Why I Can’t Get Rid Of Windows
January 29, 2006 on 6:30 pm | In Linux | 10 CommentsAs much I would like to format my Windows laptop and put Linux on it, there are a few reasons I cannot do this. First of all, there are the games. I am a regular CS:Source player, and to install it on Linux I had to try to get it working by using Wine and the help of this article. Now, sure - I have CS:Source running on Kanotix at home, and it runs substantially faster than on an equal Windows system; but, would I have to do this with all my games?
Linux Screenshots
January 28, 2006 on 7:36 pm | In Linux | No CommentsThere are quite a few good Linux screenshot sites, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to share them with you!
First and foremost is O’Reilly’s LinShots - this has an absolutely huge collection of screenshots! As of writing, they have screens from over 188 Linux/BSD distros, and also from a variety of different Open Source apps and ‘other OSes’.
Another is focused on short videos rather than screenshots, which can turn out to be even more useful. LinClips compiles short ’screencasts’ which show each distribution’s standard desktop and menus. It does not have as many clips as LinShots has pics, but it is still a cool site to browse when choosing a new distro.
Finally, Lynucs hosts many customised screenshots which are submitted by Linux users around the world. You can think of this site as a fashion show instead of a catalogue - the images are more to do with what people can make Linux look like instead of what Linux distros look like out of the box.
If you’re looking for formal screenshots of the distros as they look out of the box, go to the first link. The second has some short clips which can prove to be very helpful for a presentation, and the third is the best place to go if you want to see how flexible Linux is.
Linus Rejects GPL v3
January 26, 2006 on 8:18 pm | In Linux | 12 CommentsLinus made the following statement on the LKML about the Linux kernel and whether or not it would be switching to the soon-to-be-released GPL v3:
The Linux kernel has _always_ been under the GPL v2. Nothing else has ever been valid.
The “version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version” language in the GPL copying file is not - and has never been - part of the actual License itself. It’s part of the _explanatory_ text that talks about how to apply the license to your program, and it says that _if_ you want to accept any later versions of the GPL, you can state so in your source code.The Linux kernel has never stated that in general. Some authors have chosen to use the suggested FSF boilerplate (including the “any later version” language), but the kernel in general never has.
In other words: the _default_ license strategy is always just the particular version of the GPL that accompanies a project. If you want to license a program under _any_ later version of the GPL, you have to state so explicitly. Linux never did.
The Application Most People Want Ported To Linux Is…
January 26, 2006 on 8:11 pm | In Linux | 4 CommentsA very interesting survey conducted by Novell asked users what their most-wanted Windows application for Linux was, and now some preliminary results have appeared. What is this application that tons of people want ported? Adobe Photoshop? iTunes? Quicken? Nope, none of these - it was in fact Quickbooks.
As the article’s author correctly points out, there are no requests in the Top 10 list for web browsers, email managers, CD burners, instant messaging applications and so on - which is strong evidence that Linux is ready for the desktop.
Please take the survey so that we may end up with a more fine-tuned and accurate set of results - who knows, maybe the app you want ported will soon be because of it, so don’t miss this chance!
Atomix Linux 3.2
January 25, 2006 on 8:49 pm | In Linux | 1 Comment
Atomix Linux 3.2 has just been released (I can’t say I understand what the site says though!). From a review on Linux.com:
After several years’ work, a team of young Linux experts from Serbia has released Atomix Linux 3.2 to the public. Considering the long development period — more than three years — my expectations were fairly high, but Atomix met my expectations.
Atomix Linux is a derivative of Fedora Core Linux. When I’ve tested Fedora Core 4, applications such as OpenOffice.org, Gaim, Evolution, and ImageMagick have crashed a few times. During the two months of testing Atomix I haven’t had any programs crash or freeze, which I found impressive. It appears as if the Atomix developers have focused on making sure that all applications function reliably.
To tell you the truth, it looks quite nice - and although it runs a slightly outdated version of KDE (3.4.1), it makes up for it by filling the 5 CD’s/DVD with tons of useful apps. I don’t know how many times I’ve tried a distribution which brings a random, relatively-unknown and ‘useless’ app - it takes up space and not really needed. This one however seems to have a good selection.
I’ll be reviewing it once I get a chance to download it over the weekend. Or, if you prefer, you could always beat me to it and let me know.
Update: Links were broken, so updated to ISO for the DVD on a faster mirror
‘Hot’ Email Vulnerability
January 25, 2006 on 8:00 am | In Linux, Security | 2 CommentsJust received the SecurityFocus Linux Newsletter #269. Check out the latest email vulunerability:
3. Mozilla Thunderbird File Attachment Spoofing Vulnerability
BugTraq ID: 16271
Remote: Yes
Date Published: 2006-01-17
Relevant URL: http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/16271
Summary:
Mozilla Thunderbird is prone to a file attachment spoofing vulnerability.Successful exploitation may allow attackers to place malicious files on a user’s computer by tricking users into saving seemingly safe attachments. If the user subsequently opens the file, this vulnerability may facilitate arbitrary code execution in the context of the user.
Thunderbird versions prior to 1.5 are affected.
Linux Cartoons!
January 24, 2006 on 2:29 pm | In Linux | No CommentsIBM have released a set of funny Linux cartoons - great if you’re having a lousy day! Especially for bored Linux admins 
My personal favourites are Evolution (pictured above) and Penguinstein. Watch them now!
HOW TO: Setup DVD And Video Playback
January 23, 2006 on 4:20 pm | In Linux, Ubuntu, HOW TO | 6 Comments
Many Linux distributions don’t bring full support for movies and DVD’s due to legal issues, and this can be a serious bummer if you want to play your new copy of ‘Fight Club’. So, here’s how to set up the necessary files so that you’ll be watching it in no time!
Virtual Environments - Extra Security?
January 21, 2006 on 1:55 pm | In Linux | 7 CommentsI have been thinking about this since I woke up this morning - an added layer of security which I’m pretty sure has not been attempted yet.
Basically, it involves an application. This application doesn’t really emulate your natural desktop - it’s like looking down at your desktop through a pane of glass. It could also be described as screenshots from your desktop being pasted into the application’s window. For the purpose of this article, we shall call this a Virtual Environment (VE).
Luxuriousity - OSS Application Scammer
January 19, 2006 on 3:05 pm | In Linux | 52 Comments
The admin at Luxuriousity has become my latest source of irritation - “Why?”, you may ask? Because he has just changed the names of common OSS applications like OpenOffice.org, Audacity and The GIMP and is selling them as if they are his own products.
For example:
OpenOffice.org | Luxuriousity Office Professional, $29.99 download
The GIMP | Luxuriousity The Photographer’s Dream Professional, $19.99 download
Audacity | Luxuriousity Multi-Track Music Studio Professional, $12.99 CD-ROM
VLC | Luxuriousity Media Player, $29.99 download
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