5128281
submission
Lorien_the_first_one writes:
Looks like Google has announced their own operating system, ChromeOS. Larry Dignan offers coverage at ZDNet for your perusal: "Google is planning to launch lightweight operating system dubbed the Chrome OS that'll target netbooks and Web apps. With the move--clearly targeted at Microsoft--Google's software stack has come into sharp focus in just the last 24 hours. It should be noted, however, that Google's stack is still being formed."
Larry offers some very interesting analysis of the implications as well as a forecast for the market and the impact ChromeOS could have on other players in the operating system market.
5119887
submission
Lorien_the_first_one writes:
Toyota is hoping to benefit from new Obama Administration regulations for automobiles here in the US. According to the Wall Street Journal, "Since it started developing the gas-electric Prius more than a decade ago, Toyota has kept its attorneys just as busy as its engineers, meticulously filing for patents on more than 2,000 systems and components for its best-selling hybrid. Its third-generation Prius, which hit showrooms in May, accounts for about half of those patents alone.
"Toyota's goal: to make it difficult for other auto makers to develop their own hybrids without seeking licensing from Toyota, as Ford Motor Co. already did to make its Escape hybrid and Nissan Motor Co. has for its Altima hybrid.
5039161
submission
Lorien_the_first_one writes:
The Huffington Post's has a very interesting story on the economic benefits of Linux in a down economy. Journalist Eric Ehrmann tells us that, "Fifty million Brazilian students will have Christmas in July when software Santa slips down the chimney to give them a free ticket on the information highway.
"With Microsoft software licenses costing up to 1000 percent more in Brazil than in the US, the ProInfo program launched by the government of president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reduces dependence on costly foreign software just as the sugar ethanol program for cars reduces dependence on expensive foreign oil. The program, administered through the national education secretariat. provides free operating systems, backbone and educational content employing Linux, Debian and KD3 freeware."
Looks like Brazil didn't "get the facts", and a new generation of kids are being exposed to and growing up with Linux.
3760589
submission
Lorien_the_first_one writes:
Science news reports that in Europe, a Breakthrough For Post-4G Communications has been announced. A public-private consortium known as IPHOBAC, has been developing new communications technology that is near commercialization now. From the article, "With much of the mobile world yet to migrate to 3G mobile communications, let alone 4G, European researchers are already working on a new technology able to deliver data wirelessly up to 12.5Gb/s.
"The technology — known as 'millimetre (mm)-wave' or microwave photonics — has commercial applications not just in telecommunications (access and in-house networks) but also in instrumentation, radar, security, radio astronomy and other fields."
That's great for Europe, but here in the US, I suspect that patent interests will try to stymie the adoption of such technology until they can get exclusive control of it here.
610792
submission
Lorien_the_first_one writes:
Vanity Fair describes how Monsanto goes after farmers for collecting their own seeds after a harvest. According to the article, "This radical departure from age-old practice has created turmoil in farm country. Some farmers don't fully understand that they aren't supposed to save Monsanto's seeds for next year's planting. Others do, but ignore the stipulation rather than throw away a perfectly usable product. Still others say that they don't use Monsanto's genetically modified seeds, but seeds have been blown into their fields by wind or deposited by birds."
