OSnews - Exploring the Future of Computing

WMI: Scripting

Submitted by Philip 2006-09-30 Internet 3 Comments

"In my previous entry, WMI - Introduction I covered the basics of how WMI worked and how to write a simple script utilizing WMI technology. Today we will cover some more in depth information regarding WMI and scripting, along with some more advanced WMI queries."

Regarding Windows Vista’s I/O

Eugenia Loli 2006-09-30 Windows 26 Comments

From the kernel to the shell, Windows Vista is a very different OS than XPSP2. How so? Here, Charles interviews Architect Nar Ganapathy whose team of highly skilled engineers write the Windows IO system, driver frameworks and related technologies. So, what, exactly, is new in Windows Vista with regard to IO? What does it mean, exactly, to users and developers? Tune in. Learn.

Gartner: Linux Not About to Do Damage to Windows

Eugenia Loli 2006-09-30 Rumors 64 Comments

Microsoft Windows will not suffer irreparable damage on the server side at the hands of the Linux operating system over the next five years, Gartner analyst George Weiss told attendees at the Gartner Open Source Summit. In fact, in terms of worldwide server operating system revenue, Linux would come in below both Windows and Unix by 2011 in spite of its enormous growth, he told attendees in a session entitled "Enterprise Linux: Has it Arrived?"

Just One More Release Before Vista Goes Gold

Thom Holwerda 2006-09-29 Windows 80 Comments

Microsoft will release just one more build of Windows Vista for testing before the code goes gold, said Brad Goldberg, the general manager for the Windows client business group. That build will be made available to a limited group of between 50000 and 100000 testers in October, and follows the interim Vista build that Microsoft released on Sept. 22. Elsewhere, people noticed that Java applications use the standard (effect-less) Aero interface, instead of the finacy shiny bling-bling Aero Glass.

Submitted by SK8T 2006-09-29 macOS 34 Comments

Apple has released Mac OS 10.4.8. Improvements were made in printing, the Finder, iTunes, Preview, networking, and much more. There's a delta update to be used to update Mac OS 10.4.7 to 10.4.8, and a combo update to update earlier versions of 10.4 to 10.4.8.

Announcement: RISC OS Shared Source Initiative

Submitted by Steve Revill 2006-09-29 RISC OS 7 Comments

"Castle Technology and RISC OS Open Ltd are pleased to announce plans for the opening-up of RISC OS source code. This step is a further major landmark in the development of the highly respected software platform. A primary objective is to bring RISC OS software to a wider community and to encourage growth in both the RISC OS user base and the developer community. This will be augmented by more rapid development of the software base and removal of critical barriers to use, normally associated with proprietary platforms."

Review: MicroOptical MyVu Personal Media Viewer, Universal Edition

Eugenia Loli 2006-09-29 Multimedia, AV 19 Comments

Here at OSNews we like to look at new, innovative products that push boundaries and create new markets. In the past year there were only 3-4 companies wordlwide that released video glasses (goggles) to accompany the exploding market of PMPs. MicroOptical is one of these pioneers and they kindly sent us in their MyVu video glasses to take them for a spin.

Submitted by Moochman 2006-09-29 Privacy, Security 29 Comments

Symantec has previously complained that Vista's PatchGuard kernel-protection technology might limit Symantec's ability to protect the kernel with its own software. But what do other security vendors think? Yesterday Sophos' Ron O'Brien told BetaNews that "Nothing about the way PatchGuard works would hinder Sophos' architecture for an enterprise security suite. In fact, he argued, if Microsoft wants to use its own methods to close off the kernel, that's a good thing."

Submitted by Moochman 2006-09-29 Hardware 13 Comments

Sony has finally bitten the bullet and issued a worldwide recall of all Sony-manufactured lithium-ion batteries used in notebook computers. Earlier in the day, Lenovo/IBM joined the ranks of Dell, Apple, and Toshiba in issuing a recall for all Sony batteries that ship with their notebooks.

Vista Scoots to New Boot But It’s Still Kinda Rooted

Submitted by Dan Warne 2006-09-29 Windows 65 Comments

"One of the more questionable tactics that Microsoft has implemented in Vista is to automatically overwrite any existing MBR during the installation process without asking if you mind or giving you an option to back up. Microsoft says that the Windows installation system can’t intelligently interrogate an existing non-MS MBR, although such features are quite common in the install routine for other OSes."

Mandriva 2007 To Play Windows Games

Submitted by Dan Warne 2006-09-29 Mandriva, Mandrake, Lycoris 9 Comments

The popular distribution formerly known as Mandrake will include in its next 2007 release Transgaming’s Cedega engine to play mainstream Windows gaming titles out of the box. For those not familiar with Transgaming the company has worked for years on a WINE (Wine Is Not an Emulator) derivative to empower Linux users to run Windows games natively on the Linux desktop. In the meantime, CrossOver beta 2 has been released for Linux.

Submitted by Adurbe 2006-09-29 Hardware 8 Comments

After Dell buying Alienware, HP has now bought VoodooPC. "Even though you may not know it, there is one thing about HP that makes them stand out among the rest: serious innovation. Backed by a USD 3.5+ billion dollar R&D budget, HP labs was generating an average of eleven unique patents a day. We're not talking about 'supply chain innovations' either; they are sitting on a treasure trove of product innovations with massive potential. For me, getting a ticket into HP Labs would be like Charlie getting a ticket to Willy Wonka's Chocolate factory. I was relentless... Yes, HP was/is the company that both my brother and I agreed is the perfect match for Voodoo."

Inside the Linux MediaMVP

Submitted by IdaAshley 2006-09-29 Linux 1 Comment

"As an MP3 and MPEG player, the Hauppauge MediaMVP lets you play digital media through your television set. As a tightly purposed embedded device, it is an excellent example of a compact Linux implementation on minimal hardware."

First Look at Quad-Core Performance

Submitted by Jeremy 2006-09-28 Intel 21 Comments

ExtremeTech was able to get an exclusive peak at Intel's newest quad core processor, the Core 2 Extreme Quad E6700. After running through the gauntlet of 3DMark and content creation tests, among others, the quad core CPU boasts impressive performance results, particularly in video and 3D tests. According to the article, video creators and 3D animation artists should probably start saving up.

Submitted by csousa 2006-09-28 Mozilla, Gecko 141 Comments

Debian adheres to a strict interpretation of what is Free Software and what isn't. The Firefox logo is trademarked, so Debian doesn't consider it to be Free and will not include it as part of its distribution. Mozilla claims that using the Firefox name without the official branding is a trademark violation. Furthermore, Mozilla claims that if Debian runs any patches to the version of Firefox included with Debian distros, it has to run them by Mozilla first for approval. What all this ultimately could mean is that the Firefox name is wiped from the face of Debian and its offshoots. Debian developer Eric Dorland confirmed to internetnews.com that Debian will re-name Firefox and that the re-naming process could be completed as soon as next week.

Submitted by csynt 2006-09-28 IBM 11 Comments

Lenovo and IBM have announced a battery recall of Sony-made notebook batteries. "Lenovo and IBM Corporation, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulatory agencies, have announced the voluntary recall of certain lithium-ion batteries manufactured by Sony Corporation. In the interest of public safety, Lenovo will offer customers free-of-charge replacement batteries for all recalled batteries." Apple, Dell, and Toshiba have all also recalled Sony batteries due to fire hazards.

Review: Samsung D900

Eugenia Loli 2006-09-28 Wireless 18 Comments

The folks over at Hi-Mobile.net were very kind to send us the Samsung D900 feature phone for the purposes of this review. What's special about this phone is that it's the slimmest slider in the market today with a 3.2 MP camera on it, a technological marvel. Read on for our review, screenshots of the system, camera samples and a hands-on video.

Ubuntu 6.10 Edgy Eft Beta 1 Released

Thom Holwerda 2006-09-28 Ubuntu 49 Comments

The Ubuntu team has released the first beta of Ubuntu 6.10 Edgy Eft. It includes GNOME 2.16, OpenOffice.org 2.0.4 RC2, Xorg 7.1, Linux kernel 2.6.17, and a new init system. Download locations are listed in the release announcement. Update: Kubuntu 6.10 beta 1 has been released as well. Other than that, Ubuntu is taking over the BBC. And all they show is underwear. I don't get it.

Hands On: A Mac Fan Takes on Vista

Eugenia Loli 2006-09-28 Windows 43 Comments

"Earlier this month, when I found I could install Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) on my MacBook Pro, I quickly took the plunge, practically chortling at the thought that my dual-core laptop could run Microsoft's next operating system. What better way to show that when you buy a Mac you get two computers in one? I've been using Vista off and on for a couple of weeks now, but I'm not chortling as much." More here.

VMware ‘Miles Ahead’ of Microsoft Virtual Server, Expert Says

Eugenia Loli 2006-09-28 OS News 8 Comments

IT managers gathered in New York City earlier this week to get advice from experts on when, why and how to virtualize their server environments. The takeaway from the conference? If you want to run an enterprise-class virtualization platform in production today, stick with VMware.