Archive

iBook Issues? You’re Not Alone

Guest post by squidgee 2004-01-03 Apple 104 Comments

We've all heard about the iPod lawsuits and the recent 15" Powerbook issue, but it's not the only apple related lawsuit brewing. Apple's iBook appears to have a little issue.

A Short Review of CollegeLinux 2.5

Guest post by Kevin Arvin 2004-01-01 Linux 47 Comments

The aim of this experimental Linux distribution is to provide to the student population at large an operating system that is easy to install and use and provides an alternative to the traditional commercial operating systems. CollegeLinux is a Slackware derived Linux (2.4.23) distribution on a single CD that weighs in at 600 MB.

Linux: Which Flavor of Linux is Right for You?

Guest post by Robert Trembath 2003-12-31 Linux 65 Comments

As a dedicated reader of OSNews.com and a VP of Technology for an IT firm that specializes in utilizing Open Source solution for small business, I have been amazed at the rash of some reviews on the various distros of Linux and their failure to really help readers make a choice on what they should use or try. Linux has really matured in the desktop arena and in alot less time than Windows took to do so.

My First Mac Experience; More Painful Than it Should Have Been?

Guest post by Dr Rubaiyat Haque MA, MBBS, MRCP 2003-12-30 Apple 95 Comments

I have been using Windows in its various guises for the past 10 years. I am comfortable with Windows. It has served me well. I am a happy Windows user. However, unlike a majority of Windows users, for the past 5 years I have harboured a secret passion - an unfulfilled desire. Since 1998 I have wanted to own an Apple computer.

Xandros 2.0 Deluxe Edition Review

Guest post by Cory Bertsch 2003-12-29 Oracle and SUN 63 Comments

I installed Xandros because I wanted an easy to use Linux distribution for home (I use Gentoo Linux at work. I don't have broadband Internet access at home so I needed something that wouldn't a lot of downloading to get going. I purchased the download edition of Xandros Deluxe 2.0 and had no problem downloading (from work) and burning the ISO's. I've been using it for about a week now and I'm fairly happy with it.

Review: Lycoris Desktop/LX

Guest post by Rory Griffin 2003-12-29 Mandriva, Mandrake, Lycoris 56 Comments

Seeing the power of Linux, I wanted to continue using it, but I wanted to be able to use it without too much hassle. I was a huge fan of RedHat, and was very upset that I would have to start using a different system. The only home systems out there that were big were Lindows and Xandros (at least the ones most spoken of) and they were not what I wanted. Lindows always logging you in as root, and Xandros being (originally) too expensive. I decided to go with this Lycoris Desktop/LX that I had read up on because it seemed the only system that was worth looking at because it wasn't too dull or too bubbly, as are others. Here is what I have enjoyed about the system, and things I have found wrong with it.

Introducing Lorma Linux 4.0

Guest post by Manish Bansal 2003-12-24 Linux 41 Comments

Lorma linux 4.0 is the first distribution to be based on Fedora Core, outside of Redhat, that is. It is one of those new breed of single-CD distros that try to include only the best-of-breed applications.

Linux Desktop Distro Shootout Part IV: LindowsOS 4.5

Guest post by Barry Smith 2003-12-23 Linspire 57 Comments

So far this series has checked out Lindows 4.0, Libranet 2.8.1 and MEPIS 2003.10. Meanwhile both Lindows.com and Xandros have been busy little beavers and spat out new versions of their software, each on the same day. Since I am trying to find the best bang for my buck in a Debian based commercial distro, and since I am already a registered user of LindowsOS, I felt compelled to download a free copy of Lindows 4.5 to have a second look at this thing.

Review of Solaris Express

Guest post by Robert Escue, SCSA, MCSE 2003-12-23 Solaris 27 Comments

Solaris is the Unix variant produced by Sun Microsystems and is the result of over 20 years of continuous development. It is the only Unix variant that can run on commodityIntel PC hardware as well as Sun and Fujitsu hardware using Sparc and UltraSparc processors. Sun makes many changes to Solaris, some of them are big news and many are not. It is usually a system administrator that finds out about a new command or an undocumented command or feature (like the -k switch for netstat). This review is about two different installs of Solaris Express on different hardware to show some of the many features of the new release.

XFce-4 – A Refreshingly Solid Desktop

Guest post by Ben Mazer 2003-12-22 Xfce 73 Comments

I think the best thing you can say about XFce-4 is that it is stable. In my over 6 months of using XFce-4 (used CVS before the release), I have only had one crash (and this was during the CVS version as well). Some other popular Desktop Environments seem too complex for their own good. XFce-4 was a perfect match for me. It had everything that I like in a Desktop Environment, without any of the bloat found elsewhere. XFce 4.0.2 was released yesterday.

Interview with Michael Phipps, Project Leader of OpenBeOS

Guest post by Koki 2003-12-21 Original OSNews Interviews 41 Comments

Koki from the japanese site jpbe recently interviewed Michael Phipps the project leader of OpenBeOS. The original interview in japanese can be found here. Read more for the english version of the interview.

Running 64-bit Linux on a G5

Guest post by Bas v.d. Wiel 2003-12-18 Linux 31 Comments

A couple of weeks ago TerraSoft released preliminary 64-bit ISO's of their flagship product, Yellow Dog Linux 3.0.1 (YDL), especially for owners of Apple's new G5 machines. I was pining for a chance to get an open source OS running in 64-bit mode so I quickly downloaded the three ISO's.

First Impressions on Xandros 2.0 Standard Edition

Guest post by Mike Johnston 2003-12-17 Oracle and SUN 128 Comments

I first tried Xandros when they released version 1.1. Being quite skeptical, I was unsure what to expect from this spawn of Corel Linux. I must admit in general, I was impressed. So needless to say, I was curious as to whether they managed to improve upon this distinct distribution and cater to the many requests they received about various improvements. Update: Another screenshot, Mozilla on Xandros.

Linux on the Opteron, Part II

Guest post by Robert Minvielle 2003-12-16 Linux 37 Comments

This is the second installment of the "Linux on the Opteron, are we ready?" article. Basically, it is a "where are we now?" article, noting that what once did work now does not, and others that did not work now do. The first article was published on OSNews almost three months ago. Since that time not too much has happened publicly in regards to the amd64 Linux situation, but a lot of people mailed to tell me that I should have checked out SuSE or the new Mandrake which was "about to be released" at that time. Also since that time I have upgraded the RAM and acquired a larger hard disk for the machine. I will give a brief rundown of the system as it stands now, what I tried to install on it, and what works.

UnixWare 7.1.3 Review

Guest post by Tony Bourke 2003-12-16 SCO 58 Comments

The UPS man rang my buzzer. I sat in my chair sweating bullets. Do I even dare? Despite better judgment, I buzzed him in. "Did anyone see you?" I asked in a nervous voice. "Uh, just sign here." He gave me an annoyed look and after getting my John Hancock, he handed me the package. I hurriedly closed my blinds, fearful someone might see the contents as I opened it. The package sat on my coffee table for about an hour while we (that is to say, me and the package) stared each other down. A scene from the cult classic Terry Gilliam movie Time Bandits came to mind: "Mum! Dad! Don't touch it! It's pure evil!"

New Internet Explorer on Longhorn 4051

Guest post by Matt Brewer 2003-12-12 Internet Explorer 82 Comments

The new version of Internet Explorer in Longhorn 4051 is version 6.05.4051.0. Even though Longhorn is many years away (if ever!) the folks at Microsoft have realized that people want more from their browser, due to popularity of the competition, ex. Mozilla. UPDATE: Longhorn 4051 review.

Microsoft’s New Toll Road

Guest post by John O\'Sullivan 2003-12-12 Microsoft 69 Comments

Microsoft watchers have two interesting stories to follow this week. First is the new Intellectual Property (IP) licensing scheme. The second is a feverish round speculation (just a rumor) that Microsoft will buy AMD. Both tie into an older story about plans for the next generation Xbox.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Server 3.0 Review

Guest post by Andy Richter 2003-12-11 Red Hat 39 Comments

When I volunteered to do this review I quickly realized that I was asked to review 'Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Server' and not just 'Red Hat Linux'. Then panic set in. How different was this going to be from regular old Red Hat that I've used and relied on for years? Is this going to be a whole new Red Hat with a whole bunch of advanced features that I wouldn't be able to talk about either because I missed them or because I'm not qualified?

Issues Surrounding Linux and Implications for IT Managers

Guest post by Stuart Bowness 2003-12-11 Linux 46 Comments

The purpose of this paper is to provide analysis on the Linux operating system along with Open Source software in general. Discussion will include benefits of the operating system, some of its downfalls, and the direction where Linux and the Open Source movement is headed. It is targeted specifically for IT managers and CIO's who are considering Linux Distribution rollouts to replace their existing IT systems. Lastly conclusions and recommendations will be made. This paper was created primarily as a research paper however it includes some personal experiences, and experiences derived from other Linux users.

Television and Computer Convergence: Not when but if

Guest post by Nicholas Blachford 2003-12-09 Hardware 39 Comments

At Genesi we do more than just alternative computers, we also have interests in the field of Digital Media and Digital Television, you'll see products targeted to these segments arriving in the future. Most people appear to think that the future of Digital Media is convergence, that it is inevitable that TVs and Computers are going to converge and become a single device. Some people however think that this will not happen, they may have good reason for thinking so.