Linux in the news

The Death of Google's Patents (Patently-O)

The Patently-O weblog has a detailed look at a couple of US Patent and Trade Office rulings which could change the software patent game significantly. "If the PTO's test is followed, the crucial question for the vitality of patents on computer implemented inventions is whether a general purpose computer qualifies as a 'particular' machine within the meaning of the agency's test. In two recent decisions announced after the oral arguments in the Bilski case, Ex parte Langemyr (May 28, 2008) and Ex parte Wasynczuk (June 2, 2008), the PTO Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences has now supplied an answer to that question: A general purpose computer is not a particular machine, and thus innovative software processes are unpatentable if they are tied only to a general purpose computer." (Thanks to Duncan).

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Linux - a disruptive technology? (IT Pro)

IT Pro considers whether Linux or the GPL is more of a disruptive technology. "Linux itself does not represent any great departures from previous technologies, but has led a technological revolution that is predicated on free software licensing. The open source development model, which is facilitated by the GNU General Public License (GPL), represents a challenge and an opportunity to industry to rethink the way that information and technology is used and shared between individuals and organisations, and in some sectors - notably the financial services sector - the challenge appears to have been accepted. The disruptive technology is the license and its distinctive inversion of copyright law."

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Gnome conference - breaking new ground, starting from Istanbul (Heise)

Heise reports from GUADEC. "Gnome co-founder Frederico Mena-Quintero concentrated on the traditional document-centred desktop. Whilst users have no problems with emails, chat or music, they often have trouble finding their documents. Rather than a folder view, he espouses a journal, which shows documents sorted chronologically. According to Mena-Quintero, the idea is nothing new, but with a sensible GUI and in tandem with functions such as tags, it could offer significant improvements for users."

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Judge Kimball Rules at Last! (Groklaw)

Groklaw has the ruling in SCO V. Novell. "I haven't read it yet myself, just quickly skimmed it enough to see that SCO owes Novell some money ($2,547,817 plus interest probably -- SCO can oppose -- from the Sun agreement) and it had no right to enter into the Sun agreement, but it did have the right to enter into the Microsoft and other SCOsource agreements."

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SCO - Linux' Worst Nightmare Is Back (OpenSource Magazine)

It is with some trepidation that your editor points out this OpenSource Magazine article, which might better be titled "Maureen O'Gara is back." But it is bizarrely different view of the ruling in SCO v. Novell; it's worth knowing that this kind of thought is out there. "The court also said Novell couldn't run interference for Linux and stop SCO from seeking royalty payments for alleged UnixWare and OpenServer infringement by Linux users under its infamous SCOsource licensing program. Armed with that decision, it's merely a matter of time before SCO starts seeking those payments."

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Google's Android platform: not so open after all (ars technica)

Ars Technica takes Google to task for its management of the Android program. "Google vowed that its Linux-based Android mobile platform would empower enthusiasts and amateur developers, but today we have seen compelling evidence that this is an empty promise. Third-party Android application developers, who have grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of SDK updates, were shocked to discover that Google has been secretly making new versions of the Android SDK available to the Android Developer Challenge (ADC) finalists under non-disclosure agreements."

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Linus Torvalds, Geek of the Week (simple-talk)

Simple-talk has an interview with Linus Torvalds. "But what can make a big deal to what is the best way of doing things is simply hardware changes or changes in what users do and how they interact with their computers. And while I don't see any big fundamental shift in how things are done, I think that is ultimately what may make Linux obsolete. -not in the near future, though. Software and hardware have an amazing inertia, and ways of doing things tend to stay around for decades. So I'm not exactly worried."

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Mono man accuses Mac Gtk+ fans of jeopardizing Linux desktop (the Register)

the Register reports on recent comments by Miguel de Icaza concerning the future of GTK+. "Miguel de Icaza has criticized plans for the next GNU Gnome cross-platform environment that risks damaging the Linux desktop ISV ecosystem by focusing on the Mac. De Icaza, leading the Mono and Moonlight cross-platform .NET projects at Novell, has warned a "new crop" of developers pushing plans for Gtk+ 3 risk "throwing away years of work" on Gtk+. They're also failing to recognize the value of having an ISV ecosystem working to put Gnome on Linux. Gtk+ is the tool set for building the Gnome graphical user interface, with version three the next planned major update."

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