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NewsVac: News from around the Web
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As shares tumble, Nvidia faces minor meltdown
3 weeks, 5 days ago
Nvidia is going through some trying times, grappling with defective chips, falling shares, and a resurgent AMD-ATI. -
Temperature and CPU frequency control with Linux
3 months ago
"When super-high speeds aren't needed, the frequency will get scaled back, so that the CPU consumes less power and runs cooler. (AMD's implementation of this is called Cool n' Quiet, and Intel's implementation is called SpeedStep.) This is all supposed to happen automatically, but there may be times when you'll want to control it manually .... " -
Shuttle KPC Linux PC now available
4 months ago
"What's cute, comes in a 6.4" high, 11" long, and 7.5" wide black box and runs Linux? That would be Shuttle Computers' KPC Shuttle..." -
Two Laptops Per Child: A New Commercial Concept
7 months, 3 weeks ago
In my previous articles, I have talked about the OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) project, how it works, what the software looks like and the version of Linux it runs. -
New multigraphics chip designs from AMD and Nvidia
7 months, 3 weeks ago
Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia announce new multi-GPU platforms, respectively the ATI Hybrid Crossfire and the 3-way SLI. -
Negroponte: Windows key to OLPC philosophy
9 months, 1 week ago
While the news that Microsoft is developing a version of Windows for the so-called "$100 laptop" has caused some consternation, the head of the One Laptop per Child project has said the scheme could not promote openness if it blocked Windows. -
How gNewSense Sneaked Back Onto My Laptop
9 months, 3 weeks ago
In the wee hours of the morning, while I was sleeping soundly, all snuggled up next to my wife... -
The myth of the solar PC
10 months, 2 weeks ago
"Computer makers are hyping their "solar-powered PCs." Too bad there's no such thing .... " -
Antitrust group encourages investigation of Intel
11 months, 1 week ago
"And the legal beat goes on… AMD's newest ally in its antitrust battle with Intel is the American Antitrust Institute (AAI), which sent a letter to U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chair Deborah Majoras urging the FTC to formally investigate "Intel’s monopolization conduct in microchips." ... " -
Mandriva first to demonstrate KDE/Linux desktop on the new Intel MID platform
11 months, 1 week ago
"Mandriva showcased the first prototype of the Mandriva Linux distribution with KDE running on the new Intel Mobile Internet Device (MID) platform at the aKademy 2007 conference .... " -
Rename multiple files to another extension in Linux
11 months, 3 weeks ago
Let us say that you want to rename all of your “.php5″ files to “.php” files. You can use for loop. Full Story -
Is the demand for desktop Linux negligible?
1 year ago
"There's been much fanfare about Linux replacing Windows on desktops but we've yet to see any major adoptions take place--this may have something to do with the fact that in Australia, none of the major PC manufacturers have offered Linux as a pre-installed option..." -
Can you really replace a PC with a $99 black box?
1 year ago
Anonymous Reader writes "What do we really use our PC's for? I originally ordered my Zonbu ostensibly to test-drive it for work. Was it a viable replacement for PCs for our broadband users? Was it something we could either recommend for people with constant PC issues, or to new users who weren’t sure what to buy?" -
Wal-Mart to offer low-cost Linux PC?
1 year ago
"Wal-Mart will sell a sub-$300 "back-to-school" PC this fall pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows Vista and OpenOffice.org productivity software. The Everex GC3502 PC, is based on a 1.7GHz Via C7-D processor, and will be available later this year preloaded with Ubuntu Linux." -
Dell's Linux Desktop Line Keeps Expanding
1 year, 1 month ago
When Dell first announced that it would be releasing Ubuntu Linux-powered consumer desktops and laptops, some people saw it as more of a stunt than a serious business move. They were wrong. Dell has already expanded its consumer Linux line, and now it has announced that it will soon be offering Ubuntu Linux systems outside of the United States and for new businesses. - More News
Linux.com : Desktop Hardware
FSF works with Los Alamos Computers to provide free computers
Finding hardware that works with GNU/Linux is hard enough. But if you also want a completely free system -- one that requires no proprietary drivers or firmware to run -- then the task is almost impossible. While resources like OpenPrinting and the SANE database for scanners offer guides to simple functionality, advice on free systems is almost non-existent. To fill this gap, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) has been developing its own hardware list, and, as the next logical step, has been working with Los Alamos Computers (LAC) to develop a line of free (as in speech) computers pre-installed with GNU/Linux.
Customer demand adds Linux to industrial computer line
Glacier Computer is offering two Linux distributions as options on its Everest PCs. The company announced this month it is offering customers a choice of IGEL Linux or Fedora Linux distributions.
UMPCs and Linux: made for each other, and coming soon
Who knew that the biggest desktop Linux show of 2008 would turn out to be the June Computex show in Taipei, Taiwan, where the next generation of Linux desktop hardware was put on display? In fact, Linux was at the heart of no fewer than four different ultra mobile PCs (UMPC).
New Linux-powered PowerStation dispels rumors Power Architecture's death
Terra Soft, the developer of Yellow Dog Linux on the PowerStation platform, is pushing the limits of design and performance with the planned mid-July release of a quad core PowerPC deskside tower that returns the Power Architecture to both the workstation and server markets at a competitive price.
Linux laptop retailers fearlessly face name-brand competition
Linux Certified sells Linux laptops and offers IT training to individuals and organizations. Its product line ranges from small, affordable units to performance laptops that cost well over $2,000. The company's customer list boasts the likes of Boeing, NASA, the US Army and MIT. But if recent trends are any indication, Linux Certified and similar companies that specialize in selling computers that run Linux are about to see some of the world's largest computer companies warm up to the open source operating system. Major manufacturers have begun to take notice of Linux's potential on the laptop.
Simplifying infrared device configuration
Building a MythTV digital video recorder (DVR) is a series of small battles -- configuring digital sound, aligning your video sources and channel guide data, getting XvMC running, and so on. Any tool that simplifies one of those battles is welcome, and GNOME LIRC Properties promises to be just such a tool. It is a shortcut to configuring infrared receivers and remote controls, and although it is not perfect, it is a good step in the right direction.
Controlling desktop applications with six degrees of freedom
Six degrees of freedom (6DOF) devices allow for movement in three axes, tilt in two axes, and rotation in the third. Some of these devices look like small joysticks -- for example, the SpaceNavigator. These devices are typically used for computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and other 3-D applications. With a new programming library, you can now also use them with Linux applications.
FOSS helps Free Geek Vancouver become an ethical recycler
Free Geek Vancouver (FGV) is now certified as the first ethical recycler in western Canada by the Basel Action Network (BAN), and an important part of the certification is the organization's refurbishing of used computers with free and open source software (FOSS).
What can you do with a second Ethernet port?
Purchase a new PC or motherboard soon, and the chances are good that it will come with two built-in network interfaces -- either two Ethernet jacks or one Ethernet and one Wi-Fi. Tossing in a second adapter is an inexpensive way for the manufacturer to add another bullet point to the product description -- but what exactly are you supposed to do with it? If you are running Linux, you have several alternatives.
Computer makers push device builders for Linux-compatible hardware
For years, device and peripheral builders could get away with ignoring the Linux desktop market. It was too small to matter, they would say. Things have changed. At the Linux Foundation meeting in Austin, Texas, last month, major PC vendors ASUS, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Lenovo said they would be telling their chipset, component, and peripheral OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) that they were going to demand Linux-compatible hardware from them.
Rt2x00 project for wireless nearing success
If you use wireless networking in GNU/Linux with native drivers, then chances are that you benefit from work done by the Rt2x00 project. You may use the MadWifi Atheros drivers with OpenHal, or drivers for the Realtek RTL8180 chipset, but most likely you use one of the drivers developed by the Rt2x00 for Ralink chipsets. In the nearly four years since the project began, its work has moved from having a reputation for bugginess to the point where some of its drivers are now part of the latest Linux kernels. Recently, Linux.com talked to three of the lead developers on the project about where Rt2x00 has been and where it is going.
How much can you improve network throughput with a high-end NIC?
What sort of impact can you expect from switching a machine from the Gigabit Ethernet NIC that come on its motherboard to a higher-end Intel desktop NIC? I benchmarked two common gigabit NICs found on motherboards against two Intel PCIe desktop gigabit NICs, targeting the specific purpose of accessing an NFS share over the network. The short version: throughput for sequential read/write operations didn't improve much, but latency was much better, allowing anything that needs a network round trip, like create, delete, and seek, to work much faster.
Smart cards provide hurdles, opportunities for Free Software
Smart cards and digital signatures are presented as among the most important components of e-government in Europe, but they are still far from being an effective, Linux-friendly solution to reduce administrative and business costs. But the same tools may become a way to make the general public use or support Free Software.
ZaReason's MegaLap is a desktop replacement with an Ubuntu twist
MegaLap, a notebook computer from ZaReason, a company that builds and sells computer systems that run Ubuntu, is bound to give its owner bragging rights at any LAN party, especially with how loud the system can get. It has the hallmarks of on-the-go computing, while performing comparably to a desktop gaming system.
A hands-on look at the Splashtop instant-on Linux environment
San Jose-based startup DeviceVM made waves last year when it unveiled Splashtop, a nearly instant-on Linux environment stored in the flash memory usually reserved for motherboard BIOS. The company previewed an upcoming revision to Splashtop at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in January, then gave us the chance to take a hands-on look at this intriguing system software.
Adding a UPS to a desktop Linux machine
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) will allow your computer to continue to function for a period of time when mains power is lost. This can help you to smooth over short-term (1-5 minute) loss of power by running from the UPS battery. When the UPS battery is running low, the UPS can signal your computer to shut down cleanly. With a UPS you can avoid lengthly filesystem or RAID checks due to abrupt power loss. Here are some tips on UPSes in general and how to set one up to protect a Linux machine, even if the model you have lacks explicit Linux support.
Running Debian GNU/Linux from an encrypted USB drive
You're probably familiar with the live CD concept -- a fully functional operating system on a CD that can be run on any computer that boots from its optical drive, without affecting the one(s) already installed. In a similar vein, you can set up Linux to run from a USB hard drive drive on any computer that can boot from USB. The live system offers automatic detection and configuration of the display adapter and screen, storage devices, and other peripherals. A bootable USB drive can run a mainstream Linux distribution such as Debian GNU/Linux, and can be secured, personalised, upgraded, and otherwise modified to suit your needs.
OLPC looks ahead with optimism
The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project has been in the news a lot in recent months. Reports last fall that Uruguay purchased 100,000 XO laptops and soon US consumers could do the same via a special campaign soon gave way to news items about a patent lawsuit and Intel's abrupt departure from OLPC's board. Walter Bender, OLPC's president of software/content and COO, says those developments are nothing more than a bump in the road.
Review: Tiny Asus Eee packs a big punch
The Asus Eee PC has been heralded as a groundbreaking new computing experience and great for children. While the computer didn't bowl me over, my kids were another matter.
China puts hopes in Loongson CPU
China, which has long wished to develop its own computer industry, has chosen to go with Linux on the software side. Loongson is its hope for the hardware side.
