LXer Weekly Roundup for 07-Jun-2009

LXer Feature: 08-Jun-2009

Enabling DRM in the kernel?: Back in April, we looked at the Linux kernel patches for Intel's Trusted Execution Technology (TXT), a mechanism to verify the integrity of the kernel before booting it. Since that time, another version of the patchset has surfaced. The relatively few comments on the feature were largely concerned that there might be opposition to its inclusion—not because of technical considerations, but instead because of ethical concerns about what TXT could enable.

Linux does not equal an unwashed foulmouthed rebel: This seems to be the popular stigma or stereotype that is floating around the internet. If you use Linux then you are automatically a geek, an unwashed, pizza eating, cola and coffee swilling, obnoxious and scruffy rebel who just wants to stick it to the man. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sure there are people of that type who do use Linux. These same type of people also use and feel exactly the same way about other operating systems.

Qualcomm Shows Off Snapdragon Smartbooks: Qualcomm said Sunday night that it has persuaded a number of Taiwan ODMs to at least show off netbooks, which it calls "smartbooks," that use its Snapdragon microprocessor. ASUS, Compal, Foxconn, High Tech Computer (HTC), Inventec, Toshiba and Wistron are among the ODMs showing off wares at the Computex Taipei show, the company said.

Is Windows killing the Netbook?: I suspect that Windows is slowly killing the netbook concept. I realized this when I walked into a big computer shop and saw the following sign beside the Netbooks aisle: please note that these computer have reduced functionality and will not run games. After investigation it seems that the sign was put there by the salesmen because...

Bing is not Google, but it is a spin engine: Christian Einfeldt Microsoft is at the beginning of a major product launch, called Bing, in an attempt to catch up to Google in search, following the collapse of Microsoft's take-over attempt of Yahoo. While Bing is a re-branding of Microsoft's clunky distant third place "Live Search" search service, Bing is also an attempt to add new features to search. Microsoft calls Bing a decision engine, in that it purports to offer more comparisons in its search results, rather than the simple blue links which have characterized search up to the recent arrival of Wolfram Alpha. But rather than a search engine or even a "decision engine", Bing also appears to be a spin engine, in that it provides partisan answers to controversial topics, such as Steve Ballmer's propensity to throw chairs to blow off stress.

Deceptive Pricing at CompUSA: On Friday my housemate and I went down to what used to be the Tiger Direct retail store in Raleigh. It turns out that Tiger Direct bought out what was left of CompUSA and has renamed their stores. I guess the CompUSA name is better known as a brick and mortar retail computer store. The main reasons for the visit were for my housemate to upgrade the RAM in her Dell laptop from 1GB to 2GB and for me to buy an SD card to use in my Sylvania netbook. Some of you may have already noticed that I am now writing regularly for DistroWatch Weekly which means I am trying out different Linux distributions on a regular basis. It might be nice (not to mention less risky and somewhat easier) to install to the SD card rather than my hard drive when first checking things out.

Microsoft strikes back at Linux netbook push: As expected, there's a flood of Linux netbook announcements at the Computex trade show in Taipei, Taiwan. What wasn't expected was for one of the top netbook companies, Asus, to turn its back on one of its own netbooks running Android Linux. I'm sorry I'm not in Taipei for the show. It must have been quite the sight.

Practical Exercise Tips For Busy Linux Geeks: We all know that healthy eating and moderate exercise are key to living long, healthy lives. Unfortunately the ability to type 90 words per minutes without errors, or to sit and work in deep concentration for hours at a time, while strenuous in their own ways, don't do much for our physical fitness. But even the busiest Linux geek can painlessly fit pleasant, healthy exercise into a daily routine; so here are my best 5 fitness tips for busy geeks.

Why Android smartbooks will eventually be free: We have seen a lot of action at Computex around the Snapdragon based android eeepc and all the shenanigans around it. Despite this there are so many manufacturers preparing Android and Snapdragon Based devices that Asus can't afford to miss the boat. I also think that the new Android smartbooks will not only be cheap, but that eventually they will be free and I'll explain why below.

Don't Get Me Wrong, Linux sucks as much as Windows: Here is the latest hot trend in anti-Linux baloney: supposed Linux fans and advocates who really really love Linux and have been using it for years, but can't recommend it for anyone else because "It's not ready."

Judgement Day: Studio Dave Tests Ubuntu Studio 9.04: I need at least one i386 installation here at Studio Dave because some production software is not yet 64-bit ready, and I happen to need that software. SuperCollider3 can run on a 64-bit system, but only after some tricky maneuvers; the label printing programs for my Lightscribe drive are 32-bit only; and VST/VSTi audio plugins still work best in a pure 32-bit system. My main production machine runs a pure 64-bit distribution (64 Studio), but an i386 box is still required for the complete Studio Dave.

We don't need you either Asus: After reading articles like this one today. It's safe to say that this sucks. Linux MADE Asus the market leader it is. Xandros bent over backwards to tailor a UI specifically for the tiny 7inch screen that really did make the first netbooks fly. Now this crap. Some of the things that I've learned by asking (off the record) some local retailers of the Asus systems. These retailers tend to be more hands on than a "Best Buy".

6 of the Best Free Linux CAD Software: Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computer technology for the design of objects, real or virtual. ?It often refers to the drafting (technical drawing and engineering drawing) of a part or product, including entire buildings. However, CAD software is used in a wide variety of other fields such as electronics and woven fabrics.