2004 August

I really like the fact Linksys has been using Linux to power a number of their devices and appliances, as it allows folks to jump in and extend the capabilities of these devices well beyond what Linksys originally intended. First was one of the Linksys access points, but today on /. I read about a [...]

“However, recent findings by Open Source Risk Management, an insurer focused on open-source liability, that Linux could be threatened by 283 issued patents does point out a potential problem for corporate users of Linux distributions. Unlike most commercial software vendors, no Linux vendor currently provides customers with the assurance that it will assist in a [...]

“This version installs the current unstable development releases of KDE and applications. Currently it gives a complete KDE 3.3 RC 2 installation. Optionally you can install additional applications like KOffice 1.3.2 or KDevelop 3.1 RC 2.”

SECURITY: Debian GNU/Linux Advisory: kdelibs
SECURITY: Gentoo Linux Advisories: rsync, glibc
SECURITY: Netwosix Linux Advisory: rsync
SECURITY: Debian GNU/Linux Advisories: rsync, ruby
SECURITY: tinysofa Advisory: rsync
SECURITY: SUSE Linux Advisory: rsync
SECURITY: Gentoo Linux Advisories: acroread, Tomcat

Adamantix 1.0.4
“Adamantix v1.0.4 has been released! With almost 3300 packages (against less than 1200 in v1.0.3), this release is a big step forward in the evolution of Adamantix. The most notable change is the inclusion of various X related packages like KDE 3.2.3, Mozilla, Firefox v0.9.3, Evolution, Gaim, Nessus, etc. XFree86 itself does not work, [...]

Trying to create a Linux file system is a pretty big job no matter what. However by using graphical tools, this can make the task a whole lot easier. This article at LinuxDevices.com demonstrates how tools such as TimeSys’s TimeStorm can really make the difference.

Neowin.net reports that Open Source programmer Jim Hugunin, has been “acquired” by Microsoft. It is reported that MS has asked for his services to assist with Microsoft’s support for dynamic languages.

The U.S. Air Force will be putting Linux onto a simulated battlefield. Rather than using rifles or missiles, the Open Source OS will be used in a six cluster system to help monitor troop movement, vehicle interaction with the supply lines among other tasks.

Computerworld looks at the difficult choice that comes with a commercial distro like Red Hat versus an free one like Debian. Sure having the OS for free is great, but you will likely run into issues with hardware compatibility. I think it behooves most larger companies to stick with a commercial distro rather than trying [...]

AbiWord v2.0.10 has officially been released. What makes this Open Source Word Processor so unique is that it truly a cross-platform piece of software. Runs on Windows, Linux and OS X (with some configuring).

In 1987, computing was a little different that it is today. As a matter of fact, so were the software programs. Take the portable assembler “crasm” for instance. Used back then on the AmigaOS, it has now been ported to Linux for all to enjoy.

Believe it or not, there are still people out there that believe that the Open Source movement will be the death of the closed source software. This is absurd. Think about it people, if a closed source company can not compete with an Open Source product, that is quite frankly their problem. At anytime, that [...]

As uClinux continues to gain popularity with mobile devices, programmers are really beginning to stand up and take notice. There are some choice differences that make uClinux so out of the ordinary for programmers used to working with Linux. For instance, uClinux has no memory management. Since there is no memory management to be concerned [...]

Not too long back, I mentioned that Linus Torvalds was being summoned to Australia in order to come to Linux’s rescue in the on going court battles there. Well in an unexpected twist, it looks like Torvalds will be trademarking the word “Linux”. This action is being taken to help protect companies from being sued [...]

Looks like HP is going to be getting into the Carrier grade Linux scene. According to the Register, HP issued a joint press release with Motorola. In the release, it states that HP and Motorola producing a Carrier Grade Linux system along with radio signaling controller software. These systems will be running on 64-bit servers [...]

icewm • 1.2.16
alsa-lib • 1.0.6
epiphany • 1.2.8
synaptic • 0.53
ImageMagick • 6.0.5-2
openssh • 3.9p1

“The new version of KDE has a completely new email client, in one of many improvements designed to close the features gap with Windows
The final release of KDE 3.3, an open-source Linux desktop environment, is due in a few days and will give users greatly improved email facilities.

” The recent announcement of RealPlayer 10 for Linux caught my eye and I decided it was worth taking it for a test drive. Since I was not sure how this might impact my production machines I decided to just slap a new instance of Slackware 10 on a spare partition of my test box. [...]

If you’re looking for a router for your home network but desire more flexibility and utility than what most off-the-shelf units offer, you need to check out IPCop. It will handle firewalling, proxying, DMZs, and more, and is administered from a slick, web-based GUI.

The free/Open Source project The GIMP has been mentioned here several times before. It’s fast, it’s powerful, and it’s at least as friendly as the commercial competition. But there’s a lot to it, and tutorials and help files will only take you so far.