09.11.08
Posted in GNU/Linux, Hardware, Microsoft, Vista, Windows at 1:54 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
ASUSTeK did not exactly fulfill those expectations from "Express Gate" after getting “closely tied up with Microsoft,” to borrow the company's very own words. We previously explained how Microsoft was fighting boot-level GNU/Linux. It has been a couple of months since we last wrote about it and a reader of this Web site reports based on the experiences of one shop.
“Has anyone seen Asus’ ‘Express Gate’,” he asked, later adding that “You have to have Windows to install it.”
Further he said: “If you want that ‘instant on’ option, there is only an XP or Vista installer. Nothing else. So, you can’t install this Splashtop, GNU/Linux based environment without Microsoft Windows installed. [...] there are only XP and Vista installers.
“Our company has started offering systems with the new Asus mobo’s with Express Gate. Auus has provided no way of installing it without Windows already installed. [...] It’s on the Asus utilities disk. You can’t install it without Windows installed first because Asus only provides a Windows installer.”
As pointed out before, ASUS had promised ‘Express Gate’ on all motherboard. Could that “closely tied up with Microsoft” thing have already changed the company’s strategy? █
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Posted in News Roundup at 5:39 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
Laptops
- $98 Linux laptop makes Netbooks look pricey
- Netbooks, Chrome and the future of computing
- A Tiny Laptop With a Difference: No Hard Drive
- Acer Perspire One
Enough about me, let’s get back to the sweaty business in hand. Of course, I decided that the installed Linpus Lite linux (based on the venerable Fedora), which works perfectly adequately, had to be ripped out and replaced with Ubuntu. It has become an obsession of mine, to install Ubuntu linux on everything. The fridge runs Ubuntu now, as does the PC and the mobile phone, and I’m considering an implant for the dog.
- Finding Linux Systems Where They Never Were Found Before
I regularly receive a catalog from Tiger Direct in the mail Up until very recently every system, desktop and laptop, in their catalog ran Windows and sported a Windows logo in the ad. While the majority still do a half a dozen laptops, all low-end netbooks, are sold with Linux preinstalled and the Tux logo is prominently featured in some of the ads. Linux netbooks by Sylvania, Asus, HP, and Acer are all prominently advertised alongside Windows systems. Searching for Linux on their website reveals additional models available preloaded with Linux.
GNU/Linux
Desktop Environments
F/OSS
Browsers
Leftovers
Digital Tipping Point: Clip of the Day
Michael Robertson, Chairman of Linspire, Inc. 07 (2004)
Digital Tipping Point is a Free software-like project where the raw videos are code. You can assist by participating.
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Posted in Apple, GNU/Linux, Intellectual Monopoly, Patents at 4:57 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
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Death by patents
As critics of software patents, it’s worth taking the time to discover that other areas of patenting are equally harmed by a system which has become too lenient and therefore useless. It brings more friction than that promised “innovation”.
There are morel issues too because death can be inflicted by patents. Nobel Laureates seem supportive of the contention that there is an inherent problem and now comes this new report.
The world’s intellectual property system is broken. It’s stopping lifesaving technologies from reaching the people who need them most in developed and developing countries, according to the authors of a report released in Ottawa today by an international coalition of experts.
Looking beyond software in the news, it seems like even battery-charging techniques are being fenced with patents.
Patent Issued for O2Micro’s Battery Charging Architecture
[...]
“O2Micro’s charger family of products is built on this core architecture. Continuation of this patent allows us to continue expanding the benefits of charger solutions,” commented Dr. Alex Hartular, vice president, O2Micro.
Apple has also applied for something rather abstract about the processing of signal from multiple input devices.
As the patent application explains, computer systems generally have various means of input, but usually these are all independent of each other and not combined.
Apple might argue that this patent is merely defensive, but in reality, its patents stifle the development of Free desktop environment. It helps nobody. █
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Posted in GNU/Linux, Interoperability, Microsoft, Novell, Red Hat, Virtualisation, Windows at 4:20 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
Monopoly now, community later
As stressed many times before, Novell has placed its bets on relying on Microsoft. It hopes that by obeying the wishes of the company behind Windows, it might receive a reward. Without it, Novell would be experiencing financial difficulties.
A couple of weeks ago, Novell’s CEO stated that the number of collaborations with Microsoft were expected to roughly triple. In other words, those who believe they have seen Microsoft and Novell getting closer have plenty left to witness. How long before Novell just becomes a part of Microsoft?
Earlier this morning (around midnight in Waltham), the following press release hit the wires.
Microsoft and Novell Deliver Joint Virtualization Solution Through Partners
[...]
Supported by Dell and other channel partners, solution includes SUSE Linux Enterprise Server running as optimized guest on Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V.
[...]
The virtualization solution is the first to include technology developed by both companies at their joint Interoperability Lab, including virtual machine adapters built to optimize SUSE Linux Enterprise Server as an optimized, or often referred to as enlightened, guest operating system on Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, providing optimized performance to SUSE Linux guests.
It is clear that Novell’s plan has not changed, but practical progress is being made twards making GNU/Linux a guest machine under Windows hosts, using Microsoft’s own virtualisation products that discriminate against Red Hat, for instance. It’s a predatory joining of former rivals to just hurt other rivals and hand over power to one company: Microsoft.
Microsoft could play with all GNU/Linux distributions, but instead it chose to separate between those that pay Microsoft for the ‘privilege’ to function and those that do not. Stephen Withers, failing to realise the complexity of this situation, is quick to proactively dismiss critics as ‘anti-Microsoft’.
inux and Windows working nicely together might not be the dream scenario for Linux purists committed to a Microsoft-free world. Indeed, there are some who will likely slam this development as little more that Microsoft hype and hoo-hah.
Sean Michael Kerner published this quick article as well.
It also comes at an opportune time for Novell, which is trying to differentiate itself from competitor Red Hat and its virtualization offerings.
Just a few days ago, Novell’s Jaffe talked about the “depth of partnership with Microsoft.” Has it ever occurred to Novell that it could partner with GNU/Linux counterparts rather than partner against them?
Depth of partnership with Microsoft
The depth of our partnership with Microsoft is the significant. Some of the key aspects of this partnership are:
- Technical collaboration as part of our original agreement. This was broad covering many areas: documents, directory, management, and virtualization
- A joint laboratory in Cambridge, MA to work on interoperability
- An expansion of this technical collaboration into new areas. This includes the Moonlight project for the Silverlight framework and accessibility.
- Bolstering the technical collaboration by building companion offers. A great example is our Advanced Management Pack for Linux.
Regular meetings at working levels and executive levels to understand customer problems and explore where additional interoperability is required.
Overall, this comes to prove that proprietary software agenda comes before Free software at Novell. What a shame and what a waste. A reality check is needed for those inside Novell who are still fooled into thinking that the company is a friend of freedom rather than its paid suppressor. █
“We will do some buying of companies that are built around open-source products.”
–Steve Ballmer 2007
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09.10.08
Posted in News Roundup at 4:43 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
GNU/Linux
Distributions
F/OSS
Firefox
Leftovers
Digital Tipping Point: Clip of the Day
Larry Augustin, GNU Linux business visionary 07 (2005)
Digital Tipping Point is a Free software-like project where the raw videos are code. You can assist by participating.
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Posted in Apple, Finance, GNU/Linux, Hardware, Microsoft, Security, Servers, Windows at 3:59 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
Failing Products
It’s no secret that the Zune has become synonymous with failure and it demonstrates Microsoft’s inability to expand to new markets and become profitable in them. Steve Ballmer recently commented on the XBox and Zune, calling them “funny products” because Microsoft has not yet figured out how to make money off them. That’s just what he said on the record.
Microsoft has just made another poor attempt at reviving the Zune franchise, but according to some, it’s time for Microsoft to give up and stop wasting money.
The Zune is another matter. Apple’s lead is too large. The Zune is not a product which is terribly different from its competition.
Microsoft can simply say it does not want to take a bath on the Zune while it is taking a more intelligent risk with Xbox profitability.
Kill the Zune. Save some money.
More information about the Zune (starting more with more recent reports) can be found in:
- Zune Guy calls Microsoft ‘liars,’ says Zune situation is ‘f***ing bulls**t’
- Zune Guy Rant Against Microsoft and Zune no Longer Available
- Zune absent from Microsoft exec’s speech
- The beginning of the end for the Microsoft Zune
- Zuneral this Saturday!
- GameStop to Stop Zune Sales
- From Vista to Zune: Why Microsoft Can’t Sell to Consumers
- Zune Sales Still In the Toilet
- Microsoft May Build a Copyright Cop Into Every Zune
- Microsoft says Zune executive will leave company [article removed]
- Dancing Ballmer subjected to Zune dance therapy
- A Legitimate Reason to Hate the Zune (And Microsoft Too)
Another Microsoft failure is actually Windows. Yes, the latest version continues to be a failure and Roughly Drafted explains how Microsoft got there.
Microsoft senior vice president Bill Veghte called the campaign “telling the story of Windows,” a product that, as he wrote, “enables a billion people around the globe to do more with their lives daily.”
Wait, Windows enables users to do more than what, not having an operating system? More than if they had not paid for a commercial operating system? More than if they were using another operating system?
This is the kind of meaningless corporate speech that Microsoft has been gushing for years. In reality, the “story of Windows” is really not something Microsoft can afford to tell.
The truer story is being told by Daniel and it’s quite entertaining to see through (and past) the screen of smoke and mirrors.
Windows Security Crisis
There are 8 more reasons for Microsoft software to produce zombie PCs.
Microsoft packed eight fixes in its four security bulletins released for Patch Tuesday, addressing numerous imaging and other critical errors that could all leave Windows users vulnerable to a remote attack by a malicious hacker.
There are many zombie PCs out there on the Internet (around 320 million), but GNU/Linux, which is said to be a leading platform in Web and mail servers according to this Science Daily article, is trying to resolve the issue by defending Windows.
They recently unveiled a unique new program called the “Korset” to stop [Windows] malware on Linux, the operating system used by the majority of web and email servers worldwide.
Microsoft Squeezes the Goose
At times of financial stress [1, 2, 3] it’s hardly surprising that Microsoft passes more of its burden onto innocent customers, who were spoiled to the point of believing that Windows is free (gratis). To paraphrase Bill Gates, Microsoft was planning “to collect some time in the next decade,” so there are new types of nags even in a 7-year-old operating system.
Microsoft warns about Windows anti-piracy checks
[...]
Under its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) notifications program this September, Windows will automatically activate these notifications urging users to check for validity of their installed operating system.
Microsoft Seniors Quit the Company
Two departures stand out. The first is the head of Microsoft Romania, who is now being replaced.
Starting October 15, 2008 Calin Tatomir, former IT private consultant director will take over the lead of Microsoft Romania, the company informs on Monday (8 Sept). He will replace Silviu Hotaran, Microsoft Romania head between 1996-2004 and June 2007 until now.
There are also some shuffles down south in Australia where a chief executive left.
Fleming, who takes up his new post on September 29, replaces Andrew Howard, who was acting chief executive after former chief Ian Reinecke left in April.
Where will those who depart actually end up? As we’ve shown earlier, this can be complicated.
Silver Dark
It’s lights out for Silverlight, at least for Microsoft's partner, NBC.
“NBC just finished broadcasting the Olympics online with Microsoft’s Silverlight video technology, but the network and the NFL are turning back to Adobe’s Flash for live streaming of Sunday Night Football this fall, and started tonight with the season opener between the NY Giants and the Washington Redskins,” Michael Learmonth reports for Silicon Alley Insider.
Whether that’s an isolated choice of somewhat of a pattern, well… it remains to be seen. █
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Posted in Australia, GNU/Linux, Microsoft, Windows at 3:35 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
Market distortion example
A rather serious new case of government’s budget misuse has just been identified and it spreads very quickly at the moment due to its outrageous nature. Here’s the gist of it.
What you see below is a current ad from an educational IT suppliers br[o]chure. It features the new Acer Aspire One netbook in both Windows XP and Linux incarnations. What’s odd about it? The lower spec machine with the free operating system costs half again as much as the higher spec one running Windows.
How can this happen?
Well, here in Victoria the state government has done a deal with Microsoft, which as I understand it essentially means all state schools get their copies of Windows paid for by DEECD. So if a public school buys a higher spec netbook with Windows XP, they get a $156 discount from the government. If they buy a lower spec one netbook with Linux they do not.
So, the government is sponsoring Microsoft’s monopoly while demoting free(dom) software at taxpayers’ expense. Brendan Scott, an Australian lawyer specialising in Free/open source software, has just commented on this issue.
Strike me pink! Less than a week after OSIA sent its submission to a Victorian Parliamentary inquiry into how Victoria can better engage with open source, Cafuego reports some very concerning goings on to do with the Acer Aspire One, the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and apparently discriminatory treatment by the Department of machines loaded with XP compared with those loaded with Linux (when being sold to eligible purchasers).
The one comment at the bottom states: “It looks like the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development need to be sued.” Well, it did happened in Quebec quite recently [1, 2].
This one particular incident will be an excellent case study in monopoly abuse and may also serve as proof of continued abuse of market position by Microsoft.
Earlier today (late afternoon to be precise), a reader from Australia independently brought up the topic of Acer laptops. In the IRC channel he told us not about market distortion using deals but using word of month. It started with a discussion about Eee PC. Specifically he said: “Is anyone able to get GNU/Linux Eee’s anymore? We had a customer who wanted a 901 with Linux but we couldn’t get one. The major supplier is only offering XP [...] Can get Linux on a 900 Celeron but not a 901 Atom. We have had requests for both versions, but only one is made available.”
“Gartner was doing the Microsoft dance once again.”This issue of GNU/Linux-powered Eee unavailability (e.g. in the UK) was already discussed in here. Australia too had some strange incidents reported — incidents where the GNU/Linux-powered Eee PCs were made more expensive than their Windows counterparts. The company later equated the prices, trying to ‘correct’ the error despite being "closely tied up with Microsoft.”
This brings us to Acer. Gartner was doing the Microsoft dance once again [1, 2, 3]. Our reader says: “This is from within our company who is partners with Acer: Gartner did a market study fo[r] Acer and told Acer that Asus was having “a lot of trouble” with Linux and it isn’t working for them so they are getting out of it. I did note to our directors that Gartner’s biggest client is Microsoft but only a couple of people were listening.”
Further he adds: “I’m not sure what Acer is up to really. I hope they’re telling the truth because the pressure within our company not to promote Linux came from Gartner – through Acer. Acer was passing this on and not adding any caveats about Gartners ‘analysis’.” █
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