12.06.08
Links 06/12/2008: GNU/Linux Market Share Exceeds Apple’s?
GNU/Linux
- Playing the numbers game 2008: number of Linux installations world wide
Given that Fedora/Red Hat has roughly 10% and also roughly 10 million users together (which in fact seems like a at least slightly realistic data base, given the facts), the total number of Linux users world wide would sum up to 100 million Linux users. Nice.
That would leave Mac OS far behind, which is however not that surprising: Mac OS is hardly used in Offices or the government outside the US, and it is far easier to give Linux a try and keep it as a dual boot option besides a Windows installation. Also, the EU governments are pushing Linux quite a lot, and many companies and governments indeed switch to Linux right now or already switched over in the client space for some of the day-to-day workstations.
- Linux, VDI, Vista, and the Economy: A Perfect Storm?
- The Wine development release 1.1.10 is now available.
- 10 Reasons To Choose Linux in a Bad Economy
- EnQii and Open Source Technology
1. Our RT servers are Linux-based. This means high stability and great flexibility.
2. Our client (the RemotePlayer) is Linux-based too.
- XAMPP for Linux
- Why Can’t Computers Just Work All the Time?
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Sub-notebooks
- What makes a netbook?
- Will the NSW Govt put Linux in schools?
The NSW Government’s release this week of an expressions of interest tender to give low-cost laptops to every senior public school student in NSW is a big step, but will these systems be Windows or Linux?
Rolling out from 2009 onwards, the program will mean a whole generation of students will be a great deal more technically literate, which can only be a good thing. However, the cost per device (only $500) is going to be a challenge for vendors to meet.
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Embedded
- Android 1.0 ported to Nokia N810
- Linux smartphones: Nokia remains the odd one out
- Wind River Systems, Inc. F3Q09 (Qtr End 10/31/08) Earnings Call Transcript [Linux Business Up 115%]
In Q3, we had another excellent Linux quarter as bookings grew 115% over last year. We are well positioned to achieve sales in excess of $65 million in FY ’09. We continue to make progress with the execution of our strategy in the mobile handset and mobile internet device or MID Vertical. Participating in each of the leading mobile Linux consortia, the Open Handset Alliance, i.e. Google’s Android, Intel’s Moblin and LiMo positions Wind River to strategically benefit regardless of which mobile Linux approach the market ultimately embraces.
- Wind River reports strong year
- i.MX31 module runs Linux
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KDE
- Hands on: Explore the KDE 4.1 Linux desktop
The aforementioned Plasma feature now works without a hitch, and ‘Plasmoids’ (Plasma applets) can be added, removed, scaled and rotated at will. The taskbar has had many improvements too, and its width and position can now be adjusted.
- Ubuntu: Try KDE 4.2 Now!
- KDE Videocast Episode 4, December 6!
- Hands on: Explore the KDE 4.1 Linux desktop
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Events
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Distributions
- PC/OS: Insert CD, use desktop
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Red Hat
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Ubuntu
- Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase Looking for Artistic Ninjas
- Ubuntu desktop available on low-power ARM technology-based computing devices
- Harvest Energy to Save Costs and the Environment
Scott Johnson developed a solar-powered Internet “hub” system, which is capable of running Ubuntu GNU/Linux. This device labeled as SolarNetOne uses readily available hardware that can be modified to run on 12V thus using minimal power.
F/OSS
- Zmanda’s Revenue and Subscriber Base Quadrupled in 2008 via Open Source Data Protection Solutions
- ‘Cloud computing to fuel open source explosion’
- Updated guide on Open Source for SMEs
- EOSDirectory.com – Enterprise Open Source Directory
- Open Source and Free Puppies
- Liferay Releases a New Open Source Solution
- Get on Board with Open-Source ECG Project
- Open Source Enterprise-Grade ArisID Focus of December 11 OpenLiberty.org Webcast
- Open Source Makes Application Server Waves
- Smart Trade to Lead Global Development and Support for the QuickFIX/J Team’s 100% Open Source Java FIX Engine
- Open Source IP PBX Vendor Gains International Recognition
- Cadence Intros Open Source SystemVerilog Solution
- The Spanish Revolution, Free Software, and GPL Enforcement
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Healthcare
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Dimdim
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OpenSolaris
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Firefox/Mozilla
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OpenOffice.org
- OpenOffice skakes Microsoft
- Small Businesses Tips: Software Alternatives Can Trim Costs
OpenOffice, a project from Sun Microsystems, offers almost all of the same core functionality of Office, including spreadsheets, word processing and presentation software. The program is a free download that will work on any computer running the Windows, Macintosh or Linux operating systems — so even if you have a variety of systems at your business, employees can use the same familiar software on any machine.
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ODF
- IBM and Business Partners Introduce a Linux-Based, Virtual Desktop
IBM Open Collaboration Client Solution software (OCCS) based on IBMLotus Symphony, IBM Lotus Notes and Lotus applications. IBM Lotus Symphonyis built on the Open Document Format (ODF).
- Black Friday Special for Tables – the easy way to spreadsheets
The upcoming Tables 1.5 will add additional formatting options as well as an OpenDocument format (ODF) exporter. Tables 1.5 will be available as a free update for all registered customers.
- IBM and Business Partners Introduce a Linux-Based, Virtual Desktop
Copyleft
- Introduction to Copyleft Movement
- Why Copyright? Canadian Voices on Copyright Law
- Award-winning Open Source Doc Looks at Digital Copyright
- Musicians tap new revenue model
- Creative Commons Asks How You Define “Non-Commercial”
- RIAA to engage with the silver surfers
DRM
- Apple copies Microsoft tactics in Itunes row
Sam Odio, operator of bluwiki, did what Jobs’ Mob demanded only because he said he lacked the money to take on the fruit-themed toymaker.
He told AP that, when a lawyer calls you up and implicitly threatens litigation that would bankrupt your little project, you obviously have no choice but to comply.
- 35 Days Against DRM — Anti-DRM actions
- [Linux-powered] Kindle Sold Out Until February
Web
- Cash floods in for anti-censorship protests
Political activists GetUp have raised over $30,000 in less than a day to support their fight against the Government’s plan to censor the internet, a response the group has described as “unprecedented”.
The money will be put towards an advertising blitz designed to inform the public of the consequences of the plan, which experts say include slower internet speeds, significant false positives, failure to stop people from subverting the filters and the risk that the blacklist will be expanded to include the blocking of regular pornography, political views, gambling and pro-abortion sites.
- Study: Google uses 21X more bandwidth than it pays for
Google is by far the largest user of Internet bandwidth, its share of bandwidth usage is rising rapidly, and its bandwidth use is orders of magnitude greater than its payment for its cost, according to a new study by NETCompetition.org,
a site committed to Net Neutrality“pro-competition Internet forum funded by broadband companies.”
twitter said,
December 6, 2008 at 9:30 am
Andrew Nusca of ZDnet seems to have sucked down an old ATT lie about “Google’s use” of bandwith. Google pays for it’s bandwith and I pay for my bandwith and all of it is paid for. Customer demand should not count as Google bandwith and no one should use retail bandwith costs for anything but protest material.
Google is a large enough company to peer and get the rate telcos actually value their service at. The rest of us are paying through the nose for state protected monopoly service. Telcos should be glad that companies like Google have created a demand for ISP service at monopoly rates. The rest of us are waiting for Google and others to use whitespace spectrum to finally eliminate the last mile barrier. At that point, we will all get fair bandwith rates and surviving telcos won’t be able to point to one rape to justify another.