Pinboard: bookmarks for mwfogleman tagged 'linux'

Slashdot | Linux On Netbooks — a Complicated Story

Keir Thomas has responded to the recent raft of news stories pointing out that Linux's share of the netbook market isn't as rosy as it used to be. Thomas thinks the problem boils down to a combination of unfamiliar software and unfamiliar hardware, which can 'push users over the edge.' This accounts for the allegedly high return rates of Linux netbooks. In contrast, although far from superior, Windows provides a more familiar environment, making the hardware issues (irritatingly small keyboard, screen etc.) seem less insurmountable; users are less likely to walk away. 'Once again Microsoft's monopoly means Windows is swallowing up another market

linux tech computers netbooks
april 2009 by mwfogleman

copy to mine

Linux Foundation CEO: Linux is "fastest growing platform" - Ars Technica

Zemlin also took advantage of the keynote to take less-than-subtle jabs at Linux's competitors. He showed one of Microsoft's recent commercials, which featured a cost-concious consumer buying a Windows-based computer to avoid the higher price of a sexier Mac. Zemlin remarked comically that this could be the first time ever that Microsoft has attempted to compete on price—a battle that Zemlin believes Microsoft will ultimately be unable to win against Linux.

Linux is the most affordable platform in the market, he argues, but it is also much more than that. He contends that Linux is altering fundamental assumptions about how software is built. From its humble origins as a technical experiment to its current-day role as the foundation of a massive ecosystem of free and commercial technologies, Linux has had a long journey and significant impact.

arstechnica linux
april 2009 by mwfogleman

copy to mine

GizmoStyle // We Love The Web : Linux enters the I’m A Mac/I’m A PC row with ‘We’re Linux’

We’ve all seen the various Mac v PC ads but no Linux ads as of yet. And why would we? - Linux does not have the bank balance to finance Hollywood style adverts - remember Microsofts Jerry Seinfeld ad campaign? $10 million for what? Well, that’s all about to change as Linux have announced five finalists who have made adverts for their ‘We’re Linux’ video campaign. I must admit, they probably aren’t TV ready…..yet. We’ll see what Linux decide to do when they announce the winner tomorrow (Wednesday evening Pacific Time). Here are the 5 videos:

video software linux internet humor opensource design apple business programming windows community sharing tv advertising microsoft marketing videos 2009
april 2009 by mwfogleman

copy to mine

Ubuntu: A User's Look at Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex

New to Ubuntu 8.10 is a nifty seamless encryption feature. It's always been possible to encrypt individual files/folders in Ubuntu but it involved creating a key pair and then individually encrypting files. To view or edit the file, it was necessary to decrypt it and then re-encrypt it again if changes were made. Messy.

The new feature creates an encrypted filestore, mounted in the Private folder in your /home directory. This is automatically locked and unlocked as you log in and out, so accessing it is seamless and transparent. Other users won't be able to access it, and it isn't possible to see its contents by booting into rescue mode.

To activate the feature, just type the following two commands:

sudo apt-get install ecryptfs-utils
ecryptfs-setup-private

Follow the prompts shown and then log out and back in again. Once the desktop reappears, you'll see a new Private directory in your /home folder, where you can save data, as with any other directory.

reference linux software opensource lifehacker free ubuntu computer encryption tech review download office blogs eee ibex intrepidibex
february 2009 by mwfogleman

copy to mine