LXer Weekly Roundup for 10-Jun-2007

LXer Feature: 10-Jun-2007 The big news this week was Microsoft signing LG Electronics and Linux Distributor Xandros to cross patent licensing deals. We have several articles submitted by our readers and Don Parris talks about why those patent agreements are a search for Fool's Gold.

The big news this week was Microsoft signing LG Electronics and Linux Distributor Xandros to cross patent licensing deals. We have several articles submitted by our readers and Don Parris talks about why those patent agreements are a search for Fool's Gold.

"Eating Dog Food": LXer reader Aladdin_Sane submitted this article talking about what happens when there's no separation between Microsoft and the customers they care about.

Looking for a small Linux that will run with a GUI in 4MB of RAM: LXer, tracyannne posted a question about finding a small Linux Distro that would be small enough for what was needed and got quite the response from other readers.

Linux: making small businesses possible: Sander Marechal writes: "I have a small company that builds websites for equally small businesses in the area and it's Linux that made this possible. If we would have been stuck on the Windows platform there is no way we could have done what we do because it would simply have been too expensive."

Microsoft teams with Linux distributor Xandros: Microsoft and Linux distributor Xandros signed a deal very similar to the one signed between MS and Novell. Two down, 500 or so to go..

Former Microsoft Insider Speaks Out: A former Microsoft employee talks about the environment at MS and its evolution during his time there.

GPLv3 - Unforseen Consequences?: Kevin Carmony sound off on his concerns for the GPLv3, one wonders if he is trying to get in line for a deal with Microsoft or something else entirely.

Ultra-lite AntiX Linux targets obsolete PCs: Chris Preimesberger writes: "MEPIS today said that the RC of a community-built "ultra-lite" derivative of its own Linux distribution is ready for testing. AntiX (pronounced "Antics") is the personal project of MEPIS community member "anticapitalista," who wanted a MEPIS version that would work well on old PCs."

Microsoft & Linux Vendors Trading in Patent Fool's Gold: Our own Don Parris writes: "Well what do you know? Microsoft seems to be gaining ground with their "patent protection" scheme. But what if they discover they've only bought a few bricks of fool's gold?".

A guide to using PDFs on GNU/Linux: A really good overview of the different things you can do with PDF's in Linux by Bruce Byfield.

The Daily Static: Check out User Friendly's daily cartoon. After speaking with the "Smiling Man", we thought it would be appropriate to link to User Friendly here at LXer.

Inconvenient truths: PC vs. Mac, Windows vs. Linux, us vs. them, et al.: In our slanted article of the week Steven Rosenberg goes way out of his way be nice to Windows 2000 in comparing it favorably to specific Linux Distros.

Microsoft aims Linux patent FUD at devices: Microsoft signs a deal with LG Electronics that extends LG's protection onto the embedded devices they make. Now if MS could just make it illegal to run Linux on computer hardware, Hmm.

The New Distro: I saved this article for last because it goes the real heart of the matter when it comes to Microsoft and their money. One of our regular forum members devnet asks: "How much does it cost to buy you? Do you have a price? Can you be paid off?