07.07.08
Links 07/07/2008: Free Software and Altruism; Another Microsoft-Icahn Get-together
GNU/Linux
- A quick look at Linux events of the first half of 2008
With the first half of the year 2008 now behind us, let’s take a look at some of the most interesting events that shaped the past six months.
Probably the most important Linux-related story of this year was the continued success of Linux on ultra-portable laptops. These simple Internet devices, pioneered by ASUS in the form of its Eee PC and latercopied” by just about every major hardware manufacturer, are largely responsible for the growing perception among the general public that Linux is just as effective an operating system as any of the mainstream alternatives – all without the extra costs and limitations present in proprietary products. In fact, such was the success of Linux on the Eee PC that Microsoft was forced to spend a large amount of money on promoting Windows and has reportedly cut the price of its specially built Windows XP to as little as US$26. Despite that, it might still end up on the losing side of the battle.
- Linux Bloggers Wax Skeptical on the Post-Gates World
- GLACIER COMPUTER RELEASES LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM FOR EVEREST UNIT
- Abit Offers Broadcasters Increased Flexibility With New Linux Based Automation System At IBC
F/OSS
- Sangoma to acquire Paraxip Technologies for $4.8 million
- Sangoma to Recognize Open Source Telephony Co’s at AsterConference 2008
- VMukti : Open Source Collaborative Product Suite
- Open Source and Social Responsibility, some random thoughts
Bradley M. Kuhn, FLOSS Community Liaison and Technology Director of Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC), asks if contributing to FLOSS is becoming a social cause, as he received a phone call from someone involved with a socially responsible investment house.
[...]
While I am not convinced it is feasible to measure what he calls the “Free Software Fairness Index”, I see that Jonathan Schwartz in 2007 published the first Sun’s Corporate Social Responsibility report, while corporate/social responsibility advocates asked the Oracle board to issue an Open Source Social Responsibility Report to shareholders.
Leftover
- Icahn and Microsoft to oust Yahoo board
CORPORATE RAIDER Carl Icahn and convicted monopolist Microsoft have asked Yahoo shareholders to vote out Yahoo’s board and install Icahn’s proposed slate of replacements.
Michael said,
July 7, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Sigh. I thought it was only the bbc (oh well – not my problem – different country) and the olympics (who cares about that marketing tripe) … but silverlight has bought it’s way into the national Australian broadcaster ABC it seems. The ABC is a bit like the BBC, but the government funds it more directly here afaik.
http://shop.abc.net.au/html/downloads/default.shtm
Seems it’s been there for some time (Mayish). And nobody cares. No news reports, no disapproval. All I can find on the net is some wanky design company saying how it and silverlight are so fantastic (not that you can find anything on google anymore), and a couple of mentions of it happening.
Does anyone care? Looks like they don’t.