OSnews - Exploring the Future of Computing

Common Malware Enumeration Initiative

Submitted by LogError 2005-10-05 Privacy, Security 5 Comments

The Common Malware Enumeration Initiative was just announced. Headed by the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) and supported by an editorial board of anti-virus vendors and related organizations it should provide a neutral method for malware outbreaks.

Is Desktop Linux Stuck on Stupid?

Submitted by Magnum 2005-10-05 Linux 101 Comments

"So how's that look-like-Windows thing working for the Linux community? Is the wave of desktop adoption far ahead of where it was in 2001 and 2002 when this started? And, if not, why don't we stop doing it? Is it because we're stuck on stupid?"

‘GoogleOffice’: A Microsoft Office Killer?; Free StarOffice 8

Thom Holwerda 2005-10-05 Google 34 Comments

"If 'GoogleOffice' ever materializes, it won't be going head-to-head with Microsoft Office. Instead, expect some new MSN services in the pipeline to emerge as Redmond's secret weapons." On a related note, Sun's StarOffice 8 is now available as a free download for teachers and students.

Windows Vista’s New Security Features

Thom Holwerda 2005-10-05 Windows 16 Comments

Microsoft's new operating system won't be out until late 2006, but here's a look at some of the new security features expected. This includes less kernel-level code, IE7 in restricted mode, and more.

Wind River Flows Into Mobile Linux Maelstrom

Andrew Youll 2005-10-05 Linux 1 Comment

Wind River today launched a version of its commercial embedded Linux distribution targeting mobile phones, set-top boxes, PVRs (personal video recorders), and other small-footprint consumer electronics devices. The company expects its Platform for Consumer Electronics, Linux Edition to be used in several mobile phone designs shipping before 2006.

A First Look at GIMP 2.4

Thom Holwerda 2005-10-05 Graphics 22 Comments

A major update to the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), widely regarded as the leading free software raster image editing program, is scheduled for this month. The 2.4 release is expected to include a number of new features and enhancements to existing features.

Mobile Email Client for USB Devices

Submitted by Shane Coughlan 2005-10-05 Internet 9 Comments

At the core of Mobility Email is Mozilla Thunderbird, the wildly popular open source email client. The best thing about Mobility Email is that it's totally mobile. You can take it anywhere with you on an iPod Shuffle (or any other USB device). Simply plug your USB key into any Windows computer in the world and boom. There's all your email and all your contacts.

Arm Reveals Cortex A8

Submitted by petera 2005-10-05 Hardware 9 Comments

Chip designer Arm is unveiling the latest generation of processors that will power future mobile phones. Processors built with the Cortex A8 design will have more than one billion transistors on board and will be many times more powerful than current ones.

FreeBSD: Interview with Release Engineer Scott Long

Submitted by Dan 2005-10-05 FreeBSD 30 Comments

BSDForums interviews FreeBSD Release Engineering Team's Scott Long relating to various aspects of FreeBSD. Topics discussed include FreeBSD general issues, its academic roots, how FreeBSD compares to other BSDs - OpenBSD, NetBSD, and the ongoing debate on FreeBSD vs. Linux. Scott gives us his perspective on the corporate adoption and popularity of FreeBSD. He brings us up to speed on FreeBSD 6.0, its new features and enhancements, including Apple G4 PowerMac, AMD64 and wireless compatibility. Scott also discusses FreeBSD 6.0's upgrade path and release timetable.

Computing with the Breezy Badger; Partnership Programme

Eugenia Loli 2005-10-05 Ubuntu 7 Comments

The Free Agent is back in shape and working with the latest Ubuntu Linux. Also, Canonical launches the Ubuntu Partnership Programme.

Linspire to Wrestle Red Hat, Novell for Enterprise Desktops

Eugenia Loli 2005-10-05 Linspire 9 Comments

Linspire will release its first enterprise desktop product, "Linspire Professional," by the end of this year, CTO Tom Welch told DesktopLinux.com Tuesday.

Embeddable C/C++ Interperter Ch 5.1 Released

Eugenia Loli 2005-10-05 General Development 5 Comments

Embeddable Ch is a C/C++ interpreter for cross-platform scripting, 2D/3D plotting, numerical computing, shell programming and embedded scripting. It was announced the availability of Ch 5.1 and Embedded Ch 5.1. Ch which enhance embedded ch scripting with thread handling. They allow you to abort a run time embedded ch thread. It supports MingW for SDK and Embedded Ch. This release also fixes many bugs. More here.

City Google Wi-Fi Chills Telecoms

Eugenia Loli 2005-10-05 Google 11 Comments

San Francisco's plan to blanket the city with wireless Internet access at little or no cost to users might bring a smile to the face of residents who would like to save money. But an array of entrenched telecommunications interests, including Internet service providers and telephone and cable television companies, are far from beaming.

Installing Fink on Mac OS X

Eugenia Loli 2005-10-05 macOS 11 Comments

At its heart, Mac OS X is a Unix operating system. This means that plenty of Unix open source software compiles and runs on it. However, compiling software can be tedious, especially if it has many dependencies, or if it hasn't been tested on Mac OS X. You have to perform the usual configure/make/make install process and hope it all works fine. Maybe you have to tamper with the makefile or even the source code. Moreover, you'll need to make sure all libraries used by the software are installed. Here is where Fink comes in.

New, Faster, Rendering Architecture for Syllable

Eugenia Loli 2005-10-05 Syllable, AtheOS 3 Comments

Arno Klenke has completed his work on a new rendering architecture for Syllable which promises a faster and smoother user interface. Also, there is now XGI Volari & Intel 9xx support on Syllable.

What Is Quartz

Eugenia Loli 2005-10-05 Java 10 Comments

Quartz is an open source job-scheduling framework written entirely in Java and designed for use in both J2SE and J2EE applications. It offers great flexibility without sacrificing simplicity. You can create simple or complex schedules for executing any job. It includes features such as database support, clustering, plugins, prebuilt jobs for EJB, JavaMail and others, support for cron-like expressions, and many more.

The Arrival of NX, Part 5: Using NX

Eugenia Loli 2005-10-05 Internet No Comments

Here's the 5th installment of LinuxJournal's NX series. This time out, learn how to navigate with hands-on exercises that demonstrate all NX can do.

Microsoft to Provide Security Strategy Update

Eugenia Loli 2005-10-05 Privacy, Security 5 Comments

Senior Microsoft executives on Thursday plan to provide an update on the software maker's security strategy and products plans, including its upcoming enterprise anti-spyware offering, sources said.

Rumor Mill Spins Newest Tune: iPod Will Have Video Soon

Eugenia Loli 2005-10-05 Apple 17 Comments

Apple's hugely popular iPod digital music device could be in for another makeover — this time as a highly anti-cipated unit that plays both audio and video. In the meantime, Archos announced yesterday -- available in 30, 60 and 100 GB versions -- the new AV500 which sports a 4-inch colour widescreen display and not only plays back media - it records it as well.

Microsoft’s Take on the Palm Alliance

Eugenia Loli 2005-10-05 Wireless No Comments

MS PressPass interviewed their own Pieter Knook about the now historic Palm-Microsoft alliance.