OSnews - Exploring the Future of Computing

Torvalds: How to Keep Linux Kernel on Course

Thom Holwerda 2005-08-09 Linux 18 Comments

According to open-source insiders, the move to create separate kernel trees for technology testing and bug fixes, which are then incorporated into the stable kernel when ready, has been a huge success, pleasing both kernel developers and the vendors who distribute the open-source operating system. Torvalds: "I'm certainly pleased, and judging from the reactions we had at the Linux Kernel Summit in Ottawa a few weeks ago, most everybody else is too."

Windows Vista SDK Goes Gold

Thom Holwerda 2005-08-09 Windows 18 Comments

Microsoft on Monday signed off on the Windows Vista SDK, or software development kit, which will enable developers to create applications for the next-generation Windows release. The SDK, complete with code samples, tools and documentation will be available via MSDN and distributed at next month's PDC conference in LA. In addition, Microsoft has finally released an updated version of Messenger:Mac, bringing it up to par with its Windows brother.

Debian Dissension Gets Louder

Thom Holwerda 2005-08-09 Debian 16 Comments

The Debian Common Core Alliance hasn't even been formally announced yet at LinuxWorld in San Francisco this week, and already one of its prospective members, VA Linux Japan, is explaining why it isn't joining.

Cygwin Brings Unix to Windows

Thom Holwerda 2005-08-09 Unix 38 Comments

Cygwin is a great alternative for those who feel constrained by working with the Windows environment. Cygwin lets you employ the best parts of each environment to fit your needs, whether through porting and development of applications, or simply using the applications in this flexible, powerful system.

Optimize PowerPC with Multiple Slew-Point Algorithms

Submitted by anonymous 2005-08-09 Hardware 4 Comments

What is slewing? Agere Systems Engineer Sean Schultz demonstrates the LCK4013 clocking device to implement flexible processor-slewing algorithms in a PowerPC 970 environment.

Submitted by Adurbe 2005-08-09 SuSE, openSUSE 72 Comments

Adurbe was the first of many to submit the news that openSUSE (aka SUSE 10.0 Beta 1) is now available. The roadmap also includes some interesting information.

MS to Highlight Unix Services in Windows Server R2

Adam Scheinberg 2005-08-09 Windows 22 Comments

At this week's LinuxWorld conference, Microsoft officials are slated to talk up the Services for Unix features that the company is integrating into the Windows Server 2003 R2.

LinuxCertified LC2464 64-bit Linux Laptop

Submitted by centh00 2005-08-09 Linux 28 Comments

ARSTechnica took a new 64 bit laptop out for a test run using Gentoo Linux. How did it fair? Just that: fair, as it turns out. Lightening fast, but with more cons than pros.

Submitted by Varg Vikernes 2005-08-09 Windows 79 Comments

Many people don't know that Microsoft provides an Installable File System (IFS) SDK kit for writing filesystem drivers. This SDK provides necessary info for writing a filesystem driver to manage Linux/OS X drives from Windows 2000, XP or 2003 Server. Stephan Schreiber wrote an Ext2 IFS driver for Windows which supports Ext2 and Ext3 with read/write operations and almost everything else available under Linux except access rights, defraging and some other minor things.

Interview: Microsoft’s Linux Lab Manager

Thom Holwerda 2005-08-08 Microsoft 46 Comments

This interview with Bill Hilf, Microsoft's Linux Lab Manager, answers questions from readers of Slashdot. It speaks about OSS inside Microsoft, attitudes towards open standards, and of course Linux. "Believe it or not, I use more different types of OSS here at Microsoft than I've ever used before. Our team uses over 40 different flavors of Linux and BSD, plus several commercial Unix variants."

Customizing FVWM

Thom Holwerda 2005-08-08 Desktop environments 29 Comments

FVWM, the F Virtual Windows Manager, is a window manager for computers running the X Window System. While KDE and GNOME offer more features, they are also heavy on memory usage. FVWM is light and fast, and you can customize it to meet your needs.

OpenLogic Says Lock-in Endangers Open Source, Too

Submitted by Mark Brunelli 2005-08-08 Open Source 4 Comments

Lack of support for open source applications remains a barrier to adoption, but this is gradually changing, says OpenLogic CTO Ron Cope. In this interview, Cope discusses these and other open source issues, and talks about his company's upcoming product announcements at this week's LinuxWorld conference.

Windows Software RAID Using coLinux

Submitted by Ewan Grantham 2005-08-08 Hardware 9 Comments

"I had been looking for some time to find a way to get the same type of Software RAID support under Windows that is available under Linux for my multiple USB-2 and Firewire drives. Then, I found the coLinux project, and discovered a way to have my Windows and my software RAID too."

Hardware and Architecture in Linux

Submitted by anonymous 2005-08-08 Linux 8 Comments

In this first in a series of five tutorials, Ian introduces you to configuring your system hardware with Linux. By the end of this tutorial, you will know how Linux configures the hardware found on a modern PC and where to look if you have problems (free reg. req.).

EyeOS: a Different Operating System

Submitted by Pau 2005-08-08 OS News 41 Comments

EyeOS is a free, cross-platform personal content manager system based upon the style of a desktop operating system. The base package includes the whole operating system structure and ten apps: a calendar, file manager, text editor, internal messenger, browser and calculator. EyeOS's is thought to provide a complete, scalable and free (GPL) organization and work system. Everyone can port an existing PHP app to EyeOS and create a meta-package. You can test it online here.

Gentoo 2005.1 Released

Submitted by TK 2005-08-08 Gentoo 47 Comments

"The Gentoo Foundation is both pleased and proud to announce the much anticipated release of Gentoo Linux 2005.1. Due to a scheduled power outage at the Open Source Laboratory affecting our master mirror, the release is currently only available for download via BitTorrent. We anticipate recovery from the downtime and full staging of release material to mirrors within 48 hours, accompanied by a comprehensive PR and ChangeLog." In addition, the Gentoo Installer reached their 0.1 release.

Vista To Address PCs Getting Slower Over Time

Thom Holwerda 2005-08-08 Windows 130 Comments

With Vista, Microsoft is addressing what's become a sad truth for most people: PCs run more slowly over time. Vista will automatically de-fragment hard disks, make better use of memory to more quickly load programs, and include a new performance control panel that will identify performance bottlenecks, according to the company. Elsewhere, ActiveWin hosts widescreen, high-res screenshots of Vista.

LinuxWorld Focus Turns to Security

Thom Holwerda 2005-08-08 Linux 3 Comments

Looking to counter Microsoft's claims of security superiority, open-source software vendors are giving the battle against vulnerabilities top billing at this week's LinuxWorld Conference & Expo in San Francisco.

Build a Digital Animation System

Submitted by anonymous 2005-08-08 3D 3 Comments

Growth in the Digital Special Effects and computer animation industry, a sub-segment of the media and entertainment industry, is exploding world wide. A number of reasons have caused this growth and they involve the merging of technology and imagination.This article illustrates the dynamics and business model and processes of the animation effects industry and introduce the existing infrastructure.

Is Agile Development Secure?

Submitted by cankles 2005-08-08 General Development 18 Comments

Agile development methodologies might be the new fad in software design, but how much emphasis is there on secure code? Australian .NET developer and consultant at Readify, Rocky Heckman, reveals some concerns of agile development methodologies.