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Fedora Core 5 Review
Fedora Core is a distribution developed by a community of developers sponsored by RedHat. Fedora is the descendant, so to speak, of RedHat's distribution for individual users, which they stopped selling a few years ago. Applying the reverse of the Star Trek curse, I usually skip the even numbered Fedora Core releases. And since Fedora Core 5 was just released, and 5 being an odd number, I give you my customary combination how-to/review of this latest Linux distribution. Installation For those of you who are already familiar with Fedora, as it boots up you'll notice that the logo has changed. Just after the splash screen, you'll have the opportunity to check the disks you've just downloaded. Type 'linux mediacheck' at the prompt to do this. To those used to sizzling graphics, be forewarned that this part will take you back to the days of text mode. Once you've checked your disks, you're ready to proceed with a standard install. First, you'll need to choose your language and your keyboard layout. Though the second choice is usually based on the first, it isn't in my case. Since I live in Spain, I have a Spanish keyboard (which is actually required by law) but I prefer my interface to be in English (my brain seems to work faster that way). Since this machine was running Fedora Core 3, I was presented with a choice to upgrade. But I chose a fresh install, as I have done in the past. I've been given a few unpleasant surprises in the past with upgrades, though there's no reason this has to happen in this case. |
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Comments (4)
Ogg and png are attractive because they have been designed to be free of patent infringement.
The new enhancements to gpl v3 is also designed to ensure that users of software licensed under v3 will be assured of greater protection from patent infringement.
Right now every copy of gpl'ed software is a licensed copy. That's a great way to fight software piracy and copyright infringement. If the proprietary vendors keep up their patent shenanigans, more users will be forced to turn to free software to protect themselves and their businesses from possible disruption and financial losses.
Patents are regulatory mechanisms.
The corporations that embraced them wholeheartedly in the 1990's are starting to realize the Pandora's box they opened.
Unfortunately, some corporations still believe they will gain more in the damage done to their competitors, than they lose in damage done to themselves. They think they can control the hornets in the nest they found.
These corporations have not considered all of the factors. They are not counting on the submarine patent houses that have no competing products. They exist only to extract settlements through lawsuits. They will drain even the largest corporations dry, unless the patent madness is stopped.
The patent madness does appear to be enlightening some people about the advantages of open, unencumbered standards. At least there is _some_ benefit from it.
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Tools supporting creation of content with Free codecs need to be supplied to those that are actually creating the content. That means, for example, getting video editors on Windows that support Theora into the hands of those that make videos, getting the Xiph codec bundle installed on their systems, and getting them Fluendo's Java player so they can easily share their content by simply dumping it on a web page.
Free Software can make it easier, which will lead to content being created in Free formats.