24 March 2007
Linux Media Center - In A World Of Its Own
A very thorough comparison of Windows Media Center and Linux Media Center reveals some amazing differences. After watching it I wonder if you can really call it a comparison at all. The features of the Linux Media Center are just phenomenal and leave no comparison to any other product on the market. It isn't just for controlling your TV, but for your entire house, including every device from lights, alarm systems, cameras, mobile phones, stationary phones, other computers, etc. If you're prepared to forget everything you ever thought about media centers this is a video you should watch.
Labels: asterisk, linux, media center, microsoft, os, windows
14 March 2007
Next Step For Dell Towards Pre-Installed Linux
In response to the overwhelming response Dell received from customers interested in having Linux pre-installed computers, they have developed a survey asking for more specific information from users. Dell's exact words were that they "can’t offer everything (all systems, all distributions, all support options), so we’ve crafted a survey (www.dell.com/linuxsurvey) to let you help us prioritize what we should deliver for you".
It seems that this survey is receiving overwhelming response as well and their server is overloaded as well. This is being worked on currently. The survey will be available until 23 March.
It seems that this survey is receiving overwhelming response as well and their server is overloaded as well. This is being worked on currently. The survey will be available until 23 March.
Labels: computer, Dell, linux, os
12 March 2007
4000 for a Extended Patchs
Microsoft has announced that for people running older versions of their products that are outside of the standard support and in the extended support phase, for example Windows 2000, that need to be patched for the DST changes, the patches can be bought for 4000 USD. This is a decrease from the original 40,000 USD. Microsoft said that the 4K was just to cover costs. People who have already paid the 40,000 USD will be reimbursed the difference.
While I can understand charging users a small fee for such patches, charging something around 13 times more than the original value of the software is a bit much. With the number of people and companies still running Windows 2000 and other software that has moved into extended support, a small fee would be plenty to cover costs. This just help the idea that Microsoft has lost sight of its customers and their needs and has matured into a company only interested in making profits in the most Machiavellian ways.
While I can understand charging users a small fee for such patches, charging something around 13 times more than the original value of the software is a bit much. With the number of people and companies still running Windows 2000 and other software that has moved into extended support, a small fee would be plenty to cover costs. This just help the idea that Microsoft has lost sight of its customers and their needs and has matured into a company only interested in making profits in the most Machiavellian ways.
10 March 2007
Daring Article About Linux Shortcomings
Recently an article was written by Rob Enderle discussing in his opinion the shortcomings of Linux.
As a someone who has worked in IT for over 10 years evaluating solutions, I encourage such discussions as a way for people to find out more information and make better choices, but as a Linux user there are some areas that I have to disagree with and others that I agree completely with.
The first is his idea that Linux is not one thing but many different things distributions that are all different. There is only one Linux kernel released by Linus Torvalds. That is Linux, the distributions are based on the software and customizations that are on top of that kernel. To say that the distributions make the Linux a different breed is like saying a Windows computer running the MS Office Suite is not the same Windows as a Windows computer running the MS Works Suite. There is no difference in the kernel and core of those two Windows machines and there is no difference in the core and kernel between any of the Linux distributions. Linux as one unit then can be compared to Windows as one unit. Distributions come in when you look at which software you want on the machines.
I will agree that Linux is not for everything or everyone. The distributions succeed in making it more 'universal' by customizing it for specific purposes.
From a security point of view, Linux's security model is from Unix making it very secure As to the point made about no identity checks on Open Source developers and the possibility of someone with not so admirable intentions being able to work within the group and write bugs intentionally into the software, I completely agree with the possibility. Looking at it though, while it is possible one has to remember that software should also be tested before being deployed both by hand executing the code and by actually running it. With hundreds or thousands of people working on popular projects the ability for such a malicious bug to make it through testing is very small, albeit possible. Using the fact that this hasn't happened so far in Open Source software, I would put this risk as negligible.
Again I also agree that no operating system should be considered so secure to ignore good security practices. All operating systems are crackable, I just wouldn't want to be the one trying to crack a hardened Linux or Unix box. All networks need some sort of auditing practice to lead network admins to possible attempts at cracking the network to stop the perpetrator(s) before they get in.
I also agree completely that some people in the community of Linux users tend to be rather cult-ish putting the OS as a type of god and can be very standoffish when someone says anything negative about it. I think every 'normal' person using the OS would agree that these are the types of people who keep others away from Linux (Mac has similar people too causing the same problem). These fundamental users hinder the normal discussion process which is exactly what Linux (Mac OS) needs to become more popular and more widely accepted.
I will make no statements in regard to Groklaw as it is not Linux but an open advocacy group that was formed in some way of protecting Linux. It is very young and probably immature yet. In five or ten years time it will be interesting to see how it developed.
This is perfectly said. The role of any analyst is to be open to all options not only Microsoft or Apple or Open Source. When giving opinions preferences do not apply, what is the best option for the situation is the only thing that applies. Recently I was asked my opinion of Mac computers from someone who had been shown one in an shop. The person was impressed with what they had seen and I added to it what I liked about them. Along with this, I gave the disadvantage of cost. This point we both agreed on. I told him the options in local shops of Windows, Mac OS and Linux all of which can be found pre-installed on computers. He had already seen Mac OS and had already used Windows so I gave him a Live CD of a popular Linux distribution and told him to play around with it before making a decision. I didn't tell him one option was better or worse, just gave him the tools to make the decision himself.
As a someone who has worked in IT for over 10 years evaluating solutions, I encourage such discussions as a way for people to find out more information and make better choices, but as a Linux user there are some areas that I have to disagree with and others that I agree completely with.
The first is his idea that Linux is not one thing but many different things distributions that are all different. There is only one Linux kernel released by Linus Torvalds. That is Linux, the distributions are based on the software and customizations that are on top of that kernel. To say that the distributions make the Linux a different breed is like saying a Windows computer running the MS Office Suite is not the same Windows as a Windows computer running the MS Works Suite. There is no difference in the kernel and core of those two Windows machines and there is no difference in the core and kernel between any of the Linux distributions. Linux as one unit then can be compared to Windows as one unit. Distributions come in when you look at which software you want on the machines.
I will agree that Linux is not for everything or everyone. The distributions succeed in making it more 'universal' by customizing it for specific purposes.
From a security point of view, Linux's security model is from Unix making it very secure As to the point made about no identity checks on Open Source developers and the possibility of someone with not so admirable intentions being able to work within the group and write bugs intentionally into the software, I completely agree with the possibility. Looking at it though, while it is possible one has to remember that software should also be tested before being deployed both by hand executing the code and by actually running it. With hundreds or thousands of people working on popular projects the ability for such a malicious bug to make it through testing is very small, albeit possible. Using the fact that this hasn't happened so far in Open Source software, I would put this risk as negligible.
Again I also agree that no operating system should be considered so secure to ignore good security practices. All operating systems are crackable, I just wouldn't want to be the one trying to crack a hardened Linux or Unix box. All networks need some sort of auditing practice to lead network admins to possible attempts at cracking the network to stop the perpetrator(s) before they get in.
I also agree completely that some people in the community of Linux users tend to be rather cult-ish putting the OS as a type of god and can be very standoffish when someone says anything negative about it. I think every 'normal' person using the OS would agree that these are the types of people who keep others away from Linux (Mac has similar people too causing the same problem). These fundamental users hinder the normal discussion process which is exactly what Linux (Mac OS) needs to become more popular and more widely accepted.
I will make no statements in regard to Groklaw as it is not Linux but an open advocacy group that was formed in some way of protecting Linux. It is very young and probably immature yet. In five or ten years time it will be interesting to see how it developed.
I think the thing that bothers me the most about Linux is IT advocacy. IT shouldn’t be an advocate of any product, because it needs to make determinations between them. Whether it is Microsoft, Apple, or Linux, once IT takes a side it is no longer capable of properly assessing a solution based on the needs of the business. And that is the job.
This is perfectly said. The role of any analyst is to be open to all options not only Microsoft or Apple or Open Source. When giving opinions preferences do not apply, what is the best option for the situation is the only thing that applies. Recently I was asked my opinion of Mac computers from someone who had been shown one in an shop. The person was impressed with what they had seen and I added to it what I liked about them. Along with this, I gave the disadvantage of cost. This point we both agreed on. I told him the options in local shops of Windows, Mac OS and Linux all of which can be found pre-installed on computers. He had already seen Mac OS and had already used Windows so I gave him a Live CD of a popular Linux distribution and told him to play around with it before making a decision. I didn't tell him one option was better or worse, just gave him the tools to make the decision himself.
07 March 2007
Join in Asking Steve Jobs to Take Action Against DRM
DefectiveByDesign.org has once again made a move against DRMs. This time it's asking Steve Jobs to take action on his earlier comments against DRM. Previously Steve Jobs said that Apple would be more than happy to drop DRM from iTunes if they were allowed by the big four record lables - Sony, Universal, EMI and Warner.
DefectiveByDesign has created a letter to Steve Jobs asking him to back his pledge and is asking for signatures with a goal of 1000 by April. The actions that are requested are that iTunes either:
1. Drops DRM for independent artists
2. Drops DRM for Disney movies and video
3. Take a public stand against DRM and the Digital Millennium Copyright Acts which mandates DRM.
It will be interesting to see the response from Apple by 1 April. If there is a response it will most likely be the first of the options as it can cause the least harm to Apple and cost the least amount of money. That being said, I could be wrong, we'll have to just wait and see.
DefectiveByDesign has created a letter to Steve Jobs asking him to back his pledge and is asking for signatures with a goal of 1000 by April. The actions that are requested are that iTunes either:
1. Drops DRM for independent artists
2. Drops DRM for Disney movies and video
3. Take a public stand against DRM and the Digital Millennium Copyright Acts which mandates DRM.
It will be interesting to see the response from Apple by 1 April. If there is a response it will most likely be the first of the options as it can cause the least harm to Apple and cost the least amount of money. That being said, I could be wrong, we'll have to just wait and see.
Labels: Apple, drm, Steve Jobs
05 March 2007
Vista Activation Problems
A warning to all people using or considering Vista.
There appears to be some problems with Windows Genuine Advantage that causes Vista to have to be reactivated after installing or running some applications. In the case of this person it was the game 9Dragons.
After a few minutes of playing the game a window popped up stating that they system had been changed and needed to be reactivated. During the process the system was completely deactivated and if it wasn't reactivated would have stopped working within 3 days. The person now cannot play this game in the future for fear of the same thing happening.
The hope is that this did not use one of the free activations that Windows offers for Vista, but in reality it probably has. Such things like this can cost people a lot of money if Microsoft decides to not allow people to gain more reactivations after using all of their options in such situations. Extorting money from users comes to mind in this case. It could also lead people who had previously bought a legitimate copy of Vista to crack their software to avoid paying more because of faults in WGA. These people could later face further problems if MS decided to go on a piracy 'witchhunt'.
There appears to be some problems with Windows Genuine Advantage that causes Vista to have to be reactivated after installing or running some applications. In the case of this person it was the game 9Dragons.
After a few minutes of playing the game a window popped up stating that they system had been changed and needed to be reactivated. During the process the system was completely deactivated and if it wasn't reactivated would have stopped working within 3 days. The person now cannot play this game in the future for fear of the same thing happening.
The hope is that this did not use one of the free activations that Windows offers for Vista, but in reality it probably has. Such things like this can cost people a lot of money if Microsoft decides to not allow people to gain more reactivations after using all of their options in such situations. Extorting money from users comes to mind in this case. It could also lead people who had previously bought a legitimate copy of Vista to crack their software to avoid paying more because of faults in WGA. These people could later face further problems if MS decided to go on a piracy 'witchhunt'.
Labels: activation, microsoft, os, vista, wga, windows
Windows Vista Cracked
The group Paradox has found a way to crack Vista so that pirated copies are now usable.
This morning the torrents were filled with people downloading both Windows Vista and the crack. Vista alone on one torrent had over 750 connections with about 100 seeders and over 650 leachers.
For complete information on how the crack works information can be found here
Of course this is only to share knowledge and I do not encourage anyone to actually pirate software. Knowing how it was done is interesting for everyone though.
This morning the torrents were filled with people downloading both Windows Vista and the crack. Vista alone on one torrent had over 750 connections with about 100 seeders and over 650 leachers.
For complete information on how the crack works information can be found here
Of course this is only to share knowledge and I do not encourage anyone to actually pirate software. Knowing how it was done is interesting for everyone though.
Labels: crack, microsoft, os, vista, windows
02 March 2007
Changes Require Planning
Sam Varghese from ITWire writes an interesting article about people who claim their switch to Linux wasn't successful through some fault of the OS and not their own.
He stresses how users need to evaluate their needs before switching and that the OS is not for everyone. I have to agree completely on this and add that there is no OS for everyone, which is why there is a choice of Windows, Mac OS, Linux/Unix. Linux does a good job of being as universal as possible with distributions for custom needs, but the point stands that if you're using Windows and it is working fine for you and in the case of business is bringing in a profit, there is no reason to change. If a business is to change it is because of a possibility of making a larger profit or because it offers something that can't be done with the current system.
This same technique should apply to individuals. Evaluate the option before just switching. The option being a different/new operating system or a new computer or anything. There are always reasons for switching and reasons for staying with what you have. No decision should be made without analysis.
He stresses how users need to evaluate their needs before switching and that the OS is not for everyone. I have to agree completely on this and add that there is no OS for everyone, which is why there is a choice of Windows, Mac OS, Linux/Unix. Linux does a good job of being as universal as possible with distributions for custom needs, but the point stands that if you're using Windows and it is working fine for you and in the case of business is bringing in a profit, there is no reason to change. If a business is to change it is because of a possibility of making a larger profit or because it offers something that can't be done with the current system.
This same technique should apply to individuals. Evaluate the option before just switching. The option being a different/new operating system or a new computer or anything. There are always reasons for switching and reasons for staying with what you have. No decision should be made without analysis.
Labels: os
