12.10.08

Links 10/12/2008: Android Grows, Khronos Opens

Posted in News Roundup at 7:33 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz

GNU/Linux

Yugma Introduces Linux (Beta) Version of Web Conferencing Service
Savage 2 Goes Freeware, Mac Client Released

Savage 2 is now available for PC, Linux, Linux 64 bit and OSX.
Enterprise Open Source Thrives

Not surprisingly, Linux spearheads the enterprise open source push: nearly half (45.6 percent) of respondents say they’ve deployed Linux. The venerable Apache Web server — which has nearly as much brand currency as Linux itself — is second in Actuate’s tally, in use by about 44 percent of respondents.
The Financial Crisis Cries for More Open Source

In the last major economic downturn, Linux established itself as a widely-accepted enterprise operating system, benefiting a lively ecosystem of vendors such as Red Hat and Novell. The return of tough economic times puts the open source alternative again front and center, this time with focus on databases and higher-level software applications.
Open Source E-Books for Linux
A Response to “What Are The Issues With Open Source Linux?”

A point by point response to an article on Hackingalert.com entitled “What Are The Issues With Open Source Linux?” that hit our newswire yesterday.
Start-up debuts free, ad-supported Microsoft Exchange replacement

Unison Technologies Inc. is offering its Linux-based unified communications software at no charge to small and midsize companies that are willing to share their employees’ eyeballs and attention spans with advertisers.
Education
- Dear Mr. Obama – Small and Medium Business
  
  Universities that receive federal grants and funds should not be teaching “software products” in their courses. They should be teaching software principles. I believe these software principles are best taught through the use of Free Software.
- Linux – Stop holding our kids back
  
  I don’t know when you attended college Karen but the Linux of even two years ago pales in feature and ability to what there is available now…and that in turn will pale in a year’s time. linux is superior to MS windows in so many ways, they are too numerous to mention here…I am weary of enumerating them. Unlike Microsoft who meters their “improvements” and then shovels them to you every five years or so for purchase; Linux releases their improvements upon their completion.
- Only Linux can deliver 1 million school laptops within budget: systint
  
  Just as the world’s economies started to tank, Australia’s Governments got themselves into an economic bind by promising to supply public school children with laptops. However, a leading systems integrator has issued a blueprint for an affordable blanket laptop roll out using Linux and netbooks.
  
  [...]
  
  “It’s a simple proposition; we’ve prepared an open solution which delivers the best-possible value to education for netbook or laptop roll-outs,” said Con Zymaris, CEO of long-running Linux firm Cybersource.
  
  “Our proposal is to use low-cost netbooks, allocating one per two students, with the students using ‘live’ Linux USB keys to store their operating system, applications and school-work. This results in a major reduction in installation and maintenance complexity, but still allows the students flexibility in how they use their netbooks and applications.”
Sub-notebooks
- From Netvibes to Netbooks: Tariq Krim readying Jolicloud OS
  
  Former Netvibes CEO Tariq Krim has his sights set on Netbooks. According to TechCrunch, Krim will launch a Linux-based OS for Netbooks next year called Jolicloud.
- Sugar Labs Joins Conservancy
Devices
- Novatel Announces ‘Smart Hotspot’
  
  Novatel on Tuesday announced the MiFi, an “intelligent mobile hotspot” that combines a 3G modem, router, and embedded Linux-based PC to create clouds of Internet connectivity wherever you go.
- ARM Announces Support for Open Handset Alliance
- Google/Android
- Nokia
  - Symbian’s open source journey
  - Maemo 5 pre-alpha peeks out