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LXer Features

DRM, 'Trusted Computing', and the future of our children
By Shane Martin Coughlan - Mar 30, 2006

Over 500 million people use the Internet, and over a billion computers are deployed around the world. It has become impossible to ignore the issue of content management and access. Call it Digital Rights Management if you will, or call it working out how to manage copying in the digital realm. We need to solve the problem of how digital information will be shared.

A Brief History of Microsoft FUD
By Glyn Moody - Mar 30, 2006

This time it's patents that will ensure the downfall of GNU/Linux and with it, the entire world of open source. But before hanging up your certified geek propeller-hat and retraining as a dental hygienist, you might want to consider the following brief history of Microsoft's use of Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD) as a weapon against GNU/Linux.

Beware of Those Calling Themselves Open Source
By Tom Adelstein - Mar 30, 2006

Free software is software that anybody can use, copy, modify and redistribute freely without having to ask for authorization from anyone. Some companies think that using the open source label will fool the unsuspecting into believing they're part of the community. Just try redistributing their software and see what happens.

Why I Stopped Promoting Linux in Government
By Tom Adelstein - Mar 29, 2006

I received an email from a close friend asking me to help educate the city manager in Tuttle, OK about Linux. I told him I prefer finishing a "hack" on securing SSH. Here's why I'm through orchestrating efforts for Linux in Government.

Microsoft Breakup Imminent? GNU/Linux Wins
By Tom Adelstein - Mar 26, 2006

Who will buy the pieces of Microsoft after the final breakup? No one would want the operating system. A leveraged buyout for the Office group seems likely. Oracle looks like the winner in the business services business and it's the auction block for the rest of the company. The DRM and codecs go to Real Networks.

Text of the CDC v IBM case in the article body.

Can you fix it?
By Terry Vessels - Mar 25, 2006

It is time to fix your distro. Distributors of GNU/Linux systems do an incredible amount of work. If you're not convinced of that, try putting together a complete system from parts gathered all over the Internet. The trouble is that these distributors must satisfy a very large range of users. They cannot narrowly target one group without discouraging all others. That's where you come in.

An Opposing Viewpoint -- Microsoft Can't Compete
By Terry Vessels - Mar 23, 2006

Mr. Adelstein's article titled " Microsoft Has Stopped Competing with Linux" presented several assertions with which I cannot agree. It also strikes a tone that makes me uncomfortable.

Pulling the Wool over Linux?
By Tom Adelstein - Mar 23, 2006

Companies that try to pull the wool over free software advocates, ultimately fool no one. As advocates, we should either make the OSI enforce their definition or disband.

Howto remove an user and improve security
By Tom Adelstein - Mar 22, 2006

Employee turnover in most organizations runs high. So unless you run a small shop with a stable user base, you need to learn how to clean up after an employee leaves. Too many so-called system administrators do not understand the stakes involved when they manage users. Disgruntled former employees can often cause significant trouble for a company by gaining access to the network.

Microsoft Has Stopped Competing with Linux
By Tom Adelstein - Mar 21, 2006

Microsoft has ceased its obsession with Linux. Someone finally convinced the boss that Linux poses little threat to Redmond. Someone came out of the Linux lab and said that It's about time that they starting focusing on their real threat: IBM.

Xara keeps promise, first GPL'd source code release for Xara LX
By Kurt Pfeifle - Mar 20, 2006

Back in October, when the Windows-only Xara company tooted their plans to port its vector graphics flagship product, Xara Xtreme to Linux, I didn't quite believe them. Now I stand corrected.

Ubuntu, Macintosh and Windows XP
By Tom Adelstein - Mar 19, 2006

If you think that a Linux advocate cannot make an objective analysis of desktop operating systems, then you need to read this report. You may find yourself surprised with some brutal honesty that leaves out the free software philosophy.

Comment of the Day -February 8, 2006 - OpenMFG isn't Open Source
By jkouyoumjian - Mar 18, 2006

jkouyoumjianwrites: "Perhaps "OpenMFG" uses some open source software to run its application, but the application itself is not open source". Relates to:
Openmfg Launches Hybrid Open Source ERP Suite

Parallel Worlds: Open Source and Open Access
By Glyn Moody - Mar 18, 2006

The parallels between open access – a movement to make research freely available online, rather than hidden in expensive journals - and open source are striking. For both, the ultimate wellspring is the Internet, and the new economics of sharing that it enabled.

Free Culture
By Libervis - Mar 18, 2006

Daniel writes in a comment to Parallel Worlds: Open Source and Open Access about the FOSS movement. Characteristically, his articulation of the subject demonstrates a deep understanding many of wish we had.

Cheapening Linux
By Tom Adelstein - Mar 18, 2006

Whoever thought up the myth that more open source software made sense, didn't consider with what editors would have to content. Perhaps open source software lacks goodness. You could make an argument that many people have abused the term.

Mocking Bill Gates Mockery of the Mockup $100 Laptop
By Paul (FeriCyde) Ferris - Mar 17, 2006

You'd think that a man who's got a few billion dollars in the bank, likes to be known throughout the world as someone that is charitable, and who likes to profess that one of his goals was to put a computer in every home -- someone like that wouldn't have a problem with this project.
No, wait, maybe a little insight into that last statement -- a computer in every home, all running Microsoft software, that's what he really said. They kind of edited history recently when they quietly dropped the last part of the quote... Kind of brings the whole charitable aspects of this third-world computing thing into focus.
[ED: Perceptive -real voice of Linux Today as it once was, i.e., without the facts - HC]

How to give Linux Away
By Scott Ruecker (Phoenix, USA) - Mar 14, 2006

LXer Feature: 16-Jan-06

As a community we would like to see a large computer manufacturer sell PC's with Linux already on them. Is this the only option?

Traditional DNS Howto
By Falko Timme and Tom Adelstein - Mar 13, 2006

We discussed the need for a simple yet understandable DNS Howto. So, we worked together and came up with what we think every Linux person should know about the largest distributed database on the planet.

According to Till Brehm one of the sponsors of HowtoForge.com: I'm sure it will help many people to get started with DNS. When I have a look at our Forums, DNS is one of the most discussed problems.

Rewrite SUSE Conform to Debian
By Tom Adelstein - Mar 13, 2006

Novell would do well to change some old conventions to match Debian. They would expand their support channels to pickup a massive user base and become the preferred Linux vendor in both distributions and services. They could also provide SUSE with more application options for their users.

Debian Stabilizing the Linux Landscape
By Tom Adelstein, Editor-in-Chief - Mar 11, 2006

The people who first brought us GNU/Linux intended to offer an operating system you could freely download and who's code you could freely have and change. At the end of the Dot-COM boom, part of the investment community led by Silicon Valley Venture Capitalists such as Kleiner Perkins fell in love with Linux companies and funded several taking a few public. But no one could "get to" Debian. Thank you, Smith Barney.

An Interview with Christof Wittig: CEO db4objects and President ODBMS.org
By TxtEdMacs - Mar 11, 2006

In the continuing series of interviews focused on databases, Christof Wittig contatced TxtEdMacs describing revived effort to set new specifications for Object databases. Soon afterwards Christof accepted an offer to be interviewed on the topic and TxtEdMacs, who had tired of the usual set of resultant evasive, market speak jumped fully into the effort. Unfortunately for Txt., instead of being able to show off he was used by Christof to mop the floor. To say the interview was refreshing and direct is an understatement. So read on.

Extreme OS Makeover: Ubuntu To The Rescue
By DC Parris - Mar 11, 2006

LXer Feature: 6-Mar-06

Charlotte, NC - LXer editor Don Parris gives a family of computer novices an extreme OS makeover when their Windows system proved unreliable. This is just one example of how people around the United States, and in other countries, are discovering the freedom of a GNU/Linux system. LXer will be tracking the couple, who are just beginning to venture into the wild world of computing. Share your conversion experiences with LXer.

Why People Like Linux
By Tom Adelstein - Mar 11, 2006

GNU/Linux has a rapidly growing user base according to our polls. Today, we posted articles from Belfast, India, Wales, Croatia, Glasgow, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UK and Massachusetts. On other days, we see articles from many other countries. We have readers from 165 countries and more often than not our US readership runs only about 50%.

Is price the only reason for the interest? Unlike the early days when Linux provided a learning platform for people who couldn't afford UNIX, price seems the least important reason.

What about the Microsoft alternative? Again, we saw that as barely a factor. People just like Linux.

SUSE, Fedora or Debian for sys admins: A closer look
By Tom Adelstein - Mar 09, 2006

While preparing a market study for a technical book publisher, we discovered that the majority of Linux users prefer non-commercial Linux distributions. The most popular include two projects from Red Hat and SUSE while users prefer Debian and consider it enterprise ready. You might find some surprises as we did.

Special to the Newswire The Distribution Dilemma
By Phil Howard - Mar 09, 2006

One of the greatest things about Linux is that it comes in a large number of different distributions. That's also one of its big disadvantages, holding up a lot of further acceptance of Linux.

Special: Defending Openness
By Glyn Moody - Mar 08, 2006

If this threat is not dealt with swiftly and effectively, the main use of the word “open” in computing one day might be by anthropologists and historians as a quaint label for a sub-grouping in the increasingly marginalized hacker culture.

How Microsoft wastes its money on anything but software
By Hans Kwint - Mar 07, 2006

"Windows Server System outperforms Linux on TCO, reliability, security, and indemnification." No, your Linux News editor in the Netherlands is not joking, it is really true. I read it on MS' "Get the Facts" page, so it has to be. On the other hand, Windows bla bla also outperforms Linux on indirect costs for marketing FUD and paying people to create studies, etc. They also outperform Linux in getting lawyers to do their bidding, fixing software bugs which tie customers to them, and money going to political parties in the US.

Should DeLay's New Job Concern FSF?
By Tom Adelstein - Mar 06, 2006

With the Free Software Foundation beginning to take an active role in prosecution of Microsoft, perhaps they should look at the new guy in charge of appropriations for the Justice Department, the FBI, FTC and Intellectual Property Enforcement and possibly the future of GNU/Linux.

DNS Katrina: When VeriSign monopoly meets ICANN regulators
By Andy Oram - Mar 05, 2006

A new agreement illustrates the classic problems of regulated monopolies--and the tragedy of a regulator that doesn't do its job.

Story Link

Linux Multimedia Studio (LMMS) aka "sal likes a bit of techno"
By salparadise - Mar 03, 2006

I have to confess that whilst I like all sorts of music, a bit of techno can be just what the doctor ordered. It blows the cobwebs away and gets the blood running. Making one's own can be even more fun. There are three applications that allow for this sort of music creation that I know of for Linux. Freebirth, Reborn and LMMS.

Comment of the Day March 1, 2006 - Google & Gates
By number6x - Mar 01, 2006

Microsoft has always defined itself in terms of its competitors. It can't seem to define a roll for itself without having a competitor. Related to:
Gates Sees Google Honeymoon Ending

Switching to SUSE 10
By Scott Randolph Ruecker - Mar 01, 2006

Back in November, sharkscott decided to go cold turnkey from XP to Linux. He's a rep for HP and works in places like CompUSA.

Lots of people posted to his thread on Lxer and helped him a lot.

So, on his own, he posted a nice piece on Digg.com

I started a thread on my switch to SuSE 10 from XP. I am pretty much a newbie still and with the help of those who responded I have come a long way in my knowledge and experience. I thought that it might be of help to someone out there who is like me. I know my way around a computer but I am not a programmer or system administrator by trade.

Ubuntu: Dapper Drake
By Andy Choens - Feb 28, 2006

I use Dapper Drake on my laptop because it doesn't do everything I want it to do. But, I'm bound and determined to make sure the final release can do everything I want it to do.

Comment of the Day -february 28, 2006 - What a HP Rep Does
By sharkscott - Feb 28, 2006

Scott writes: Ask them if they use IE, WMP(Windows Media Player), Quicktime, Itunes, Word, Excell, PowerPoint, Access and always ask them how many Anti-Viruses they are using. You have to make sure that you always end with the AntiViruses, trust me, I tell you why in a second.

You will find that roughly 99% of the people you talk to do not even use all of those programs I listed and do not use any outside of it. Almost all of them only use, IE, Word, WMP maybe Quicktime a little and whatever Anti-Virus or Anti-Viruses they have installed.

Related to:
Breaking down barriers to Linux desktop adoption

Why pay-to-spam does not violate network neutrality
By Andy Oram - Feb 28, 2006

A new policy announced by America Online and Yahoo! will let email senders pay extra to bypass mail filters. This should not be compared to the much more serious issue of network neutrality, as critics charge.

On Digg.com

The Expandable, Versatile MadTux LivePC
By DC Parris - Feb 28, 2006

LXer Feature: 28-Dec-05

LXer editor, Don Parris, takes a gander at the MadTux LivePC. Whether you just want to provide Internet access to visiting relatives, setup a computer lab down at the church, or support a high-tech, roaming workforce, you're likely to find the LivePC easy on the budget and heavy on the utilities.

Digg Story

Linux News: What are the writers really writing?
By Tom Adelstein - Editor-in-Chief - Feb 27, 2006

If you learned critical analysis in school, you may want to apply it to ferret out what the press has to say. In this close-up of the forms of articles we separate journalism from bigotry. For example, John Dvorak's writing has always come into question, especially when he pens Will Apple Adopt Windows? You don't have to call him names or say he's stopped taking his medications like the Mac sites do. Just get a handle on the content he provides and you can dismiss him quickly.

Comment of the Day - February 26, 2006 - Microsoft Anti-Trust Settlements
By Gary Edwards - Feb 26, 2006

My informal ticker has Microsoft at $14 Billion paid in settlement fees and fines for illegal activities.

Related to: Microsoft and Officials in IBM's Linux Hot Tub

Microsoft and Officials in IBM's Linux Hot Tub
By Tom Adelstein - Feb 25, 2006

Microsoft doesn't seem to worry about missing a software release. They also haven't worried about paying off private anti-trust cases. But when they start posting exhibits on their web site in defense of legal rulings, then doubt, suspicion, or lack of confidence in future outcomes have become a preoccupation in Redmond.

On Digg.com

Microsoft Evidence: A No-Show for IBM re Linux?
By Tom Adelstein - Feb 24, 2006

Congress may have failed to take into account Microsoft's special effects department. Instead of focusing on the movies, this might turn out as reality TV. Have you heard about the case of the disappearing email?

On Digg.com

The wake up call of the JBoss blueprint
By Gary Edwards - Feb 23, 2006

Gary Edwards post on Digg.com. He writes "I hope that important FLOSS communities like my beloved OpenOffice.org can rise to the occasion and learn from the JBoss blueprint."

JBoss is not Linux
By Tom Adelstein - Feb 23, 2006

Most Linux people don't know much about JBoss, the open source firm reported in talks with Oracle about a $400 million purchase. That tops any free software deals I can recall. Novell paid $210 million for SUSE in cash. So, what about this JBoss company? They did it without any initial outside funding, generated revenue and self-funded and stayed true to open source 100% while selling services.

On Digg.com

LXer Looking for Best Linux "Up and Comers"
By Tom Adelstein Editor-in-Chief - Feb 22, 2006

Is your company or organization a Linux startup or emerging business. Who knows about you? One of our missions involves finding "Up and Comers" in the open source and Free software community for our readers. We're looking for you and want to tell your story. Read more below.

An Interview with Falko Timme - the Perfect Linux Guy
By Tom Adelstein, Editor-in-Chief - Feb 22, 2006

Falko Timme will be thirty this year. He's possibly one of the most popular mentors for people wanting to become Linux system administrators on the Internet. His step-by-step tutorials have gained a large readership.

He was born in Celle, Germany. He studied industrial engineering in Dresden and Braunschweig and speaks and writes perfect English, even though it's not his first language.

I have interviewed a lot of people over the years. I don't remember an unpleasant one. But this interview with Falko stands out in my mind as the best. I hope you enjoy spending time with him. He's a remarkable person.

On Digg.com

Book Review: Kontact Compact
By Hans Kwint - Feb 21, 2006

A lot of people say, Linux doesn't break through because it lacks an equivalent of MS Outlook. But, in a forum post, I read, Kontact can do a lot of the tasks Outlook can. A bit later, I found on the KDE site, the German publisher Bomots offers a (German) book about "Kontact", KDE's Personal Information Manager (PIM). I decided, it's time to see if this book, "Kontact Kompact" by Andre Schreiber, is usefull for people looking for a 'replacement' of Outlook, and people willing to learn Kontact.

How is this a GNU/Linux Worm?
By cgagnon, AnomymousCoward and wjl - Feb 21, 2006

Comment(s) of the Day - February 21, 2006

cgagnon writes: Although not easily (my supposition based on information on the net...I don't do windows), php runs under windows and I would hazard a guess that the Mambo CMS would as well. So how is this deemed a GNU/Linux worm?

Then comes the next comment? Hmmm - PHP Version 1.x?

Connected to:
Linux worm turns on Mambo and PHP

How to Build a Linux Service Business
By Tom Adelstein - Feb 20, 2006

Interested in enhancing your project by adding an efficient service function. Open source solutions exist that can help you build a high quality, low cost solution. Interested? Read on.

What Linux distribution do you use as a desktop? Debian Testing and Unstable
By TxtEdMacs - Feb 19, 2006

Fedora Core 3 ... became my default desktop until late this past year when Debian Sarge was loaded followed by packages from mainly Testing and a few from Unstable on the tower.

What Linux distribution do you use as a desktop? Debian is King
By Sal Paradise - Feb 19, 2006