Showing headlines posted by Scott_Ruecker

A Linux/UNIX version of SPECviewperf v9 graphics performance evaluation software was posted for free downloading earlier this week on the SPEC/GPC Web site

Shadow passwords have been a de facto standard with Linux distributions for years, and as well as the use of md5 passwords. However, there are drawbacks to using the traditional shadow password method, and even md5 is not as secure as it used to be.

A real-time (RTAI-based) embedded Linux distribution targeting industrial applications has changed its name. Koan Software's Klinux (formerly K-Linux) will henceforth be known as KaeilOS (Koan advanced embedded industrial Linux operating system), according to founder Marco Cavallini.

A new, interactive website with the self-explanatory URL, SpreadGNOME.org, launched Aug. 23. As one might imagine, the site was established in an effort to promote the adoption of the GNOME desktop and GNOME-related applications.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has asked the Supreme Court to overturn a patent ruling, saying the way a lower court views patentable inventions could hurt free and open-source software projects. The EFF filed a brief asking the Supreme Court to shoot down the so-called "suggestion test," a method the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has used to determine whether an invention should be obvious to others, and therefore, not patentable.

The Eclipse Open Healthcare Framework (OHF) Project is an open source project whose aim is to build an e-health computing platform (tools, run-times and community) on which developers can more effectively build useful and interoperable applications. We believe that the openEHR community could leverage the Eclipse platform - the tooling, run-time and governance support, to improve the coherence of the the tools, implementations and uptake of openEHR.

A Bangkok-based company is shipping a tiny, sub-$100 PC capable of running Puppy and other lightweight Linux distributions. NorhTec's MicroClient Jr. measures 4.5 inches square, draws 8 Watts, and has a 166MHz Pentium-compatible processor with three integer units. It targets thin-client, kiosk, and electronic signage applications.

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has hired long-time volunteer Brett Smith as compliance engineer for the GNU Public License (GPL). Smith replaces David Turner, who has held the position for more than five years. Both Smith and Turner say they expect a smooth changeover, with continued development of existing policies.

The Mobile Robot Programming Lab (MRPL) at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute has published the first in a planned series of open, educational robotics designs. The Linux-based "Qwerkbot" can be built in two hours from detailed online instructions, at a cost of $550, the Lab says.

It seems it was only yesterday that the Tiger was escaping into the wild, and here we are today with Mustang rearing up ahead, and the Dolphin already surfacing here and there. Javaists will recognise Tiger, Mustang and Dolphin as Java 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 respectively, and everyone else can now stop scratching their heads and wondering what this reviewer is on about. And with Java 6.0 on the horizon we can expect a slew of books to follow – either established titles updated or, as in this case, new titles making a first appearance.

Syllable is a new OS built for speed, with low hardware requirements. After trying it out, I was really impressed. Syllable is a great OS with a lot of potential.

At first glance, the ROAD S101 looks like a new version of the Nokia 9500, but it isn't. In fact, the S101 is a Linux powered device from a German startup called ROAD GmbH (ROAD stands for Remote Office Access Devices).

For Sun it's just a means to an endComment The other day I attended a briefing with Simon Phipps, Sun's chief open source officer which was ostensibly aimed at updating the assembled on Sun's progress in its open sourcing of Java.…

eChannel linereports:'According to a newly released IDC study, open source software has spread far beyond Linux and is gaining enormous momentum. The study, which analyzed IDC surveys from over 5,000 developers in 116 countries, finds that developers worldwide are increasing their use of open source. The study declares that open source software represents the most significant all-encompassing and long-term trend that the software industry has seen since the early 1980s.

The Nigeriam Communications Commission has said Voice over Internet Protocol will be the engine that drives telephony the developing world.

We learn by doing. Open source lets you take things apart and see how they really work--and makes it easy to work together. This month we saw collaboration come to learning: From Red Hat High--a tech camp for teenagers, to an unconference called BarCamp, and on a global scale, One Laptop Per Child.

Real Time operating systems have traditionally been a separate breed from mainstream ones. Thanks to efforts to incorporate Real Time enhancements into Linux, standard mainstream Linux may well become a real, Real Time OS real soon. A Real Time OS offers the promise of better response times and a degree of determinism not found in non-Real Time OS's.

From universities, colleges, government offices to individuals, free software is gaining acceptance on computer screens in Kolkata. Blame the likes of Richard Stallman

All the focus these days seems to be on Firefox but what about Thunderbird, the equally cool email client? Like Firefox, Thunderbird has an unrivaled collection of extensions that do just about everything imaginable. Richard Frank lists some of his favourite Thunderbird add-ons.