OSnews - Exploring the Future of Computing

Linux Is Top Requested Feature at Dell ‘Ideastorm’

Submitted by Marciano 2007-02-20 Hardware 22 Comments

Dell has been asking for input from their (prospective) customers, via a Digg-style site called Dell 'Ideastorm'. It turns out that the top requested feature is for Dell to pre-install Linux (alongside Windows) as an option. The second most requested feature is Openoffice.org, either as an alternative to or alongside Microsoft Office.

GNOME, KDE: Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Thom Holwerda 2007-02-20 Desktop environments 114 Comments

What is wrong with KDE 3.x? What is wrong with GNOME 2.8+? These seem to be the two questions arising from the recent revival of Linus vs. GNOME spat. We all know the history; Linus called the GNOME guys 'interface nazis' and advised Linux users to use KDE, which resulted in the longest comment thread on OSNews ever. That kind of fizzled out, only to be brought to light again by Linus submitting a few patches to make GNOME behave more like he wants it to behave.

64-Bit Vista Is Hard to Get

Submitted by george 2007-02-20 Windows 42 Comments

Microsoft is keen to stir up enthusiasm for Windows Vista, but when it comes to the 64-bit edition of the recently released operating system, the software giant is sending decidedly mixed messages. Vista is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, with the latter targeted at owners of recent computers with 64-bit processors. However, customers who purchase the retail version of Vista Home Basic, Home Premium or Business don't have the option of buying the 64-bit version directly. It also seems Microsoft will toughen its anti-piracy policies.

Dolphin To Become Default File Manager in KDE 4?

Submitted by anonymous 2007-02-20 KDE 116 Comments

In the transition from KDE 3 to KDE 4, a new file manager, Dolphin, was often discussed and now officially moved to the base part of KDE. "I just stumbled over this message saying that the file manager Dolphin is now part of kdebase (of KDE 4): 'Moving Dolphin to kdebase, as discussed with Peter and others. The big plan is: Dolphin will become the default file manager (kicker buttons and file:/ links bring it up).' The question remains what now happens with Konqueror - keep in mind that one of the goals of KDE 4 was to only keep one app for each task inside the base packages. But with Dolphin as the potentially new file manager and Webkit as the new browser we may see Konqueror vanish."

Submitted by falko 2007-02-20 Windows 15 Comments

"This article shows how you can convert a physical Windows system into a VMware virtual machine with the free VMware Converter Starter. The resulting virtual machine can be run in the free VMware Player and VMware Server, and also in VMware Workstation and other VMware products. Vmware Converter comes in handy if you want to switch to a Linux desktop, but feel the need to run your old Windows desktop from time to time. By converting your Windows desktop into a virtual machine, you can run it under VMware Server/Player, etc. on your Linux desktop."

SQL Server 2005 Gets Second Service Pack

Submitted by george 2007-02-20 Databases 3 Comments

Microsoft has released a second free service pack for its popular SQL Server 2005 database application. The update makes SQL Server 2005 compatible with Microsoft's new Windows Vista operating system and Office 2007 suite, and adds a number of data compression, manageability and interoperability enhancements. Microsoft has also changed the terms under which SQL Server 2005 can be run using virtualisation software.

Wind River Acquires Patented Real-Time Linux Technology

Eugenia Loli 2007-02-20 Linux 6 Comments

Wind River, one of the world's top embedded software providers, has acquired a real-time Linux distribution and patented hard-real-time technology from FSMLabs Inc. The acquisition will help Wind River penetrate new and emerging markets requiring extremely tight timing constraints, including the vast, emerging market for low-cost, single-core feature phones, according to the company.

A Quantum Conundrum

Thom Holwerda 2007-02-19 Hardware 7 Comments

"D-Wave Systems has presented us with the perfect quantum conundrum. On Tuesday and Thursday, they presented their 16-qubit adiabatic quantum computer to the world. However, details were scarce, leaving us in the superposition of both believing and disbelieving their claims. In this article, we'll give you a play-by-play from D-Wave's Thursday demonstration in Vancover followed by an analysis of their claims with help from superconducting quantum interference devices expert Hans Hilgenkamp from the University of Twente in the Netherlands."

Submitted by wonea 2007-02-19 Amiga & AROS 1 Comment

The AROS team has published a new status update with a list of improvements. Wanderer now has initial support for drag and drop, along with stability improvements. Tap interface is available for networking under a hosted linux installation. The main website has been translated into Dutch, and RTL8139 and VIA Rhine network adapters drivers have also been committed. Plus various new and updated apps Lunapaint, Martin's Server Suite, Jhead and Potrace.

Three Different Ways to Run Windows Applications in OSX

Submitted by luna6 2007-02-19 macOS 24 Comments

"If you want to run Windows applications on your Intel powered Mac, you will be happy to learn that there are three different ways. The first method is by using Crossover for Mac, the second is using Parallels, and the third method is using Boot Camp. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages. This article will explain the differences between these programs and from there you should be able to figure out which method works best for you."

What’s a Multi-OS Platform and How to Deal with Such a Beast?

Guest post by Anton Klotz 2007-02-19 OS News 78 Comments

After MacOSX and Linux start to become viable alternatives to Windows on the desktop, more and more applications are developed to be cross- platform; all potential users can run them on their platform of choice. In the following article I will discuss different ways of creating a cross-platform application and their (dis)advantages for the user.

Submitted by elsewhere 2007-02-19 Open Source 103 Comments

"Is open source still a grassroots social movement made up of idealistic underdogs trying to revolutionize an amoral industry? Or has it become a cloak used by IT vendors large and small to disguise ruthless and self-serving behavior? Some observers argue it's the latter. Despite occasional protests from old-timers - the heated backlash against the Microsoft-Novell détente, for example - open source has become so co-opted by mainstream IT, so transformed by 'accidental open sourcers' simply looking for a better business model, that it's lost its cherished moral edge."

Submitted by dumbkiwi 2007-02-19 Wayland 30 Comments

Following on from three earlier articles, here are two more articles highlighting usability features of Beryl; the wheel window switcher and the 'wall' for managing virtual desktops. Videos included, so go on, indulge yourself, boys and girls.

Techniques for Memory Debugging

Submitted by BlueVoodoo 2007-02-19 General Development 4 Comments

"Exercise good memory-related coding practices by creating a comprehensive program to keep memory errors under control. Memory errors are the bane of C and C++ programming: they're common, awareness of their importance for over two decades hasn't eradicated them, they can impact applications severely, and few development teams have a definite plan for their management. The good news, though, is that they needn't be so mysterious."

Zero-Config Object Persistence with Simple Persistence for Java

Submitted by BlueVoodoo 2007-02-19 Java 3 Comments

"Simple Persistence for Java is an open source object-relational persistence library that uses a custom query language and built-in database support to simplify object persistence in Java applications. In this article, software architect Sami Salkosuo introduces the library and walks you through its zero-admin, zero-config approach to object persistence."

Ballmer Confirms Novell Deal Is About Patents

Submitted by anonymous 2007-02-18 Microsoft 86 Comments

The same week that Microsoft issued a press release providing further details about some of the technological advances that will result from the November 2006 technology agreement between Novell and Microsoft, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer told Wall Street what he really thinks the deal means to Microsoft. During a forecast update meeting for financial analysts and shareholders on February 15, Ballmer reiterated that, to him, the deal is more about Microsoft exerting intellectual property pressure on Novell than anything else.

Fixing Windows Vista’s Firewall

Submitted by Jennifer Logan 2007-02-18 Windows 23 Comments

"What is it with the Windows Vista Firewall and its refusal to go away? All our PCs are secured behind two firewalls: a hardware firewall and Microsoft ISA Server. The only traffic that gets in is the traffic that we want to get in. Now we can appreciate having the firewall on by default; but after turning it off over 20 times, it’s getting to be too much."

Set up Remote Access in UNIX Through OpenSSH

Submitted by anonymous 2007-02-18 Internet 11 Comments

OpenSSH is an important tool that keeps the communication and transfer of information between machines secure. Not only does it provide a secure alternative to common tools like Telnet, FTP, and RCP, it can also act as a transport protocol for other services like Subversion, X Windows System, and rsync. This article shows you how to get the best out of the main tools provided by OpenSSH.

Submitted by elsewhere 2007-02-17 Rumors 270 Comments

"Some bad blood between Linus Torvalds and GNOME developers is flaring up again. Previously, Torvalds has said that Linux users should switch to KDE instead of GNOME because of the GNOME team's 'users are idiots' mentality. Now he has 'put his money where his mouth is' by submitting patches to GNOME in order to have it behave as he likes. This week, on the Linux Foundation's (formerly OSDL) Desktop Architects mailing list, the two sides are going mano a mano." Can I interest you in a pair of these and these?

MEPIS Founder Clarifies MEPIS-Ubuntu Relationship

Submitted by anonymous 2007-02-17 Ubuntu 11 Comments

"MEPIS Linux founder Warren Woodford began, a year ago, to migrate MEPIS from Debian to Ubuntu packages, and in July achieved the first Ubuntu-based simplyMEPIS release. In light of the recently announced Linspire/Ubuntu collaboration, DesktopLinux.com asked Woodford to clarify the MEPIS/Ubuntu relationship."