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Linux in the newsRecommended Reading 451 Group: Microsoft suing TomTom, not Linux, not open sourceThe 451 Group says not to worry about Microsoft's suit against TomTom. "The key phrase, which is repeated, is the suit involves 'the Linux kernel as implemented by TomTom,' which is very different from 'the Linux kernel' when we're talking software code and patent infringement suits. While some usual suspicions are being raised, there are also some who generally agree this is not the first shot in a supposed war against Linux and open source." This strikes your editor as a bit of wishful thinking, but others may disagree.
LinuxDNA Supercharges Linux with the Intel C/C++ Compiler (Linux Journal)Linux Journal has some news from the Linux DNA project. "Exciting news from the LinuxDNA project, which earlier this month successfully compiled a recent Linux kernel with the Intel C/C++ compiler (ICC). This is not just a compile without errors, this is — for the most part — a fully bootable, compatible Linux kernel that can boot into a full Linux system. The full system is based on Gentoo Linux, and utilizes kernel version 2.6.22."
Companies Novell puts Linux on sale as earnings disappoint (cnet)cnet takes a look at Novell's disappointing first quarter earnings. "Novell now plans to cut prices aggressively to increase its market share, according to [CEO Ron] Hovsepian. Part of the problem, however, is that Novell isn't really an open-source company, and it doesn't pretend to be one. Most of its revenue comes from proprietary software, and that software didn't deliver in the first quarter. "
VMware, Novell hatch virtual appliance scheme (the Register)the Register covers a partnership between VMware and Novell. "Virtualization specialist VMware has teamed up with commercial Linux distributor Novell to create software appliances based on Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) wrapped up in VMware's ESX Server virtual machines. The deal was inked at the VMworld festivities in Cannes this week."
Linux Adoption UK government backs open source (BBC)The BBC reports that the UK government is planning a shift towards open-source software. "The UK government has said it will accelerate the use of open source software in public services. Tom Watson MP, minister for digital engagement, said open source software would be on a level playing field with proprietary software such as Windows. Open source software will be adopted "when it delivers best value for money", the government said. It added that public services should where possible avoid being "locked into proprietary software"." (Thanks to Pavel Roskin).
Legal Judge orders defendant to decrypt PGP-protected laptop (CNet)CNet reports that a US Federal judge has ordered a defendant to decrypt a laptop drive to allow the government to view its contents; this runs counter to an earlier ruling that compelling decryption would violate the defendant's self-incrimination rights. "Boucher's attorney, Jim Budreau, already has filed an appeal to the Second Circuit. That makes it likely to turn into a precedent-setting case that creates new ground rules for electronic privacy, especially since Homeland Security claims the right to seize laptops at the border for an indefinite period."
Red Hat's JBoss Software Draws Patent Suit (InformationWeek)InformationWeek reports that Red Hat is being sued for patent infringement by a company called Software Tree. The patent involved appears to be one of many covering the idea of an impedance-matching layer between an object-oriented system and a relational database. "Red Hat acquired open source developer JBoss in 2006 for $420 million. Software Tree contends that certain of Red Hat's JBoss products, including the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform, which includes JBoss Hibernate, step on its patent. 'The infringing products have no substantial noninfringing uses,' Software Tree says in court papers. The lawsuit also names Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Genuitec as defendants because the companies sell JBoss-based software or include it on their products."
Interviews Video: Ted Ts'o on Ext4, BtrFS and first steps with Linux (Linux Magazine)Linux Magazine presents a video interview with Ted Ts'o. "Ted talks about the improved acceleration of ext4 and the difference between ext4 and BtrFS. He explains who actually pays him, and why he's on assignment from IBM. Subsequently, Ted reminisces about what he did with Linux when he first discovered it in the 1990's. "
Resources Web Content Filtering with OpenDNS (Linux Journal)Linux Journal takes a look at OpenDNS for content filtering. "OpenDNS is a free service that enables you to block content you deem inappropriate at the DNS level. There's no need for any proxy configuration on either the client or the server. All you have to do is arrange for your servers and clients to use the OpenDNS DNS servers instead of the DNS servers provided by your Internet provider. Once that is done, if users try to access a Web site that provides inappropriate content, they are redirected to an OpenDNS Web site that tells them the site has been blocked and why."
Reviews Touch Book: Linux based touch screen device announced (The H)An interesting twist on Linux-based netbooks is the subject of an article over at The H. "The Touch Book sports a number of unique features in a small device. The keyboard is detachable, allowing the device to used as just a tablet, and the back of the tablet is magnetic, letting a user stick the device to a fridge or other metallic surface. The device weighs less than two pounds, but offers a ten to fifteen hour battery life. However, there is a catch; the two parts of the Touch Book, the tablet and the keyboard, have their own separate batteries. The tablet alone has 3 to 5 hours battery life, with the keyboard battery extending that to the ten to fifteen hours."
Miscellaneous Is Microsoft Targeting Linux Through Tom Tom? Oh Please... (ITBusinessEdge)Every now and then, it can be educational to look at Rob Enderle's remarks just to see how strange some people's view of the world is. Here's his take on the TomTom suit. "Linux leaders have a problem. Ever since Microsoft adopted the 'let's get along' strategy of licensing and interoperating, it has been hard to get people to volunteer their time for the platform, and interest seems to be waning."
Page editor: Forrest Cook |
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