Comment on the other side... (Score 1) 285
...with a recession someone will be more attracted by free software (this time as in 'free beer')
Submission + - All Macedonian students to use Linux desktops
vladoboss writes: "The One Laptop per Child's XO, better known as the $100 laptop, gets most of the headlines but NComputing is showing in Republic of Macedonia, with its Ubuntu Linux based servers and virtual PC terminals, that there's more than one way to get inexpensive Linux desktops into students' hands.
All together Macedonia will deploy 180,000 NComputing-enabled workstation seats, enough to provide virtually every elementary and secondary school student in the nation with his or her own classroom computing device."
Compiz Gets Thumbs-Up for Gutsy Gibbon 303
Da Chronic writes "After a vigorous debate at the last Ubuntu Technical Board meeting, the board decided to ship Ubuntu 7.10 with Compiz enabled by default. The decision was made despite the fact that Compiz still has some significant issues relating to drivers and Xorg. 'For instance, there are some problems — like accelerated video playback issues with Intel drivers — that can only be resolved by using the EXA accelerated rendering framework which is still not ready yet. When asked why Intel isn't addressing the driver issue, technical board member Mathew Garrett explained that "Intel are working on the basis that composited desktops won't be ready for rolling out until EXA is stable enough anyway, so it's not a concern [for them].' In the end, all but one member voted to include Compiz in Gutsy."
Submission + - Ubuntu Feisty Fawn Released!
crhylove writes: "Ubuntu Feisty Fawn is out! For those of you not in the know, Ubuntu is aiming to be a full fledged desktop OS based on Debian Gnu/Linux. It is lightweight, fast, pretty, and by default works on most of the hardware out there that people will want to run it on. Included in this release are easy driver installation for commercial (restricted) drivers, Compiz (though turned off by default), Open Office 2.2.0, The Gimp, Gaim (now Pidjin) 2.0.0 beta6, Firefox 2.0, a bunch of great games, and easy codec downloads and installs. I've been running Feisty since about Herd 4, and most of my Windows friends who see it are contemplating switching, and two of them already have (I also installed Beryl, which helps out a lot on the "bling" front)! The latest torrents and such are up at the usual places: http://www.ubuntu.com/"
Submission + - Iterating, a software directory
Arthur B. writes: Iterating.com has launched a wiki-based software directory.
They actually use a semantic web approach to describe sofwares with RDF in a very consistant approach. This should allow third parties to build on a common framework. There's a mix of proprietary and open source software, as well as software provided
as a service. According to VentureBeat, Larry Augustin, from sourceforge.net is an investor in the project, and a quick google search shows that they seem to be working on providing third party deb tags
Submission + - SMS alerts for campus protection
bkmd writes: "I've collected some information about the use of SMS alert systems for campus protection: http://billkosloskymd.typepad.com/wirelessdoc/2007 /04/virginia_tech_w.html
Considering that upwards of 90% of university students carry cell phones, and that they may be unlikely to check school e-mail, an SMS alert system should be considered for campuses.
The Wall Street Journal published an article this am, "Texting When There's Trouble: state-of-the-art systems can blast mass warnings to cellphones and PCs" that covers this topic. Granted the VTech gunman would have also been alerted by such a system, but it still might have saved some lives.
Of all the solutions being offered to prevent such a situation from happening again — from increased gun control to better listening to teachers' concerns about their students' mental health — I think this solution would be the easiest to implement without much controversy."
Journal Journal: The Art of Showing Pure Incompetence
It's an office skill that Steven Crawley finds indispensable. "The inability to grasp selective things can be very helpful in keeping your desk clear of unwanted clutter," says the executive in HR, or what he calls "the dumping ground" of all unwanted office tasks. "I have developed a very agile selective memory across a wide range of nonvalue-added activities."
Submission + - ISP ejects whistle-blowing student
zero1101 writes: A 21-year-old college student in London had his internet service terminated and was threatened with legal action after publishing details of a critical vulnerability that can compromise the security of the ISP's subscribers.
Journal Journal: Thunderbird 2.0.0.0 is out
Thunderbird 2 is out. Linux, Mac and Windows versions are availaible at Mozilla's FTP site.
Submission + - Only 244 genuine Windows Vista's sold in China
morpheus83 writes: "Whilst Microsoft was bragging about the sales number of their latest OS Windows Vista, few would actually know that they have only managed to sell 244 copies in the whole of China in the first 2 weeks. You heard that right, and that's the number quoted from the headquarters of the Windows Vista chief (90% national volume) distributor in Beijing."
Submission + - Only 244 genuine Windows Vista's sold in China
morpheus83 writes: "Whilst Microsoft was bragging about the sales number of their latest OS Windows Vista, few would actually know that they have only managed to sell 244 copies in the whole of China in the first 2 weeks. You heard that right, and that's the number quoted from the headquarters of the Windows Vista chief (90% national volume) distributor in Beijing."
Submission + - Pirated CD's Raided in Malaysia Found by Dogs
The 0x539 One writes: "As was previously covered by Slashdot, there in fact CD sniffing dogs out there. There's absolutely no argument that there's piracy in the world of CD's and DVD's, but I am forced to wonder, how do the dogs know the difference between a legit CD vs. a pirated CD? Does their special training allow them to smell software licenses?
CD Sniffing Dogs"
CD Sniffing Dogs"
Submission + - 'Smart dust' to explore planets
An anonymous reader writes: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6566317. stm
Submission + - Where is my flying car?
Belial6 writes: It appears that the question of 'Where's my flying car?' may have an answer. Today Moller announced that they are ready to start selling flying cars. According to the article 'The M200 volantor is a small two passenger saucer shaped aircraft that can take-off and land vertically. It is the size of a small automobile and operates vibration free with little noise. The prototype M200X has completed over two hundred flights with and without a pilot on board. Those who have flown the M200 describe it as a truly "magic carpet" experience.' and 'Prices are dependent upon the final production volume but are expected to range from $125,000 for the M200G model to $450,000 for the Firefly model.'
Submission + - Google Expands Office Software
POP writes: Google Inc. plans to launch software similar to Microsoft Corp.'s popular PowerPoint program as the two companies vie to dominate the online experience.
Google Chairman and Chief Executive Eric Schmidt described the software Tuesday at a conference for Internet entrepreneurs. He also blasted Microsoft and AT&T Inc., whose executives complained over the weekend that Google may soon have an illegal monopoly in online advertising.
