Linux Fanatics ~ August 24, 2006

Sony Mylo Built On Qtopia Linux Real Time Coming to Linux Real Soon Linux: Who Needs the Desktop? Symbian makes a profit Juice Box Media Players for Less Than $4 Each!! ROAD S101 Linux Smartphone Has It All: Nokia Killer? Today's Industry Headlines starting with debian Deleting Grub Loader? Desktop Linux Survey DSL Slideshow From Share Why Linux doesn't need defragmenting boot to external hard drive Suse10.1 DVD Freespire suse 10.1 Virus in F.I.R.E? Feedback  |  Contribute  |  Archives  |  Send to Friends  |  Subscription Options

Sony Mylo Built On Qtopia Linux (Linux)

08.23.2006 11:05 PM PT | Matt Hartley | Comment | Send to Friends | Discuss

Proof once again that Sony loves the use of Linux whenever possible!

Sony introduced mylo, “my life online,221; a couple of weeks ago. The new handheld is a Wi-Fi-based personal communicator that looks vaguely like Sony’;s Play Station Portable but is designed for messaging instead of gaming.

Unlike Sony’;s other new mobile device, the VAIO UX Micro PC (a full-fledged Windows computer) or its past mobile devices (the Palm-based Clie series) Brighthand reports mylo is built on Linux. Trolltech̵7;s Qtopia platform to be exact.

Qtopia’s user interface, file management, application launcher, handwriting recognition, etc. follows a paradigm well-known to mobile device owners that use other mobile platforms like the Palm OS, Windows Mobile and Symbian. It has been used as the OS for other mobile devices before, such as Sharp̵7;s Zaurus series of PDAs.

There’;s a lot of software available for Qtopia as well, which could be a big plus for Mylo users. That is if Sony opens up the systemR30;.. Source: WiFi Planet

[Continued]

^TOP^

Real Time Coming to Linux Real Soon (Linux)

08.23.2006 10:54 PM PT | Matt Hartley | Comment | Send to Friends | Discuss

The concept of real time operating systems is hardly a new thing. But to hear about it coming to mainstream Linux distros does offer the promise of preemptive scheduling among other cool abilities.

Real Time operating systems have traditionally been a separate breed from mainstream ones.

Thanks to efforts to incorporate Real Time enhancements into Linux, standard mainstream Linux may well become a real, Real Time OS real soon.

A Real Time OS offers the promise of better response times and a degree of determinism not found in non-Real Time OS217;s.

Real Time is often a requirement in embedded applications and control system such as those used in military and medical applications, as well as many other verticals.

According to at least one leading Linux vendor, though, Real Time has applicability across nearly the entire Linux landscape.

220;I’;d argue that you could talk to just about any customer in any vertical and they’;d care about faster response time and predictability,”; Red Hat (Quote, Chart) CTO Brian Stevens told internetnews.com.

“I don’t think that Real Time any longer is a class of an OS. In the old days you were either Real Time or you were not.”;

In October 2004, embedded Linux vendor MontaVista kicked off an effort to get Real Time enhancements into Linux.

By August 2005, they were claiming Real Time breakthroughs for Linux̷0;. Source: InternetNews

[Continued]

^TOP^

Linux: Who Needs the Desktop? (Linux)

08.23.2006 10:52 PM PT | Matt Hartley | Comment | Send to Friends | Discuss

Wow, it’s great to see that Red Hat has finally shown their real loyalty. It seems that they and Novell are simply not interested in taking on Windows. Instead, they appear content with working toward other ideals.

Think of Linux as the beat cop of the software world. While Windows sat snugly in your office’s desktop, the open-source operating system roamed the streets and alleys of the networking world. Microsoft���s Windows minded word processing and spreadsheets. Linux served up web pages, fetched email, and powered security systems—all the kinds of jobs that put meat on your frame. More than 60 percent of the World Wide Web��s servers, for example, run open-source software.

Nevertheless, some open-source enthusiasts await the arrival of Linux on the desktop the same way fundamentalists await the Rapture. When Linux takes a big slice of the desktop market away from Windows, they argue, open source will have arrived. Linux hasn’t made the “big breakthrough,” a deal to bundle Linux with desktop systems sold by a major PC vendor. But with Microsoft stumbling in its effort to get out a new version of its Windows operating system, open-source advocates are seeing an opportunity…. Source: Red Herring

[Continued]

^TOP^

Symbian makes a profit (Linux)

08.23.2006 10:49 PM PT | Matt Hartley | Comment | Send to Friends | Discuss

For those who prefer it, Symbian has a lot to offer. Still, I believe that in the long run, we will see Linux coming out a winner here.

Smartphone operating system leader Symbian has recorded a strong performance in its latest financial results, released on Wednesday, and has predicted higher growth in future.

Around 12.3 million Symbian phones were shipped in the second quarter of 2006, which is 58 percent more than the previous quarter, and gives the company an estimated 70 percent of the fast-growing smartphone market.

But the company will have to work hard to fend off Microsoft and Linux, which some predict will eclipse it. Symbian’s job now is to balance the revenues it brings in against its efforts to keep shipping more phones than the competition, through partners such as Nokia and Sony Ericsson…. Source: ZDNet

[Continued]

^TOP^

Juice Box Media Players for Less Than $4 Each!! (Misc)

08.23.2006 10:46 PM PT | Matt Hartley | Comment | Send to Friends | Discuss

Now this is inventive: hackable Juice Box media players! This is not your daddy̵7;s juice box…

Overstock.com has a *six pack* of Mattel Juice Box Personal Media Players for US $21.99 with $1 shipping. There are 12% off coupons around that make the shipped price $20.35. Search Google for “overstock coupon.221;

The Juice Box apparently runs uC Linux internally and there is lots of hacking info available here:

eLinux Wiki Juice Box Page Make LCD Frame Flickr Pool Juice Box item on LinuxDevices with resource links Juice Box post and discussion on /.

The Juice Box comes with the SD card adaptor. If anyone needs a bunch of small LCD screens for a project, this may be the way to go. Can’t afford not to buy them at this price! Source: Streettech.com

[Continued]

^TOP^

ROAD S101 Linux Smartphone Has It All: Nokia Killer? (Linux)

08.22.2006 11:26 PM PT | Matt Hartley | Comment | Send to Friends | Discuss

Hey, just so long as this model is better than that of the Nokia E70 never-ending beta crap-matic wonder, then I say go for it if you feel that Nokia̵7;s stock prices are not an indicator of some coming trouble.

A few days ago, we wrote about a Linux based platform for phones. The ROAD S101 series phones are the sexy fruits of that open-souced nerd news. And surprisingly, they have enough nice hardware and software to give the similar Nokia Communicator 9500 a run for its money. The ROAD, which stands for Remote Office Access Device, flips open to reveal a keyboard with very large keys. The hardware includes a tiny monochrome 102 by 65 pixel external screen for dialing, and a beautiful 640 by 240 pixel display on the inside. The camera? A 2Megapixel setup. For connectivity, the GSM phone depends on EDGE data, but also does WiFi, Bluetooth, and infrared. There̵7;s an SD memory slot, too. So, it’s very PC like. But so is the battery life of 5 hours while you’re actively using using it as a mobile workstation. So much for telecommuting a long day from the beach. Jump for another picture, screenshots, and to read about the software insideR30;. Source: Gizmodo

[Continued]

^TOP^

Lockergnome's Technobabble   

   

Every weekday, our guide to the Web takes care of business, tackling tech topics that really matter to everybody. From topic definitions to topical rants, Dan Gray's pieces inform as much as they entertain.

• MCSE Certification Responses, Pt II
• MCSE Certification Responses, Pt I
• Fantasy Football
• 15 Minutes of Washing Machine Fame
• MCSE Certification
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's Technobabble

Lockergnome's Windows Fanatics   

   

Freeware, useful Web sites, original PC tips & tricks, critical updates, jargon definitions, and general help for consumers. Tech support with a personal touch!

• Upgrade Your Web Browser
• Hidden Expedition: Titanic
• Spyware Terminator v1.5.0.718
• myTriggers.com
• Microsoft's Live Writer Beta
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's Windows Fanatics

Lockergnome's IT Professionals   

   

Information Technology aid for Windows, Linux, and OS X users, solid SysAdmin advice, troubleshooting links, job assistance, and more for technology pros.

• Troubleshooting A Corrupt Quorum Disk Or Quorum Log
• The Last Word On Passwords
• PSK (Phase Shift Keying) - Binary & Differential
• But It's Sony's Fault!
• Inductive Reasoning And Why We Must Be Careful Of Success
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's IT Professionals

Lockergnome's Web Developers   

   

HTML basics, PHP and MySQL tips, design discussions, Webmaster tool reviews, topical discussions, and a forum spotlight. Perfect for the novice or expert!

• Numpad Typing Drills
• TrackMeNot
• Gmail adds integrated mp3 player
• Create an API for any site with Dapper
• Test Internet Explorer 7 without installing it
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's Web Developers

Lockergnome's Linux Fanatics   

   

How many Open Source apps does it take to screw in a light bulb? Here's the latest word from the Linux galaxy, Open Source projects, command line assistance, desktop environment downloads, distribution revisions, cross-platform tools, and general help for those exploring this fantastic OS!

• Sony Mylo Built On Qtopia Linux
• Real Time Coming to Linux Real Soon
• Linux: Who Needs the Desktop?
• Symbian makes a profit
• Juice Box Media Players for Less Than $4 Each!!
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's Linux Fanatics

Lockergnome's Game Invasion   

   

Have Joystick, will travel! For Action and Adventure, Classic and Retro, RPG, Sports, Strategy and Simulation - we'll provide you with the latest releases, tips, updates, and advice for the PC and console gaming world.

• Hidden Expedition: Titanic
• LucasArts and Free Radical Design Team-up for new Game
• Voice Cast Revealed For Family Guy Game
• Guild Wars Nightfall Dated
• New DS Lite Colors Announced for North America
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's Game Invasion

Lockergnome's Tutorials   

   

Eletronic documents. eBooks. Quick to digest, easy to remember, fun to read, useful to have on hand, and very portable. No matter who you are or what you do, I'm sure we've got a Tutorial for you! They'll work on your desktop, laptop, and handheld devices. PDFs and MP3s are available to download immediately!

• Lame Brain - A Dictionary for the Technically Challenged
• Personal Branding for Technology Professionals
• 150+ Microsoft Office Tips
• Podcasting Starter Kit for Mac OS X
• Podcasting Starter Kit
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's Tutorials

Lockergnome's Mobile Lifestyle   

   

Palm devices, Pocket PCs, cell phones, and other assorted gadgets and gizmos - whatever makes you go, on the go, this is where you need to go. We don't just talk about mobile tech - we live it!

• BenQ pursues painted ladies with butterfly-branded handset
• Swiss Meltdown
• Yahoo! Sees Orange As It Wins Battle For Space On Mobile Web
• Demand for Mobile Access to Social Networking Sites Growing
• Mobile Users Want Streaming Music
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's Mobile Lifestyle

Lockergnome's Political Geeks   

   

Does the Internet have any effect on the way we live? Is the Web influencing society, religion, politics, even the way we interact? Are we in danger of losing our humanity or will technology end up enhancing it? We'll bring you stories and sites that illustrate, illuminate and make you think about the profound, sometimes sublime, ways that the Internet touches our lives.

• More RIAA Foolishness
• Death And (Email) Taxes
• Online Journalism Protected
• Google Troubles
• Network Neutrality (Update)
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's Political Geeks

Lockergnome's Search Engineer   

   

Are you a small business person or Internet wannabe searcher? Here's a daily update to maintain your current awareness in information retrieval, information extraction, bots, knowledge discovery and harvesting, data and Web mining, artificial intelligence, and general research and search sources on the Internet.

• Google UK Unique Indexing Issues?
• APIlitAx 1.0.1 Released: AJAX GUI for AdWords
• Microsoft to Provide and Sell Ads on Facebook, the Web Site
• Researchers Yearn to Use AOL Logs, but They Hesitate
• Seek (on the Web) and the advertisers shall find you
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's Search Engineer

Lockergnome's OS X Fanatics   

   

Dedicated to the world of OS X, Carbonized and Cocoa downloads, terminal tips, GUI tweaks, cross-platform help, application skins, new fonts, and anything else we care to share with the Apple community-at-large.

• Verizon and Novatel Bring EVDO to the MacBook Pro via ExpressCard
• Mini-Review: Sharity 3 Does What OS Xs SMB Can't
• Is Clowning Vista Smart When Leopard Ain't That Big of a Deal?
• WWDC06 Disappoints?
• My MacBook Pro Battery Swelled Up!
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's OS X Fanatics

Lockergnome's RSS & Atom Tips   

   

Stay up-to-date on the latest RSS & Atom news with Lockergnome! We have assembled a fine collection of resources (a perfect starting point), provided a forum for assistance (which, itself, has an RSS feed), offer OMPL indexes, and have an Amazon RSS generator!

• InfoCenter vs. iTunes: The Battle of the Podcatchers?
• Blog feeds may carry security risk
• Robot rabbit reads RSS feeds out loud
• Proposal: Two Minor Specification Edits
• China Blocks FeedBurner RSS Feeds
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's RSS & Atom Tips

Lockergnome's Media Center   

   

MP3s, audio and video destinations, online radio stations, skins, interesting multimedia hardware and software, desktop wallpaper, Webcam pages, DVD reviews, and anything remotely entertaining.

• Is That Marvelous Sound Coming From Your Walls?!
• Wiffleball World Series
• Hollywoodism
• Kickball And Bunting
• Music Stars Who Get Angry When You Don't Blindly Support Them
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's Media Center

Lockergnome's Hardware Help   

   

From Hard Drives to Printers, Scanners to RAM, we're here to explain and demystify how computer hardware can work for you. With our skilled approach, we assist tech novices with their own systems in simple terms. Curiousity is welcomed, and the floor is always open for questions.

• Disk drive researchers turn up IDs, child porn
• Cingular still buddying up with Lenovo for embedded HSDPA
• New Xbox360 And PC Acessories At GC
• Great PC race: HP revenue leaps while No. 1 Dell falters
• How-To: Run your own network wiring
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's Hardware Help

Lockergnome's Tech News Watch   

   

The latest industry headlines, news scoops, reviews, opinions, press releases, virus alerts, security updates, and other time-sensitive information.

• Tiny Ion Pump Sets New Standard In Cooling Hot Computer Chips
• Dell, Sony Discussed Battery Issues 10 Months Ago
• More Lifelike TV Colors "Muscle" Up
• Bye Bye IE 7
• Tiddlywinks
• Other Recent Entries for Lockergnome's Tech News Watch

Windows Fanatics Linux Fanatics OS X Fanatics IT Professionals Web Developers Problem Solvers Tech News Watch	RSS & Atom Tips New Downloads Exclusive Focus Bargain Hunter DVD Deals Technobabble Game Invasion	Hardware Help Media Center Mobile Lifestyle Search Engineer Political Geeks Office Help Computer Security
mcse.ms">

Administrivia