Gnome 2.6 will be spatial
Here's a preview of the next version of Gnome. It's most useful addition will be a spatially-oriented file manager (Nautilus). For those that aren't familiar with this concept, spatially-oriented means that it behaves much like a real desktop. In other words, if you pick something up and put it back down on the desk, it will be there the next time you look for it. The Macintosh uses a spatially-oriented file manager called "Finder".
I'm looking forward to this actually. I've been using a Mac for many years now and find a spatial desktop to be really handy.
Finally: The mainstream press gets it
It appears that mainstream news sites may finally be waking up to the lies and hipocrisy that is SCO's legal circus. Witness this Computer World article.
It's an interesting read and has some rather funny lines in it. Some prime examples are:
The most ridiculous software company in the world can't stop suing over it.
Or how about this one, in reference to the lawsuits:
Even the lurking shadow of SCO's $3 billion lawsuit against IBM over intellectual property rights to Linux -- and the pipsqueak vendor's threats to directly sue user companies -- has done nothing to dampen IT or business enthusiasm. No fear. No uncertainty. No doubt.
Either way, it's a good read. I'm glad to see that the press is starting to see the SCO farce for what it really is: a "get-rich quick" scheme. I dunno about everybody else out there, but I'm getting sick of SCO's whining about how "they should've been where Red Hat is". It's called capitalism (a.k.a. Survival of the Fittest), get over it.
LFS: Finally!
I finally finished building my LFS system and it's great!
For those who don't know, LFS means Linux From Scratch. Basically, you put together a Linux system from nothing but source code. It's both challenging and entertaining (well, if you like Linux that is). It's also a very good way to learn how Linux works and what a typical system is composed of.
My next project is to put this puppy on a bootable CD...
Linux in 2003: SCO’s Smoke Screen Doesn’t Hide a Fired-Up Linux
"It would be a travesty if 2003 goes down in IT history as the year SCO cried foul..." Via Linux Today.
Favorite quote:
"This year, SCO's legal counterattack and Bill Gates' admission that Linux is Microsoft's No. 1 competitor demonstrate they're feeling the heat..."
Not shocking, seeing as Windows development is starting to mirror Linux development methods.
A little more SCO news…
Here's a pretty good summary of what's happening on the SCO anti-Linux front in the past few weeks. If you're like me, you're probably getting sick of their outrageous statements and blatent lies. At least it's fun to watch them try to rationalize their statements.
SCO Says It Has No Plan To Sue Linux Companies
SCO is reported in the Age as saying they 'Have no plans to sue Linux companies...' This seems to contradict the earlier statements of Chris ... Via Slashdot.
My take:
Wow, I have to say, SCO's intentions change more than my underwear. Maybe tomorrow they'll apologize for all they've done. Even so, they're still a has-been. Nobody wants expensive Unix technology when Linux can do more at a fraction of the cost. SCO OpenServer is a piece of trash. It's based on Microsoft's (failed) Xenix operating system. Need I say more?
ZDNet UK: Microsoft Hides Behind Linux for Protection
"Microsoft has employed Akamai's Linux-based servers to protect its Microsoft.com Web site and reduce the site's vulnerability to viruses, worms and denial of service attacks..." Via ZDNet UK.
Interesting. I thought Linux and FOSS was a cancer and shouldn't be used under any circumstances. Funny how reality kicks in when your server software is riddled with security flaws. Trusted Computing strikes again!
SCO vs. GPL: Luminaries Decry Legal Maneuver as “Posturing”
After yesterday's statements that SCO might be heading towards legally invalidating the GPL, the community rose up once again to villify SCO. Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols tracked down several prominent Linux/OSS community members--including Torvalds, Raymond, Perens, and Moglen--for their reactions to this new possibility, as well as some IP lawyers' opinions on the matter. Via Linux Today.
My take:
The legal charade SCO is playing just keeps getting more interesting, no? For those of you that may not know what all this FUD is about, you may want to read the OSDL Q&A paper on it.