Category Technology

Moblin 2 Intro Video

Moblin 2.0 is a netbook-optimized linux distribution/environment originally created by Intel and largely based on the work by OpenedHand, a startup bought by Intel in 2007. This is the introduction video to Moblin. And, as far as linux goes this is by far the most advanced, well-thought, usable environment I’ve ever seen. Sure, it may […]

Lopssi 2

Lopsided if anything. Yet another gross error in judgment from Mini Napoleon Wannabe. Yet another nail in the coffin of French Legislation. Much can be said of Sarkozy's predecessors; both Chirac and Mitterrand were accused of corruption, sleaze, excess etc. None were as classless, blatantly ignorant or downright corrupt as Sarkozy has proved to be in less than two years in office.

Straight from Microsoft's Rulebook.

Apple's rumoured upcoming software crippling 'segmentation' for the iPhone stinks of Microsoft's 'Windows Vista SKU' nastiness. But then again Apple is no stranger to controversy or bad decisions.

Benchmarks

When OS X first made its appearance in 2001 and for many years afterwards, the performance of xnu, its kernel, and many of its subsystems was ridiculed as it was way slower than its competitors. Elitism, slower development cycle, closed source etc. aside, Apple has managed to make Mac OS X much faster than the leading linux distributions in the span of a couple of years, while at the same time the desktop linux projects and companies struggle with reinventing the wheel and fixing regressions. The situation on the desktop today for linux users is --- comparatively --- worse than it was a decade: traditional strongholds are gone [e.g. performance] while usability, stability and features are more or less unchanged for many years. Sad for Open Source, sad for competition.

One Big Problem.

If there is any one big problem with kernel development and Linux it is the complete disconnection of the development process from normal users. You know, the ones who constitute 99.9% of the Linux user base.

Con Kolivas, 2007

An interesting interview and some views on the priorities of the linux development community and the history of the personal computer that I generally agree with. Con's quoted statement sadly rings true for Open Source development in general. After years of development, the Linux Desktop, the applications, the libraries, the documentation seem incomplete, archaic, chaotic and riddled with critical, esoteric issues that the 'fix it yourself' mentality of the stereotypical linux hacker is not going to remedy; that --- if anything --- is what keeps the wonderful idea of FLOSS from attaining the position it deserves.

Κλειστό Λογισμικό = Τριτοκοσμική Χώρα

Αυτή φαίνεται --- σε μεγάλο βαθμό --- να είναι η σχέση που μας δείχνει ο χάρτης του Ανοιχτού Λογισμικού της Red Hat, παρά τη κοινή πεποίθηση πως οι φτωχότερες χώρες διεθνώς τείνουν να κάνουν χρήση αλλά και να αναπτύσσουν ανοιχτό λογισμικό. Και για όσους αμφέβαλλαν, η Ελλάδα στο νούμερο 53 στη γενική κατάταξη μεταξύ 75 χωρών, είναι ίσως το κατ'εξοχήν παράδειγμα 'τριτοκοσμικής' χώρας, ενώ παράλληλα η Ευρώπη οδηγεί τον κόσμο σε χρήση και ανάπτυξη ανοιχτού λογισμικού. Και γράφωντας 'Ευρώπη' δεν εννοώ μόνον τις πλέον ανεπτυγμένες χώρες όπως η Γαλλία, η Ισπανία, η Γερμανία κλπ. Συμπεριλαμβάνω ακόμη και γείτονες σε εμάς χώρες, που πολλοί Έλληνες γρήγορα θα έσπευδαν να χαρακτηρίσουν ως οπισθοδρομικές.

Defend the Open 'Net

I couldn't avoid posting this and I cannot stress how important it is. The web site may, at times, undoubtedly include the standard 'act now before we it's too late' text that's stereotypical of activists globally whenever some braindead lobby tries to threaten our hard earned liberties. Ignore that part. Don't ignore the fact that it is important that you and the people around you know what's happening in Brussels and Strasbourg, what's at stake. You should strive to stay up to date and --- last, but not least --- act. Do yourself a favour and read the linked page; filter the excessive parts, see beyond the sentimentalism. Then try to find out more about the proposed directive by reading the text [or a summary of the controversial amendments]. An open and neutral internet is way more important than any national election in Europe, even to those that have no clue what the internet really is. Act today. Call your MEPs and tell them how you feel about the internet. It doesn't matter which part of the political spectrum you identify with; the internet is part of everyone's life.

Oracle Buys Sun. Sigh.

This is probably one of the worst conclusions to a saga that lasted for several years and was followed closely by so many people; yes, it’s true that Sun has been slowly, but steadily, disappearing from the radar as a major player in this industry, but it has also continued to innovate all the while […]

Nokia is The Past. Welcome to the Future.

I have written about Nokia and the need for the company to reinvent itself several times in the past. When the iPhone was announced in early 2007, I was lukewarm and slightly frustrated that the Mac, Apple’s former, at times sole and by far most important strategic product was complemented by a formidable ‘opponent’. I […]

Roommating.

One of the better examples of great content online. Easily rivals most similarly themed TV shows. Great stuff!