I am downloading over bittorrent openSUSE 11.1 Beta 2 and will be doing some serious 'tire kicking' this week.

This will be an 'upgrade' from 11.0 verses a 'new install', so it should be interesting to see how it goes with the new YaST update system in place.

Anticipate a follow-up preview of what's new with openSUSE 11.1 some time next week.

--Dietrich

Given that this is a blog for Linux IT Consultants, I found the review of web statistics (analog) interesting.  There are a surprising number of readers from the Windows camp.

Listing operating systems, sorted by the number of requests for pages.

no.
reqs
pages
OS
1
2849
429
Windows
 
2023
263
  Windows XP
 
214
78
  Windows Server 2003
 
550
61
  Windows Vista/Server 2008
 
54
21
  Windows 2000
 
7
5
  Unknown Windows
 
1
1
  Windows 98
2
526
417
Known robots
3
765
222
OS unknown
4
2172
158
Unix
 
2172
158
  Linux
5
589
55
Macintosh

BTW, this is a very short time-span sampling.  Notice how many are still using Windows XP vs. Vista.

Come on, now.  You know you like Linux.  Admit it.  It runs rings around Windows.  So go download yourself a copy of Linux and install it.  It's FREE, you know. 

Is it me Folks? Bueler?  Never mind.

It adds six months by extending media shipments to OEMs through July 2009

October 3, 2008 (Computerworld) Microsoft has extended the availability of Windows XP on new PCs by six months, the company confirmed today.

Computer makers that "downgrade" machines from Windows Vista Business or Vista Ultimate to Windows XP Professional will be able to obtain media for the latter through the end of July 2009, a Microsoft spokeswoman said Friday.

The new date is a change in policy. Previously, Microsoft had planned to halt XP Professional media shipments to major computer makers after Jan. 31, 2009.

"As more customers make the move to Windows Vista, we want to make sure that they are making that transition with confidence and that it is as smooth as possible. Providing downgrade media for a few more months is part of that commitment," the spokeswoman said in an e-mail.

The Jan. 31 date is also the last day when smaller companies, dubbed "system builders," will be allowed to purchase Windows XP licenses to install on the machines they assemble. The system-builder deadline has not changed, the spokeswoman added. It remains Jan. 31.

To confuse matters, some PC makers have long claimed that they would provide XP downgrades on new computers past the Jan. 31 deadline. Last June, for example, Hewlett-Packard Co. talked of a July 2009 cutoff. "HP...will continue to offer this option on its business systems through at least July 30, 2009," a company spokesman said almost four months ago

( More... )

Broadcom 802.11 Linux STA driver These packages contain Broadcom's IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n hybrid Linux® device driver for use with Broadcom's BCM4311-, BCM4312-, BCM4321-, and BCM4322-based hardware. There are different tars for 32-bit and 64-bit x86 CPU architectures. Make sure that you download the appropriate tar because the hybrid binary file must be of the appropriate architecture type. The hybrid binary file is agnostic to the specific version of the Linux kernel because it is designed to perform all interactions with the operating system through operating-system-specific files and an operating system abstraction layer file. All Linux operating-system-specific code is provided in source form, making it possible to retarget to different kernel versions and fix operating system related issues. NOTE: You must read the LICENSE.TXT file in the lib directory before using this software. 802.11 Linux STA Version  Date Size  32-bit driver 5.10.27.6  7/1/2008  512KB  64-bit driver 5.10.27.6  7/1/2008  510KB  README.txt 5.10.27.6  7/1/2008  3KB  Broadcom Quick Links COMPANY    Company Fact Sheet    Company Timeline    Events    Industry Awards    Key Executives    Sales Offices    Selected Locations    Social Responsibility    Strategic Acquisitions PRODUCTS    Bluetooth    Cable    Cellular    Consumer Electronics    Data/Telecom Networks    DSL    Enterprise Networking    GPS    Mobile Multimedia    Satellite    Small/Medium Business    Voice Over IP (VoIP)    Wireless LAN    New Products    Legacy Products    Products A to Z INVESTORS PRESS    Press Releases    Company Fact Sheet    Email Alerts    Events    Glossary    Industry Awards    Key Executives    Media Contacts    Photo Library    Resource Center    Translated Releases    Virtual Press Kit DOWNLOADS & SUPPORT    Bluetooth    Communications Processors    Ethernet NICs    Search Support    Contact Support    Other CAREERS    Career Search    Experienced Candidates    University Recruiting    Our Talent    Fast Facts    Benefits    Culture CONTACT US    Contact Map    Sales Offices    Manufacturer's Reps    Distributors    Careers    Media Contacts    Email Alerts    Feedback       Please visit our 54g® Website for questions or to learn more about 54g® products.

Computerworld: When Linux does well: the e1000e Ethernet bug fixed

October 2nd, 2008

One reason I love Linux is that when they're a problem, it gets fixed. Usually, it gets fixed in a hurry and that's exactly what happened with the e1000e Ethernet bug.

( More... )

That sums it up.  When there is a problem, Linux gets fixed--in a hurry.

Nokia Corp. unveiled its long-awaited touch-screen phone Thursday, a challenge by the world's biggest mobile-phone maker to Apple Inc.'s trail-blazing iPhone.

Though the iPhone claims just a fraction of the sales of Nokia's high-end devices, it has developed a fan following with its slick design and access to iTunes music downloads. The iPhone's success has prompted competitors such as South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co., Sony Ericsson and Taiwan's HTC Corp. to push out rival offerings.

Finland-based Nokia has waited more than a year to respond with its answer to the iPhone, the 5800 XpressMusic touch-screen smart-phone. The device's hardware and services--pitched to have mass-market appeal--include 8 gigabytes of memory, a 3.2-inch screen, and access to Nokia's Ovi Internet service portal.

The 5800 will cost €279 ($388) before taxes and subsidies when released in the fourth quarter, which includes the key Christmas shopping season. That's nearly half the €499 price charged by some European operators for an unlocked 8 gigabyte iPhone.

The Nokia phone's touch-screen won't work exactly the same way as the iPhone's, which allows users to zoom in and out using two fingers in a pinching or spreading motion. Nokia's interface allows for only one touch point at a time.

Sales of smart-phones--hand-held devices with PC-like capabilities--are forecast to jump to $200 billion in 2012 from $65 billion this year, according to research firm Gartner Inc.

Nokia Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo has said that the hype around the iPhone has created a buzz that benefited the entire smart-phone segment.

Still, aggressive pricing by rivals has caused Nokia to lose some market share in the smart-phone segment, partly because it lacked a touch-screen offering.

Nokia's leading share of the smart-phone market slipped to 47.5% in the second quarter from 50.8% a year earlier, Gartner said. BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. had the second-largest smart-phone market share, at 17.4%.

Though smart-phones account for a minor percentage of Nokia's revenue, they are higher-margin products, so tepid sales exacerbate the impact of a slowdown in consumer spending across the company's key markets.

Last month, Nokia said it expects to lose overall mobile-device market share in the third quarter on what it called "unsustainable" price cuts by rivals.

Nokia also said Thursday that EMI Group will be part of its new music-download service. Other big music labels already part of the service include Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group.

Nokia's Comes With Music service is aimed at challenging iTunes' dominance of the music-download market; it offers unlimited downloads for a year for one upfront payment, and users can keep all the tracks they download during the 12-month contract period even after the contract ends.

The first phone to be bundled with the music service, the 5310 XpressMusic, will be sold in the U.K. starting in mid-October through retailer Carphone Warehouse PLC, priced at about £130 ($229). "It's going to radically shake up the market," said CCS Insight analyst Paolo Pescatore.

( Original story here... )

If you haven't gotten a sense for John McCain's poor choice of a running mate, don't miss tonite's great Vice Presidential debate between Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin.

Senator Joe Biden can be prone to fits of brain farts but this session with Sarah Palin will more likely be a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.

To mentally prepare yourself for the onslaught of dull nonsensical hyperbole spewing forth in the form of answers to critical national issues put to Governor Palin, you might like to prepare your mind, or dumb it down to be more accurate, by visiting this site and generating a few Palinesque answers.

Think of it as your very own personal interview with Sarah Palin and if you come away confused, congratulations.  Here's a sample:

Can't get an interview with Sarah Palin? We've got you covered.

Q: How will you fix the economy?

A: Our economy and putting it back on the side of the leadership there. I do bring to this table, and that's with the Bush administration that we have to keep. I do bring to this table, and that's the beauty of American elections, of course, that is what has got to get caught up in this nation at this time. It is obvious to me that confirmation of the status quo, going with the Bush administration that we have got to see trade as opportunity, not as competitive, scary thing, but one in five jobs being created in the state that produces nearly 20 percent of the American people.

Use http://interviewpalin.com/c0q1s0-11cbc392729 to share this answer.

Have a six-pack of beer and snacks at the ready.  The debate is going to be entertaining if not informative.

Oh the humanity!

Reuters: Nokia to take on Apple in music, touch-screen phones

By Tarmo Virki

HELSINKI (Reuters) - The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia will launch its free music package on Thursday, which analysts see posing a serious threat to Apple's dominance in the digital music business.

Nokia is expected to unveil more details on its "Comes with Music" package later on Thursday at an analyst and media event in London. The Finnish company will also launch its first touch-screen phone, to rival Apple's popular iPhone, sources have told Reuters.

( Original story here... )

There is much to be concerned about nowadays when it comes to personal and business travel with Laptops and other digital devices.

The obvious concerns include the potential for Laptop theft and theft of sensitive/personal data.  Another concern is the potential for delays at Airport and border checkpoints while Laptops are searched for incriminating data. 

To the extent that there is sufficient room for interpretation and potential for abuse of legal authority for determining when it is appropriate to initiate a search/seizure of Laptop property, the U.S. Senate is proposing legislation of the "Travelers Privacy Protection Act" to restrict the right of US customs to search or seize laptops, iPods and other digital devices.

There are ways to mitigate your personal risk when travelling.  One option is to not store sensitive data whatsoever on your Laptop.  Another is to simply not bring your laptop along when travelling.  The latter is not ideal especially for business travelers.

I have found the safest, fool-proof way to travel yet with a Laptop is to remove its hard drive and leave it at home.  Set up the Laptop's bios to boot from CD and bring along a CD/DVD of Knoppix.   Knoppix is a Linux distribution which can be run directly from CD.  Nothing gets stored on the CD and everything runs in memory 'read-only' from RAM disk.  When you shutdown, all data in RAM is gone.

Thus, you can boot up Knoppix and either use NoMachine NX or RDP thin clients to reach your corporate office Desktop or home gateway PC when needed.  Both of these client applications are found on the CD.  I prefer using NX as the entire session is tunnel-encrypted and exceptionally fast over even the slowest 56-K dial-up connection.

So, be smart, when equipped with a Laptop with no hard drive, you can simply declare the device has no data drive on it whatsoever.  If there is no data drive then there is no need to search, thus no delays in travel, no worries.

--Dietrich
.