Showing headlines posted by dcparris

Open-source algorithms hold many advantages, but they present optimization challenges. This article show how to succesfully port open-source algorithms to an embedded processor, using Analog Devices' Blackfin as example.

Linux XP Desktop 2006, a Russian-language Linux distribution that mimics Windows XP, on Sept. 21 introduced its first English-language version. The Russia-based project claims that its distribution provides "extensive" compatibility with Windows XP, including an XP-like theme and icons, plus the ability to run thousands of Windows applications.

[Is this an abuse of libre software licensing? I recommend caution here folks. - dcparris]

When I was in college, lower level CS course assignments were done in DOS PC's networked through Novell Netware. Once a student got to take higher level courses, he/she was given an account into one of the department's SunOS Unix servers. Most students from basic courses suffered from "Unix envy", the Sun boxes were perceived as being much more powerful than the humble PC's. As a I entered the workplace, I brought my college perception that Unix workstations are more powerful than PC's with me.

ATI HAS JUST released the new Catalyst driver. To our surprise, the new drivers bring in Crossfire support for Intel's latest 965 chipset. ATI claims the Crossfire works in Direct 3D applications but it doesn't work on OpenGL.

[This article might be of use to readers who use ATI's cards. - dcparris]

Opinion: Instead of being masochistic, users of Internet Explorer and Windows should try Linux, or at least Firefox. (Linux-Watch)

Novell faces the possibility of Nasdaq delisting due to a delay in filing its last 10-Q, caused by the company's ongoing stock option audit. (Linux-Watch)

In computing world, the term "cluster" refers to a group of independent computers combined through software and networking, which is often used to run highly compute-intensive jobs. With a cluster, you can build a high-speed supercomputer out of hundreds or even thousands of relatively low-speed systems. Cluster management software offers an easy-to-use interface for managing clusters, and automates the process of queuing jobs, matching the requirements of a job and the resources available to the cluster, and migrating jobs across the cluster. Here's an introduction to five open source CMS applications.

AMD, displaying a rare breed of initiative for a chip manufacturer has opened up the hardware specifications for its Opteron server processor, enabling other chipmakers to design co-processors that will be socket compatible with an Opteron motherboard.

[LXer applauds AMD's boldness. - dcparris]

An international group of computer security experts and human rights workers has released an anonymous, fully portable web browser based on Mozilla Firefox.

South Africa—developed educational application framework, Kewl, has been recognised by the international community and is being adopted by a number of global open courseware providers.

The aim of the project is to create stage4 tarballs which can be used to 'seed' new boxes with ready-built Gentoo solutions.

Munich has begun its migration to Linux on the desktop, a year later than planned and nearly three years since the city announced its move to open source software.

Sometimes it's the simple ideas that produce powerful applications -- like a terminal emulator that provides several shells side by side in a single window. A few days ago, I was looking for a way to split windows in Konsole when I ran across QuadKonsole, a program that embeds several Konsole instances in a single window, making it easy to switch between shell sessions and keep an eye on all of them at once.

This is the first major release in almost two years and provides users a leaner, faster Mambo with greatly improved scalability and stability – and more choice.Version 4.6 is available in two configurations: “4.6 Complete” includes the core system as well as an assortment of the most popular extensions and templates. “4.6 Lite” is a minimalist distro comprised of only the core files.

The JBoss-based stack is aimed at small Linux and Java developers

Neuros Technology — makers of the MPEG4 Recorder 2 “digital VCR” — has introduced the OSD, which it bills as “the first open source Linux-based embedded media center.” It costs $229.99.

Pentaho has acquired the Weka open source data-mining project developed by the University of Waikato in New Zealand. The Pentaho and Weka teams will soon announce a road map covering their plans for enhancements including extension of Weka's analytic techniques to additional vertical industries, and integration of Weka with Pentaho's platform, data integration, and information delivery capabilities.

Speak out, or face the consequences

BEAWorld 2006: A senior Citigroup techie today called on customers to make their voices heard in the debates over software standards - or else.

McObject has just released a micro-footprint version of the Perst open source, object-oriented embedded database for embedded systems and intelligent devices developed on the Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME).

Computer software systems are now among the most complex, expensive artifacts ever created by humans, and some of the most sophisticated are being built by teams of volunteers as "open source" projects, where any programmer can read the code and suggest changes. A group of UC Davis researchers has just received a three-year, $750,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study how open source software such as the Apache Web server is built.