Operating Systems

The Impossible Quest for the Most Popular Linux Distro
February 08, 2013

Linux lacks any clear-cut system for determining which is the most popular or the best distribution, or which desktop environment is used more than others. That may be one of the major frustrations among Linux developers trying to spread the word about adopting the Linux desktop instead of Microsoft Windows or Apple's OS X.

Windows 3.1: Geeks' New Choice for Graphics?
February 07, 2013

They say everything old is new again, and it would be difficult to find a better example than a post on Slashdot last week. "Why a Linux User Is Using Windows 3.1" is the title of said post, which refers to a recent NetworkWorld story by the same name. "About two weeks back, I was using my Android tablet and looking for a good graphics editor," author and said Linux user Bryan Lunduke began.

Linux Netbooks: Hiding in Plain Sight
February 05, 2013

You just think that's a Chromebook beckoning you with an open source OS, easier upgradeability and fast connections to the cloud. All those qualities could make it a Linux netbook in disguise -- or at least what the netbooks of a few years ago promised before they all started selling preloaded with Windows. The key? More manufacturers buying into the flexibility of the Linux kernel in the Chrome OS.

Google Adds Cross-Platform Notifications Brick to Chromium Build
February 01, 2013

Google appears to have taken a step toward integrating Android's Google Now notification feature into Chrome. French programmer Francis Beaufort revealed Thursday that he spotted a new notification center in the latest Windows Chromium build that includes rich templated notifications.

Is the Time Ripe for BlackBerry?
February 01, 2013

BlackBerry 10 may have had its thunder stolen by "BlackBerry" -- that is, the announcement that "Research In Motion" has been deep-sixed, and the company name is now the same as its iconic brand. The rebranding is an effort to put more juice behind the launch of the highly anticipated new BB10 operating system and compatible handsets, propelling a potential turnaround.

Z10 Adds a Little Zest to BlackBerry Lineup
January 30, 2013

The handset maker previously known as RIM on Wednesday launched its new BlackBerry 10 smartphones: the Q10 with the familiar QWERTY keyboard, and something new for the company -- the touchscreen-based Z10. BlackBerry, as the firm is now called, will release the Z10 in the United States in March with the Q10 following in April.

BlackBerry Casts Off Wobbly RIM
January 30, 2013

Goodbye, Research In Motion -- BlackBerry came out of the smartphone hinterlands on Wednesday with a new name to go with a revamped OS and two new devices. The company formerly known as "Research In Motion" made its rebranding official during several global launch events. "RIM becomes BlackBerry," CEO Thorsten Heins told a New York City audience. "It is one brand, one promise."

Google Open Source Program Manager Chris DiBona: Best of Both Worlds
January 29, 2013

In 1996, two Stanford University students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, created a unique search engine called "BackRub" that ran on the school's server. After one year, BackRub's bandwidth outgrew the university's needs. Its creators rebranded BackRub into Google, a respelled reference to "googol." It is a mathematical term for the number represented by the numeral 1 followed by 100 zeros.

Microsoft Mum on Munich Migration Study
January 28, 2013

Munich's multiyear migration to Linux has been nothing if not an ongoing saga over the past decade or so, beset as it has been by stops, starts, and various twists and turns. The story appeared to have a happy ending in November when Munich reported that using Linux had already saved it more than 10 million euros, but last week Microsoft spoke up with a different tale.

Microsoft Bides Its Time Despite Q2 Profit Slump
January 25, 2013

Microsoft reported an earnings slip in its second fiscal quarter on Thursday, despite strong sales from its Windows 8 operating system that gave overall revenue a boost. It brought in $21.46 billion in revenue, a 3 percent increase from the same period a year ago. However, its net income of $6.4 billion was down from the $6.6 billion posted in the year-ago quarter.

The Eternal Sunshine of the Classic Linux Desktop
January 24, 2013

Ever since it became clear that GNOME 2 would have an ongoing future in the desktop Linux world after all, flowers have been blooming unseasonably early throughout the Linux blogosphere. It all started with the appearance of MATE and Cinnamon; then it was SolusOS. Since then, Fuduntu made its official debut, as did Consort," SolusOS's brand-new GNOME Classic fork.

Mozilla Lures Devs to Firefox OS With Shiny New Toys
January 23, 2013

The Mozilla Foundation on Tuesday announced that smartphones running its Firefox OS will be available to developers in February. The preview phones are being produced in collaboration with Geeksphone and Telefonica. The idea is to entice devs to create apps for the Firefox OS. "These devices have not been designed for consumers," said Mozilla spokesperson Diane Zuniga.

OpenArtist Is a Linux Distro Prodigy
January 23, 2013

Normally, I shy away from reviewing elementary-stage distros. Alpha releases are often too nonfunctional to offer any real work usability. They are simply proof-of-concept versions. This is not the case with the openArtist distro, however. After hearing a few colleagues rave about openArtist, I threw caution to the wind and checked it out.

RIM May Scotch BlackBerry Hardware
January 22, 2013

CEO Thorsten Heins has suggested that Research In Motion may one day license its BlackBerry operating system and stop producing handset hardware. Whether such a move would help put the embattled company back on track or be the final step in a march to oblivion -- much like the path Palm took just two years ago -- is the question.

Lenovo, Linux, and the Coming of the Chromebooks
January 21, 2013

However great the strides made by user-friendly distros such as Ubuntu and Mint in recent years, it seems fair to say that Linux has not yet enjoyed any sweeping successes on the desktop the way it has on the mobile side with Android. That, however, may be changing. Thanks once again to none other than Google, Linux is now appearing with increasing frequency in the PC lineups of hardware makers.

Set Up Windows 8 to the Beat of a Different Drum
January 17, 2013

Microsoft's latest version of its operating system, Windows 8, has more personalization options than any predecessor. Backgrounds, themes, colors, start screen, apps, picture passwords and more can all be customized. You can choose a new theme by opening the Search charm and typing "personalization." Then click on the Settings tab. Click Change the Theme to enter the control panel's Appearance & Personalization area. Then choose a theme.

Sluggish Sales Hint at End of PC Era
January 14, 2013

PC sales sank in the fourth quarter of 2012 due to increased competition from smartphones and tablet devices, Gartner said in a report released Monday. Shipments totaled some 90.3 million units -- a 4.9 percent decline from the fourth quarter a year earlier, the firm found. In the U.S. market, PC shipments fell 2.1 percent from the year prior to 17.5 million units.

Nokia Gets Its Mojo Working
January 11, 2013

Nokia posted a banner Q4 on Thursday, fueled in large part by brisk sales of the Lumia smartphone. The news was a pleasant surprise to shareholders as the company had forecast a loss as recently as October. Of the total 86.3 million devices sold, 4.4 million units were from the Lumia line, a significant uptick from the 2.9 million Lumias sold in Q3.

RIM's Best Shot at Redemption May Be Doomed
January 11, 2013

B-day is looming for RIM: On Jan. 30, the BlackBerry maker will debut its new BB10 platform. Over the past several months, it has been steadily revealing information about the OS and the devices that will run it. More information about its strategy came to light at CES, where CMO Frank Boulben gave an interview this week. RIM plans to release at least six BB10 devices in 2013, he said.

Software Wars: FOSS' Big Chance to Shine on the Silver Screen
January 10, 2013

Given Ubuntu's recent glitzy and fanfare-accompanied debut on the world's mobile stage, it's beginning to look like limelight and red carpets will increasingly be a part of FOSS' future. You've come a long way, baby! And to think, we knew you back when! Now, what could be a more logical next step than an appearance on the silver screen?