OSnews - Exploring the Future of Computing

Demand Service and Support from Tech Companies

Guest post by Fred McCann 2004-08-25 In the News 47 Comments

I recently had a bad experience with an application service provider that illustrated a growing problem with technology companies- lack of service and support. We have grown complacent as technology consumers and we allow vendors to offer very poor levels of service that wouldn't be allowed in other markets.

Open-source developers focus on accessibility

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-25 KDE 24 Comments

Developers behind the next version of KDE are trying to make their software more accessible to people with disabilities. More coverage from aKademy here and here.

Opera 7.60 Preview 1 for Windows; OmniWeb Aims at minority

Submitted by Charles 2004-08-25 Opera 53 Comments

Such an embarrassment of riches. Apple Macintosh users have two new web browsers to choose from. It's a curious market. All Macs come with two free browsers: Microsoft's Internet Explorer 5.2, and Apple's own slick and elegant Safari. But that hasn't stopped a steady queue of software companies looking to promote alternatives.

Is Linux too good to be true?

Submitted by Olivier Magere 2004-08-25 Linux 87 Comments

"Typing "Linux" into Google gives about 109 million results. Surprisingly, that's five million more than searching for "Microsoft". But are potential users of the alternative operating system to Windows being enticed into making a decision they may later regret? Some Windows users are increasingly disillusioned with their computers. The internet no longer feels safe, thanks to viruses, spyware, trojans, hackers and pop-ups targeting features (and failings) in Microsoft software. Going online these days using Internet Explorer is like walking into a minefield." Read the article at Independent.

Apple’s Illuminating Future: Chameleon

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-25 Apple 18 Comments

"There was a lot of noise made last week about Apple’s Chameleon patent, so I thought I’d actually read the document myself. I was a little surprised at how little of the patent the other sites actually reported on. If you’re like me, the blinking lights angle everyone else seemed to take didn’t help me connect with what Apple may be actually trying to accomplish with this patent. So with a little perspective and imagination, I thought it deserved a second look." Check the article at Apple-X.

Microsoft Announces Release of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005

Submitted by OSNews Witness 2004-08-25 Windows 2 Comments

Microsoft Corp. today announced availability of the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 operating system, the successor to Windows XP Tablet PC Edition introduced in November 2002. Included as part of Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (Windows XP SP2) with Advanced Security Technologies, this free upgrade offers Tablet PC users deeper pen-and-ink support including a redesigned input panel to create and enter text anywhere within Windows XP and familiar Windows XP-compatible applications.

Yoper V2.1 Released

Submitted by jon williams 2004-08-25 Linux 87 Comments

YOPER Linux V series had its next stable release of V2 tagged 2.1.0. This release provides the power user with many new features, encompassing REISER4 support for the root filesystem, new non-destructive NTFS resizing, graphical partitioning, option to use GRUB or LILO bootloaders, a new clustered control panel, KDE 3.3.0 Final, Linux Kernel 2.6.8.1, default Firewall and the OpenOffice.org Office Suite, all provided on 1 CD. The default "look and feel" has been enhanced and many bugfixes have been applied, including PCMCIA support during install and support for PPPoE.

Three Years of Haiku: The Long Road to Evolution

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-24 Haiku 370 Comments

Haiku (OpenBeOS)'s third birthday was a few days ago. While some BeOS parts have been successfully re-implemented so far, these were mostly the 'trivial' parts: screensaver kit, printing kit etc. Read more for a mini-editorial.

New versions of SVISTA released, including FreeBSD Host

Submitted by Bob St.John 2004-08-24 In the News 7 Comments

This week Serenity Systems International (SSI) is releasing updated versions of the beta product for all host platforms, including FreeBSD.

Core Audio in Mac OS X Tiger to improve audio handling

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-24 macOS 28 Comments

Apple's next-generation OS will include an updated version of the company's Core Audio technology that will deliver new tools and functions to improve the audio handling experience of Mac OS X applications. Also, Apple has released the latest update for the Mac OS X Server Admin Tools, version 10.3.5.

A review of Gnoppix Linux 0.8 livecd and the GNOME desktop

Guest post by Barney Matthews 2004-08-24 Gnome 34 Comments

This review started because I was curious about GNOME as a desktop. I wanted a live cd with GNOME so I went over to Distrowatch and found Gnoppix. ELQ's note: I have sent the Gnoppix author a proposal on how to enrich the live CD experience with more relevant, third party desktop gnome apps, but don't expect any changes before November, as the author will be busy until that time.

How to Build a Free Enterprise Linux Desktop

Submitted by jar 2004-08-24 Linux 29 Comments

Looking to deploy Linux in the enterprise without a price tag? In this DesktopLinux.com feature, Tom Adelstein teaches users how to put together an enterprise Linux desktop using freely available sources. Offering budget conscious users a guide for a Linux-based system suitable for business, the article highlights the similarities between Red Hat's legacy 7.3 software and current Enterprise Linux 3.0. Adelstein rebuilds servers running Red Hat 7.3 using RHEL source rpms and provides offers a step-by-step tutorial for companies that are searching for a reliable DIY Linux IT solution.

Migrating from Linux Kernel 2.4 to 2.6 on POWER

Submitted by David 2004-08-24 Linux 6 Comments

One of the benifits you get when migrating from Linux Kernal 2.4 to 2.6 is improved stability. The process for loading kernel modules in and out of the kernel was improved. This article highlights and shares information on that and the other differences between the Linux kernels 2.4 and 2.6 including new features of Linux Distributions for POWER5-based systems, SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 (SLES 9), and Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Server 3.

Meet lex, yacc, flex, and bison

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-24 General Development 16 Comments

Lex and yacc are tools to automatically build C code suitable for parsing things in simple languages. These tools are most often used for parts of compilers or interpreters, or for reading configuration files. In the first of two articles, Peter Seebach explains what lex and yacc actually do and shows how to use them for simple tasks.

Hosting Wireless Apps Without Compromising Stability & Security

Guest post by Roland Schmidt 2004-08-24 Wireless 3 Comments

Far and away the top three problems facing wireless operators and Application Service Providers (ASPs) today are integration, integration and integration. Their worst fear is mucking up their service to customers in any way. How do you integrate new data services into a legacy system without compromising its stability and security? In this article I’m introducing a new solution that can prevent rogue application behaviour, such as uncontrolled SMS or MMS blasts or over-consumption of resources leading to an interruption in service.

Reiser4 is released

Submitted by Gagan 2004-08-24 General Development 47 Comments

Reiser4 is released and is said to be the fastest filesystem: It is an atomic filesystem, it uses dancing trees, it is based on plugins and is architected for military grade security.

XOrg X11 Server Release 6.8 Soon

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-24 Wayland 72 Comments

The new XOrg X11 server is due out on August 25th and with it comes some new, exciting features and improvements to old ones. This article will describe some of these features, changes and more.

Mandrakelinux 10.1 Beta 2 Released

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-23 Mandriva, Mandrake, Lycoris 49 Comments

The second beta of Mandrakelinux 10.1 was released over the weekend and here are some of the new features as published on Mandrakeclub.com. Elsewhere, "after a month of use, I've decided Linux is okay but not perfect" says Roger Mier after using Mandrake 10.

Mac OS X Tiger to support resolution independent UI, larger icons

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-23 macOS 59 Comments

The next major release of the Mac OS X operating system will include technology that will eventually grant users more control over the way application windows are displayed to the screen. According to sources, Apple Computer's Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" OS will introduce developer support for resolution independent user interfaces (just like in Longhorn), breaking the software assumption that all display output is to be rendered at 72 dots per inch (DPI).

Jakob Nielsen Interview

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-23 Graphics 22 Comments

Usability expert Jacob Nielsen was interviewed by Builder AU. When asked about the 3D interfaces of the future Nielsen says "As long as we’re stuck with a 2D computer screen that means the information needs to be in a 2D medium. Complete article.