LXer Weekly Roundup for 01-Jul-2007

LXer Feature: 01-Jul-2007 The big story this week is the official release of the GPLv3. It has been a long time coming and I for one am glad that it is finally here. Other stories include the Ohio Linux Fest call for presenters, Google going over the head of the Justice Department, a new Linux powered IBM super-computer, Dell expands its Linux offerings along with the FUD article of the week. Enjoy!

The big story this week is the official release of the GPLv3. It has been a long time coming and I for one am glad that it is finally here. Other stories include the Ohio Linux Fest call for presenters, Google going over the head of the Justice Department, a new Linux powered IBM super-computer, Dell expands its Linux offerings along with the FUD article of the week. Enjoy!

Introducing the Thunar file manager: Since its inception, the Xfce desktop environment has aimed to provide high functionality with only modest demands on system resources. One of the significant changes in recent releases of Xfce 4 is the Thunar file manager, which replaces the original xffm.

Google calls for more limits on Microsoft: OK - Not Linux, but interesting anyway. Google has gone over the heads of the Justice Department to directly petition a federal judge to expand the reach of consent decree imposed upon Microsoft as a result of the federal antitrust litigation.

Linux powered Blue Gene/P becomes the fastest computer in the world: IBM has announced the arrival of Blue Gene/P, which triples the performance of Blue Gene/L, the previous holder of the official world’s fastest computer title. And it is powered by Linux, of course.

Ohio LinuxFest call for papers deadline is nearly here!: The call for presentations deadline for Ohio LinuxFest 2007 is approaching rapidly. The last date for presentation submissions is July 15, 2007. If you are interested in presenting at this years Ohio Linux fest don't be late in registering.

The Solaris Installation Experience: There's a problem with Solaris and Sun knows it. The installation experience of Solaris (along with other areas) could be greatly improved. The installer doesn't "suck" as it's easy and known to Solaris administrators, but for a Linux or Windows user it could prove to be a bit challenging.

Firefox 3 and Google team up for offline apps: Mozilla and Google are collaborating on an effort to make web applications work offline. Firefox 3 will be the first internet browser to offer offline web application support when it launches at the end of this year.

Dell to offer Ubuntu on more systems: Dell isn't resting on its recent consumer Linux PC laurels. The computing giant has added a new laptop -- the Inspiron 1420 Notebook -- to its Ubuntu Linux 7.04 offering. It is also replacing the Dimension E520 desktop with the new, low-priced Inspiron 530.

New York legislators keep e-voting software in public hands: With this year's New York Senate and Assembly session now ended, local voting activists are chalking up a victory for the public at the expense of Microsoft Corp. and the e-voting industry.

Epson jumps into the Linux PC market: When you hear the name EPSON, what images come to your mind? Mine, like many of you I’m sure goes to inkjet printers, or even scanners. But Linux-powered PCs? That one never crossed my mind.

No to OOXML!!!: A petition calling for Microsoft's OOXML "standard" to not be ratified as an ISO standard.

DisroWatch Featured Story: One year with Puppy Linux: The sad tale of how the hope and excitement of a promising distro turned to fear and loathing in Linux land.

The Distro Jungle: People new to Linux are often confused by the large number of distributions there are to choose from. This article helps you cut through some of the confusion in choosing a Linux Distribution your exploration and helps you understand just what it is you've chosen.

Final text of GPLv3 and LGPLv3: Here is the final version of the new GPLv3 and LGPLv3 in their entirety for you to read. A little heavy for some but certainly much more succinct and to the point compared to, say Microsoft's EULA.

Google flirts with online OS: Docs, Spreadsheets, Folders..It's only a matter of time before Google unveils a full-fledged online operating system. This week, Microsoft's biggest rival rolled out a new version of Docs& Spreadsheets - its online answer to Word and Excel - adding Windows-like folders, an improved search engine and a much cleaner interface.

Neuros’ open set-top-box: Media streaming boxes such as the AppleTV, XBox 360, PS3, and others, do a varying job of bridging the gap between the PC and television and with some, delivering Internet content directly into the living room. But all are closed systems. Bucking this trend, Neuros is taking a completely different approach and has open-sourced the firmware for it’s Neuros OSD media-center which means that anybody is free to write add-ons that extend the device’s functionality.

Why Is It Called Iceweasel Again? - The Debian Chronicles: I explain a few things and find out why the Mozilla browser is called "Iceweasel" in my continuing adventures in Debian-land.

This week at LWN: Counting vulnerabilities: In our refuting the FUD article of the week, Jonathan Corbet of LWN takes the recent survey written by Microsoft employee Jeff Jones that states Vista is more secure than any of the alternative operating systems apart piece by inaccurate piece.

Is Linux Splitting into Two Factions?: The hands down winner for FUD article of the week belongs to the CEO of Linspire, Kevin Carmony. He makes veiled accusations and talks about the respect we should have for the IP of others, namely Microsoft. He's right about one thing, Linux is splitting into two factions. Those who capitulate to unfounded IP claims and those who don't.