Showing all newswire headlines

The important question we must ask is this: Who owns the hardware, and what rights should these owners of tangible property expect to be protected in the law.

Many Web users have turned to Mozilla's Firefox Web browser for its stripped-down, streamlined operation (and because it's less of a target than Microsoft Internet Explorer). One of the benefits is a huge aftermarket for add-ons that extend the open-source browser's feature set.

KeyBank is an example that Linux proponents wish there were more of. The Cleveland-based bank is in the midst of a multiyear upgrade to Linux and expects the open-source operating system to be running on almost 15 percent of its servers, many with mission-critical applications, by 2008.

Mozilla Corp. on Thursday gave users a first look at the next version of its Thunderbird e-mail client by releasing an alpha of v. 2.0.

At last! The answer to why ex-Windows users come to Linux and complain because it isn't just like Windows!

[You want to read this one! - hkwint]

EBay Inc. on Tuesday began providing open source code for some of its search and access applications to expand its external developer community. The software will be available under a new program called Community Codebase, which was announced at the eBay Developers Conference in San Jose, California, on Tuesday.

Chinese Linux distributor Co-Create says it signed a multi-million dollar deal July 25 to use Alacos Desktop Migration Agent -- an automated Windows-to-Linux desktop and user migration suite -- to move 50,000 desktop users from Windows to Co-Create Linux in China and other parts of Asia.

On July 27, the OASIS announced that the first draft update of ODF (version 1.1) had been posted for public comment. This draft is more than usually significant, since it seeks to assist those that implement ODF make their applications more accessible to those with disabilities.

The "portable" version of Firefox 1.5.0.5 is now released, developer John Haller reports. "Portable Firefox" is the Mozilla Firefox web browser integrated with a "launcher" that makes it a fully portable app, enabling users to take their bookmarks, extensions, and saved passwords with them to whatever computer they're working on.

July 28, 2006 (IDG News Service) -- France's Constitutional Council has made a stringent new copyright law even harsher, modifying three articles of the law and striking out a fourth in a review of its constitutionality. The changes mean that unauthorized sharing of copyright files such as music tracks will become a criminal offense, while those who reverse-engineer DRM (digital rights management) systems in order to develop interoperable software will face six months in prison and a fine of $36,000.

[This is horrendous! - dcparris]

Tens of thousands of users are deploying open-source storage software in an effort to avoid pricey proprietary products such as array clustering and disk eraser applications and to get some long-term protection through the availability of source code.

Ryan Quinn has been the lead developer of Symphony OS since it's inception; however, now both him AND the project he has tirelessly been working on are both in trouble.

Woburn, MA – Strategic Test has announced the release of new Linux® drivers for kernel 2.6 versions of RedHat, SuSe and Fedora distributions. The kernel 2.4 drivers have also been updated. Linux kernel 2.6 gives increased stability and near to real-time operating system performance, useful for measurement and signal generation applications.

Open-source software developers in China should invest in Linux and similar software, senior industry executives said at a Beijing conference Wednesday. Though current Chinese investment in open-source software manufacturing is relatively small, the numbers are rising. Sales of Linux in the country rose 20 percent between 2003 and 2004, and analysts predict that figure will grow 24 percent annually by 2009, with revenue topping $27 million.

A weeklong conference of open source developers ended Friday in Portland with a battle cry. Eben Moglen, legal counsel to Free Software Foundation, declared that the war against closed, proprietary software controlled by Microsoft and others is far from won.

Learn step-by-step how to incorporate Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) into Web pages.

Commentary: By definition, members of the free and open source software (FOSS) communities have shown themselves to be more than software and hardware experts. They've also proved themselves people willing to take a stand on behalf of their ethics and the quality of their work. Contrary to the stereotype of the geek, many apply this same commitment to politics and social events. Now, when many companies are hovering around the question of how they should support FOSS, and some are considering implementing restrictive technologies like digital rights management (DRM), maybe it's time for the next logical step. Maybe it's time for FOSS supporters to become consumer advocates. In other words, perhaps they should start officially endorsing or condemning companies and organizations according to how well products and policies fit with FOSS ethics.

[So glad you could join us, Bruce! We've been arguing that in our forums since at least last October. - dcparris]

India is expanding a government-led program to provide free, local language software to all of its citizens, as it tries to broaden computer use in the country.

Motorola's success with its Linux-based smartphones in China shows signs of the open source platform's growing influence.

The world No. 2 mobile phone maker, which debuted the Ming smartphone in March this year in China, shipped more than one million Linux-based units in China alone last quarter, according to research firm Canalys.

Open source software came under scrutiny at a recent forum organized by the IP Academy and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). Moderated by Associate Professor Daniel Seng from Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore and Senior Fellow at IP Academy, the forum examined the open source model from the point of view of the end user, the service provider, the Business Software Alliance and the legal community.