Fri 28 Mar 2003
I don’t usually write a review for non-open source software, but I ran across a very cool backup utility this past week when setting up a server-backup solution for a customer that I just *HAD* to write about it.
Click below to read the review .. 
(more…)
Sun 16 Mar 2003
I haven’t been posting in a while, so a few things that have happened in the past week which I found umm… interesting.
#1 –> HARD DRIVES ARE FREAKING CHEAP .. Everyone now has hard drives well under $1/GB … some places are as low as $0.75/GB (after rebate) — YIKES … just to compare, 10 years ago, a 250MB Maxtor HD cost ~$340 .. $1.36/MB .. that would be $1360/GB…. so instead of a $60 80GB drive, back then (if it was possible) it would be a $108,800 drive. hehe.. isn’t advancement in technology kool?!
#2 — mobile processor wars .. Intel released its Centrino chips .. AMD released its Athlon XP-M Processors … still too soon to tell who has the edge .. I think its Intel.. not quite sure.. in anycase, consumers benefit (as always) –> faster, smaller, cheaper and longer battery life.. i’m not complaining.
#3 — server processor wars .. AMD is still set to release its Opetron processor on April 22. move over Intel, I think AMD is about to dominate in the highend workstation/low-mid server sector over the next year or so. time will tell.
#4 — Knoppix 3.2 is out .. new features include KDE 3.1 (hurray!), ability to save /home directory to a usb keychain, hard drive or other device (great for computing on the go.. pop in Knoppix, pop in your USB storage device and your up and running..)
#5 — Apple finally ships the 17-inch PowerBook .. hmm.. hurray .. now you too can tote your desktop with you .. no thanks. I’ll go for a 12″ PB ..
#6 — NCSA Mosaic was first released 10 years ago on March 14.. This was the first true web browser that was the catalyst for causing the explosive growth on the Internet.
#7 — Mozilla.org released Mozilla 1.3 … a handful of new features .. nothing that made me get all excited and tingly .. but needless to say, for those of you out there that use Mozilla, go ahead and grab the latest copy @ mozilla.org
#8 — GM pulled the plug on the EV1, its all electric car … when released it was said to “define the GM of the future” .. oh well .. so much for future .. but atleast we still have the hybrid cars (gas/electric) … Perhaps hydrogen cars will be next to test the market?
Wed 12 Mar 2003
Intel made its debut of its Centrino technology today. The technology is designed to increase battery life of laptops and portable computing. In addition, the chips run cool to allow high-end performance in a thin and light form factor.
Anandtech has a very indepth article that demonstrates that Intel was able to reach its goal.
The 1.6Ghz Pentium 4M w/Centrino technology performs similar to a 2.4Ghz Desktop Pentium 4 chip.
An example of a notebook using this technology is the $3,499 IBM T40p. This unit sports the 1.6Ghz Pentium 4M processor, 512MB RAM, 40GB HD, CDRW/DVD-ROM, 14.1″ TFT LCD display with a maximum resolution of 1400×1050, full size keyboard, USB 2.0, gigabit ethernet, wireless networking, bluetooth and modem. The overall unit measures 12.2″ x 10″ x 1.0″ and weighs under 5 pounds. Battery life is a staggering 6+ hours.
Laptops featuring this processor start from around $1400.
Additional articles regarding Centrino technology can be found below:
eWeek: Intel Scores With Centrino
PC Magazine: Centrino Is a Showstopper
PCWorld: First Tests: Intel’s Centrino
Thu 6 Mar 2003
This article discusses a bill introduced in the Oregon State Legislature on March 5th by Republican Phil Barnhart that “requires state government to consider using open source software when acquiring new software”.
According to the article, a software audit required by Microsoft would have cost a local school board $60,000 to conduct. This is just for the audit, not licensing or other costs. These audits and increased licensing from Microsoft have caused Barnhart to push the issue of looking into lower cost forms of software.
I personally think this is a GREAT idea. It does NOT force the government to standardize on open source software, but it atleast requires them to consider the use of open source where possible. With state governments in financial crisis, saving money is important. Every dollar that goes to a proprietary software vendor when a free or low-cost alternative is available is a dollar less for road maintenance, education, crimefighting and other vital government functions.
Few extremely popular open source software packages:
Apache Web Server (Windows/Mac/Unix/Linux)
OpenOffice.org Office Suite (Windows/Mac/Unix/Linux)
Mozilla Web Browser (Windows/Mac/Unix/Linux)
Samba File Sharing (Mac/Unix/Linux)
Of course, lots of other great software exist as open source including Linux, KDE, Gnome, Kopete, KOffice, Evolution, Sendmail, Qmail, Squid, XMMS, MySQL, PostgreSQL, GAIM, Tiki, MPlayer, CDRTools, XINE, Galeon and ProFTPD.
In anycase, lots of great open source software out there, lots of it free in all definitions of the word.
If you want to petition to get your state government to pass similar legislation, refer them to the Oregon State House Bill 2892 as well as “Why Open Source Software / Free Software? - a recent, detailed paper regarding why open source/free software should be considered.
Thu 6 Mar 2003
A bar and restaurant owner from Lafayette, Colorado was jailed earlier this week after pumping four rounds into his Dell laptop, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports.
George Doughty, 48, announced to patrons of his Sportsman’s Inn Bar and Restaurant that he intended to execute the portable. He then disappeared into his office, returning after thirty minutes with said machine and revolver. Warning punters in the bar to cover their ears, he let the Dell have it with four rounds at close range. Doughty allegedly celebrated this orgy of violence by hanging the grisly remains over the bar like a hunting trophy.
What provoked the gangland-style execution remains unclear, although it does give new meaning to the phrase “percussive maintenance”.
Doughty faces charges of felony menacing, reckless endangerment and the prohibited use of weapons. Whether his actions constitute a breach of MS Windows XP licencing terms remains to be seen. ®