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KDE

Submission + - KDE 4.0 the holy grail of Desktops ?

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: With KDE 4.0 being expected some time this year, expectation runs high in the linux/unix users camp and the media read a lot between the lines of what the KDE developers say and do. In some ways KDE will provide a standard as to how a desktop should look and behave. This interesting article wonders whether KDE 4.0 will become the complete desktop which will meet the needs of a wide cross section of computer users. One of the common complaints that some Linux users have over KDE is that it is too cluttered. And by addressing this need without putting off the power users, the KDE developers could make it an all in one Desktop. Keep in mind that KDE 4.0 is based on Qt 4.0 and so can be easily ported to Windows and other OSes too which makes this thought doubly relevant.
KDE

Submission + - Could KDE 4.0 be the holy grail of Desktops ?

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: This article ponders on whether the upcoming KDE 4.0 could indeed be the holy grail of Desktops. One of the most repeated complaints by a section of Linux enthusiasts is the perceived complexity of KDE when compared with its popular counterpart Gnome. The author of the article wonders whether incorporating the simple but functional File manager Dolphin is a sure sign that the KDE developers are gunning for KDE 4.0 to be everything for all sections of Linux/Unix users be they power users like Linus Torvalds or the grandmas and grandpas.
Space

Submission + - SpaceX Launches Falcon 1 to Space

Submitted by
RockyPersaud
RockyPersaud writes: "SpaceX's second Falcon 1 launch attempt successfully reached space, though it misses its target orbit. The video cuts out at the end with telemetry was lost. At this point it appears the rocket only reach about 300km altitude, so short about 125km from its target orbit, and it probably re-entered the atmosphere to fall into the ocean. While not a total success, this launch indicates SpaceX can successfully deliver satellites to orbit at a much lower cost than competitors, opening up possibilities for orbital tourism and cheap delivery of commercial payloads to space. Read more here."
Windows

Submission + - It's official: Vista copy protection 100% cracked

Submitted by
Slinky Sausage
Slinky Sausage writes: "There's been a steady stream of 'sort of' cracks for Vista coming out of the piracy groups, but a crack has been released this morning by "Pantheon" which is doesn't avoid Vista's activation — it exploits it! Apparently despite the requirements for everyone including volume licence customers to activate, Microsoft built in the capability for OEM system builders to pre-install copies of Vista without activating it over the internet. The crack works on any Acer, HP, Lenovo, Hewlett Packard or custom machine (as long as you have the BIOS of that machine available)."
Red Hat Software

Submission + - Take Microsoft's Linux money, says Red Hat

Submitted by Robert
Robert writes: Red Hat CEO has said the company is encouraging customers to adopt Microsoft's offer of support vouchers for Novell's rival Linux operating system in order to get the issue over with. Speaking at the Merrill Lynch internet, software and services conference, Red Hat's CEO, Matthew Szulik, dismissed the impact that deal has had on it's business. "I think that there has been a strong amount of external communication by Microsoft and Novell on this topic," he said. "We certainly expect that there will be those cases where customers will consume those coupons. We're certainly encouraging one or two customers to consume all of them, let's get this over with."
Internet Explorer

Submission + - IE7 and Firefox could be target of hackers

Submitted by
Vinit
Vinit writes: "Michal Zalewski, a security researcher has found flaws in IE7 and Firefox which could be the next target of hackers. The flaws will lead users to malicious websites controlled by hackers, thus allowing them to grab files from your hard drive. Microsoft has already confirmed the flaw and said, "the company is taking appropriate action." In addition to the above mentioned flaw, Firefox is vulnerable to another severe flaw which allow hackers to alter cookies stored on a computer. It indicates that display of some sites could be tempered. Firefox has already come up with a fix which will be released soon. http://www.pclaunches.com/software/ie7_and_firefox _could_be_target_of_hackers_who_can_play_with_your _hard_drive.php"
Microsoft

Submission + - Has Microsoft Patented A Successor To Clippy?

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: IWeek blogger Alex Wolfe theorizes that Microsoft might be searching for a successor to 'Clippy, the iconic paperclip which was featured in Office from 1997 until the folks at Redmond got tired of the ridicule and retired it in 2004. The most promising candidate may be an eye with a rotating iris. What's equally notable is that Microsoft seems to be taking a page from its attempt to trademark the English word "Windows," and has patented the icon for a camcorder. Do you think this is the typical patent work of a big company, or has Microsoft got something up its sleeve here?
Music

Submission + - Steve Jobs Publishes Reaction To Open DRM

Submitted by
An anonymous reader writes: Steve Jobs has published an essay on the State of DRM, and Apple's public stance on the issue of opening FairPlay DRM, licensing it to other online music retailers. In it, he examines three possible options: continuing as the industry currently operates, licensing FairPlay, or abolishing DRM altogether. From the article: "Imagine a world where every online store sells DRM-free music encoded in open licensable formats. In such a world, any player can play music purchased from any store, and any store can sell music which is playable on all players. This is clearly the best alternative for consumers, and Apple would embrace it in a heartbeat."
Movies

Submission + - RIAA: Cost of CDs should be higher

Submitted by
EatingSteak
EatingSteak writes: "The folks over at Techdirt just put up a great story today, with the RIAA claiming the cost of a CD has gone down significantly relative to CPI (Consumer Price Index). The link FTA to the RIAA page of "Key Facts" claims that based on the 1983 price of CDs, the 1996 price should have been $33.86.
So naturally, the cost of a CD has actually gone down, so you should feel like you're getting a bargain. Sounds an awful lot like the cable companies saying cable prices are really going down even though they're going up.

Furthermore, the RIAA "Facts" page goes on to say: "though some factions of the industry see price resistance — CD prices are relatively low and home videos rentals are still a bargain — consumers don't seem to balk at the rising price of fun in this strong, family-friendly economy."
Wait a minute. Consumers not balking at rising prices of other types of fun (assuming fun == media consumption)? I disagree. Movie theater attendence has has been slipping for a long time, and who says consumers are not balking at high prices of movie rentals? At Blockbuster, a movie rental is $3.95! After taxes, I don't even get a $1 bill back out of my $5. Needless to say, I haven't been spending much time or money there. Finally, I contend that movie rental prices have been decreasing. Now, instead of paying $4 every time I watch a movie, I can just watch all the movies I want for the price of two or three single rentals. And no crap about phantom late fees either. The RIAA should be happy they're still getting as much for CDs as they are, because they're certainly not going to be getting $33.86 anytime soon."
Microsoft

Submission + - Microsoft "Zune Phone" tested in Philippin

Submitted by
netbuzz
netbuzz writes: "Microsoft's "Zune Phone" doesn't exist, at least not officially, yet an outsourcer in the Philippines looks to be grabbing credit for "providing customer service and research support" to Microsoft for what appears to be the gadget in question. If so, it's a pretty good bet that they're not happy about it in Redmond.

http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/1119 4"
Novell

Novell Won't Lose Right To Sell Linux 216

Posted by Zonk from the fact-straightening dept.
BinnyVA writes "You know the story about Novell losing the right to distribute Linux? Well, the Free Software Foundation has absolutely no control over Novell's distribution of Linux. A zealous Reuters reporter apparently conflated the FSF with the open source community in general, took some quotes out of context, and ended up with a sensational headline that fooled a number of people. The Novell deal is completely within the bounds of the GPL, GPLv3 isn't even done yet, and even when it is the Linux kernel is unlikely to be covered by it." Linux.com and Slashdot are both owned by OSTG.
It's funny. Laugh.

Submission + - The most politically incorrect games ever

Submitted by
The Bike Blog
The Bike Blog writes: "These are two of the most politically dangerous board games ever. In the first you play as either a superpower or terrorist organisation, and compete for world power. In the second you compete either as evolution or intelligent design. "This game didn't happen by accident," the creator said in a statement. "It was intelligently designed.""
Space

Low Earth Orbit Junk Yard Nearly Full 443

Posted by Zonk from the get-a-vacuum-up-there dept.
vlado4 writes "The New York Times has up an article on the amount of space junk in Earth Orbit. According to NASA officials, the amount of stuff we've put into LEO is at critical levels. Additionally they have great graphics of the nearly 1000 new pieces resulting from testing the new Chinese anti-satellite weapon, as well as the damage to Hubble's solar array. The litter is now so bad that, even if space-faring nations refrained from further interference, collisions would continue to create more clutter just above our atmosphere. Space debris appear to be a difficult problem to deal with and may hinder future space exploration."

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