OSnews - Exploring the Future of Computing

Linux 2.6.36 Released

Submitted by diegocg 2010-10-21 Linux 10 Comments

Linux 2.6.34 has been released. This version includes support for the Tilera architecture, a new filesystem notification interface called fanotify, a redesign of workqueues optimized for concurrency, CIFS local caching, support for Intel Intelligent Power Sharing in i3/5 systems, integration of the kernel debugger and KMS, inclusion of the AppArmor security system and several new drivers and small improvements. You can read the full changelog as well.

Apple To Remove Java from Mac OS X?

Thom Holwerda 2010-10-21 macOS 127 Comments

After the news that the new MacBook Airs do not ship with Flash pre-installed (which is news considering Flash has been part of Mac OS X for a very long time), we now have news that Apple is also taking what appears to be the first steps towards removing Apple's own Java runtime from Mac OS X.

Submitted by R_T_F_M 2010-10-20 FreeBSD 2 Comments

Max Khon has completed the DAHDI Project and provides the following report: "I am pleased to announce the completion of the DAHDI/FreeBSD project. DAHDI (Digium/Asterisk Hardware Device Interface) is an open-source device driver framework and a set of HW drivers for E1/T1, ISDN digital and FXO/FXS analog cards. The main goal of this funded project was to make it possible to use FreeBSD as a base system for software PBX solutions."

The Zeus Malware R&D Program

Thom Holwerda 2010-10-20 Privacy, Security 7 Comments

A new version of the Zeus financial malware has added sophisticated new mechanisms to commit online fraud and remain the Trojan of choice for criminals. Zeus has not only improved its business logic but also its ability to avoid detection and automatic analysis by antivirus vendors. Just like commercial application developers, the creators of Zeus run an R&D program to ensure it can avoid detection and side-step the growing number of IT security mechanisms designed to detect, block and eliminate it.

Submitted by poundsmack 2010-10-20 Internet Explorer 29 Comments

"It's common knowledge that almost every single geek hates Internet Explorer with a passion, but have you ever wondered why? Let's take a fair look at the history and where it all began... For posterity, if nothing else. Contrary to what you might think, this article is not meant to be a hate-fest on Internet Explorer - in fact, we're pretty impressed with the hardware acceleration and new features in Internet Explorer 9 - but keep reading for the whole story."

ReactOS 0.3.12 Released

Submitted by Stenley 2010-10-20 ReactOS 9 Comments

"This is a huge release for the team, not just with regards to the number of improvements which this release holds but in terms of the leap forward architecturally, stability wise and in bringing some of the more modern aspects of the NT kernel into ReactOS. It's been almost a year since the last release and whilst this is understandably excessive, it was required to stabilize the OS due to the nature of the work which was undertaken."

Submitted by vivainio 2010-10-20 Ubuntu 123 Comments

This is kind of... Well, good news, I suppose? It depends on where you allegiances lie, but it seems like Ubuntu is warming up to the idea of using Qt to develop applications. It's no secret that Qt is a far more advanced development framework than Gtk+, so it only makes sense for Ubuntu - a GNOME/Gtk+ distribution - is looking at it.

Apple Unveils Stunning New MacBook Airs, Gives Lion Preview

Thom Holwerda 2010-10-20 Apple 208 Comments

So, Apple held its usual autumn press get-together just now, and after a few rather uninspiring ones (to me, at least), they finally managed to blow me away, with the new MacBook Air (especially the 11.6" variant). They also gave a sneak peek at Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, which has... An App Store. An App Store Apple is going to open on Snow Leopard within 90 days.

How to Tune Up Windows

Guest post by Howard Fosdick 2010-10-19 Windows 50 Comments

In previous OS News articles, I described how mature computers up to ten years oldÂ can be refurbished and made useful. One article identified and evaluated different approaches to refurbishing. This article tells how to performance tune a mature Windows computer to make it serviceable again. I hope it will interest anyone who wants to tune Windows.

HP Released Pre 2, webOS 2.0

Thom Holwerda 2010-10-19 Wireless 14 Comments

HP/Palm has officially released HP webOS 2.0 and the Pre 2, and Engadget has the first review of webOS 2.0 (not of the Pre 2, their device was a pre-production model). "Despite some issues, webOS 2.0 is probably neck and neck with iOS4 when it comes to polish and ease of use, and that's a pretty huge thing for Palm. This isn't just a good OS, it's a great OS, and the updates in this version have made it even better. It's obvious that when combined with even slightly better hardware, it's also a fast experience that makes it easy to get real work done."

Ray Ozzie Leaving Post as Microsoft’s Chief Software Architect

Thom Holwerda 2010-10-19 Microsoft 6 Comments

"Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer today announced that Ray Ozzie, Bill Gates' replacement as the company's chief software architect, will be stepping down from his post."

RIM co-CEO, TweetDeck CEO Respond to Jobs’ Rant

Thom Holwerda 2010-10-19 Rumors 46 Comments

Steve Jobs' rant against Android, RIM, and 7" tablets couldn't go by unnoticed, of course. We already had the rather dry response from Google's Andy Rubin, but Mountain View isn't the only one who responded. TweetDeck's CEO wasn't particularly pleased by Jobs distorting TweetDeck's story on developing for Android, and now we have RIM's co-CEO Jim Balsillie who slammed Cupertino pretty hard.

Jobs: Android’s Openness “Disingenuous”

Thom Holwerda 2010-10-19 Rumors 79 Comments

Catfight! Get out your mobile phones and start filming, because two important personalities in the mobile world just got into a catfight. After the presentation of Apple's (once again) stellar quarterly results (what's with the low iPad sales, though?), Apple's CEO Steve Jobs went on a bit of a tangent regarding Android (among other things). Google's Andy Rubin, the father of Android, responded in a pretty fun way via Twitter.

Submitted by poundsmack 2010-10-18 Office 47 Comments

"A group of key OpenOffice.org contributors and community members recently decided to fork the project and establish The Document Foundation in order to drive forward community-driven development of the open source office suite. Oracle has responded to the move by asking several members of TDF to step down from their positions as representatives on the OOo community council."

Desktop Linux Is Dead, But Who Cares?

Thom Holwerda 2010-10-18 Linux 119 Comments

Well, it's been a while since we've opened this particular jar (box is not historically accurate) owned by Pandora. Desktop Linux... Yes, that ever elusive readiness of the desktop that is Linux-powered. Some story on ComputerWorld argues that the desktop Linux dream is dead, and apparently, the story is causing some stir on the web. Well, paint me pink and call me a lightbulb, but of course desktop Linux is dead. However - who gives a flying monkey? Linux is being used by more people than ever!

Should Sites Be Held Liable for User Comments?

Submitted by fran 2010-10-18 Legal 31 Comments

Britain's Attorney General has said that website owners should be made legally responsible for comments made by visitors. According to a report on Out-law.com, Dominic Grieve told members of the Criminal Bar Association that the spiralling number of internet news web sites meant it was becoming more and more difficult for courts to ensure that trials were fair, and that juries were not exposed to material that could prejudice a hearing.

Microsoft Tool to Aid Windows 7 Migrations

Submitted by fran 2010-10-18 Windows 1 Comment

Microsoft began the second beta test of a key virtualization tool this week, with the aim of helping to ease the way for corporate customers who are held back from migrating to Windows 7 by incompatibilities with required older applications. Version 2 of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) is now available for download for users interested in beta testing the upcoming release.

Microsoft’s 3-D Strategy

David Adams 2010-10-18 3D 8 Comments

Microsoft has joined the wave of companies betting that 3-D is the next big thing for computing. At a recent talk at MIT, chief research and strategy officer Craig Mundie said he sees the technology as an innovation that "will get people out of treating a computer as a tool" and into treating the device as a natural extension of how they interact with the world around them. Microsoft plans to introduce consumers to the change through its gaming products, but Mundie outlined a vision that would eventually have people shopping and searching in 3-D as well.

Microsoft Release Regez Fuzzer Tool

Submitted by fran 2010-10-18 Privacy, Security 4 Comments

Microsoft has released a free tool to help programmers test their regular expressions for vulnerability to denial of service attacks. The JSDL Regex Fuzzer, released by the software giant earlier this week, is designed to test programmers' regular expressions - a ubiquitous formal language for matching strings of text - for clauses that execute in exponential time and which stand the chance of being exploited for nefarious means.

If the iPad Is a PC, Then So Is Every Modern Smartphone

Thom Holwerda 2010-10-18 In the News 110 Comments

An interesting discussion is currently raging through the world of computing, or more accurately, through the world of bloggers and analysts. It basically comes down to this: should the iPad be included in laptop and desktop sales figures? If it is included - Apple becomes the largest PC manufacturer in the United States. But, if the iPad should be included - why not the modern smartphone?