Tag: linux
Cuba launches its own Linux variant
Cuba, long the subject of a trade embargo from America, finds it difficult to get its hands on Microsoft software legally. Given that MS Office formats are the global standard, it makes things rather difficult for the island nation, so the country has decided to put its eggs in the Open Source box.
Cuba has developed its own variant of Linux, called “Nova”. It was introduced at a Havana computer conference on “technological sovereignty”, the Cuban government’s desire to become more technologically independent from America.
About 20 percent computers in Cuba currently run Linux – but sales of computers to the public only started last year. The dean of the School of Free Software at Cuba’s University of Information Sciences, Hector Rodriguez, says “I would like to think that in five years our country will have more than 50 percent migrated (to Linux)”.
(via Reuters)
BBC iPlayer programme downloads finally coming to Mac and Linux users via Adobe AIR
Yes, that long-winded title pretty much sums up it up – Mac and Linux users who have been (im)patiently waiting for the BBC to develop software that will allow them to download programmes from iPlayer will soon see their wish come true.
The BBC has partnered with Adobe (makes a change from Microsoft) to launch an AIR version of the iPlayer software. As Adobe’s AIR platform is (allegedly) cross-platform, it should mean that any operating system capable of running it will be able to download content…
Good OS launches gOS Cloud – a tiny cloud operating system
Good OS, or gOS, is a company that makes custom Linux distributions, and it’s just released gOS Cloud – a very stripped-down distro that promises to load a web browser (which looks suspiciously like Chrome) in a matter of seconds. You get an OS X-style dock launcher for opening web apps, and Skype’s being mentioned too – which seems to indicate that it can load non-browser-based applications, too.
The OS is designed to boot alongside Windows, and the company is working with netbook makers to produce an ultraportable which runs both this and XP. Look out for that early next year, and perhaps a release of the OS in the meantime.
Good OS (via DownloadSquad)
Related posts: Apple exec unintentially leaks new OS X ‘Snow Leopard’ release date | What the hell is Microsoft Azure?
All hail the penguin, as Linux gets ported to iPhone (kinda)
There are plenty of hackers working at unlocking each successive firmware update on the iPhone to allow it to be used with third party applications and on other mobile networks, but some want to change the entire operating system.
A hacker has successfully managed to install Linux onto Apple’s handset, though it has a very limited function set, crucially lacking touchscreen support, accelerometer drivers, baseband, Wi-Fi, and sound support…
Lenovo promises two new netbooks – S9e and S10e
The hail of netbooks continues as Lenovo updates its S10 Ideapad netbook with ‘Splashtop’ capabilities. This is a rather nifty little facility that makes the netbook very nearly ‘instant-on’. This means that basic email, IM and internet tasks can be accomplished within seconds of pressing the power button, though to do more complex stuff you need to boot into Windows.
Similarly, the S9e is an update of the S9, and adds the same ‘Splashtop’ functionality to the existing model. Both updates feature identical specs to their originals, but have the new instant-on Linux OS which dual-boots with Windows. The S10e will cost 299 pounds, but I can’t seem to find anywhere how much the S9e will cost. If you know, then drop us a line in the comments.
Lenovo (via PC Advisor)
Related posts: Keep your porn more hidden than ever with Lenovo’s 128-bit encrypted ThinkPad USB Portable Secure HD | Lenovo IdeaPad U8: Mobile Internet Device
UPDATED: Carphone Warehouse discontinues Linux netbook after unpopularity
The Carphone Warehouse, in a display of extreme lameness, has withdrawn the Elonex Webbook from sale, because it reckons that its customers can’t cope with Ubuntu Linux. Perhaps it’s a reflection on the kind of people who buy computers from Carphone Warehouse, but return rates were up to about 20 percent.
Carphone Warehouse has been promoting the netbook on X-Factor, and they’re going to keep selling a version with Windows XP on. They also offer an Eee 701 deal. The netbook, which comes bundled with Ubuntu (presumably Hardy Heron), has sold approximately 60,000 since launch on a ‘contract’ deal where customers pay £19 a month and get 3G internet access.
Carphone Warehouse (via ITProPortal)
Related posts: Carphone Warehouse and Best Buy launching MEGAHOUSES to flog the UK electronics this year | Carphone Warehouse announces unlimited download Nokia PAYG ‘Comes With Music’ phone
WPA Wi-Fi security gets cracked
There are several ways to crack a wireless network’s security. The weakest, WEP, can be easily cracked using customized Linux software, but until today, Wi-Fi Protected Access (or WPA) had been considered secure. Not any more. Researchers have announced that they’ve developed a way to partially crack the encryption standard, but I warn you, it’s not easy.
The researchers, Erik Tews and Martin Beck, have found a way to break the Temporary Key Integrity Protocol (or TKIP) in as little as 15-12 minutes. They have not yet, however, managed to crack the encryption keys used to secure the data that travels from the PC to the router.
Intrepid Ibex – new version of Linux due out tomorrow
The Linux development team follow a much shorter release cycle than Microsoft or Apple do for their operating systems. Whereas the big players pump out a new OS every few years, there’s a new Linux release every six months or so. That means that the features are almost always cutting, but it also means that the releases lack polish somewhat…
HP announces Mini 1000 and Compaq Mini 700 netbooks, including designer option
Just a couple of days after the leak, HP has announced details of the Mini 1000, in both standard and designer editions, as well as the Compaq Mini 700.
The HP Mini 1000, at 25.2mm thin and weighing 1.1kg, features a 10.2-inch widescreen display, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, either 8GB or 16GB SSD, webcam/mic, WLAN, and Bluetooth. Depending on operating system configuration, you can choose from 512MB or 1GB of RAM (XP Home) or 1GB/2GB (MIE Linux).
Bundled with the hardware is HP’s new Mobile Internet Experience software and HP MediaStyle, for “one-stop entertainment through a single interface”. In other words, it’s a dashboard interface which lets you play music, watch videos, visit favourite web sites, read email, and so on. Great for the everyday consumer, perhaps, but those wanting a stripped down netbook might want to turn off the “always on” applications…
Apricot drops Linux from its netbook – it's apparently "too complicated"
Apricot has announced that it’s dropping the Linux version of its forthcoming netbook, because it’s “too complicated”. Originally, users had a choice of XP and SuSE Linux, but following tester feedback, the company are dropping the latter. Apricot say…
