Kris was kind enough to answer a few questions about his beginnings with FreeBSD and the forthcoming release of PC-BSD 7.0.
Read more here: DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.
The so-called "distribution for the average Joe" market has been expanding at a rapid pace in recent years. While the vast majority of these projects is invariably based on Linux, we have also witnessed a few attempts to create a user-friendly "distribution" based on operating systems that traditionally belonged to the hacker's domain, notably FreeBSD and OpenSolaris. One of them is PC-BSD, a project launched in 2005. Its main goal? To hide the complexity of FreeBSD and to deliver an alternative to Linux on the desktop. Its main claim to fame? The web-based software installation infrastructure called PBI. Its community? Over 8,000 registered forum members and a growing network of world-wide community sites. All this thanks to the original vision and undying conviction of Kris Moore (pictured on the right), the founder and lead developer of PC-BSD.
Kris was kind enough to answer a few questions about his beginnings with FreeBSD and the forthcoming release of PC-BSD 7.0.
Kris was kind enough to answer a few questions about his beginnings with FreeBSD and the forthcoming release of PC-BSD 7.0.
Should More Employers Subsidize Open Source Development?
The Hi-Tech Squad raise the interesting question: Should more employers subsidize open source development?
I used to work for Digital Equipment Corp (DEC) who invented the VAX, VMS, main stream 64 bit computing with the Alpha chi and of course Ethernet, to name a few. There was an unwritten rule that you could spend 10% of your time working on other things. Why? Because it broadened your horizons and increased your knowledge. This in turn had a positive effect on the project you where working on.
Google has a similar rule.
I used to work for Digital Equipment Corp (DEC) who invented the VAX, VMS, main stream 64 bit computing with the Alpha chi and of course Ethernet, to name a few. There was an unwritten rule that you could spend 10% of your time working on other things. Why? Because it broadened your horizons and increased your knowledge. This in turn had a positive effect on the project you where working on.
Google has a similar rule.
Read more here: Should More Employers Subsidize Open Source Development?
Friday, August 29, 2008
Things you should never EVER type in Linux. Ever!
If you’re a Linux guru or or experienced enough to know what all of these things are then you probably don’t need this article and we can go our merry ways. If not, then DO NOT, DON’T, NEVER EVER EVER EVER run these commands in a terminal session. If you do you will render your system anything from useless without a forced reboot to devoid of any useful purpose ever.
Read more here: Things you should never EVER type in Linux. Ever! | ArsGeek
Download 25 Most Beautiful FireFox Desktop Wallpapers
Here is a cool collection of firefox desktop wallpaper collection for firefox fans.
You can download the 25 most beautiful firefox wallpapers below:
Read more here: Download 25 Most Beautiful FireFox Desktop Wallpapers
(Via TechTreak.com.)
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Quebec government sued for buying Microsoft software
Quebec's open-source software association is suing the provincial government, saying it is giving preferential treatment to Microsoft Corp. by buying the company's products rather than using free alternatives.
Facil estimates the Quebec government is spending $80 million a year on Windows Vista licences alone. (Mary Altaffer/Associated Press)The lawsuit by Facil was lodged with the Quebec Superior Court on July 15 and made public on Wednesday. In it, the group says the provincial government has refused to entertain competing bids from all software providers, opting instead to supply public-sector departments with products bought from proprietary vendors such as Microsoft and Oracle Corp.
Government buyers are using an exception in provincial law that allows them to buy directly from a proprietary vendor when there are no options available, but Facil said that loophole is being abused and goes against other legal requirements to buy locally.
Facil estimates the Quebec government is spending $80 million a year on Windows Vista licences alone. (Mary Altaffer/Associated Press)The lawsuit by Facil was lodged with the Quebec Superior Court on July 15 and made public on Wednesday. In it, the group says the provincial government has refused to entertain competing bids from all software providers, opting instead to supply public-sector departments with products bought from proprietary vendors such as Microsoft and Oracle Corp.
Government buyers are using an exception in provincial law that allows them to buy directly from a proprietary vendor when there are no options available, but Facil said that loophole is being abused and goes against other legal requirements to buy locally.
Read more here: Quebec government sued for buying Microsoft software
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Anatomy of Linux dynamic libraries
Dynamically linked shared libraries are an important aspect of GNU/Linux®. They allow executables to dynamically access external functionality at run time and thereby reduce their overall memory footprint (by bringing functionality in when it's needed). The article linked below investigates the process of creating and using dynamic libraries, provides details on the various tools for exploring them, and explores how these libraries work under the hood.
Read more here: Anatomy of Linux dynamic libraries
(Via Linux.com :: Newsvac.)
Integrating Linux into the SME
DesktopLinux.com have an article that summarizes the experiences of one small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME) using a heterogeneous mix of Linux and Windows XP systems.
Written by the founder of an international PC distributor, it compares and contrasts various Linux-based distributions, and assesses their suitability for business use.
Author Michael C. Barnes, president of Nohrtec, begins with a brief history of his company's use of Linux. He then outlines the following as criteria used to evaluate various operating systems for business use:
Barnes goes on to look at about a dozen different operating systems, including Microsoft OSes as well as Linux distributions, in the context of the above criteria. To read the full story, click the link below.
Written by the founder of an international PC distributor, it compares and contrasts various Linux-based distributions, and assesses their suitability for business use.
Author Michael C. Barnes, president of Nohrtec, begins with a brief history of his company's use of Linux. He then outlines the following as criteria used to evaluate various operating systems for business use:
- Compatibility with hardware
- Installation ease
- Repository system
- Performance
- Interface
- Applications
- Stability
- Configurability
- Scalability
- Security
Barnes goes on to look at about a dozen different operating systems, including Microsoft OSes as well as Linux distributions, in the context of the above criteria. To read the full story, click the link below.
Read more here: Integrating Linux into the SME
Monday, August 25, 2008
10 must-have Linux (and not only) cheat-sheets
Need a quick reference card? Here you have a list you can choose from:
1.Linux Command Line Tips
2.Unix/Linux Reference Card
3.One Page LInux Manual
4.Linux Security Quick Reference
5.Screen VT100/ANSI Terminal Emulator Cheat Sheet
6.Vi/VIM Graphical Cheat-Sheet
7.Firefox Keyboard and Mouse Shortcuts
8.Gimp Reference Card
9.Debian Reference Card
10.Google Cheat Sheet
1.Linux Command Line Tips
2.Unix/Linux Reference Card
3.One Page LInux Manual
4.Linux Security Quick Reference
5.Screen VT100/ANSI Terminal Emulator Cheat Sheet
6.Vi/VIM Graphical Cheat-Sheet
7.Firefox Keyboard and Mouse Shortcuts
8.Gimp Reference Card
9.Debian Reference Card
10.Google Cheat Sheet
Read more here: 10 must-have Linux (and not only) cheat-sheets
Saturday, August 23, 2008
10 Most Beautiful Plasma Themes for KDE 4 Desktop
The latest series of the K Desktop Environment now utilizes Plasma, a new desktop and panel user interface tool that aims for a more functional, user-friendly, and sleek KDE desktop. Plasma also supports Dashboard-like widgets called plasmoids.
If you want to further enhance the look of your KDE 4 desktop, below is a list of some of the most beautiful Plasma themes available:
If you want to further enhance the look of your KDE 4 desktop, below is a list of some of the most beautiful Plasma themes available:
Read more here: TECH SOURCE FROM BOHOL: 10 Most Beautiful Plasma Themes for KDE 4 Desktop
openSUSE vs. Novell SUSE
openSUSE 11.0 is based on the Linux kernel version 2.6.25 and provides a cornucopia of features. If you choose to download the full DVD, you can expect a whopping 4.5 GBs for the iso-format file. Other options include a Live CD and over the network. The good news is that you can use a BitTorrent client to get the iso file.
So what differentiates openSUSE from Novell's other distributions, namely SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)? To quote from the openSUSE FAQ:
"openSUSE, created and maintained by the openSUSE project, is a stable, integrated Linux operating system that includes the latest open source packages for desktop productivity, multimedia, Web-hosting, networking infrastructure and application development. It contains everything you need to get started with Linux and is ideal for individuals who wish to use Linux on their personal workstations or to drive their home networks."
"Novell refines and enhances openSUSE to create a hardened and supported suite of enterprise Linux products suitable for data center deployments, edge server deployments, business desktops, and business infrastructure deployment."
So what differentiates openSUSE from Novell's other distributions, namely SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)? To quote from the openSUSE FAQ:
"openSUSE, created and maintained by the openSUSE project, is a stable, integrated Linux operating system that includes the latest open source packages for desktop productivity, multimedia, Web-hosting, networking infrastructure and application development. It contains everything you need to get started with Linux and is ideal for individuals who wish to use Linux on their personal workstations or to drive their home networks."
"Novell refines and enhances openSUSE to create a hardened and supported suite of enterprise Linux products suitable for data center deployments, edge server deployments, business desktops, and business infrastructure deployment."
Read more here: LinuxPlanet - Reviews - OpenSUSE 11.0: A Solid, Up-to-Date Linux Desktop - openSUSE vs. Novell SUSE
Friday, August 22, 2008
9 Tips to Use Apachectl and Httpd like a Power User
After you have installed Apache2, if you want to use apachectl and httpd to it’s maximum potential, you should go beyond using start, stop and restart. The 9 practical examples provided in this article will help you to use apachectl and httpd very effectively.
Apachectl acts as SysV init script, taking arguments like start, stop, restart and status. It also acts as front-end to httpd command, by simply passing the command line arguments to httpd. So, all the commands you execute using apachectl, can also be executed directly by calling httpd.
1. Pass different httpd.conf filename to apachectl
2. Use a temporary DocumentRoot without modifying httpd.conf
3. Increase the LogLevel temporarily
4. Display the modules compiled inside Apache using option -l
5. Display both static and dynamic module loaded by Apache
6. Show all accepted directives inside httpd.conf
7. Validate the httpd.conf after making changes
8. Display the httpd build parameters
9. Load a specific module only on demand.
Apachectl acts as SysV init script, taking arguments like start, stop, restart and status. It also acts as front-end to httpd command, by simply passing the command line arguments to httpd. So, all the commands you execute using apachectl, can also be executed directly by calling httpd.
1. Pass different httpd.conf filename to apachectl
2. Use a temporary DocumentRoot without modifying httpd.conf
3. Increase the LogLevel temporarily
4. Display the modules compiled inside Apache using option -l
5. Display both static and dynamic module loaded by Apache
6. Show all accepted directives inside httpd.conf
7. Validate the httpd.conf after making changes
8. Display the httpd build parameters
9. Load a specific module only on demand.
Read more here: 9 Tips to Use Apachectl and Httpd like a Power User
Support the FreeNAS project
The Hungry Penguin's book Learning FreeNAS is now available.
And when you buy this book you are also supporting the FreeNAS Open Source project through Packt Publishing's Open Source Project Royalty Scheme. In this scheme when Packt sell a book written on an Open Source project, they pay a royalty directly to that project. Therefore by purchasing this Learning FreeNAS book, Packt will have given some of the money received to the FreeNAS project.
You can get a free chapter to download and read in PDF format. Chapter 2 Preparing to Add FreeNAS to Your Network.
The PDF contains:
The book is guide to the FreeNAS software and teaches you how to turn a PC into a Network Attached Storage server.
And when you buy this book you are also supporting the FreeNAS Open Source project through Packt Publishing's Open Source Project Royalty Scheme. In this scheme when Packt sell a book written on an Open Source project, they pay a royalty directly to that project. Therefore by purchasing this Learning FreeNAS book, Packt will have given some of the money received to the FreeNAS project.
You can get a free chapter to download and read in PDF format. Chapter 2 Preparing to Add FreeNAS to Your Network.
The PDF contains:
- My biography (as written in the book)
- A preview chapter from the book
- A synopsis of the book’s content
- Information on where to buy the book
The book is guide to the FreeNAS software and teaches you how to turn a PC into a Network Attached Storage server.
Linux popularity across the globe
The Linux landscape is constantly changing and has a strong community of both developers and users. But where is Linux the most popular, and where are the different Linux distributions the most popular?
To try to answer these questions, Pingdom have looked at data from Google with the highly useful Insights for Search, which gave them a number of interesting and often surprising results.
Aside from just looking at Linux itself, Pingdom have included eight common Linux distributions in this survey: Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Fedora, Debian, Red Hat, Mandriva, Slackware and Gentoo.
To try to answer these questions, Pingdom have looked at data from Google with the highly useful Insights for Search, which gave them a number of interesting and often surprising results.
Aside from just looking at Linux itself, Pingdom have included eight common Linux distributions in this survey: Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Fedora, Debian, Red Hat, Mandriva, Slackware and Gentoo.
Read more here: Royal Pingdom » Linux popularity across the globe
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Microsoft is profitting from Linux
As Microsoft is set to pump up to $100 million more in Novell for Linux, it's important to note that Microsoft is not paying off Linux - it's actually making money from it.
Microsoft isn't just buying Linux subscriptions from Novell to give away...it's buying them so they can sell them. So that means for the past 18 months, Microsoft has been selling Linux.
How much Microsoft is actually making by selling Linux is difficult to determine but it could be as much a $99 million.
How much Microsoft is actually making is difficult to determine.
"We have purchased the Novell certificates, which enables customers to gain direct support from Novell for Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise and we take those certificates and sell them to customers," Susan Hauser, general manager for strategic partnerships and licensing at Microsoft, told InternetNews.com."We keep the pricing confidential since customer size and opportunity pricing varies. We do resell and redistribute the certificates as part of our engagement."
Microsoft isn't just buying Linux subscriptions from Novell to give away...it's buying them so they can sell them. So that means for the past 18 months, Microsoft has been selling Linux.
How much Microsoft is actually making by selling Linux is difficult to determine but it could be as much a $99 million.
How much Microsoft is actually making is difficult to determine.
"We have purchased the Novell certificates, which enables customers to gain direct support from Novell for Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise and we take those certificates and sell them to customers," Susan Hauser, general manager for strategic partnerships and licensing at Microsoft, told InternetNews.com."We keep the pricing confidential since customer size and opportunity pricing varies. We do resell and redistribute the certificates as part of our engagement."
Read more here: Microsoft is profitting from Linux
(Via Linux.com :: Newsvac.)
Linux netbook uses Chinese chip
A new netbook for European schools runs Linux on a Chinese-designed processor. With a generous 10-inch, 1024x600 display, the 2.4-pound Emtec Gdium boots Mandriva Linux from removable USB flash keys, running it in 512MB of DDR2 RAM on a 900MHz Loongson-2F processor made by STMicroelectronics (ST).
The Gdium's Loongson 2F processor is manufactured by ST, which licenses the design from China's Institute of Computing Technology (ICT), a government-sponsored think-tank aimed at helping China compete in the global chip market. With features such as DDR2 memory support and USB 2.0, the "2F" model succeeds a "2E" model used in network computers and mini-PCs. First unveiled in 2005, the Loongson 2 (formerly "Godson-2") processor uses the MIPS64 architecture, less patented portions such as unaligned 32-bit load/store support.
The Gdium's Loongson 2F processor is manufactured by ST, which licenses the design from China's Institute of Computing Technology (ICT), a government-sponsored think-tank aimed at helping China compete in the global chip market. With features such as DDR2 memory support and USB 2.0, the "2F" model succeeds a "2E" model used in network computers and mini-PCs. First unveiled in 2005, the Loongson 2 (formerly "Godson-2") processor uses the MIPS64 architecture, less patented portions such as unaligned 32-bit load/store support.
Read more here: Linux netbook uses Chinese chip
(Via Linux.com :: Newsvac.)
5 Great Alternative Linux Music Players
Amarok, Rhythmbox and Banshee are a few of the popular music players in Linux. They are great in features and have received plenty of good reviews. But what is unknown to many is that there are a lot of other music players for Linux which are also great in features, but are hidden in some corners of the world.
If you are willing to try something out of the box, here are 5 great alternative music players that you can use in your Linux desktop:
1. Audacious
2. Listen Music player
3. Quod Libet
4. Songbird
5. Decibel Audio Player
If you are willing to try something out of the box, here are 5 great alternative music players that you can use in your Linux desktop:
1. Audacious
2. Listen Music player
3. Quod Libet
4. Songbird
5. Decibel Audio Player
Read more here: 5 Great Alternative Linux Music Players | MakeUseOf.com
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Will Netbooks Pave the Way for Linux?
As we all know by now, netbooks are the latest craze in the computing world. Small notebooks, perfect for on the go, and relatively cheap. The interesting thing is that these netbooks are often offered with Linux pre-installed instead of Windows, and this prompts many to believe that it is the netbook niche where Linux will gain its first solid foothold among the general populace. "It does a lot to level the playing field. In fact, Linux looks to be quick out of the gate," said Jay Lyman, analyst with the 451 Group. However - is that really happening?
Read more here: Will Netbooks Pave the Way for Linux?
Pixar's rendering software - big on Linux servers
Linux clustering is very popular for RenderMan customers. And while the software is "certainly used extensively on OS X workstations...very few people run RenderMan on OS X clusters," according to the source.
"Technically, OS X is very well suited [for clustering] but it does not seem to have made much headway," the source continued. That's ironic, of course, due to the Jobs-Apple connection. The higher price of Mac servers compared to Linux ones, as well as Linux's technical similarity to Unix, are the major factors, it seems.
"Large numbers of RenderMan licenses" are actually sold for Windows, said the source, though that is confined to animator workstations at this point.
"Technically, OS X is very well suited [for clustering] but it does not seem to have made much headway," the source continued. That's ironic, of course, due to the Jobs-Apple connection. The higher price of Mac servers compared to Linux ones, as well as Linux's technical similarity to Unix, are the major factors, it seems.
"Large numbers of RenderMan licenses" are actually sold for Windows, said the source, though that is confined to animator workstations at this point.
Read more here: Pixar's rendering software - big on Linux servers, not Mac
Linux RAID Smackdown: Crush RAID 5 with RAID 10
Carla Schroder has written an excellent article about using RAID 10 on Linux.
RAID 10 is a worthy RAID level with many advantages. RAID 10 is shorthand for RAID1+0, a mirrored striped array. Linux RAID 10 needs a minimum of two disks, and you don't have to use pairs, but can have odd numbers. The basic differences are:
The main disadvantage is cost, because 50% of your storage is duplication.
RAID 10 is a worthy RAID level with many advantages. RAID 10 is shorthand for RAID1+0, a mirrored striped array. Linux RAID 10 needs a minimum of two disks, and you don't have to use pairs, but can have odd numbers. The basic differences are:
- RAID10 provides superior data security and can survive multiple disk failures
- RAID10 is fast
- RAID10 is considerably faster during recovery— RAID5 performance during a rebuild after replacing a failed disk bogs down as much as 80%, and it can take hours. RAID10 recovery is simple copying.
- RAID5 is susceptible to perpetuating parity and other errors
The main disadvantage is cost, because 50% of your storage is duplication.
Read more here: Linux RAID Smackdown: Crush RAID 5 with RAID 10 - Linux Software RAID 10: New and Excellent
InfoWorld's award for FreeNAS | FreeBSD - the unknown Giant
FreeNAS has been awarded with InfoWorld’s Bossie award for being the best free, open source storage server.
InfoWorld’s annual Bossies awards recognize top free and open source software, and the second annual list of winners is out now. Bossies are awarded by InfoWorld’s editorial and test center staff.
A BIG well done to the FreeNAS team.
InfoWorld’s annual Bossies awards recognize top free and open source software, and the second annual list of winners is out now. Bossies are awarded by InfoWorld’s editorial and test center staff.
A BIG well done to the FreeNAS team.
Read more here: InfoWorld's award for FreeNAS | FreeBSD - the unknown Giant
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