OSnews - Exploring the Future of Computing

CRUX 1.0 Released

Guest post by Kevin Adams 2002-12-15 Linux 45 Comments

"CRUX is a lightweight, i686-optimized Linux distribution targeted at experienced Linux users. The primary focus of this distribution is "keep it simple", which is reflected in a simple tar.gz-based package system, BSD-style initscripts, and a relatively small collection of trimmed packages." CRUX 1.0 has been released, ISOs are now avaiblabe for download. Checkout the change log for a list of new/changed packages.

Mozilla 1.3a Released

Adam Scheinberg 2002-12-14 Mozilla, Gecko 61 Comments

Ludovic Hirlimann wrote it to tell us, "The mozilla team did it again! Mozilla 1.3a is available for downloads (check your prefered mirror for download.) New features and bugs are described here." It appears that Mozilla Mail's junk filtering has improved. In other news Netscape 7.01 was also recently released.

Blue Eyed OS Releases Beta Downloads

Adam Scheinberg 2002-12-14 Haiku 42 Comments

Blue Eyed OS, one of the premiere open source BeOS replacements, released their first downloads yesterday, a beta version of their kernel_server. It can be downloaded from the Blue Eyed OS website. They've also added a new screenshot as well as an interviews section to their homepage.

Microsoft Offered States a Fee Deal

Guest post by Kevin Adams 2002-12-14 Microsoft 35 Comments

"...if the nine states and the District of Columbia decided against an appeal, Microsoft would cover the states' expenses and provide an additional pot of funds for the states to help enforce the settlement deal, the sources said." Read the full article at the Washington Post.

Microsoft Upgrades Flaw to “Critical”

Guest post by Kevin Adams 2002-12-13 Windows 50 Comments

"For the second time in a week, Microsoft acknowledged that its initial estimation of a software flaw underrated the true threat posed by the vulnerability. The Redmond, Wash., giant said Thursday it plans to change the severity of a vulnerability in software common to Internet Explorer and other Windows applications from "important" to "critical." The move was prompted by an in-depth analysis written by the security researchers who found the flaw." Read the rest at ZDNet.

KOffice 1.2.1 Stable Release Available

Guest post by Kevin Adams 2002-12-13 KDE 20 Comments

"The KDE Project today announced the release of KOffice 1.2.1. KOffice 1.2.1 is a stability and enhancement release, with the principal improvements over KOffice 1.2, released last September, occurring in the spreadsheet program (KSpread)" Read more at KDE.org.

Setting Up a Linux Terminal Server

Adam Scheinberg 2002-12-13 Linux 22 Comments

William G. Canaday writes for Newsforge, "When my wife asked me to remove Windows and install Linux on her computer, I was happy to oblige. She is familiar with Linux from watching me use it and was quite upset that Windows had lost her desktop photograph -- again. This gave me an excuse to try setting up a terminal / server network." His article discusses his experience with LTSP, the Linux Terminal Server Project. Read the rest at Newsforge.

Distrowatch: Libranet 2.7 – Debian Made Easy

Adam Scheinberg 2002-12-13 Debian 26 Comments

Ladislav Bodnar writes "Libranet GNU/Linux, a commercial Linux distribution based on Debian, has been given increasingly positive coverage in Linux media. Its recipe for success is simple - it attempts to remedy some of the often cited shortcomings of Debian proper, by providing a simple installer, user-friendly system configuration tools and up-to-date selection of software packages. Combine that with a friendly user community and you have a winner. Let us investigate what Libranet is about and why you should give it a serious thought when choosing your Linux distribution." Read the rest of the review at Distrowatch.

Xandros to release downloadable Lite Edition?

Adam Scheinberg 2002-12-13 Oracle and SUN 33 Comments

Mike T-F-K writes "Xandros is obviously an intriguing desktop solution for corporate users--their target audience. With "out of the box" NT-domain login compatibility and the bundled CrossOver packages providing MS Office/Internet Explorer functionality, switching over to the more affordable Linux desktop now seems feasible for any company running a Microsoft shop."

Apple to Offer OS 9-Booting Hardware to Schools in 2003

Guest post by Kevin Adams 2002-12-13 macOS 25 Comments

"In the company's communications with education buyers late last month, Apple said that schools will still be able to purchase Mac OS 9 hardware in 2003. While Apple's new hardware models will next year boot into Mac OS X only, the company now plans to offer certain configurations to the education market that will boot into OS 9." Read the full article at Think Secret.

IBM Releases Web Services Tool Kit for Mobile Devices

Guest post by Kevin Adams, submitted by Jeff 2002-12-13 IBM 3 Comments

"IBM has released the Web Services Tool Kit for Mobile Devices. Its a free set of tools that provide run-time environments that allow development of applications that use Web Services on small mobile devices. This tool kit's Java Web service run-time environment is supported on PoctketPC, Palm, and BlackBerry." More at the IBM Website

Open-source .Net takes Shape

Guest post by Kevin Adams 2002-12-13 Mono 34 Comments

"Builders of the Mono open-source development project released an update on Tuesday that will let programmers write Microsoft .Net applications for Linux and Unix operating systems." Read more at ZDNet.

SuSE, Red Hat in Linux shootout

Guest post by Kevin Adams 2002-12-12 Rumors 29 Comments

"A shoot-out between the two most popular distributions of the open source operating system found that each has its strengths, but that SuSE is the best option for people new to the operating system." Read more at ZDNet.

The Linux Desktop Needs To Be Easier

Guest post by Kevin Adams 2002-12-12 Linux 64 Comments

"Installing a new program, or the OS itself, proves cumbersome for some users. Creating a home network or developing individualized settings can be confusing or frustrating." Read the full story at osOpinion.com.

IBM: OS/2 Alive And Well

Eugenia Loli 2002-12-12 OS/2 22 Comments

IBM refused reports that it was phasing out its OS/2 operating system, saying the company is merely changing the manner in which it distributes its software. OS/2 will still be available through IBM's licenseing program, and the IBM spokesman said the company plans to support the OS/2 OS "indefinitely". Read the report at ExtremeTech.

Microsoft to Buy Rational and Borland?

Guest post by Matthew Adams 2002-12-12 In the News 50 Comments

"According to a Reuters report that crossed the wires late today, the speculation is that Microsoft will make bids to buy both Rational and Borland. Shares of both Rational and Borland are up on the news, and so far both IBM and Microsoft have no comment on this report." This from Java Developer news. I've been digging around but haven't been able to get a confirm or deny from MS sources.

Beatware Competition Winner Announced

Eugenia Loli 2002-12-12 Gifts, Contests 4 Comments

And the winner for yesterday's Beatware competition is... Paul Go! The lucky winner will receive an ESD version of e-Picture PRO, normally priced at $129.

Q&A: Post-Microsoft, Quantum’s Belluzzo Free to Tout Linux

Submitted by sunlit mechanism 2002-12-12 In the News 12 Comments

"I wasn't a believer in Linux at Microsoft -- I couldn't be a believer at Microsoft. But Linux is clearly the biggest competitive challenge that Microsoft has ever faced. It's unlike anything before -- there's not a company behind it. It's very elusive, in a way. I don't think Linux is going to be successful as a desktop replacement. But Linux is going to surround new appliances and new segments, and really affect Microsoft through prevention of Microsoft from moving into new segments effectively." Read the interview at ComputerWorld.

Opera 6 for Mac OS 8.6-10.2 Final Unleashed

Eugenia Loli 2002-12-12 Opera 15 Comments

Opera Software ASA today released the final version of Opera 6 for Mac OS 8.6-10.2.2, offering Mac users a faster and better Internet experience. This is the first final Opera released for Mac OS X, and today's released version runs on Mac OS 8.6-10.2.2.

The Neglected BSD Stepchildren

Eugenia Loli 2002-12-12 BSD & Darwin 21 Comments

Developments in the *BSD area, such as the OpenSSH project, have greatly benefited Linux. By the same token, Linux companies have funded a lot of work on software like GCC and Wine that is also used on *BSD systems. Read the editorial at OSOpinion.