf:
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=368471677&size=m
New jewel case for Ubuntu Linux:
http://www.ubuntuattack.info/
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1891891.VVOmlqbEcN@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] PCLinuxOS Climbs to Top of DistroWatch Chart (7 Days)
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 11:06:54 +0000
http://distrowatch.com/index.php?dataspan=1
Not bad considering the fact that only a beta has just been released. Ubuntu
is a close second (7-day pageview average).
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1268128.dRsjWXt1ny@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Linux Journal on 'Media Lockin'
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 11:41:43 +0000
What happened to the guts?
,----[ Quote ]
| Of one thing I am fairly certain. Microsoft all but eliminated
| mainstream software competition. As a result, Microsoft became
| the primary source of advertising revenue for mainstream publications.
| You don't bite the hand that feeds you. So instead of publishing
| issues calling for a worldwide boycott of Vista because it focuses
| more on what you can't do than what you can do, you see special
| editions praising Vista as the greatest advancement in computing
| since Windows 95. Granted we all know that Windows 95 was a dog
| from day one, but by the 90s, the mainstream press had already
| become rampant with Microsoft sycophants and they pushed Windows
| 95 like it was the second coming.
|
| [...]
|
| In short, I'd love to see a mainstream publication become an
| advocate for the consumer once again.
|
| As noted above, there are exceptions, including Linux Journal,
| most other FOSS-centered publications and even The Register.
| But we're the little guys.
`----
http://www.linuxjournal.com/node/1000173
Related:
http://slated.org/bbc_microsoft_bias
Bill Gates lends cash to buy newspapers
$350 million to MediaNews
,----[ Quote ]
| Gates involvement has been very behind the scenes. In fact many of
| those involved in the deal didn'teven know he was one of the investors.
| It was carried out through the Gates Foundation, the world's largest
| philanthropy outfit.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33849
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2678903.4eccMhSkWU@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Red Hat Addresses Linux Demand in New Zealand
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 11:43:51 +0000
Red Hat restructures A/NZ channel
,----[ Quote ]
| "Currently, a large number of businesses in A/NZ are using or porting
| to Linux, reinforcing the enormous opportunities to develop certified
| products on Linux. As the market leader, Red Hat is 100 percent
| dedicated to bringing compelling open source solutions and support
| to the market," he said.
`----
http://www.crn.com.au/story.aspx?CIID=71980
Recent:
Open-source database elected to update Kiwi voters
,----[ Quote ]
| Speaking at this year's Linux and open source conference, held in
| Sydney recently, Catalyst's Finlay Thompson said the Electoral
| Enrolment Centre runs New Zealand's electoral system and receives and
| sends a "massive amount of correspondence", including sending ads to
| get people to register on the roll.
|
| [...]
|
| Catalyst had been using PostgreSQL to manage the .nz domain and
| recommended it for the electoral roll.
`----
http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/072965C09248DA04CC257268000C6C7F
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2439115.O7Pejsr7oG@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Tanenbaum: Microsoft Paid for Attack on Linus Torvalds
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 11:46:46 +0000
Interview with Dr Andrew S Tanenbaum
,----[ Quote ]
| Andrew S Tanenbaum: A couple of years ago this guy called Ken Brown
| wrote a book saying that Linus stole Linux from me, from Minix,
| and therefore the intellectual property rights are unclear and
| therefore companies shouldn't use Linux because I might sue them.
|
| It later came out that Microsoft had paid him to do this --
| and I defended Linus. I wrote on my Web site saying that this
| guy Brown came through, visited me and I gave him the
| [correct] story.
`----
http://www.builderau.com.au/strategy/architecture/soa/Interview_with_Dr_Andrew_S_Tanenbaum/0...
http://tinyurl.com/3c78xz
This is a new interview (not the one posted yesterday).
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1501839.Ch03y64t95@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] List of Vista Annoyances; Criticism of DRM by the FSF on Vista's Launch Day
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 11:50:39 +0000
Top 8 Vista Annoyances
,----[ Gist ]
| #8 - Are you sure?
| #7 - General slowness
| #6 - Where did Vista put this?
| #5 - DRM...
| #4 - Lack of ease
| #3 - Activation fun
| #2 - Hard To Customize Boot Loader
| #1 - Bugs still abound
`----
http://techgage.com/article/top_8_vista_annoyances/2
Wow, Bill, this thing is Defective!
,----[ Quote ]
| "DefectiveBydesign.org and BadVista.org are organizing events to
| coincide with Microsoft's launch of the Vista Operating System in
| New York City on Monday, January 29th at 11am and 2pm in Times
| Square and further east near Grand Central Station" to "share
| some "Wow moments," with Bill Gates and other invited guests."
`----
http://www.libervis.com/static/wow_bill_this_thing_is_defective.html
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1184927.R0VOtXc2dN@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] The Time of Linux Has Already Come
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:00:37 +0000
2007, the Year of the Penguin
,----[ Quote ]
| In conclusion, I think the time has come. The market needs to come
| together as a whole and start leaning towards POSIX style programming.
| I want to be able to use a program I buy in any operating system. I
| don't think anyone should be forced to own a specific operating
| system because their software company was cheap and only made it
| compatible in one environment. Linux is just as easy to use, if not
| easier to use than Windows. If we have some Apple fans out there
| reading this, don?t get upset. To me, the Apple desktop is basically
| a proprietary Linux desktop, which is fine by me. The intuitive
| nature of the Open Source desktop (as well as OS X) is a beautiful
| thing, and I want to embrace it.
`----
http://chrisllorca.com/articles/2007_the_year_of_the_penguin
Some would argue that 2006 was the year of the desktop and I happen to agree
with that. It had been unstoppable from mid-2006 onwards.
Linux in 2006: June is Busting Out All Over
,----[ Quote ]
| I apologize for sounding like a typical lame pundit, but 2006 was the Year
| of Linux. I never said that before--I was waiting until it became true.
`----
http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/netos/article.php/3650901
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1480984.gGqEuZFfss@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] New Partnership to Bring Linux VoIP to More Businesses
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:08:03 +0000
Digium and Polycom to Help SMBs Switch to VoIP
,----[ Quote
| Thanks to a new partnership between Digium and Polycom, now it will be
| easier for small and medium businesses (SMBs) to purchase, configure
| and deploy anAsterisk VoIP system featuring Polycom
| IP phones.
`----
http://voipforsmb.tmcnet.com/news/articles/4715-digium-polycom-help-smbs-switch-voip...
http://tinyurl.com/2pr4rr
Microsoft entered this market a couple of months ago, but no word in the
press since. Apparently it could be a case of "too little, too late". There
are more pressing issues. Priorities for this alternative and emerging
market must be low amid a general paralysis (according to a senior Microsoft
employee). Recall the map:
http://lexner.org/images/softwarewar_small.png
Related:
'World's largest contact centre company' chooses open source IP PBX for its
own contact centre
,----[ Quote ]
| Asterisk, the open source IP PBX software, has scored a resounding
| endorsement from one of its resellers, Aspect Software - which claims
| to be the world's largest company solely focused on the contact centre
| - is being used for Aspect's new corporate headquarters, with 500 users.
`----
http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/8049/127/
------------------------------
Message-ID: <4334496.BL3SEnPz0K@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Windows Vista Not Suitable for "Power Users", Scares User
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:59:57 +0000
Why power users will hate Vista
,----[ Quote ]
| I've been testing Vista in the last few days and I've been trying to
| wrap my head around it. I'm trying to figure an objective approach to
| it, but it's really hard, because I simply don't like most of the
| things I see. One of the reasons for this is the fact that Windows
| Vista doesn't offer anything new for Windows power users - actually,
| it's only taking away from them.
`----
http://franticindustries.com/blog/2007/01/24/why-power-users-will-hate-vista/
I see this argument repeated quite a few times (see refs below).
Also today:
Why I Won't Be Getting Vista for a Long Time
,----[ Quote ]
| Well, here are the top reasons I am not getting Vista for awhile.
| The list is rather long, but I feel its information everyone
| should know. Don't be tempted by the cool Aero Glass interface,
| because being able to experience it is really not worth all of
| these issues I have listed below. I have tested Windows Vista
| Release Candidate 1 and 2, so I have a good feel for the new
| operating system. Anyways, here are the main things that scare
| me about Vista...
`----
http://meltingice.net/wordpress/?p=261
Related:
Why Has Microsoft Abandoned the Power User?
,----[ Quote ]
| I don't know about you, but I'm feeling abandoned these
| days, as Windows Vista and Internet Explorer are
| increasingly closed off.
|
| How about you -- do you see any evidence of this
| disturbing trend?
`----
http://www.oreillynet.com/windows/blog/2006/10/why_has_microsoft_abandoned_th.ht...
Microsoft Power Users, Part II
,----[ Quote ]
| There's no Microsoft Power User "WinHEC" out there. Microsoft
| is all about the developer, and seldom seems to cater to the
| true enthusiasts. There's a loosely-constructed MVP program
| (of which I am a member, with the Windows Digital Media
| distinction), but no real company mission to listen to what's
| going on in the world outside the Microsoft (to use their word)e
| cosystem. And because of that, we end up with sloppy,
| "just good enough" experiences. My earlier post on the
| pre-beta of Longhorn illustrates my point ENTIRELY.
|
| [...]
|
`----
http://chris.pirillo.com/2005/04/27/microsoft-power-users-part-i/
------------------------------
Message-ID: <8478435.Mub7q2eDAO@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Screenshots Gallery of a Slick PCLinuxOS 2007 Derivative (Xfce+3D Eye Candy)
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 13:02:35 +0000
SAM 2007 Test 1 Screenshots
http://shots.linuxquestions.org/?linux_distribution_sm=SAM%%202007%%20Test%%201
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1259325.BEMlcYM2iV@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] PCLinuxOS Rebranded and Improved
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 17:40:54 +0000
PCLinuxOS Reloaded and Rebranded 2007
,----[ Quote ]
| Not only did this team of graphics designers, many of which operate
| their own web design and graphics companies, make it easy to have fantastic
| theme sets for the PCLinuxOS Desktop, it also makes them as easy to
| install as using Synaptic. After install via snyaptic, a quick
| change in the KDE Control Center, and you're set!
`----
http://linux-blog.org/index.php?/archives/181-PCLinuxOS-Reloaded-and-Rebranded-2007...
------------------------------
Message-ID: <7821615.C6P0HDlS5s@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Linux Builds 10-PC Cybercafe for Just 60 Bucks
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 17:45:11 +0000
A cybercafé for thirty quid? Farcical or feasible?
,----[ Quote ]
| Aside from Robert's infectious enthusiasm which left my head spinning
| as I drove back south, this trip really opened my eyes to the
| possibilities of Windows-free computing. Consequently, I now
| have three pre-2000 PC's, including my one-time pride and joy, a
| 1998-vintage Hong Kong-purchased Palmax 1000, all happily running
| Puppy Linux and all behaving as if they were brand new machines. And
| they are much less likely to get hit with the worms, viruses and
| other nasties that they did when they ran M$ Windows!
`----
http://www.deoss.org/positive/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=42&Itemid...
Latest kernel and fully-patched software running on 10-year-old PC's.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <50863866.vCW3hl2J3R@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Mozilla Patches Better Than Microsoft
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 22:46:18 +0000
Who patches better: Microsoft or Mozilla?
,----[ Quote ]
| ...she says Mozilla will always be a step ahead because a huge
| open source community is helping the company find and fix
| problems around the clock.
`----
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/qna/0,289202,sid14_gci1239253,00.html
Related:
Microsoft : Arrogance leads to Vulnerability
,----[ Quote ]
| Chatting with the Microsoft senior sales people, I was struck by
| their incredible arrogance. They know the company's products are good,
| but they have no qualms whatsoever about charging top dollar as a
| result.
|
| It reminds us how Microsoft used to behave when it comes to their
| products' security records. IE5 and 6 were nothing short of being
| proper Swiss Cheese with loads of holes in them but hey, they had 95%%
| of the browser market at that time and couldn't care less.
`----
http://securityblog.itproportal.com/?p=514
------------------------------
Message-ID: <13144079.GiUkYhlaeG@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] More Praises for Open Source Software
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 12:38:02 +0000
3EC Helps Public Safety Meet Their Objectives with Open Source Document
Management
,----[ Quote ]
| Although the benefits of using Open Source were presented in respect
| to Public Safety and Law Enforcement, these solutions can bring
| significant benefits and savings to nearly every industry and market.
`----
http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/view_release.asp?aID=351
Not too sure which licence they use, but more people realise that Open Source
is the way forward.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1864510.PdOfBMYODb@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Sharp Profits Rise for the Linux-Friendly Big Blue
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 13:35:37 +0000
IBM Posts Big Fourth-Quarter Profit Rise
,----[ Quote ]
| Fourth-quarter profit at International Business Machines Corp. rose
| 11 percent and beat Wall Street expectations Thursday, and the company
| also delivered a blockbuster figure in services contract signings,
| an important measure of future revenue.
`----
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070118/earns_ibm.html?.v=4
Gates considers IBM to be Microsoft's biggest threat. This profit hike does
have an impact on Linux. See below.
Related (also in the context of Linux):
IBM Lifted by Upgrade
,----[ Quote ]
| UBS upgraded IBM to buy from neutral and boosted its price target
| on the stock to $118 from $100, citing improving fundamentals.
`----
http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/newsanalysis/techhardware/10331135.html?cm_ven=YAHOO&cm_cat...
2006 in Review: IBM
,----[ Quote ]
| According to its CEO, IBM has top share in servers and Linux,
| #1 in blade servers (huge growth potential), #1 in supercomputing
| and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and #1 in middleware.
`----
http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2006/12/28/2006-in-review-ibm.aspx?source...
http://tinyurl.com/yxq2qd
IBM project aims to help blind use ODF applications
,----[ Quote ]
| APIs will faciliate visuals to be interpreted by screen readers
| that reproduce information verbally
|
| [...]
|
| The technology is based on interfaces IBM originally developed with
| Sun Microsystems Inc. to make programs on Java and Linux platforms
| accessible to the blind.
`----
http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/12/13/HNibmblindodf_1.html
The Best Blue Chip for 2007: IBM
,----[ Quote ]
| Similarly, by tapping into the open-source movement, harnessing the
| power of its new software acquisitions, and understanding the
| immense potential of everything from SoulPad and the Smart
| Surveillance System to its supercomputers, IBM consultants
| are poised to provide their clients the tools and information
| they will need to stay competitive.
`----
http://www.fool.com/news/commentary/2006/commentary06111416.htm?source=eptyholnk303100&logvisit...
http://tinyurl.com/ydo29n
IBM profit rises 47%%; sales up 5%% to $22.6 billion
,----[ Quote ]
| International Business Machines Corp. reported late Thursday
| that third-quarter profit rose 47%% from a year ago, when it
| had a significant tax-related charge, as the technology
| giant's sales rose slightly on gains in its key global
| services division.
`----
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%%7B6782D684%%2D7987%%2D4A...
http://tinyurl.com/ygajqo
,----[ Quote ]
| "We've moved past the ideology," said Sutor, in Salt Lake City
| Thursday to attend graduation ceremonies at Neumont University."
| Many people have figured out that there are a number of ways tom
| ake money from the 'open source' model."
|
| [...]
|
| The litigation has been characterized as part of a proxy war being
| waged by Microsoft against Linux, seen as a prime challenger to
| Windows. Microsoft has been a prime funding source for SCO, but
| earlier this month stunned open-sourcers by announcing a development
| pact for Novell's Suse-brand of Linux.
|
| IBM is watching the apparent about-face with interest - and
| skepticism. "I don't see [Microsoft] doing very much yet for open
| source that isn't at arm's length," Sutor said. "Possibly this is
| a way of perpetrating previous [anti-Linux] strategy while
| superficially looking better."
`----
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4679245?source=rss
Is IBM open source's little friend?
,----[ Quote ]
| ...That is because one of the big post-Linuxworld features is all about
| IBM, and how IBM is going to use open source to beat big, bad Microsoft.
|
| [...]
|
| The story, from Motley Fool, says IBM is going to get Linux running faster
| on its proprietary chips, go after smaller customers using the cost
| benefits of open source, and push an "open health care framework" to
| push computers into smaller medical offices.
`----
http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/?p=758
Ballmer rattles intellectual property saber at Linux
,----[ Quote ]
| Besides, does Microsoft think IBM will stay on the litigation sidelines,
| if it decides to play the patent card? IBM makes a lot of its billions
| from Linux, and I can't see Big Blue paying Microsoft off to continue
| using its favorite operating system.
`----
http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS7228555922.html
IBM: You Don't Need a Computer to See Its Growth Potential -- Barron's
,----[ Quote ]
| Palmisano: "We have a top share in servers and Linux, No. 1 in blade
| servers, which is a huge growth area... No. 1 in supercomputing, No. 1
| in SOA... We're No. 1 in middleware... IBM is a stronger company today
| than it was four years ago, with stronger margins, solid cash and
| earnings." Barron's: You don't need a computer to know what that
| trend could do for IBM's shares.
`----
http://biz.yahoo.com/seekingalpha/061203/21632_id.html?.v=1
IBM's Power Architecture Attracting More Linux Developers
,----[ Quote ]
| IBM makes less revenue on servers sold with Linux, compared to
| those that ship with one if its commercial operating systems --
| such as AIX or OS 400 -- but that's offset by the company's
| growing Linux support practice. Linux compatibility also makes
| the company's servers accessible to a wider variety of users,
| such as educational institutions on limited budgets. "We
| benefit from the wider ecosystem that Linux is a part of,"
| says Jollans.
`----
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cmp/20061202/tc_cmp/196601027
IBM Achieves Major "Linux on POWER" Milestone
,----[ Quote ]
| The number of tested, native applications available for the Linux on
| POWER platform has grown more than 200 percent in the last two years,
| marking it as a fast-developing new IT ecosystem.
`----
http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/061201/0190250.html
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1545437.ns9uMD4acx@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Vendor-client Reciprocity in Open Source Software
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 21:08:15 +0000
Open Source downloads and reciprocal value
,----[ Quote ]
| Yesterday we celebrated the fact that Mule had reached the 500,000
| download milestone which while impressive for its size, there are
| likely other more interesting facts associated with download numbers.
|
| [...]
|
| For example, we found out recently (through our user survey) that
| about 64%% of Mule users are making modifications, adding extensions
| and doing other coding around the product. We also found out that
| the majority of them wanted to donate some portion of the code back
| to the product. Even if 1%% of the code is mainlined, it's a positive
| for the product and the reciprocity of open source means that all
| parties get something out of it.
`----
http://weblog.infoworld.com/openresource/archives/2007/01/open_source_dow.html
------------------------------
Message-ID: <5128837.zUSOL68Y0T@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Crystal Space Open Source 3-D Engine Reaches 1.0 Milstone
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 23:08:42 +0000
Crystal Space 3D SDK
Release of Crystal Space 1.0
,----[ Quote ]
| After nearly 10 years of development we are very proud to release
| version 1.0 of Crystal Space. Crystal Space is an Open Source and
| portable 3D engine framework which runs on GNU/Linux, Windows, and
| MacOS/X. It is fully featured with support for vertex and fragment
| shaders, dynamic lighting and lightmaps, skeletal animation,
| physics, 3D sound, terrain engine, python support and much more.
`----
http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=655605
------------------------------
Message-ID: <6961086.ZnyZahvQht@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] SeaMonkey 1.1 Released
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 11:18:46 +0000
The SeaMonkey Project
,----[ Quote ]
| Web-browser, advanced e-mail and newsgroup client, IRC chat
| client, and HTML editing made simple -- all your Internet
| needs in one application.
`----
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/seamonkey/
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1219866.bxV6xGCnOo@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Windows Mobile Needs Palm OS Applications
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 15:22:30 +0000
Software runs Palm OS apps on smartphones
,----[Quote ]
| StyleTap Inc. on Jan. 18 released a preview version of a software
| platform said to enable Palm OS applications to run unmodified on
| Windows Mobile smartphones.
|
| [...]
|
| The company also plans to provide versions of the StyleTap platform
| targeting other popular mobile device OSes, including Symbian OS.
| Interestingly, PalmSource, which was spun out from Palm and
| subsequently acquired in 2005 by Access, a Japan-based vendor of
| mobile phone software, has announced that Palm OS apps will run
| on its implementation of a Linux mobile phone OS, known as ALP
| (Access Linux Platform).
`----
http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS5897879713.html
For a change, it's Windows that lacks the applications. ALP should be running
Palm OS applications, as well as GTK. Maybe it can even intersect with
Maemo, Sugar or Pepper one day...
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1710157.Gj7aNfO0Or@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Short Review of the New Linux-based Tablet
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 15:41:49 +0000
Nokia's Internet Tablet & Open Source Development Platform
,----[ Quote ]
| The list of applications on Maemo is already long, so this looks
| like just the beginning of a fruitful open source software
| initiative from Nokia. The Mobile Web needs both stylish and
| knock-yer-socks-off hardware (iPhone and N800) and open
| platforms for Internet software. Nokia looks to have both right now.
`----
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/nokia_internet_tablet_maemo.php
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1424973.ZETkRVxjxa@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] OpenMoko Linux Phone Available to Developers in March
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2007 15:33:15 +0000
Free Your Phone
,----[ Quote ]
| 2007-03-11 Phase 1: Official Developer Launch
| We will sell the Neo1973 direct from openmoko.com for US$350 plus
| shipping. Sales and orders will be worldwide. We are specifically
| targeting open source community developers.
`----
http://lists.openmoko.org/pipermail/community/2007-January/001586.html
Related:
Forget iPhone, hail OpenMoko, the true revolution
,----[ Quote ]
| ...I would rather wait for OpenMoko to become available for purchase
| than shell out high bucks for iPhone. Just like with any Apple
| product, it is like an awesome looking golden cage. I always
| preferred freedom to control my own digital devices than to be
| mostly dependent on one vendor for everything.
`----
http://www.libervis.com/article/forget_iphone_hail_openmoko_the_true_revolution
Open Phones with Open Moko
,----[ Quote ]
| While the hardware may be similar, the strategy is a complete
| reversal of Apple's closed platform and proprietary hardware.
| OpenMoko is an open Linux-based mobile application development
| platform that's designed to help operators and developers build
| innovative applications on top of a basic phone platform.
`----
http://www.regdeveloper.co.uk/2007/01/15/open_phone/
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3186974.SuGAjU3j1F@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Ten Reasons Windows Isn't Missed
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2007 15:39:49 +0000
10 Reasons Why I Don't Miss Windows
,----[ Quote ]
| 1. Viruses and Spyware
|
| 2. Windows XP's Default Theme - Argh, this is just plain awful.
| This cartoonish and playschool-ish theme doesn?t work for me...
|
| 3. Internet Explorer (any version)
|
| 4. Start Menu
|
| 5. Windows Security Center and Windows Firewall - Windows Security
| Center is UNHELPFUL, ANNOYING, and COMPLETELY USELESS....
|
| 6. Windows Movie Maker - This program should never have been made,
| because it won't work long enough for you to be productive on it...
|
| 7. Windows Search (this refers to Windows XP) - Has anyone
| EVER found anything while using this? It takes minutes to
| complete a search...
|
| 8. Control Panel - Both Windows XP's and Windows Vista's confusing
| control panels could have been laid out better -- especially Windows XP's.
|
| 9. Windows Installers
|
| 10. Windows Genuine [Dis]advantage
`----
http://smokingmac.com/2007/01/21/10-reasons-why-i-dont-miss-windows/
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2942918.qvDLsE06eK@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] New Open Source Development Centre Opens in India
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2007 21:34:42 +0000
Open source - Offshore development center opened in Kochi
,----[ Quote ]
| Advanced Millennium Technologies - Bangalore has opened an exclusive
| center dedicated for open source development center in Kochi.
`----
http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/computer-software/200701181603.htm
Related:
India can live without Microsoft
,----[ Quote ]
| More than 6,500 Linux systems have already been packed off to
| villages and another 6,100 Acer desktop systems with Suse on
| their way.
|
| Umashankar said that more than 20,000 desktop systems will be
| installed in schools that will only run on Suse. All ELCOT
| servers will run on Redhat. ELCOT expects to train 30,000
| government officials in Linux and Open Office too.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=36689
AP to forge ties with MIT for open source software
,----[ Quote ]
| The Andhra Pradesh government is forging ties with the Massachusetts
| Institute of Technology (MIT), US, for collaboration in the areas of
| e-governance, data standards and service-oriented architecture.
| "MIT will provide funding and technological assistance for
| developing and promoting different software components
| including an open source platform," said state IT secretary
| K Ratnaprabha.
`----
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhra_Pradesh
Tamil Nadu (India) Shutting the Door On Microsoft
,----[ Quote ]
| "The managing director of the IT procurement, consulting, and training
| agency for the Tamil Nadu government describes the reasons why he has
| chosen OSS, and also how he dealt with Microsoft executives."
`----
http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/01/03/0226229&from=rss
Kerala On Linux Express Highway
,----[ Quote ]
| The Linux slip-road that the state took is slowly becoming an
| express highway.
|
| [...]
|
| If we twist Napoleon's quote on China a bit, we can safely say, "Linux is a
| sleeping giant, let it sleep, because when Linux moves the world moves!"
`----
http://www.efytimes.com/efytimes/fullnews.asp?edid=16139&magid=11
Indian Policy Makers Call For Greater Use Of Open Source
,----[ Quote ]
| A wide spectrum of policy makers called for the greater usage of open
| source to modernize India in the digital era and the re-evaluation of
| the laws pertaining to Intellectual Property. The event sought to examine
| the notion of intellectual "property," in the context of traditional
| knowledge, globalization and the growth of the open source movement
| worldwide.
`----
http://in.sys-con.com/read/281396_p.htm
HPCs Push Novell's Linux Business In Niche Space
,----[ Quote ]
| Dismissing the allegations linking increase in Windows piracy to
| the bundling or selling of Linux with vanilla systems, as
| completely illogical, Menon said that apparently only about 60
| ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
| percent of the desktops shipped in India have been shipping with
| ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
| Official MS licenses for years together now. "Piracy has nothing
| ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
| to do with Linux. Its just that today a credible alternative to
| MS has emerged for the first time," he said.
`----
http://www.channeltimes.com/India/News/HPCs_Push_Novells_Linux_Business_In_Niche_Space/551...
------------------------------
Message-ID: <8192903.ViRGeW3P5r@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] OSDL and FSG are Combining their Resources - The Linux Foundation is Formed
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 09:24:47 +0000
Group Formed to Support Linux as Rival to Windows
,----[ Quote ]
| Those same companies have decided that the time has come to consolidate
| their collaborative support into a new group, the Linux Foundation, which
| is being announced today. And the mission of the new organization is help
| Linux, the leading example of the open-source model of software
| development, to compete more effectively against Microsoft, the world?s
| largest software company.
|
| [...]
|
| The work of two other groups -- the Open Source Development Labs and the
| Free Standards Group -- will be folded into the Linux Foundation, and
| those organizations will no longer exist. Mr. Zemlin had been the head
| of the Free Standards Group.
`----
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/technology/22linux.html
------------------------------
Message-ID: <5706862.sPzL39ZcT7@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Linux Training Comes to Buffalo University
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:20:09 +0000
SUNY Linux Learning Collaborative Offers Training
,----[ Quote ]
| The SUNY Linux Learning Collaborative, a partnership between Millard
| Fillmore College (MFC) at the University at Buffalo and
| Just-in-Time Resources of Calgary, Alberta, is offering online
| Linux training leading to the Linux Professional Institute first
| level (LPIC-1) certification.
`----
http://www.buffalo.edu/news/fast-execute.cgi/article-page.html?article=83680009
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1939513.WnGA4SzGHA@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Vista Degrades XP's Usability, Requires New PC
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:17:45 +0000
Windows Vista: Bad usability and navigation?
,----[ Quote ]
| This style of button is present on all Vista windows and programs, as
| far as I have seen. This is a huge loss of usability to the Windows
| Vista interface.
`----
http://www.designerkev.com/blog/technology/windows-vista-bad-usability-and-navig.../
http://tinyurl.com/2xlkmf
I think I have seen another more scientific article that demonstates how
looks compromised usability, not just system resources. Oh, actually I have
just found it... <
http://www.intelliadmin.com/blog/2007/01/5-sins-of-vista.html >, but this
had already been posted.
Also today:
Hasta la Vista, XP: Switching to Microsoft's new operating system
,----[ Quote ]
| "Windows" is dead, long live Windows. Windows XP, the current
| dominant operating system, has met its successor. Vista will
| launch its bid to conquer PCs worldwide under the Microsoft
| banner starting on January 30. Millions of XP users will
| supposedly be convinced to make the switch. That may be more
| difficult than advertised, since there are few compelling
| reasons for an immediate changeover.
|
| [...]
|
| "Otherwise you need to work with the classic view," says Vahldiek.
| The easiest way to assure that hardware and the Vista operating
| system will work together is to buy a computer with the operating
| system pre-installed. That may be the most affordable solution
| as well.
`----
http://www.playfuls.com/news_05902_Hasta_la_Vista_XP_Switching_to_Microsofts_new_operating_system...
And the cost of PC's has just gone up, not down, because of Vista's hardware
requirements. This doesn't even account for the editions upgardes (software
fees). References to support this are appended.
Related:
Microsoft Vista costs 20%% more to build
,----[ Quote ]
| The firm said that an average desktop PC running Windows XP costs
| PC OEMs just over $500 for the build components. But for Vista,
| that figure jumps by around 20 per cent to over $600.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=36251
Acer: Vista Home Basic is a lemon
,----[ Quote ]
| Microsoft is effectively smuggling through a price hike for Windows
| Vista - by making the entry-level version so poor that no-one will
| want to use it. So says Jim Wong, senior veep at Acer, the world's
| number four PC maker, who told UK hack Jon Honeyball: "The new
| [Vista] experience you hear of, if you get Basic, you won't feel
| it at all. There's no [Aero] graphics, no Media Center, no
| remote control."
`----
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/10/27/acer_slams_vista_home_basic/
Vista costs more than a computer in Australia
,----[ Quote ]
| Microsoft has released Australian pricing for Windows Vista, revealing
| that its high-end version of the new operating system will actually cost
| more than a well-configured desktop or as much as a low-end notebook
| computer.
`----
http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/6154/53/
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1396627.piTUmL2KUA@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Enterprise Linux Rivalry Serves Customer Best, Improves Quality, Cost
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 23:53:16 +0000
The State of Enterprise Linux
,----[ Quote ]
| Although most enterprise Linux customers continue to invest in Red
| Hat, the field is clearly widening. For the first time, Red Hat may
| have to compete against several threats. For customers in the
| enterprise Linux market, this can only be a good thing.
`----
http://www.serverwatch.com/trends/article.php/3655846
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2553924.xk7HQ2HcdW@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Linux PC in the Car, Now With a CD Drive
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 02:20:48 +0000
Linux-compatible car PC gains slim CD drive
,----[ Quote ]
| Mini-ITX system integrator Mini-box.com has updated its
| Linux-compatible car PC, adding room for a slim ATAPI drive,
| and a pudgier, more futuristic faceplate. The revised VoomPC-2
| also comes standard with a more powerful mini-ITX motherboard,
| based on a 1.5GHz Via C7 processor.
`----
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS3912331415.html
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3452295.eKGvhlUG2f@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Linux Management Appliance Gets Launched
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:26:24 +0000
Levanta Launches Intrepid X Linux Management Appliance for High Scalability
Production Environments
,----[ Quote ]
| With the Intrepid X, system administrators can ensure maximum uptime
| and easily and securely manage their mission critical Linux
| environments -- both physical and virtual -- while leveraginge
| xisting or greenfield Fibre Channel-attached or iSCSI SAN
| environments to manage operating systems and system configurations.
`----
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId...
http://tinyurl.com/37oh2r
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2077256.U54bzO7ZP5@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Today's Dilbert Covers Linux; Shills in Digg
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 17:09:47 +0000
http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/images/dilbert20071832660125.gif
Watch Tod Trent and the gang of Microsoft's MVPs (shills) at work:
http://digg.com/linux_unix/Linux_For_The_Desktop_Is_It_Really_Time
Yes, that's how you know Vista is coming. Tsunamis of anti-Linux tosh.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1423546.F0hXvvLG4F@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] New Development Release of GNOME Desktop is Released
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 17:32:43 +0000
GNOME 2.17.90 Released!
,----[ Quote ]
| Yet another GNOME release is now available. This is our sixth
| development release on our road towards GNOME 2.18.0, which will be
| released in March 2007. I guess you could say GNOME is marching
| forward. You know what I mean, say no more, say no more!
`----
http://mail.gnome.org/archives/gnome-announce-list/2007-January/msg00092.html
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2263723.Ek6WuhsKVq@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Microsoft Sponsors Interoperability, But Destroys It at the Same Time
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 17:48:13 +0000
Welcome To The 4th Annual
LinuxAsia Conference & Expo!
,----[ Quote ]
| Goal #1: Promote open source driven innovation so that India can
| showcase a minimum of 20 globally recognised OSS projects at LinuxAsia
| 2008.
|
| Goal #2: Accelerate the adoption of Linux and open source software
| by highlighting their advantages, sharing success stories, and
| discussing strategies on how CXOs can gain advantage from both
| "open source" and "proprietary" worlds.
|
| Goal #3: To provide a platform where other organisations with
| OSS-related agendas can hold their own sub-events and network
| with the entire community.
`----
http://www.linuxasia.net/la07/index.php
Check out the banners on the left. Microsoft is a sponsor boasting
interoperability. Microsoft was also a sponsor in the following conference
on interoperability:
http://www.techxworld.com/registration/index.cfm?fuseaction=dynamic&v=0&p=5069&code...
To name a few Linux/OSS conference where Microsoft got involved as well
(contributing funds at some capacity):
PHP, Windows: Not an Oxymoron?
http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3632136
LinuxChix Brazil Meeting - Webcast, teachers and sponsors
http://www.linuxchix.org.br/?q=node/72
Some argue that wherever and whenever Open Source and Linux gets mentioned
these days, Microsoft runs after it. It wants to be part of it, even if just
for malice. I read about conferences (Matt Asay) where it tried to lure in
Linux developers into joining Microsoft.
As for interoperability, I will cite a few examples which demonstrates
Microsoft's real stance:
FLOSS Weekly 14: Jeremy Allison of Samba
,----[ Quote ]
| 'In the section of the interview from around 33m30s to 39m00 Jeremy
| Allison reports how he was told that the Microsoft team implementing
| SMB2 were ordered to "f**k with Samba".'
`----
http://www.twit.tv/floww14
Okay, but there's much more. Microsoft now faces the judge/s in an Iowa
trial. Days ago it was accused and convicted for hiding APIs. Antitrust is
probably on its way.
See for example:
Expert Testimony of Ronald Alepin in Comes v. Microsoft - Embrace, Extend,
Extinguish
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20070108020408557
Also confer the following:
Here is proof that interoperability is not on the company's agenda.
OpenAjax Alliance tackles interoperability
,----[ Quote ]
| While the alliance already has an impressive list of members, one
| name remains conspicuously absent: Microsoft.
`----
http://news.yahoo.com/s/macworld/20060920/tc_macworld/openajax20060920
Here is a brand-new example of "extend and extinguish".
Microsoft readies new VPN protocol
,----[ Quote ]
| Microsoft currently has no plans to seek standardization for SSTP.
`----
http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.ars/2007/1/21/6698
The following are new and they discuss 'interoperability crimes':
'Microsoft broke anti-trust agreement,' prosecutors claim
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/18/microsoft_breached_antitrust/
Microsoft used undocumented Windows APIs - Iowa testimony
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/101947/microsoft-used-undocumented-windows-apis-iowa...
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3485266.460QfRbcRx@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Mac OS X Could Soon Reach Non-Apple Hardware
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 18:04:34 +0000
Mac OSX on Dell hardware day draws closer
,----[ Quote ]
| Virtualisation company offers Apple OS a new home. Apple's Mac
| OSX could be running on x86 hardware sooner rather than later.
`----
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/idg/uk/TechworldcomOsAndServersNews/~3/81317209/index...
------------------------------
Message-ID: <4418476.MZjJ3I0M1H@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Linux is Getting Easier Through Unification
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:02:46 +0000
Linux Getting Easier
,----[ Quote ]
| I predicted Microsoft Vista would spur improvements in the
| Linux desktop world, and that's coming true. I wish the
| Linux people got their act together a bit sooner, but better
| late than never. Maybe they learned that slogan from
| Microsoft, as well.
`----
http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/10704
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3806516.HMESvSS4J3@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] SA Scientific and Industrial Research Moves to OSS, ODF
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:06:01 +0000
CSIR adopts ODF, moves to open source
,----[ Quote ]
| The open source office suite OpenOffice.org that supports ODF
| was rolled out to all 2 500 plus workstations at the organisation's
| main site in Pretoria and at its regional offices.
|
| "The organisation-wide adoption of ODF is part of the CSIR's
| migration to OSS and standards that is set to be completed during
| 2007," the organisation said yesterday.
`----
http://www.tectonic.co.za/view.php?id=1335
------------------------------
Message-ID: <4243843.DBIMRdil99@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Microsoft's Ajax - Little, Late, and Proprietary?
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:11:43 +0000
Microsoft Late With Ajax - Still Anyone's Game
,----[ Quote ]
| Microsoft has thrown its hat into the Ajax ring with a free tool for
| building standards-compliant Web applications called "ASP .NET AJAX 1.0."
`----
http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/f4PCKzNcF4StGY/Microsoft-Late-With-Ajax---Still...
Worth mentioning is the fact that they are excluding themselves from
interoperability efforts.
OpenAjax Alliance tackles interoperability
,----[ Quote ]
| While the alliance already has an impressive list of members, one
| name remains conspicuously absent: Microsoft.
`----
http://news.yahoo.com/s/macworld/20060920/tc_macwo
I am guessing that they want to add proprietary 'extensions', which only work
in Windows/IE. This has pretty much been confirmed before, but I can't
recall the source. Somebody from a (crossposted) Windows newsgroups argued
it was the case several months ago.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1265321.Raj973uajg@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Fixing Windows Security Problems, By Rebooting
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:16:51 +0000
Smart Restart, security solution for home users
,----[ Quote ]
| Smart Restart will give the user a clean, pristine computer every
| time they reboot. While other security companies are devising new
| methods to restrict, alert, or even sometimes provide a false
| risk report steering users away from a site, Smart Restart
| allows the user total freedom to surf without concern of lurking malware.
|
| [...]
|
| When protection is turned on, any changes made to the system's
| hard drive configuration are wiped clean by simply rebooting
| the computer. When the computer is rebooted, it is restored to
| its original configuration.
`----
http://www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=4653
A bit radical, no?
Going back in time rather than fixing the problem.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2117236.Fz4xq9guvt@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] (Linux-ready) PlayStation3 for More Continents, Release Dates & Pricing Revealed
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:26:18 +0000
Playstation 3 launch dates now official
,----[ Quote ]
| We have received confirmation from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
| that the Playstation 3 will be launched on the predicted date of 23rd
| March this year.
|
| The PS3 will be launched in the PAL territories of Europe, Africa, the
| Middle East and Australasia on the fourth Friday in March at a price
| of £425 (599 Euros, $999.95 AUD, $1199.95 NZ in the respective countries).
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=37193
Related:
PLAYSTATION®3 (with Linux)
,----[ Quote ]
| # Game OS + Yellow Dog Linux pre-installed.
| # Yellow Dog Linux DVD package, Guide to Installation, sticker, & flippy.
| # 20GB or 60GB drive.
| # Cell processor with 256MB RAM on-board (no expansion).
| # Gigabit ethernet.
| # Dual USB.
| # Compact Flash, Memory Stick, and SD-RAM card slots.
| # Blueray DVD. ( <--- worth the cost for that one alone )
| ...
`----
http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/store/index.php?submit=hardware&submitimg[hardware][sony]=1
Strategy Analytics: The Pressure is on Microsoft
,----[ Quote ]
| Research firm Strategy Analytics claims that with the PS3 now
| launching the pressure is actually on Microsoft to convince
| consumers and loyal PlayStation gamers to "switch camps."
| Ultimately, the firm sees Sony trouncing the competition with
| over 120 million units sold by 2012.
`----
http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=14480
Report: PS3 will take lead in console wars
,----[ Quote ]
| A new study on Sony by Dublin-based firm Research and Markets spends
| some time predicting the success of the PlayStation 3 console, which
| it says will outsell the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii.
| The report says there will be 75 million PS3s sold by 2010, leading
| the 360 and Wii, although the report does not offer sales predictions
| for those two consoles.
`----
http://www.fiercegamebiz.com/story/report-ps3-will-take-lead-in-console-wars/2007...
Best New Console - Sony PlayStation 3
,----[ Quote ]
| Sony's embrace of the PS3 as a computer rather than just a console
| and the availability of supported Linux distributions for the
| console will also develop and will likely bear entirely unexpected
| fruit in future.
|
| Runner-Up:
| Nintendo Wii
`----
http://bestof.ign.com/2006/gear/1.html
Sony's PS3 Could Still Outsell Microsoft's XBox 360 in 2006
,----[ Quote ]
| Should the Playstation 3 end up in second place this Christmas season,
| Sony shouldn't feel too badly. The #1 selling console at the moment
| remains the Playstation 3, which sold nearly a million units in
| November, and will probably sell nearly double that in December.
`----
http://biz.yahoo.com/seekingalpha/061215/22521_id.html?.v=1
------------------------------
Message-ID: <13018179.cS5bgNKk4m@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Driver Issues Ahead of Vista Released (with Picture)
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:31:05 +0000
Windows Vista DX10 BSOD pictured
,----[ Quote ]
| Windows Vista will become a retail reality in a matter of a few days,
| and the team at Nvidia is working hard on producing drivers that
| would be able to show DX10 in all of its glory. However, all is not
| done, because the driver isn't stable yet.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=37182
Related:
Vista drivers are a handful
,----[ Quote ]
| For once, Nvidia and ATI agree that Vista driver is a real
| handful and not easy to support.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=36739
Feeding Frenzy: Digital Rights Management is really just an ecosystem for
selling our own stuff to us again and again.
,----[ Quote ]
| And into this confluence of greed and shared interest strides
| Microsoft and Bill Gates promising a technical solution that
| gives every potential partner exactly what they want. Content
| owners get a chance to sell everything over again and this time
| they'll be supposedly protected from piracy. Everyone will have
| to buy a new TV with an HDMI connector as well as all new video
| and stereo components of every type, just so long as they, too,
| use strictly HDMI connections. Problems of deliberate signal
| degradation and driver horrors will make all video cards and
| most processors obsolete, so we'll have to buy all new PCs. Mr.
| Gutmann characterizes this lack of backward compatibility or any
| shred of technical elegance as suicidal on Microsoft's part when,
| in fact, it is Microsoft's best imitation of brilliance. Intel and
| AMD love it. ATI and nVidia love it. Thomson and Philips and Sony
| and Matsushita and Samsung and LG love it. Every movie studio, TV
| network, and record company loves it. The only people who don't
| love it are consumers, and neither industry nor government really
| cared much about them, ever.
`----
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2006/pulpit_20061229_001403.html
Cost analysis of Vista DRM: Part II
,----[ Quote ]
| Microsoft doesn't merely use DRM. To all intents and purposes it
| is DRM, better known as Digital Rights Management, Digital
| Restrictions Management or or just plain CRAP for Content
| Restriction, Annulment, and Protection, as ZDNet's David
| Berlind called it, eventually deferring to Richard Stallman's
| Cancellation, Restriction, and Punishment. We call it, simply,
| CCG, short for Consumer Control Gear.
`----
http://p2pnet.net/story/10827
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3216953.cqkHmiWKk3@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Large Chip Maker: Vista Will NOT Bring Boon to Hardware Makers
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:38:49 +0000
TSMC: Vista adoption will not boost PC sales
,----[ Quote ]
| TSMC, the world's largest contract chip maker, believes PC sales
| growth in 2007 will be similar to last year, despite the hype
| surrounding the launch of Vista. The company is considered an IT
| industry bellwether due to the wide variety of chips it
| manufactures. TSMC also does its own market research in order
| to decide how much it should spend on new factories.
`----
http://news.yahoo.com/s/infoworld/20070125/tc_infoworld/85432
Given that Vista will usually require a new PC, this projection indicates
that firms do not believe in Vista's prospects, despite hope.
The only studies suggesting that Vista will spur sales are commissioned by
Microsoft, IIRC.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2274764.sjExOOR5Yv@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Another Disaster Recovery Product Targets Linux
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 20:45:06 +0000
Arkeia Software Announces Advanced Disaster Recovery
,----[ Quote ]
| Arkeia Software, the leading provider of powerful, innovative data
| protection software, announced today Advanced Disaster Recovery,
| a Linux disaster recovery module with enhanced features for Arkeia
| Network Backup version 6.0.
|
| Arkeia, the Linux leader, engineered the first disaster recovery
| solution for Linux. Version 6.0 disaster recovery uses a 2.6.17.11
| Linux kernel and a GUI-based disaster recovery screen.
`----
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-arkeia-software-announces-advanced-disaster-recovery...
Yesterday:
Mondo rescues open source DR
,----[ Quote ]
| Now developed by HP's EMEA open source and Linux professional lead
| Bruno Cornec, Mondo Rescue is available globally under the GNU GPL.
|
| Speaking at the linux.conf.au Linux and open source conference in
| Sydney last week, Cornec outlined why he revived the Mondo Rescue
| project because he needed a tool to replicate configurations of
| Linux systems at HP.
`----
http://www.linuxworld.com.au/index.php/id;171284887;fp;2;fpid;1
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3131951.26vrW3W4nh@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Storm Trojan May Affect Vista, Captures 1.6 Million Windows PCs
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 21:50:52 +0000
'Storm' Trojan Hits 1.6 Million PCs; Vista May Be Vulnerable
,----[ Quote ]
| In addition, it appears that Windows Vista, the new operating
| system Microsoft will launch next week, is vulnerable to the attack.
`----
http://www.it-networks.org/?news=220
Related:
Symantec Says Windows Vista Will be Less Secure than XP
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=3389
The year 2007: A review through the crystal ball
,----[ Quote ]
| 2007 was the year of the super bots: Never before has malicious software
| been equipped with so many functions that help it to hide from antivirus
| software and to resist removal...
|
| While in 2006, DDoS attacks with botnets were mainly targeted at
| unwanted competitors, online betting offices and consumer protection
| sites, 2007 also saw large attacks launched on critical
| infrastructures. In April, the stock exchange nearly crashed,
| when a DDoS attack on the electronic trading system disconnected
| it from the Internet for several days, resulting in automated
| control programs loosing control and attempting to divest shares
| in a panic reaction.
`----
http://www.heise-security.co.uk/articles/83058
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1276003.N9N0r8aCFE@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] [SOT] AMD's Bright Outlook for 2007
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 21:54:12 +0000
AMD's brimming with quad-core confidence
,----[ Quote ]
| AMD remains confident that the quad-core Barcelona
| chip for enterprise servers, due at the middle of this year, will
| deliver a 40 percent performance boost over what's available today
| -- an advantage Intel won't be able to match.
`----
http://blogs.business2.com/utilitybelt/2007/01/amds_brimming_w.html
Recent:
E.U. investigators want formal charge against Intel: report
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%%7bC96B4158-E6F5-47DB-8164...
EU antitrust experts seek charges vs Intel-source
,----[ Quote ]
| The Commission has been investigating chip-maker Intel for six years
| to see if it acts unfairly to keep its dominance over rival Advanced
| Micro Devices.
`----
http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehybrid.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20070117...
Black day for Wintel.
Intel profit down 39%% as price cuts, spending crimp margins
,----[ Quote ]
| Intel Corp. late Tuesday reported fourth-quarter profit dropped 39%% as
| the world's largest chipmaker cut prices and boosted investment as it
| attempts to beat back a challenge from smaller rival Advanced Micro
| Devices Inc.
`----
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/intel-profit-drops-39-price/story.aspx?guid...
http://tinyurl.com/322onq
Henri Richard: AMD's bad guy
,----[ Quote ]
| At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Richard, at a
| breakfast meeting, did his duty again. He said the Intel Inside
| program and other marketing promotions Intel has used over the
| years have killed profitability for PC makers.
|
| "The industry was saddled with a very successful marketing
| program that sucked all of the profit out of the industry," he
| said. In China, PC makers can avoid these programs and "not
| become a hostage."
`----
http://news.com.com/2061-13053_3-6148717.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&subj=ne...
http://tinyurl.com/yf475k
AMD spells out what it wants from Intel
,----[ Quote ]
| The two companies sessions have "defined the universe in dispute".
| Intel has declined to produce documents that could show
| limitations on customers to buy chips from AMD, quotas for
| chip buying, and "other coercion, including threats of
| retaliation or retribution, for doing business with AMD
| (or not doing sufficient business with Intel)."
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=36736
AMD claims key victory in Intel antitrust suit
,----[ Quote ]
| AMD filed suit against Intel in June 2005, charging Intel with
| employing anticompetitive practices in the sale of PC chips.
| Intel has denied the charges.
`----
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%%7b4FC79547-9443-4262-BF1E...
http://tinyurl.com/ynfnkz
AMD says court seeks data from Intel in antitrust case
,----[ Quote ]
| Chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices Inc. said a U.S.
| federal court had overruled Intel Corp.'s
| objections in an ongoing antitrust litigation.
|
| The court has ordered Intel to produce documents and other
| evidence bearing upon its "exclusionary conduct" outside
| United States, AMD said in a statement.
`----
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/061228/amd_lawsuit_intel.html?.v=1
Court tells Intel to hand over foreign documents in antitrust case
,----[ Quote ]
| In June 2005, AMD filed a massive antitrust lawsuit against Intel, accusing
| the larger CPU maker of abusing its dominant position in the worldwide PC
| market to prevent AMD's CPUs from making significant inroads. The suit
| alleges that Intel customers like Toshiba, Gateway, Dell, Hitachi, and
| others agreed to exclusive deals with Intel in exchange for "cash payments,
| discriminatory pricing or marketing subsidies conditioned on the exclusion
| of AMD."
`----
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061217-8436.html
Intel Stock Continues Tumble
,----[ Quote ]
| Intel Corp.'s stock tumbled more than 5 percent Wednesday on investor
| fears about future profits, but some analysts believe the world's
| largest chipmaker is undervalued and has rapidly improved its
| competitive stance against rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
`----
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070117/earns_intel.html?.v=7
AMD rise means Intel margin pressure here to stay
,----[ Quote ]
| Here's a grim message for investors worried about Intel Corp.'s
| admission that its gross margins won't improve this year: Get used to it.
|
| Analysts say the gloomy gross margin forecast is one of the
| clearest signs yet that Advanced Micro Devices Inc.is gradually prying
| loose Intel's grip on the microprocessor industry.
`----
http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehybrid.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20070117...
http://tinyurl.com/2rx2zv
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2792832.0tHOd1TAXG@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Pardus Linux is One of the Easiest Distributions to Manage
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 21:57:17 +0000
Pardus gives Linux a custom lift
,----[ Quote ]
| Apart from a KDE desktop and applications, the developers of the
| Pardus 2007 Linux distribution have built an entire distribution
| from scratch. Pardus, released last month, has its own multilingual
| installer, custom dependency-resolving package manager, and an INIT
| system that slashes boot times by several seconds. The distribution
| has come a long way since its first release in 2005, when it was
| based on Gentoo and lacked a package manager. Thanks to its custom
| tools, it's one of the easiest Linux distribution to run and manage.
|
| [...]
|
| If you've been using a Linux distribution for some time, getting
| used to Pardus wouldn't take long, despite all its custom tools. New
| users will appreciate the ease in carrying out out system tasks such
| as setting up firewalls and managing startup services. With its
| modest hardware requirements and streamlined boot scripts,
| Pardus could easily turn an old machine gathering dust into
| a modern Linux desktop.
`----
http://distrocenter.linux.com/article.pl?sid=07/01/19/1449245
This GNU/Linux distribution has been receiving some wonderful feedback from
one prominent Free software guy.
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1753871.rYHh4ebmFc@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Linux School in Belgium and the Innovation Opportunity of Linux
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 22:09:10 +0000
Adult coaching in Open Source in Belgium
,----[ Quote ]
| Our school has always maintained high standards and is proud to
| present itself as the only school in Belgium where beginners and
| experts can learn Linux.
|
| Subjects include Linux Initiation, Sendmail, Samba, Apache, PHP.
| Of course we do not forget OpenOffice.org, Firefox,
| Evolution/Kmail or Thunderbird.
`----
http://www.linuxpr.com/releases/9377.html
Balancing open source risk and the total innovation opportunity
,----[ Quote ]
| This week I have been banging on and on about the total
| innovation opportunity of using open source software as an
| enterprise development platform.
`----
http://www.businessreviewonline.com/os/archives/2007/01/balancing_open.html
------------------------------
Message-ID: <7153553.E0dm0ZnHy3@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Speculation/Thought: Sun and Red Hat/Novell Acquisition
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 23:06:39 +0000
Sun's 'opportunistic' pocketing of $700 million
,----[ Quote ]
| With Red Hat and Novell each offering Linux operating-system
| software and support, a deal would give Sun a top offering for
| Linux, as well as Unix, users. And although both companies
| would be expensive--Red Hat sports a market capitalization of
| $4.2 billion and an enterprise value of $3.7 billion, compared
| with $2.7 billion and $1.9 billion for Novell--they would not
| be out of Sun's price range.
`----
http://news.com.com/Suns+opportunistic+pocketing+of+700+million/2100-1014_3-6153262...
http://tinyurl.com/2rmgb2
------------------------------
Message-ID: <1286869.iaJ71P5xUh@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Linux in China is Booming with 9.8%% Market Share
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 23:53:57 +0000
China's Linux industry booms, despite problems
,----[ Quote ]
| According to Lu Shouqun, China's sale of Linux was 175 million yuan
| ($21 million) in 2005, increasing 81%% compared with the previous year.
| The sale of other open source software that year was 160 million
| yuan ($19 million). In the operating system market, the share of
| Linux increased from 4.2%% to 9.8%% between 2003 and 2005.
`----
http://community.linux.com/article.pl?sid=07/01/19/1917209&tid=53
Related:
Computers with home-grown Chinese CPU debut
,----[ Quote ]
| The computer, which uses a Linux operating system, comes with a
| 40-gigabyte hard drive and 256 megabytes of memory. It costs
| 1,599 yuan (about 200 U.S. dollars), and users have to buy the
| monitor, keyboard and mouse separately, the company said on
| its website.
`----
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-01/19/content_5627256.htm
China Linux Market Will Grow at Annual Rate of 34%%, Says R&M
,----[ Quote ]
| It is predicted that in China, Linux market (both server and client)
| will grow with an annual rate of 34 %%. The client-side share growth
| will be comparatively faster.
`----
http://eb-asia.com/article.asp?id=7528
Will China Be Linux's Best Friend In 2007?
,----[ Quote ]
| The sale of IBM's PC division to Chinese-owned Lenovo was only the tip of
| the iceberg, it seems. Now, the latest news indicate that computers running
| on Chinese-made processors and running Linux will be introduced before the
| Chinese New Year. Good news indeed for those who would like to see Intel
| and Microsoft's domination of the global PC market finally face some
| genuine competition.
|
| [...]
|
| The things in favor of the Chinese PCs: a) through its sheer size,
| China has considerable economic leverage on most countries in the
| West (particularly Canada and the US) and may simply demand that
| these new computers be given a serious opportunity in overseas
| markets; b) successful adoption of the computers in its own country
| could lead to greater likelihood of adoption in other countries;
| and c) priced quite low, these computers may garner an initial
| following as a novelty or a toy for hobbyists and/or Linux
| afficionados, leading to further growth.
`----
http://www.performancepccanada.com/?defaultarticle=1066&defaultnode=516&layout=20&pagefunction...[sect_title]=Editorial
http://tinyurl.com/yosn7t
China making own PCs running with Linux but please shut up about it. And why
are you running those damn pictures?
,----[ Quote ]
| No one wanted the news released. It appears to have been a major clanger
| on someone?s part.
|
| China Youth Daily ran this on Sina Tech (it is a Chinese site and unless
| you read Chinese gets you nowhere) and all hell broke lose. It was
| not authorized. The site was firmly asked to remove the story. As of
| this writing this has not happened.
|
| There is serious upset at Lemote and Godson that the news has
| leaked. They are as annoyed as Steve Jobs would be in a similar
| situation. Still it has happened. And we have photographs of the
| machine which you see above. Probably the first English language
| site to do so.
`----
http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%%20/2007/01/22/china-making-own-pcs-running-with.../
http://tinyurl.com/28z32f
Hasee PCs Preinstall Linux Desktop
,----[ Quote ]
| Co-Create, founded in 2001, is a Beijing-based software company
| specializing in development, production and application of Linux
| and the cross-platform office suite sponsored by 8 Chinese
| well-known IT companies.
|
| Co-Create made great achievements in 2006 thanks to the
| regulations on the pre-installation of computer operating
| system software. Many computer manufacturers, including Lenovo,
| HP and Dell all cooperated with Co-Create. 23 Dell computer
| models sold in China all completely preinstall Linux operating
| systems.
`----
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?RSS&newsid=7969
http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2006/01/a_big_step_for....
,----[ Quote ]
| "China has long been seen as a fertile ground for Linux and other open
| source software. In a country where more than 90%% of software in use
| is pirated, it seems like a natural fit."
`----
http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/50004.html
Linux Set to Soar in China
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2006/06/03/2003311446
Government says all new PCs must be Linux-friendly
China looks to open-source community for advice
,----[ Quote ]
| China is counting on senior members of the open-source community to
| help formulate policy ideas to promote open-source software, according
| to a local software executive.
|
| The China Open-Source Software Promotion Union (COPU), a government-backed
| industry group, has established a think tank comprised of 19 prominent
| open-source executives from overseas to develop a framework for better
| international cooperation.
`----
http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/05/18/78442_HNchinaopensource_1.html?source=rss&url...
,----[ Quote ]
| Many such vendors previously sold PCs with free operating systems such as
| Linux or none at all...
|
| Observers believe the Chinese vendors signed their deals with Microsoft
| in April under pressure from Beijing, which is trying to show it is
| making serious efforts to stamp out piracy -- a major complaint from
| many Western governments.
|
| In late March, the Chinese government went so far as to issue a
| decree requiring PC makers to install a licensed operating system on
| each machine before it left the factory.
`----
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060601/bs_nm/china_microsoft_dc
China's Linux Adoption Threat to Microsoft?
,----[ Quote ]
| Most recently, China has been placing their bets on Linux over Windows as
| the dominant OS for their needs. And one of the best examples of this on
| the desktop front would have to be with Turbolinux. The distribution has
| been so widely accepted by the Chinese that even HP has decided to begin
| selling PCs with the OS preinstalled for distribution. But it doesn't
| stop there. China has a distribution of its very own; you may know it as
| Red Flag Linux.
`----
http://www.osweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2249&Itemid=44...
China to produce $125 (Linux) PC
,----[ Quote ]
| A Chinese outfit is hoping to release a PC which will hit the shops with a
| price tag of $125.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34355
Xinjiang Clusters Panasas
,----[ Quote ]
| Currently, Xinjiang Oil Company is running 12 Panasas Storage Clusters
| in conjunction with 600-node Linux clusters at the company's Department
| of Earth Science in western China.
|
| [...]
|
| "The object-based Panasas storage solution totally turns things around
| by giving us the things we were looking for--high performance,
| expansibility, stability, dependability, and simplified management...
`----
http://www.byteandswitch.com/document.asp?doc_id=105015&WT.svl=wire2_1
China gets a lesson on Open Source Intellectual Property Rights
,----[ Quote ]
| The Open Invention Network (OIN) hosted a panel discussion in Beijing
| last Wednesday, October 11th... The emergence of organizations such as
| OIN and Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) is very positive to the
| Open Source Movement. It legitimizes the grass roots efforts of Linux
| Champions, such as Linus Torvalds and Richard Stallman.
`----
http://www.zdnetasia.com/blog/opensource/0,39060102,61959441,00.htm
Car PCs mount in dashboards, run Linux
,----[ Quote ]
| Hong Kong based mini-PC manufacturing specialist SD-Omega has added
| a pair of high-end models to its extensive line of more than 20
| Linux-friendly car PC models. The SD631C and PCI-slot-equipped
| SD631CH support Intel Pentium M and Celeron M processors at over
| 2GHz, and include car-specific features.
`----
http://www.linux.org//news/2006/10/31/0006.html
Behind the upsurge in Chinese open source communities
,----[ Quote ]
| Part of the momentum behind this change comes from the Chinese
| government, which now regards open source communities as a key to
| its software industry and will put more resources toward them in its
| eleventh Five-Year-Plan period (2006-2010). "As a banner of China's
| Linux industry, Red Flag no doubt has more responsibilities to
| advocate the government's new tactic.
`----
http://trends.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=06/10/27/1829255&from=rss
Ubuntu's official launch in China
,----[ Quote ]
| Mark Shuttleworth, founder of the Ubuntu project, was in Beijing
| last week for Ubuntu's official China launch. The event was
| overwhelmingly successful.
`----
http://www.zdnetasia.com/blog/opensource/0,39060102,61965081,00.htm
RPLinux: China's Answer to the $100 PC
,----[ Quote ]
| What do you think? Can China succeed in making a true seamless blend of
| their Linux distribution of choice with their home grown hardware? It's
| no small feat to be sure; however, I personally believe that they are
| likely up to the challenge.
`----
http://www.osweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2350&Itemid=46...
Red Hat sees FY07 greater China sales up 100 pct
,----[ Quote ]
| Red Hat Inc., a distributor of open-source Linux software, expects its
| sales in the greater China region to double in fiscal 2007 and grow by
| 85 percent in fiscal 2008, an executive said on Tuesday. "Our plan is to
| have 100 percent growth this year, and 85 percent growth next year,"
| Michael Chen, general manager of Red Hat China, told Reuters in an
| interview.
`----
http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehybrid.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060926...
http://tinyurl.com/rdrsg
China's Digit Digit Adds Linux-based Flames
,----[ Quote ]
| The latest version of the VFX system - Flame 2007 - takes advantage of
| 64-bit multi-core computing, storage and networking technologies to
| provide large productivity gains for users performing compositing,
| tracking, color correction and visual effects.
`----
http://www.postmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E...
http://tinyurl.com/yggx4b
China has its own open document format
,----[ Quote ]
| Put this in your pipe and smoke it: China has its own open document
| format, the Uniform Office Format (UOF), that they are working to
| harmonize with ODF...
|
| All the plotting and planning here in the US was for absolutely
| nothing. ODF wins.
`----
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20061108134931144
Converter Enables Conversion Between ODF & Chinese Document Format (UOF)
,----[ Quote ]
| Peking University recently released a program to convert office
| documents between OpenDocument Format and the Specification for
| the Chinese office file format based on XML (UOF for short).
`----
http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/77350/index.html
Wake Up Morning Post
,----[ Quote ]
| Open Source companies in China can't look to the likes of IBM, SUN
| and Novell to bring them out of their closets through acquisition,
| partnerships or staunching Microsoft's growth. Chinese companies are
| going to have to learn to compete as their Western peers have.
`----
http://www.zdnetasia.com/blog/opensource/0,39060102,61966769,00.htm
Treachery In The Trenches
,----[ Quote ]
| I believe that most people do not grasp the immense entity of Microsoft.
| This is an organization and a man who commands the attention and bidding
| of world leaders. On a recent trip to America, the President of China
| spent his first evening in the United States, not with our President,
| but Bill Gates. He was the guest of the Gates mansion that first
| evening and the guest of honor for a dinner attended by over one
| hundred people. Why? To ask him to crack down on Software piracy
| and to insure that his computer manufacturers put Microsoft Windows
| on thier newly made machines instead of shipping them with no OS. He
| didn't see the President of the United States for over 36 hours...he
| spent that time with Bill Gates at his home and at the Redmond
| Campus.
`----
http://blog.lobby4linux.com/index.php?/archives/88-Treachery-In-The-Trenches.htm...
IBM to Shift China Focus Toward Tech, Linux
,----[ Quote ]
| "Our business is changing, so our investment in China will also
| change," said Michael Cannon-Brookes, IBM's vice-president of
| business development for China and India.
|
| He said the technology firm's investments will go to areas such as
| IT service, business transformation, Linux operating systems, and
| people. IBM has already invested billions of U.S. dollars in China.
`----
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/54277.html
Red Flag Linux may be next on IBM's agenda
,----[ Quote ]
| Jollans also addressed a question about why IBM did not release its own
| Linux distribution several years ago.
|
| "We thought that if IBM was in the market as an 800-pound gorilla, it
| would have a negative effect on the Linux market. We won't do something
| that sets us against the community," he said.
`----
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2006/092206-red-flag-linux-may-be.html
Dell's secret Linux fling
,----[ Quote ]
| Dell's love affair with Linux is a clandestine affair these days,
| conducted in secret, away from disapproving eyes. But now the pair
| have been spotted in China.
|
| When Michael Dell first saw the web-footed beauty, he fell head over
| heels. Six years ago Dell pledged a series of strategic investments
| in Linux companies, including Eazel and Red Hat. The romance
| attracted the disapproval of Microsoft however, and barely lasted
| weeks. Very quietly, Dell dumped the bird.
|
| It later emerged that Microsoft's OEM enforcer Joachim Kempin had
| promised Steve Ballmer that he'd be putting the screws on PCb
| uilders, or "hitting the OEMs harder" in his words.
`----
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/09/dell_linux_china/
Microsoft loses top executive in China
,----[ Quote ]
| "Li Gong is currently exploring other career opportunities," Microsoft said
| in a statement to News.com.
|
| [...]
|
| In a September 2005 Business Week interview, Ballmer touted Gong as
| one of several key hires that Microsoft had made.
|
| Most recently, Gong has served as managing director of Windows LiveC
| hina and as Vice President of Microsoft China R&D Group.
|
| Gong's name came up in the case over Kai-Fu Lee, the top Microsoft
| executive whose hiring by Google sparked a multistate legal battle.
`----
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6149735.html
Will 2007 be the Year for Linux?
,----[ Quote ]
| Last question, where does China fit into all of this? Well, a
| market like China is great for new technologies and solutions
| to proliferate. I hope Microsoft is successful in its fight
| against piracy, as the Chinese, with their burgeoning salaries
| and hunger for an easier life won't be turning to bulky
| desktops and costly software. Stylish, cost effective and
| fully integrated solutions are what will dominate this market,
| as well as all the developing markets of this world.
`----
http://www.zdnetasia.com/blog/opensource/0,39060102,61981756,00.htm
------------------------------
Message-ID: <2159392.RbisnYtVXf@schestowitz.com>
From: Roy Schestowitz schestowitz.com>
Subject: [News] Reauthoring of DVDs in Linux Made Easy
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 23:56:02 +0000
Simple DVD Re-Authoring in Linux
,----[ Quote ]
| We're almost done. Insert a blank DVD. If you use Gnome you can open
| Nautilus (the file manager), find the ISO image and right click it.
| Choose Write to Disc, and Nautilus will burn the image for you.
|
| It's almost as easy in KDE. Right click the ISO image in Konqueror,
| select Actions, then Write CD Image with K3B.
`----
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/01/25/115627.php
Ease of use speaks for itself. Even an army of shills cannot deny the truth.
------------------------------
End of Cola Digest
--
| Mark Kent -- mark at ellandroad dot demon dot co dot uk |
| News Digester |
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