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Fedora 10 Now Live: So how is the Linux-based OS?

Fedora 10 is now live thanks to Red Hat-sponsored Fedora Project, this is the all new version of the free Linux-based operating system which has many improvements within networking, virtualization management, security and even boot time. Read more

ARM Netbook: Custom Ubuntu Linux and ARMv7 chips

ARM has announced that they are to team up with Canonical, and will build new processors for Ubuntu Desktop operating system, which use the ARMv7 architecture. The netbooks in question are the ARM Cortex-A8 and Cortex-A9 processor-based systems. Read more

Download Ubuntu Linux 8.10, Intrepid Ibex today

Today is October 30, and that means that you are now able to download Ubuntu Linux 8.10, Intrepid Ibex. This is the latest version of the ever popular operating system; there are a number of new features that helps to enhance the new OS, like the 3G support, greater privacy, updated environment and much more. Read more

Linux and Gmail Drove Microsoft to Windows Azure: IBM already there

We have said in previous articles that Microsoft and other brands cannot keep selling software for profit when there are alternatives for free thanks to open source in some cases.

It seems that Microsoft are now taking action against the software and services that are eating into their ability to make profit from software. Their latest step towards change is “Windows Azure” and this is not a new operating system as we know them but more a move in the direction to end making retail software for profit Read more

New Ubuntu Linux v8.10 for desktops and servers

Ubuntu Linux v8.10 OS will be made available on Thursday 30, as a free download for desktops and servers. This new updated version brings with it a host of new features that adds greater usability; this includes greater 3G wireless support. Read more

Apricot Picobook pulling Linux for Windows XP: No MSI Wind headache

Apricot is doing their best not to get the same headaches that MSI have got with their Wind Netbooks. Apricot have decided to pull their Linux-based Picobook Pro in favor of the Windows XP version. Read more

IMOVIO iKIT: Linux not Knight Rider

The IMOVIO iKIT has nothing in common with Knight Rider at first look, but it does have a lot to do with Linux. Then on closer inspection we find this pocket computer does have something in common with Knight Rider; it looks like something designed in the 1980’s. Read more

IBM warns Linux Desktop Developers not to copy Windows

IBM bosses have sent a warning to Linux Desktop Developers; they have told the open source community to make Linux like a desktop OS for consumers and businesses. What they mean by this is “Not to Copy Windows.”

Bob Sutor, Vice President of open source and standards at IBM was at LinuxWorld Conference in San Francisco. He told the attendees there that the open source community has to make Linux as popular as Operating Systems used on desktops for both consumer and business users.

In the conference Sutor said “Stop copying 2001 Windows. That’s not where the usability action is.”

Yesterday we reported that IBM was joining forces with three major Linux distributors Canonical/Ubuntu, Novell and Red Hat, to come up with a Microsoft Free PC by 2009.

All four companies have agreed to provide hardware partners with the software needed to build these desktops. IBM carry a lot of weight when it comes to the Linux community, this is because they put a huge amount of investment into the program.
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IBM says Windows free computing by 2009

IBM have said that they want Windows free computing, this is something that they are working on with three major Linux distributors, Canonical/Ubuntu, Novell and Red Hat.

They aim to achieve a Vole-free personal computing world by 2009 however; this is a tall order. All four of these companies are in collaboration with each other and are working on the development of a PC which will come pre-loaded with Linux, IBM’s Open Collaboration Client Solution (OCCS), Lotus Notes, Symphony and Sametime.

Consumers as well as independent software vendors will then be encouraged to develop applications that will run on this new PC. This will be done via Lotus Expeditor; this is a software framework which is based on the open source Eclipse programming model.

IBM Lotus Software vice president, Kevin Cavanaugh has said “The slow adoption of Vista among businesses, coupled with the proven success of a new type of Microsoft-free PC in every region, provides an extraordinary window of opportunity for Linux.”

It seems that more and more PC customers are asking for a computer that does not have any Microsoft software in it. It looks as though IBM has listened to them; let us hope that this collaboration works and all four companies can come up with something that consumers have been waiting for.

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Seven new LiMo open-source phones launched

Things are beginning to heat up in the world of open-source mobile systems, as a number of companies have launched seven more cell phones which are based on the LiMo (Linux for Mobile) software platform.

With these seven new phones, the total number of LiMo phones now stands at 21.

The new phones have been launched by Motorola, NEC and Panasonic, with NEC launching the most. Firstly there is the Motorola Motozine ZN5, then we have Panasonic Forma P906i and P706iμ and finally the NEC Forma N906i, N906iμ, N906iL and N706i.

A few of these cell phones feature the forthcoming 2.0 release of the Linux-based mobile platform, this gives you higher resolution displays along with 3G/High-speed downlink packet access. Other features include mobile TV, GPS as well as advanced video streaming.

LiMo is one of many Linux-based mobile alternatives to the forthcoming Google Android.

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LiMo Open-Source vs Google Android and Nokia’s Symbian Foundation

When you have three very big names all in the same basket you know things will heat up, and this is where the competition really spices up for open-source mobile devices and indeed platforms. According to Phones Review the LiMo Foundation on Monday revealed a host of new partners and devices that will go up against the likes of Google Android and Nokia Symbian Foundation.

Can LiMo really heat things up? can they really compete with the likes of Google Android and Nokia Symbian Foundation?

On Monday the open-source mobile consortium saw it increase its ranks to more than 50 partner companies in its drive to deliver open handset platform for the entire mobile industry. The eleven new members include the likes of Esmertec, Freescale Semiconductor, VirtualLogix, Telecom Italia, Longcheer Holdings, PacketVideo, MIZI Research, SK Innoace, Cellon, ZTE and Movial.

Well now according to the LiMo Foundation the latest line-up of partners are evidence that its contributor-led governance model can uniquely rationalize the increasing mobile ecosystem giving it more complexity and flexibility and of course sophistication.

LiMo Foundation revealed seven new Linux-based mobile phones which will indeed put pressure on Google and the Open Handset Alliance to create sophisticated handsets based on the Linux-based Android mobile operating system. The phones include Motorola’s Motozinet ZN5; FOMA N906i, FOMA N906i, FOMA N906iL and FOMA N706i from NEC; and the FOMA P906i and FOMA P706i from Panasonic Mobile Communications.

LiMo are hoping that its open-source based phones will be just as good if not better than the success of the iPhone, if they get close to this or even better it then we can see amazing competition on our hands.

Who will win?

Will Mac and Linux be treated equal to Microsoft Windows?

After reporting the news about Google’s new Lively service being not ready for Apple Mac OS X, an interesting question has come about after looking at comments on this topic.

Do you think Apple Mac and Linux will ever be treated equal to Microsoft Windows?

I do understand that Google has been good at supporting the Mac in the past, but with Google Talk and now Lively not supporting Mac OS, it would be nice to see equal support in the future with new product launches and that’s even if they are in Beta.

We would not expect Google or any other brand to wait until the Mac version was ready before releasing a product, but the Mac has many webmasters and developers using it as the main OS and we all wish for more equal-ness.

The day may come where Mac and Linux are treated as equals to windows, but many of us believe that this day is in the distant future.

Do you believe Linux or Mac OS X will ever be treated equal to the Windows operating system?

Symbian and Android force Mobile Linux Group LiPS merge with LiMo

It seems that Mobile Linux Group LiPS has had to merge with the LiMo Foundation because of increasing competition from the likes of Symbian and Android, this merger will only help to advance their OS. On Thursday the Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) Forum announced that they will be rolling their activities and members into the Linux Mobile Foundation (LiMo), it is hoped that this move will help to create a stronger entity for pushing mobile Linux.

Linux hope to be able to bolster their mobile Linux developer community as well as being able to increase the adoption of mobile devices. This move is now more important than ever, as there is now huge competition from Open Source competitors from the likes of the Nokia preferred Symbian and the Google backed Andriod. Linux hope that by unifying these companies, they will be able to provide a ubiquitous Linux-based mobile platform.

LiPS Forum president Haila Wang, has said “LiPS Forum is proud of our standardization efforts, development activities and other achievements of the last three years.” Wang then added “Our membership agrees that LiPS’s greatest impact can be realized by adding our members’ expertise and resources to LiMo Foundation. Together, the member companies can better strive for a unified and ubiquitous Linux-based mobile platform.”

Many have been expecting this merger for some time now, LiPS has wanted to create a formal standard for mobile Linux, and the LiMo Foundation has wanted to create a Linux framework which could then be quickly designed for mobile Linux. This new system will also face competition closer to home, in the form of the Linux-based Android operating system. However it is thought that the LiMo Foundation will have their handsets on the market first, the first of which should hit the market in a few short months.

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Open Source vs. Profit: Google Android (iPhone 3G), Linux (Microsoft Vista)

The world of software for computers, cell phones and other gadgets has been changing to benefit the consumer for a while now and today change is moving faster than ever. Thanks to the world of Open Source we have many options to get great software for free, sadly not every consumer knows this and still decide to buy software that can be downloaded in a similar form for free thanks to Open Source.

There are many factors to think about when considering Open Source vs. For Profit software, but one of the biggest and prominent examples of free software and open source development would be the Linux operating system. This alternative to Microsoft Vista is free and if you get it installed with laptops then you will save a lot of money off the price, just look at the Eee PC.

You may not want to change all the underlying source code of Linux, but if you choose that option, you can. There are some benefits to buying Vista, but are these still worth the price compared to today’s versions of Linux?

Open Office is another software package that is available thanks to open source, this project gives you some free to download software that’s compatible with all other major office suites. This software is packed with features including databases, graphics, presentations, spreadsheets and word processing. You are able to read and write files from some of the top office software packages.

When it comes to the cell phone world it has been rocked since the launch of the Apple iPhone and this has a lot to do with the expandability of the device and with the 3G iPhone coming this year, things will only get better. When it comes to phones another application is about to rock that world and this will be from the Open Handset Alliance.

This is a group of more than 30 mobile and technology companies, they have joined to give the very first “complete, open and free mobile platform”. When Google Android hits the market later this year we will see it become a direct competitor to the iPhone, what will the outcome bring?

Open source will keep growing and as it makes its way to more devices in our homes like Linux, the user will want more open source software for the savings it brings. How has Open Source affected your life?

Download Mozilla Firefox 3, release date is today: where will this leave Linux users?

Mozilla has finally announced that today is the day for downloading the much anticipated Firefox 3, oh yes June 17th 2008 is a good day for all those that want the new Firefox 3 download. Open source software enthusiasts and developers are planning major parties all over the world to celebrate this brilliant occasion.

Mozilla are trying to get into Guinness World Records, the Firefox team are hoping to set the record for the most software downloads in 24 hours and the total number of unique downloads that take place on release day will be submitted for potential inclusion in the Guinness World Records, it has been said that over one million users have already signed up to pledge their support. So what is the status of Firefox 3 add-on compatibility? Many readers have asked this question, they have also asked that they will not be ready to upgrade their best add-on until the add-ons are supported. Alex Polvi, Mozilla’s Product Manager has written a brief overview that explains the current status of the most popular add-ons. Some of my favorites, like Greasemonkey, Firebug, and Stylish are now all compatible with Firefox 3. Unfortunately, Google Browser Sync is being discontinued and will no longer be supported. Google recommends that users adopt Mozilla Weave or Foxmarks.

Mozilla’s add-on team has been hard at work getting a brand new version of the add-on web site ready in time for the release. The new site now includes a theme browser that displays thumbnails and a new advanced search system, as well as numerous improvements for developers. There are already plans in the works for Firefox 3.1 which has been given the codename of “Shiretoko” (Bless what a nice name), obviously this is in its early stages of development but the schedule indicates that alpha releases could be available as early as July, Prominent user interface features planned for the 3.1 release include tab previews and tag auto-completion. Developers also plan to add several new features to Firefox’s Gecko rendering engine such as the HTML 5 video element and CSS text shadows.

Now we want to know “where will this leave Linux users? Many people know that most users of Linux distributions do not get their Firefox browser directly from Mozilla. Instead, they get Firefox packages through their Linux distributions. The Linux version of Firefox which are sometimes customized by the distribution’s creator, also do not have the “Check for Updates” button enabled in the browser — while the button is enabled on Windows editions. The issue most recently came to the forefront after both Red Hat Fedora and Ubuntu shipped their recent Linux versions with Firefox 3 Beta 5. When the browser’s later Release Candidates 1 (RC1) and Release Candidate 2 (RC2) versions came out, users of the both popular distributions did not immediately get update notifications like their Windows counterparts.

So as said where will this leave Linux users and will they get Firefox at the same time as Windows users?

Visit the Mozilla Firefox 3 download page here

Linux preferred over Microsoft Windows by Acer

We reported yesterday how open source is becoming more of a favorite by the end user and as money and budgets get tighter for the public this will only increase. Linux has been said to be preferred over Microsoft Windows by Acer, this will include the fact that a Linux laptop can be sold for less.

Cheap Laptops reported “Gianpiero Morbello, Vice President of Marketing for Acer has said that his Taiwanese PC maker is to develop the market for Linux, not just for its low cost ultra-portable but for the companies’ laptops as well; the reason given is due to the cost and operation of the Microsoft OS over open-source Linux”.

With this in mind, are you happy to buy a Linux laptop instead of a Windows machine?

We also heard that On Tuesday, Acer officially unveiled their entry into the low cost mini-laptop market by launching their Aspire One, which will come with both Windows XP and Linux. The Acer Aspire One price begins at $379 so it makes sense to cut costs as much as possible. The attraction for this is not only the cost but also the expectancy of a full-featured mini-laptop.

Some users also find Linux a faster software platform to boot up; the problem comes with people getting use to Linux rather than Windows.

Will Linux take over Microsoft Windows Soon?

One blog on Zedomax has noticed something interesting and that is Linux starting to take over the world with Mini-notebooks and netbooks. Many computer users have said that Linux will beat Microsoft Windows at some point, but when that point will be is very hard to guess even it did happen.

Will Linux take over Microsoft Windows Soon? The answer to this question will depend on how we class soon, if soon means within 5 years then it could be a yes, any sooner than that would be some accomplishment. The Blog (which you can read here) went on to explain their views of Linux taking over people’s computers.

With so many uses today going towards open-source software, it will make it harder and harder for people to sell paid software when there is similar open-source software. You only have to look at Norton Anti Virus and AVG, many of my work colleagues and friends are moving to AVG.

Are Microsoft is afraid of Linux? If they are afraid of Linux, it could be because once people start catching on to Linux and start using it more often, there will be no more need for Windows. Then Microsoft might have to go open-source if they want to compete with Linux.

What’s your view on open-source software, Linux and Vista or XP?

MSI Wind Notebook Launched Now: Linux with Intel Atom processor in summer

MSI Computer, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, is excited to announce the official launch of the much anticipated Wind Notebook. The Wind, an acronym for “Wi-Fi Network Device,” is the first 10” notebook to feature the speedy new Intel Atom™ 1.6GHz processor.

The 2.6 lbs Wind features 5+ HR battery life, Windows XP, ergonomic keyboard, and 80G hard drive all for under $500. “Intel is excited to collaborate with MSI to usher in the next generation of mobile computing devices,” said Steve Dallman, Intel VP Sales and marketing Group and GM, Worldwide Reseller Channel Organization. “The Wind’s user–friendly design, combined with the low power and 45nm High-K process of the Intel Atom processor, makes for an exceptional netbook.”

Weighing in at just 2.6 lbs, MSI designed the Wind to be lightweight and ultra mobile, without sacrificing convenience or performance. The Wind features an ergonomically designed keyboard that is only 20% smaller than of a full sized keyboard, with keys spaced a comfortable 0.68 inches apart. Business travelers will welcome the extended battery life available with the Windows based version, which provides up to 5.5 hours of untethered work time.

The Windows version of the Wind features an 80G / 2.5” SATA hard drive, which further sets it apart from other ultra portable notebooks, whose manufacturers have compromised memory capacity to save space. The Wind’s display features embedded LED power-saving backlight technology, which provides superior color quality and brightness. This innovative notebook also comes standard with a 1.3M webcam, Bluetooth capabilities, 3 USB ports and a 4-in-1 card reader.

The Windows version of the Wind is priced at $499 MSRP, and will be available for purchase starting June 16th, 2008 at msimobile.com. The Linux based models of the Wind will be available at the same site later this summer for $399 MSRP.

Adobe Flash Player 10 performs better with Linux OS

Adobe has now released their next generation of Flash Player; version 10 is a beta version and is now available as a free download. Adobe Flash Player 10 is said to improve stability with text handling as well as having better performance, the new Flash Player also helps native 3D animations custom photo effects filters perform better. The new player works with a range of operating software’s, but it is Linux where the best performances are achieved.

Adobe Flash has to be one of the most widely used presentation technology for use with video and audio files as well as animated user interfaces on the internet. Over 95% of the worlds PC’s have a flash player installed who are connected to the internet, as well as being installed on a number of mobile phones and this technology will only get better and faster on handsets as Adobe have recently lifted many of the licensing requirements which was necessary for the development on the platform.

Most of the performance enhancements have been made thanks to feedback that the Adobe development received from their community, so most of the improvements are due to the response that the team got from the community. The new Flash Player 10 will hopefully allow users to push the envelope as well as extending their online applications than previous versions managed. Normally when Adobe releases a new version of their Flash Player it is only on certain platforms, but not Flash Player 10 beta, this version is available on all major platforms from Linux, Mac and Windows.

Download the new Adobe Flash Player 10 beta from Adobe

VIA Linux Portal to offer drivers, documentation and open source code

VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced the launch of a beta version of the VIA Linux Portal as part of an initiative designed to extend collaboration with the Open Source community.

The VIA Linux Portal will initially offer graphics drivers for the VIA CN896 digital media IGP chipset for the new Ubuntu 8.04 LTS distribution. Documentation and source code for these drivers will be released over the coming weeks, with official forums and bug tracking scheduled for implementation later this year. The VIA Linux Portal will also adhere to a regular release schedule that is aligned with kernel changes and the release of major Linux distributions.

Sponsored by Canonical Ltd., Ubuntu is released every six months, with Ubuntu 8.04 LTS the latest release in what has been consistently rated among the most popular of the many GNU/Linux distributions in the PC space.

“We welcome the steps being taken by VIA to improve its support to the Open Source community,” said Chris Kenyon, Director of Business Development at Canonical. “We look forward to working with VIA to ensure these drivers get built into Ubuntu by default and that Ubuntu developers and users enjoy a great experience when using VIA platforms.”

“VIA is excited to be taking a more active role within the open source ecosystem,” said Richard Brown, Vice President of Corporate Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Opening the VIA Linux Portal is an important step in our long term open source initiative and offering support for Ubuntu, one of the most widely known of the Linux distributions, is an ideal place to start.”

The beta version of the VIA Linux Portal is located at linux.via.com.tw and currently offers driver files for Ubuntu 8.04 LTS and SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 Service Pack 1 for the VIA CN896 chipset with two south bridge options.

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