SmithJohnson – OSnews

Gentoo Linux 2008.0 Released

SmithJohnson 2008-07-07 Gentoo 21 Comments

The 2008.0 final release is out! Code-named "It's got what plants crave," this release contains numerous new features including an updated installer, improved hardware support, a complete rework of profiles, and a move to Xfce instead of GNOME on the LiveCD. LiveDVDs are not available for x86 or amd64, although they may become available in the future. The 2008.0 release also includes updated versions of many packages already available in your ebuild tree.

Installing Android OS on the Nokia N810

Submitted by rkalla 2008-07-05 Google 1 Comment

For the folks out there that want to start playing with the Android OS now the geniuses over at Unwired View have figured out how to install the Android OS on the Nokia 810N in 2-steps for a total of about 5mins and no sinister hacking.

Will the Internet Really Improve the Way We Think?

Submitted by fsmag 2008-06-25 In the News 18 Comments

In a recent interview with the British Sunday Observer, Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, claimed that "it's the next billion who will change the way we think". Such a big claim deserves some critical house room. Will the internet really change the way we think? Or are we just getting carried away? Gary Richmond explores the implications of the Wikipedia open source/free software knowledge paradigm and what it might mean for the way we think. You can read the full story at Freesoftware Magazine

Dear Microsoft, Thanks for the Help, Linux

Submitted by sjvn 2008-06-25 Rumors 80 Comments

A Computerworld blog post reads: "You gotta love it. Microsoft has decided that it will ho ahead and kill off easy access to XP on June 30th. On behalf of desktop Linux users everywhere, and our first cousins, the Mac fans, thanks. You've given us the best shot we'll ever have of taking the desktop."

In Defense of Reading the [Fine] Manual

Submitted by snydeq 2008-06-25 General Development 7 Comments

InfoWorld's Tom Yager speaks in favor of the RTFM approach to learning new skills, arguing that the knowledge gleaned from cracking a manual only in search of a specific answer is eroding software quality. "The reason is that developers don't allow themselves the time to look things up before they use them. Statement completion, context-sensitive help, generated code, unit testing, and automated analysis came about expressly to eliminate research and experimentation from the development cycle. The result, I think, speaks for itself. How many rookie coding blunders that lead to security vulnerabilities grow out of inadequately understood usage of a method or resource?"

MacBook Anorexic: Where Apple Went Wrong

Submitted by Dan Warne 2008-01-16 Apple 123 Comments

Like an anorexic fashion model, Apple's new super-thin MacBook Air has made too many compromises for the sake of being skinny. With such emaciated specs, many are asking: who would buy it?

Should Microsoft Abandon Vista?

SmithJohnson 2007-09-27 Windows 133 Comments

According to at least one blogger, Microsoft should abandon Vista before it's too late. It would appear he's not alone in this opinion, as Microsoft has begun allowing users to downgrade back to XP. Amongst the reasons? Poor sales figures and shoddy Vista "Extras".

Apple to Brick Modded iPhones, Apple Boycott?

SmithJohnson 2007-09-25 Apple 113 Comments

The internet is abuzz with the news that Apple intends to break iPhones containing third party applications. Unlocked phones are also likely to be victims of the next software update. While community reaction is generally negative, one blogger suggests sending an even stronger message to Apple by boycotting Apple on October 1. If you're running the Installer application, you may want to hold off on any iPhone firmware updates.

Archive