This tutorial shows how you can set up a Linux Mint 11 (Katya) desktop that is a full-fledged replacement for a Windows desktop, i.e. that has all the software that people need to do the things they do on their Windows desktops. The advantages are clear: you get a secure system without DRM restrictions that works even on old hardware, and the best thing is: all software comes free of charge. Linux Mint 11 is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu 11.04 that has lots of packages in its repositories (like multimedia codecs, Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, Skype, Google Earth, etc.) that are relatively hard to install on other distributions; it therefore provides a user-friendly desktop experience even for Linux newbies.
Jumat, 03 Juni 2011
Kamis, 02 Juni 2011
The Underlying KWin Improvements In KDE 4.7
Now that the first KDE SC 4.7 beta is available, Martin Gräßlin, the lead developer of the KWin, has blogged about some of the underlying improvements made to the compositing window manager for KDE during this development cycle. Of course, most Phoronix graphics junkies will already know what's changed based upon previous articles, but here's an overview for those not caught up to speed...
The Voices in Linus' Head Say Time for 2.8
Why now? Torvalds released 2.6.39 last week. As we're looking at 2.6.40, Torvalds seems to think it's time for a change. "The voices in my head also tell me that the numbers are getting too big. I may just call the thing 2.8.0. And I almost guarantee that this PS is going to result in more discussion than the rest, but when the voices tell me to do things, I listen."
And so it has. While many developers dismiss version numbering as "just marketing," marketing does have some importance. Those in the know may understand that the version numbers indicate very little about the actual changes between versions — but the rest of the world still looks at the numbers.
The rest of the world that looks at the numbers has been waiting a long time for a version bump. It's been about seven years since the first 2.6.0 kernel was released, and the odd-numbered scheme for development kernels was abandoned, which is easily the longest stretch without a version bump:
Linux pre-1.0 versions ran from 1991 to 1994: Three years.Linux 1.x ran from 1994 through mid-1996: Two and half years.Linux 2.0.x was the mainline stable kernel from mid-1996 through early 1999: Less than three years.Linux 2.2.x was the mainline stable kernel from early 1999 through early 2001: About two years.Linux 2.4.x was the mainline stable kernel from early 2001 through late 2003: About three years.Linux 2.6.x is the mainline stable kernel since mid-December 2003: More than seven years.Note that, of course, the kernel folks continued to release updates to previous kernels even after a new major version was released. So, for example, the 2.4 release still receives (infrequently) updates for the small number of users who are on 2.4.x. Prior to 2.6.x the kernel had an odd/even numbering scheme for development vs. stable kernels. For example, work on major new features would go into 2.5.x while 2.4.x was the mainline stable release.
The reason it's been so long for a "major" bump is that the old model of kernel development went by the wayside in favor of time-based releases. This got rid of the need for odd/even releases and major bumps in release numbers that indicated lots of new features that had been in the works.
A 2.8 release won't really indicate big changes in the kernel — but it would get press attention outside (and inside) the Linux community, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. And it would coincide nicely with the 20th anniversary of the Linux kernel, which is (arguably) in August.
Does that mean a 3.0 is within sight? Yes and no. Maybe as Linux approaches its 30th anniversary. Torvalds says, "since we no longer do version numbers based on features, but based on time, just saying 'we're about to start the third decade'" works as well as any other excuse" to name the release Linux 3.0.
This is the ASUS PadFone
Wow, so our theory and mockup turned out to be pretty much spot on: indeed, the oddly named ASUS PadFone does tuck itself into a shielded docking bay on the back of its companion tablet, and the latter's hinged cover appears to pop up upon releasing the latch. You can also just about make out the two ports inside, which are likely to be micro-USB and HDMI for driving the larger display, and we wouldn't be surprised if this involves an extra battery as well. Now, what we really like to know is which version of Android will be shipped with this split-personality phone? Our money's on Ice Cream Sandwich, given that this flavor will happily cater both phone and tablet form factors later this year -- bear in mind that Honeycomb was never intended for small devices, nor would ASUS risk marketing the PadFone as a Gingerbread tablet at this day and age. Well, we shall dig up more answers for y'all tomorrow, and stay tuned for some sweet hands-on time.
Transforming GNOME Into A Linux-Only Project?
One of the mailing list messages making the rounds on the Internet today is concerning the GNOME project and whether they should no longer concern themselves with supporting non-Linux operating systems...
U.S. Gov't Lessons Learned from Open Source
New report provides guidance and best practices on how to leverage open source.
Ubuntu Desktop 8.04 LTS Reaches End of Life
The desktop version of Ubuntu 8.04 LTS has officially reached its end of life. Hardy Heron users are advised to upgrade to a later release to continue receiving updates
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