07.12.08

Links 12/07/2008: Impressions of KDE4; New GNU/Linux Appliances

Posted in News Roundup at 3:03 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz

KDE

KDE on KDE 4.0I

n the following article we would like to address some common misconceptions about KDE 4 as we see it. As we firmly believe in KDE 4 and the future of the Free Desktop, we expected the heated discussions about KDE4 and especially the 4.0 release to go away – and we were wrong about that.
Malina – First alpha release of Amarok 2.0
Contacts Plasmoid mockup
Plasma Weather Meeting and things to come…
KDE and GNOME to Co-locate Flagship Conferences on Gran Canaria in 2009

The KDE e.V. and GNOME Foundation today announced that they will hold their yearly conferences, Akademy and GUADEC in 2009 in Gran Canaria. The conferences will be separate events, but co-located and hosted by the same organizers, the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and its Secretary of Tourism, Technological Innovation and Foreign Trade.

Fedora/Red Hat

HD-ready media server runs Fedora Linux

Next month, Cirgon will announce and ship a Fedora Linux-based media server that supports 1080i HD resolution. The Encore offers 320GB, 500GB, and 750GB hard drive options, and controls management and playback of music, photos, and video for use with an HD-based home theater system.
Fermi Scientific Linux. What is it?

Distributions

New Wolvix website up and running
Ubuntu: Challenge the Mac
SliTaz, a mighty micro Linux distro
Ubuntu 8.10 Alpha 2 Screenshot Tour

As the Ubuntu developers failed to deliver a Live CD with this alpha version (it will be available in Alpha 3), we’ve tested one of the current daily Live builds. Here is the screenshot tour of this second alpha version of Ubuntu 8.10…
I converted to Ubuntu…

I was really surprised when it automatically downloaded a driver for my wireless card, without the need of me to look for it. Now I have to admit that Ubuntu is the No.1 Linux distro for desktop user.

Oh, good bye XP…
Sabayon 3.5
ELive
Mandriva Linux Community Newsletter #129
Distro Review: Linux Mint 5 Elyssa

Overall I would say Mint 5 is more a case of evolution than revolution, there are of course improvements here which are welcome but it feels more a case of fine tuning things than adding big new features. The distro already does so much that it’s hard to see what new features are really needed, though I’m sure the developers have plans. It should also be noted that this is based on Ubuntu 8.04 which is an LTS release and itself could be considered quite conservative on the feature front, it’s about stability and consolidation which makes sense.

GNU/Linux: General

Finally, Notes on Linux is here and ready
[Wine 1.1.1 Released]
A new way to use Linux.
Linux in schools: a teacher speaks

Catching them young is a popular slogan and one that yields dividends too, no matter whether one applies it to the adoption of software or the learning of a language. And with a small window seemingly open for Australia’s FOSS community to push for the use of free and open source software in schools, the question arises – how does one go about making the first inroads?
A Simple Guide to Making the Perfect Recording in Audacity
New Compiz plugins

Besides these additions, Freewins plugin from our one and only C-F dev/journalist SmSpillaz has improved leaps and bounds, keep up the great work. Freewins plugin allows you to rotate any window in any direction (yes including in 3D).
Another reason to love FOSS – Software Kill Switches

One thing I hate above almost anything else is when a vendor tells you what you can and can’t do with your software. That drives me bonkers. Sure, they wrote it and it’s theirs to do with as they wish, but once they sell/give it to me, it’s mine to do with as I see fit – within the confines of the software itself. Unceremoniously switching me off or making me pay more, forcing me to upgrade, stopping me from using the software, or making me bow to other ludicrous demands is just blatant power mongering and extortion. If they want me to do something, they had better have a really good reason why I should do it, and it had better not be “just because we want more money.”

So what brought on this little bout of ranting and bitterness? Well, several things really, but the biggest is the ever infamous software kill switch. It’s been around for years, but really didn’t start coming into its own until Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) came onto the scene. Since then, proprietary vendors have looked at Microsoft’s success with the Software Kill Switch and realized the money making potential of it. They also have seen the power it can give them and it’s become an intoxicating drug to them.
What is so good about Linux?
Is Linux ready for your Small Business?