CRM News: Blogosphere

Windows RT and the Dastardly Browser-Exclusion Deed
May 14, 2012

Life is never dull here in the world of technology, but some weeks it's hard to remember that this is actually the real world, and not some epic tale of the battle between good and evil. We've seen plenty of examples of good pulling ahead in the struggle in recent weeks, of course -- but there's never any shortage of dastardly deeds being committed, either.

To GNU or Not to GNU? That Is the Question
May 10, 2012

There's no denying the incendiary nature of the topic of desktop Linux, which tends to gets rehashed in heated detail every so often both on these pages and beyond. What some may not remember, however, is that there's another recurring Linux subject that can be equally controversial. It hasn't appeared in some time, but apparently some slow fires have been burning all along, because they just flared up anew.

That Nasty, Lying Anonymous Internet Post Could Cost $13.78 Million
May 09, 2012

Many people believe they can say what they want on the Internet as long as they use a pseudonym. After all, it is easy to set up an account using an anonymous alter ego. In addition to believing they can post whatever they want, they may also think they are protected by the First Amendment. They may think freedom of speech has no limits, and that even when vicious lies are posted, that anonymity will shield them from liability.

Who's Afraid of a Big Bad Hacking Story?
May 07, 2012

It's been a cheerily good spring for FOSS fans here in the Linux blogosphere, so we may perhaps be forgiven for our utter shock and disbelief at the affront recently committed against us by a certain brick-and-mortar purveyor of books and magazines. Barnes & Noble yanked the very excellent Linux Format magazine from its U.S. shelves -- apparently because of a cover story on the topic of "hacking."

Ubuntu Linux 12.04: Microsoft's Worst Nightmare?
May 03, 2012

Well there's a new kid in town here in the Linux blogosphere, and it's already caused quite a stir. It's one of the Ubuntu clan, as its nickname makes clear, but that's as far as the foolin' goes. With five years of support and a scaly, tough hide, this one's here to stay. With time on its side and its eye on the prize, it may just blaze a new trail. Can freedom take hold in a world that's been dominated for so long?

Linux and Gaming: Full Steam Ahead
April 30, 2012

"It has taken longer than most anyone would have anticipated, but the fact remains that Valve is in fact creating a native Linux port of their Steam game distribution client and of the Source Engine to run natively on Linux," read the announcement on Phoronix on Wednesday. Think gaming is trivial? Think again: In a matter of seconds, the topic was on fire on Slashdot and throughout the Linux blogosphere.

Oracle v. Google: The Trial and the Errors
April 26, 2012

With all the fabulous and exciting technologies to talk about here in the world of FOSS -- the shiny, brand-spankin'-new Ubuntu Linux 12.04, to name just one -- it always seems a crying shame to have to waste any breath at all discussing lawsuits. Discuss them we must, however, because in today's litigious landscape, a few powerful software giants keep coming back for more. The latest example? None other than Oracle v. Google, of course.

Linus, Linux and the Millennium Technology Prize
April 23, 2012

It doesn't happen often here in the Linux blogosphere that FOSS fans agree unanimously on -- well, on pretty much anything. Truth be told, there's generally good reason for the dissension. Take Microsoft's latest maneuvers, for example -- are they good news? Bad news? It's not always easy to tell. Last week, however, one of those rare announcements was made that brought universal joy to Linux aficionados around the globe.

Microsoft Open Technologies: Same Old, Same Old?
April 19, 2012

Well the shock had barely worn off from the recent news that Microsoft is among the Linux kernel's biggest contributors when another mind-bending announcement was made on a closely related theme. The development this time? None other than Microsoft's declaration last week that it was creating a wholly owned subsidiary devoted to forging closer ties with the open source community. Is it a dream? A nightmare?

Cars and FOSS: Sweet Ride, or Crash in the Making?
April 16, 2012

With the frequent focus on mobile machinations and desktop deliberations here in the Linux blogosphere, it would be easy to assume that all else in the FOSS fiefdom is relatively conflict-free. Easy, perhaps -- but dead wrong, nonetheless. Case in point: cars. There's a growing movement to apply the open source model to the design and manufacturing of electric cars.

Who Cares About Software Freedom?
April 12, 2012

Well it's been a disconcerting kind of week here in the Linux blogosphere, not least because of all the darn construction going on down at the Google+ Grill. First it was the hammering giving Linux Girl a headache. Then, on Wednesday, she walked in after lunch and could barely recognize the place. What is this interface sorcery, she wants to know?

Microsoft's Linux Labors: A Signal of Defeat?
April 09, 2012

Such has been the joy in the Linux blogosphere over Red Hat's ascendance to the billion-dollar sphere that it's been difficult to imagine anything that could possibly top that excitement. But guess what? A new report from the Linux Foundation recently offered news that many consider equally momentous -- and potentially just as encouraging for FOSS.

Red Hat's Billion-Dollar Coup
April 05, 2012

We've all known for some time now that Red Hat would soon be FOSS's first arrival to the billion-dollar club, but somehow that advance knowledge didn't make the official news any less exciting. No indeed! So when the word broke late last week that that much-anticipated milestone had finally been achieved, cheers and fanfare could be heard throughout the land.

Australian Court Hangs Blame for Deceptive Ads on Google
April 03, 2012

In Australia, a federal court ruled Tuesday that Google was guilty of breaching trade laws by hosting misleading advertisements. At issue: advertisers generating the appearance of their own ads by using the names of competitors as keywords. The court ruled that this was likely to mislead those searching for information about competing companies.

Samsung to Build $7B Plant in China
April 02, 2012

South Korea-based Samsung Electronics announced Monday that it would spend $7 billion to build a NAND memory chip plan in China. The plant, which will mark Samsung's biggest-ever overseas investment in chip production, is reportedly going to be built in the central-China city of Xian. Before Monday's announcement, analysts had anticipated the plant would cost about half of the $7 billion price tag.

Linux on the Desktop - Dead Again?
April 02, 2012

Well it's been a tempestuous week here in the Linux blogosphere, thanks largely to a violent brawl that broke out unexpectedly down at the Broken Windows Lounge. It all started with a blog post over at PCWorld last weekend on a topic that might sound familiar. Any guesses? Yes, that's right: "Why Linux Is Dead on the Desktop" was its name, and a collective groan could be heard in blogobars across the land as soon as it appeared on the horizon.

The Privacy Pickle
March 29, 2012

"Is privacy only for those with something to hide?" is the title of an open ballot on TuxRadar that has kicked off quite a debate. TuxRadar points to the full-disk encryption option now offered by several Linux distributions -- along with potential law-enforcement implications -- but the topic is also particularly timely in light of Canonical's recent moves to step up Ubuntu's privacy protections.

Is It Wrong to Make a Profit From FOSS?
March 19, 2012

There's just never a dull moment here in the Linux blogosphere, whether there's big news being made at the moment or not. Some weeks, we have wild activity. Even in other weeks, though, where the news days might seem slower, there's never a shortage of things to talk about. Case in point? Just last Monday, when all the Linux world was still waking up from the weekend, a lone voice rang out with the question, "is open source anti-profit?"