LXer Features
Why Microsoft (probably) won't sue us for infringing 'IP'
By Hans Kwint, The Netherlands - Dec 23, 2006
Debian Etch: So Easy A Newbie Can Do ItLXer Feature: 23-Dec-2006
Opinion - August 2004, Microsofts Steve Ballmer warned Asian governments that Linux infringes 283 patents, some of which belong to Microsoft, and that those countries might experience trouble as a member of the WTO. However, nothing happened ever since (except more threats). Why doesn't Microsoft sue 'us', the users? Here are some more reasons you might not have thought of before.
By D.C. Parris - Dec 18, 2006
Feilner's OpenVPN a Good Read - With One CaveatLXer Feature: 18-Dec-2006
After getting a nudge from one of our DebCentral readers, I decided to give Debian another shot. You see, I haven't messed with Debian since Woody taught me I was just a wannabe geek. As for Etch, if you've installed *Ubuntu, you can install Debian Etch. In fact, Debian may have found a new home or two or three.
By D.C. Parris - Dec 15, 2006
Microsoft answers IP questions posed in LXer open letterMarkus Feilner's book, OpenVPN is an excellent book for experienced administrators. While newbie admins will learn plenty, there is one important caveat.
By Hans Kwint, The Netherlands - Dec 11, 2006
Bad SuSE experiencesMid November, Steve Ballmer said "Linux"uses our [Microsoft Corp.] intellectual property" and "Microsoft Corp. wanted to "get the appropriate economic return for our shareholders from our innovation." Many people didn't understand what he really meant, among them the LXer editors. Therefore, LXer sent an Open Letter to the Waggener Edstrom Rapid Response team, and two weeks later, the answers are in (no pun intended). Check the full story for the answers a Microsoft Spokesperson gave us, which hopefully can answer some of our questions.
[ Note: The questions may be a bit clumsy, since sending them was a rather impulsive action. - hkwint ]
By Hans Kwint, The Netherlands - Nov 29, 2006
A Challenge To Canonical, Red Hat, Novell, Linspire, and All Linux Distributors: Put Up or Shut UpRecently, LXer asked you: Which Linux distribution is the best? SuSE Linux came along several times. I have tried to work with SuSE Linux, but I only had bad experiences. Nonetheless, I'm not sure if it's SuSE / Novell who I should blame, there are more factors. I am only an amateur / hobbyist, so I could be the one to blame. On the other hand, I have experience with Open/Net/FreeBSD, Slackware, Debian, Ubuntu, Knoppix, a lot of it with Gentoo, and I hold an LPIC 1, so you can't say I don't have experience. I don't know anyone else in my neighbourhood who's good with SuSE, so there's no hands-on support. Moreover, I ran Suse on Microsoft Virtual PC (R), so we could also blame Microsoft (as usual). Or didn't I try hard enough? Fact is, I am dissastified with SuSE to such a level, I won't use it for the coming few months probably.
By Carla Schroder - Nov 28, 2006
Linux isn't going anywhere as long as hardware and multimedia remain out of reach...What are the big Linux distributors like Canonical, Linspire, and Novell doing about this? Packaging closed binary code, and passively waiting for that magical day when hardware vendors bound out of bed with happy cries of "Today is the day we support Linux and open our drivers and codecs! Hurrah!"Ask the Pros...Ahem, that would be you.
[Well, Carla beat me to it. I support her contention 100%, and encourage users to encourage their favorite distro developers to support a combined, coordinated effort to push for Free/Open Source drivers and codecs. - dcparris]
By helios - Nov 24, 2006
Open Letter: Questions about Microsoft Corp. Intellectual PropertyLXer Feature: 24-Nov-2006 No one knows better than this community what Linux Distro is best. The problem is, there may be as many different answers as there are different distros. As a means to assemble a database, we've come to the Linux Community to pose this simple question.
By H. Kwint - Nov 17, 2006
In a question-and-answer session after his keynote speech at the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS) conference in Seattle last Thursday, [Steve] Ballmer said "Linux[™]"uses our [Microsoft Corp.] intellectual property" and "Microsoft Corp. wanted to "get the appropriate economic return for our shareholders from our innovation."Give the Gift of Pre-Installed Linux This Year
Now, as a Linux user and editor of a Linux users site, I have some questions about this remarks.[ I sent the thing to WagEdds Rapid Response Team, look forward to hearing from them - hkwint ]
By D.C. Parris - Nov 13, 2006
'Business responsible for security of digital products and services'With Christmas around the corner, you'll be glad to know that you can check out over 100 vendors around the globe who offer desktop and notebook computers with GNU/Linux pre-installed. Put another way, LXer's Pre-Installed Linux Vendor database is now available!
By Consumentenbond - Nov 04, 2006
The GPLv3 Debate: Focusing On the IssuesOld news, but still very interesting for our readers: 'De Consumentenbond' (The Dutch Consumer Union) recently said digital security issues (virusses, spam etc.) are too complex for consumers to handle. Therefore, these issues should be handled by professional business, not by consumers. Also, business should be responsible for damage caused by insecure products it sold.
Note: Click on "Read more" for my English summary, click on "Full Story" to go to the story at the Dutch-only site of 'De Consumentenbond'. Parts of it are subscription-only.
By D.C. Parris - Nov 02, 2006
The GPLv3 Debate: Viewing The LandscapeYesterday we sought to "separate the wheat from the chaff", so to speak. Today, we'll take a look at the heart of the issue - the technical question that has been raised around the GPL's anti-DRM clause. I'm all for fighting DRM. I want the digital content I pay for to be available on my terms, seeing how I already paid for it. The question, though, is whether the GPLv3 will be the most effective tool for combating Big Media's attempt to take away our fair use rights.
By D.C. Parris (Charlotte, USA) - Nov 01, 2006
FeriCyde Analysis: Linux Attacks Rare But May RiseThere has been much debate about the GNU General Public License v3. Unfortunately, much of it has centered more on Stallman's personality and less on the technical issues. Furthermore, many seem to be ignoring history, especially the fact that Xerox' malfunctioning proprietary printer is what led to the explosion of Free Software as a movement. In order to understand the anti-DRM clause, you have to understand the Xerox incident. In this, the first of two articles examining the GPLv3 debate, we will briefly revisit history to see how the GPL came about, and how the debate about the the GPL is turning into a personality conflict, with even journalists making unwarranted attacks on Stallman's character.
By Paul (FeriCyde) Ferris - Oct 24, 2006
Paul Ferris discusses the inherent problems of news sources with large stock interests at stake.Invitation to "Perspektive Open Source" during SYSTEMS
By wjl - Oct 20, 2006
LXer To Add Articles In GermanLXer Feature: 21-Oct-2006
Here is an invitation, in German, to a two-day 'Perspektive Open Source' during the SYSTEMS in Munich. This is the first post in German, so please comment in German, should you choose to discuss it.
By D.C. Parris (Charlotte, USA) - Oct 20, 2006
Rant Mode Equals One: Let's Re-License RedmondLXer will begin posting German-language articles to the newswire.
By Paul (FeriCyde) Ferris - Oct 16, 2006
Oracle vs PHP - FUD and Ignorance in JournalismLXer Feature: 16-Oct-2006
There's yet another "feature" missing in Linux -- it doesn't look for hardware changes and shut itself off, only to be reactivated once the owner has phoned someone to beg to use the software they already have the rights to use. Paul Ferris discusses yet another benefit of using Free Software; You don't have to worry about the product getting crippled or removed just because you simply added new hardware or switched to a new PC.
By D.C. Parris - Oct 10, 2006
User Group Administration - Lessons From the Ohio LinuxFestAn article showed up in LXer's news queue that described how a business chose an Oracle solution over - get this - a PHP solution. Never mind that the article compares a database to a scripting language, but one can use Open Source PHP in conjunction with Oracle's non-free database system to write web applications. It just goes to show that we all need to know the difference between crap and shinola.
By D.C. Parris - Oct 09, 2006
KDE 3.5.5 will be released next weekIn Charlotte, our Linux User Group is struggling, as others do, with getting our act together. While at the Ohio LinuxFest last weekend, I picked up a few interesting notes from the panel discussion about user group administration. I thought I would share what I learned, in the hopes that it might help your LUG, too.
By Scott Ruecker (Phoenix, USA) - Oct 08, 2006
OpenOffice.org 2.0.4 - Don't Blink
KDE will ship the 5th maintenance update to KDE 3.5 next week. This release includes a bunch of bug fixes, improved language support, a new version of kopete and tons more.
By D.C. Parris - Oct 06, 2006
Getting Cheeky At the Ohio LinuxFestOn the word of an LXer reader, I downloaded OpenOffice.org 2.0.4 Release Candidate 3 to test it's load speed. I also tested copying data from Calc to Base, something that had caused repeated crashing under 2.0.3. Here's what happened.
By D.C. Parris - Oct 05, 2006
Book Review: IPv6 Essentials, 2nd Edition, by Silvia HagenWe finally got around to getting a few photos from the 2006 Ohio LinuxFest on-line. Enjoy!
By Carla Schroder - Oct 02, 2006
IPv6 Essentials, 2nd edition is a well-written, clear, up-to-date guide to understanding IPv6 in-depth. The book explains how it all works to a very practical depth, so that the reader will be well-prepared to begin implementation.ToorCon ("Firefox security is a mess") sponsored by Microsoft
By H.Kwint - Oct 02, 2006
Lately, I read the headline: "Open Source browser Firefox is so critically flawed that it is impossible to fix, according to two hackers." Further on, in the ZDNet article I read: "The hackers claim they know of about 30 unpatched Firefox flaws. They don't plan to disclose them, instead holding onto the bugs."Ohio LinuxFest - Live Penguins and Lively Penguinistas
Since that sounds suspicious, I decided to start searching for connections with MS. Easy enough, here it is:
- 21:30-03:00 ToorCon Saturday Night Party - Sponsored by Microsoft (Link)
Hackers drinking MS-beer for more than five consecutive hours! Judge for yourself...
By D.C. Parris - Oct 02, 2006
Notes from aKadamy 2006Lxer's Bob Whitinger and Don Parris flew to Columbus for the Ohio LinuxFest Saturday. Don shares his experience barrel rolling in a '62 Mooney, meeting popular and lively penguinistas and even a pair of live penguins.
By Scott Ruecker (Phoenix, USA) - Sep 26, 2006
Novell's Linux Road Show Makes A Good ImpressionNotes from the aKadamy 2006 Conference.
By DC Parris - Sep 26, 2006
LXer To Launch New Look Sunday NightNovell Linux Road Show attendees seemed pretty impressed by the introductions to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and Desktop.
By DC Parris - Sep 22, 2006
Software Freedom Day - Charlotte PicsFor the past couple of months, LXer has been beta testing a new look aimed at improving the site's appearance and usability. The time has come to launch.
By DC Parris - Sep 17, 2006
FOSS Community, Microsoft And ReconciliationHere are the pics for Software Freedom Day - Charlotte. We held our event yesterday afternoon at the Cone Center at the University of North Carolina - Charlotte. Enjoy!
By DC Parris - Sep 11, 2006
Software Freedom Day Is Fast ApproachingNeil McAllister calls on the FOSS community to drop the fortress mentality and work to build bridges with Microsoft. That's kind of like saying an abused wife should hug her husband just because he brings her flowers. Maybe Microsoft really is changing, but LXer's Don Parris suggests watching to see what they are holding in the other hand.
By DC Parris - Sep 11, 2006
grep Neoscopio FOSSBizSoftware Freedom Day is fast approaching. What are you doing in your area?
By DC Parris - Aug 28, 2006
GNU/Linux for Christians: Kubuntu-based Ichthux Beta5 is outNeoscopio adheres closely to the principles of Free/Open Source Software by providing customized solutions and services based on available software projects. LXer's Don Parris interviews the Neoscopio team.
By DC Parris - Aug 27, 2006
Solved! Converting an OpenOffice.org Calc Sheet to OOBaseThe beta ISOs should be available Sunday evening or Monday, with the first major release, Ichthux 6.09, due out in early September.
By DC Parris - Aug 27, 2006
grep 'Open Sense Solutions' FOSSBizI had developed a fairly hefty OpenOffice.org Calc sheet, which was great for quickly entering data I've been working with lately. However, it soon became clear that a switch to ooBase would be necessary. I'm not a big user of ooBase, so wasn't sure how best to go about converting my data. Fortunately, a tutorial someone else had written showed me just how simple it is.
By DC Parris - Aug 23, 2006
Interview With The Open Graphics Project's Timothy MillerGrepping for businesses that focus solely, or even mostly, on FOSS is prooving to be quite a challenge. Open Sense Solutions is a Greenbay, Wisconsin-based provider of GNU/Linux desktop solutions. Their Groovix public access system is not only popular, but libre too. Michael Pardee was kind enough to answer the questions Don Parris threw at him.
By Scott Ruecker (Phoenix, USA) - Aug 18, 2006
grep 'Reboot The User' FOSSBizLXer Feature: 17-Aug-2006
An interview with the Project Lead and Creator of the Open Graphics Project, Timothy Miller.
By DC Parris - Aug 17, 2006
grep Reddog FOSSBizReboot The User is a small shop located in Omaha, Nebraska. Jay Swackhamer, the man behind the company, was willing to take time out of his hectic schedule to answer our questions. Despite the numerous fluctuations he sees in his business, Jay says he sees interest in GNU/Linux picking up, generally.
By DC Parris - Aug 15, 2006
Is GNU/Linux Really Replacing Windows?Don Parris talks with Nathan Aherne of Reddog Technology about selling computers with Ubuntu's GNU/Linux system pre-installed in Australia. Anyone interested in selling computers with GNU/Linux pre-installed should pay attention here, as Nathan makes at least one or two important points.
By DC Parris - Aug 11, 2006
Grep Farstone FOSSBizDon Parris' straw poll about replacing Windows with GNU/Linux on a couple of distribution listservs has taken on a whole life of its own in the Ubuntu Users forum. Are people really replacing Windows with GNU/Linux systems? What hardware and software issues prevent people from ditching Windows altogether? Should Microsoft be worried?
By Scott Ruecker (Phoenix, USA) - Aug 08, 2006
GNU/Linux -- Like No Other Hotrod, EverI am sure that like me, you have all had your, “My system went down and took everything with it” event, or events. Now if I had just had a back-up program that had all of my files in it already..Hmmm.
By Terry Vessels - Aug 04, 2006
How To Find A Computer With GNU/Linux Pre-InstalledLXer Feature: 04-Aug-2006
GNU/Linux -- Like No Other Hotrod, Ever
While others appear to be going backwards, Linux just keeps racing ahead.
'Linux supports more devices, "out of the box", than any other operating system ever has.'
"Yes, that's right, we support more things than anyone else. And more than anyone else ever has in the past. Linux has a very long list of things that we have supported before anyone else ever did."
-- Greg Kroah-Hartman, OLS 2006 Keynote
By DC Parris - Aug 03, 2006
New community project targets the Debian userOne LXer reader's quest to find and list vendors selling computers with GNU/Linux pre-installed leads to the development of a GNU/Linux vendor database.
By wjl - Aug 02, 2006
The new domain thedebianuser.org is still in its infancy, but at least its focus is pretty clear: it targets Debian users, which includes pretty much everyone from new converts to Ubuntu users to Debian Developers. After all, we are all users.Welcoming Newcomers to Linux and FOSS, or, the Least You Can Do is Not Chase Noobs Away
By Carla Schroder - Aug 01, 2006
LXer Feature: 1 Aug 2006LXers Hog The Barbecue
What is the future of Linux and Free Software? A rigid little cult that accept only the Right People? Or a community that truly practices "Free as in Freedom"?
By DC Parris - Jul 30, 2006
Re-thinking the Windows RefundLXers attempted to eat high on the hog Saturday while being mobbed by gorgeous women...
By DC Parris - Jul 25, 2006
Lobby4Linux Founder Battles IllnessLXer's Don Parris challenges the Windows Refund movement to rethink its platform.
By DC Parris - Jul 21, 2006
Grep FOSSBiz VersoraLobby4Linux founder, Ken Starks (a.k.a., Helios) recently went to Washington to take the fight for freedom - whether it's software or media - to the hallowed halls of Congress. Now he faces an even greater battle - a battle for his very life.
By DC Parris - Jul 21, 2006
Grep FOSSBizLXer's Don Parris got together with Versora, Inc.'s CEO, Mike Sheffey, Chief Software Architect, Nick Lassonde, and Vice-President of Marketing, Ray George to discuss Versora's role in helping businesses migrate from Windows to GNU/Linux.
By DC Parris - Jul 20, 2006
A Gentoo diary part 1LXer goes on the search for businesses that provide migration and support services, software development, and products related to Free and Open Source Software. Do you know of a business focused on Free and Open Source Software?
By H. Kwint - Jul 20, 2006
Who reads LXer? Why do I care?A Gentoo Diary part 1
It's been a while since I promised to write about my Gentoo desktops. In the intro, I gave some general information about Gentoo, and explained my setup.
The reason I didn't write a bit earlier is, amongst others, not that much interesting happened the last few weeks. Anyway, let's talk about what did happen: I set up an old 300 mHz server with Gentoo, tried to make distributed compiling work, learned a bit more about Windowmaker, tried to get a Broadcom Wireless card working on a laptop, switched to Grub, and finally got rid of Xmms. Uhhm, the latter kind of unnoticeable.
By Terry Vessels, aka grouch - Jul 14, 2006
A recent discussion on LXer asked the question, " Where are the readers?" It spawned an informative discussion about analysis of web site statistics. Those statistics are fairly obviously of financial concern to the publisher, since it costs money to keep LXer online, but are they important, otherwise? Do they serve the community of GNU/Linux and FOSS?
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