Thom Holwerda Archive

Comparing Security On Windows And Linux

Submitted by Mark Brunelli 2005-07-01 Privacy, Security 17 Comments

Is Linux really more secure than Windows? Linux book author Peter Harrison believes the answer is largely a matter of perspective. Click here to read the complete column at SearchEnterpriseLinux.com. In addition, here is a writeup of p0f, a passive fingerprinting tool.

IBM: Apple’s Worries About Watts Unfounded

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-30 IBM 92 Comments

Apple Computer Inc.'s worries about watts are unfounded, according to IBM. The company could build PowerPC chips that satisfy the needs of the entire range of Apple's product lines, including portables such as the PowerBook, said Rod Adkins, vice president of development for IBM's Systems and Technology Group.

Curtain Rises On Windows Mobile Opera

Submitted by anonymous 2005-06-30 Opera 9 Comments

Following seven months of "technical preview," Opera Software announced today that its mobile Web browser officially supports Windows Mobile smartphones. This new version supports "all major web standards," including CSS2, DOM 2, and JavaScript, and also includes Opera's latest Small-Screen Rendering engine.

Sun Unveils First Real-Time Java Implementation

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-30 Java 11 Comments

Sun on tuesday released its first Java platform that offers real-time capabilities. The platform, Java Real-Time System 1.0, implements the Real-time Specification for Java (RTSJ), a blueprint for how Java can be extended to support real-time application programming.

XP Starter Under The Gun; MS Releases Search APIs

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-30 Windows 18 Comments

Even as Microsoft's low-cost version of Windows reaches more corners of the globe, some analysts are wondering whether it is hitting the mark. Especially the fact that this version can only open three windows at a time, amazes analysts. Elsewhere, MS has quietly released its Desktop Search APIs.

Following Bill Gates’ Linux Attack Money

Submitted by Dave Whitinger 2005-06-30 Microsoft 28 Comments

Following yesterday's article, in what will become a long string of articles on this subject, Tom Adelstein has uncovered a plethora of new information on the trail between Microsoft and government officials.

Guest PC 1.5 Update Released

Submitted by Paul Uspensky 2005-06-30 OS News 3 Comments

Lismore Software Systems announced today the release and immediate availability of an updated version of Guest PC 1.5. Guest PC is an x86 emulator for the Mac.

Review: SUSE Professional 9.3

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-30 SuSE, openSUSE 38 Comments

For the past several weeks, I've been running my home office LAN exclusively on SUSE 9.3 Professional. I found this latest version, released in March, to be an excellent implementation of the Linux operating system. It brings Linux's levels of ease of use and configurability to an all-time high.

Will The Alpha Chip Stage A Comeback?

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-30 Hardware 50 Comments

There are increasing rumors that Alpha might be brought back to life. The Inq sets the big 'if' aside and explores the possiblities: "What if there really is a will to get Alpha back into the changed market? What sort of chip would it have to be to have that good chance of success, if any?"

HLA: The High Level Assembly Programming Language

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-30 General Development 45 Comments

For Linux users, HLA is a strong programming tool that allows them to create powerful programs on a variety of different levels. As HLA becomes more feature-rich, additional applications will be written using HLA under Linux. With HLA and Linux, programmers can develop new and exciting applications anyone can use. Read more.

WalterCon 2005

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-30 Haiku 7 Comments

WalterCon 2005, the second annual North American conference for Haiku developers, users, and enthusiasts will be taking place Saturday, August 6, and Sunday, August 7, 2005.

Meet The Expert: Arnd Bergmann On Cell

Submitted by anonymous 2005-06-30 Hardware 7 Comments

Looking forward to getting your hands on a Cell workstation? We were too -- until we talked to Linux for Cell kernel maintainer Arnd Bergmann. Learn about programming for Cell in general and for Linux for Cell in particular, and why the "workstation" that has been described in the press is more of a prototype Blade board, and a bit of a misunderstanding, in this Q & A session.

The SME Guide to Open Source

Submitted by DTY 2005-06-30 Open Source 1 Comment

The general view of open source software is that it is free; however, as with many things in business, information technology is never that easy. Switching to open source needs to involve careful planning and consideration of the business benefits and potential downsides to such a migration. read more

Microsoft To Blanket Latin America With Stripped-Down Windows

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-29 Windows 39 Comments

Microsoft Corp. is taking a new tact with its Windows XP Starter Edition campaign. On Tuesday, Microsoft unveiled in Mexico City the newest member of its Starter Edition family: Windows XP Starter Edition in Spanish.

Novell Shows Off New GroupWise Beta

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-29 Novell and Ximian 16 Comments

Novell Inc. announced Tuesday open beta availability of the latest version of its groupware program, Novell GroupWise 7. The new edition of GroupWise comes with an integrated e-mail and instant messaging interface, enhanced Outlook XP and 2003 support, and a bundled copy of SLES 9 (SuSE Linux Enterprise Server) to run it on.

DirectX, Longhorn And The Future Of Windows Gaming

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-29 3D 32 Comments

It's the tenth anniversary of DirectX. In honor of this occasion we spoke with Chris Donahue, the group manager for Windows gaming and graphics. Chris discusses the evolution of DirectX, the impact of the next Windows (Longhorn) and 64-bit gaming, how XNA will help developers on Windows and Xbox, where Windows gaming is headed and much more.

Microsoft’s New Monopoly

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-29 Open Source 39 Comments

Richard Stallman explains why the European parliament should vote to keep software patents invalid: "Microsoft will be one of thousands of foreign software patent holders that will bring their patents over to Europe to sue the software developers and computer users there. Of the 50,000-odd putatively invalid software patents issued by the European Patent Office, around 80% do not belong to Europeans."

OpenOffice 2.0 Beta Review

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-29 Office 20 Comments

I have been using Open Office for about 8 months now for my word processing needs. In a nutshell I am satisfied. Last week the version 2.0 was released, I downloaded it as soon as it was made available, on first view, even though the key functionality in version 2.0 Beta remains largely intact, it promises dozens, possibly hundreds, of changes.

India Closes In On $100 PC

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-29 Hardware 27 Comments

In about three months, a little-known company called Novatium plans to offer a stripped-down home computer for about $70 or $75. That is about half the price of the standard "thin clients" of this kind now sold in India, made possible in part by some novel engineering choices.

Linux To The Rescue: A Review Of Three System Rescue CDs

Thom Holwerda 2005-06-29 Linux 16 Comments

"We've all had this nightmare. You turn on your functioning Windows/Linux PC, and all you get is a blank screen, or a message telling you that certain files are missing, or the kernel has panicked for some obscure reason. Nothing works, and you need the data on your machine." A Linux rescue-cd is the solution.