Archive for the 'news' Category

Download Fedora 9 today and get kernel 2.6.25 and ext4 for FREE! ;)

Date: May 14, 2008. Categories: news, fedora and linux. 0 Comments

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fedora 9 logoAs it was planned Fedora 9 (codename "Sulphur") is released today. As for me it wasn't such expected as Ubuntu Hardy Heron but it is still very important event in Open Source world. So, here is the list of new features in this version of RedHat sponsored Linux distribution:

  • This release features GNOME 2.22. GNOME now includes a webcam photo and video creation utility called Cheese, improved network filesystem support, a new international clock applet, Google Calendar support and custom email labels in Evolution, a new Remote Desktop Viewer, improved accessibility features, and PolicyKit integration.
  • KDE 4.0.3 is available in the KDE Live image as well as the regular DVD.
  • Xfce 4.4.2 is available as part of this release.
  • NetworkManager 0.7 provides improved mobile broadband support, including GSM and CDMA devices, and now supports multiple devices and ad-hoc networking for sharing connections. It is now enabled by default on installations from DVD, CD, the network, and Live images.
  • The Fedora installer, Anaconda, now supports partition resizing for ext2/3, NTFS filesystems, creating and installing to encrypted file systems, improved Rescue Mode with FirstAidKit, independent locations for the second stage installer and the software packages. A redesigned, larger netboot.iso image now features a second stage installer partly for this reason.
  • Live USB images now support persistence, so your data and setting changes will be preserved even after rebooting.
  • PackageKit, a new set of graphical and console tools, with a framework for cross-distribution software management, has replaced Pirut in this release of Fedora. The PackageKit graphical updater is available instead of Pup. Behind PackageKit, the performance of yum has been significantly improved.
  • FreeIPA makes managing auditing, identity and policy processes easier by providing web-based and command line provisioning, and administration tools to ease system administration. FreeIPA combines the power of the Fedora Directory Server with FreeRADIUS, MIT Kerberos, NTP and DNS to provide an easy, out of the box solution.
  • Ext4, the next version of the mature and stable ext3 filesystem is available as a option in this release. Ext4 features better performance, higher storage capacity and several other new features.
  • This release of Fedora uses Upstart, an event-based replacement for the /sbin/init daemon.
  • Firefox 3 brings a number of major improvements including a native look and feel, desktop integration, the new Places replacement for bookmarks, and a re-worked address bar.
  • The completely free and open source Java environment OpenJDK 6 is installed by default. IcedTea 7, derived from OpenJDK 1.7, is no longer the default. IcedTea includes a browser plug-in based on GCJ, and is available for both x86 and x86_64 architectures. GCJ is still the default on PPC architecture.
  • OpenOffice.org 2.4, with many new features, is available as part of Fedora 9.
  • Fedora now includes Perl 5.10.0, which features a smaller memory footprint and other improvements.
  • Fedora now includes TeXLive to replace the older, unmaintained TeX distribution.
  • Fedora 9 features a 2.6.25 based kernel.
  • Kernel crashes can be more automatically reported to http://www.kerneloops.org/ and diagnosed in a friendly way via the kerneloops package installed by default. Crash signatures are commonly referred to as oopses in Linux.
  • Work on the start-up and shutdown in X has yielded noticeable improvements.

***** Download Fedora 9 here

***** Complete Release Notes are here

***** Here is the link to Fedora Wiki

fedora 9 launch

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Dell offers new Ubuntu preinstalled laptop XPS M1330

Date: January 24, 2008. Categories: news, mobile, linux and ubuntu. 3 Comments

dell xps m1330Dell position XPS M1330 as one of the thinnest and lightest notebooks in its class, as really portable notebook (weight is under 4 pounds or 1.8 kg). On January 23, 2008 it was announced that Spain, Germany, France, UK consumers can purchase this notebook with Ubuntu 7.10 Linux pre-installed. As usually announcement was made at Direct2Dell blog:

Since we've began offering Ubuntu on some consumer systems, two clear areas of feedback from the IdeaStorm community and Direct2Dell readers have been: offer Ubuntu on more hardware, and offer it worldwide.This Ubuntu-related post is still the third most commented post in Direct2Dell’s history-many of the 654 comments are asking for it in more countries.

Looking through XPS M1330 technical information (Intel Core Duo up to 2.20GHz, up to 4Gb RAM, 128 MB Video, 200GB HDD, etc.) and price starting from £599, I would like to say that this Dell’s product definitely has future. And it’s too bad I don't live in Spain, UK… :)

Get more information on the laptop here, the next step would be to customize and buy one while notebooks are hot!

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Sun acquires MySQL AB

Date: January 16, 2008. Categories: news, unix and linux. 1 Comment

sun logoExciting news was published today at Jonathan Schwartz' (Chief Executive Officer and President of Sun Microsystems) blog:

We announced big news today - our preliminary results for our fiscal second quarter, and as importantly, that we're acquiring MySQL AB.
…
mysql logo This puts products like MySQL in an interesting position. They're a part of every web company’s infrastructure, to be sure. And though many of the more traditional companies use MySQL (from auto companies to financial institutions to banks and retailers), many have been waiting for a Fortune 500 vendor willing to step up, to provide mission critical global support.

Read full article here and here (official agreement announcement)…

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KDE 4 Era begins

Date: January 11, 2008. Categories: news, kde, linux and ubuntu. 2 Comments

Today it was announced that KDE 4.0 is finally released and as it was proudly noted in press release, with this major version the KDE Community marks the beginning of the KDE 4 era.

kde 4.0 logo

K Desktop Environment was created in 1996 by Matthias Ettrich, who was troubled by UNIX certain aspects and proposed the formation of not only a set of applications, but rather a whole desktop environment, in which users could expect things to look, feel, and work consistently.

kde 4.0 plasmaMajor version KDE 4.0 comprises numerous improvement that can be grouped as follows: libraries, desktop, applications and artwork. Full list of updates and improvements is too long to quote it here, so you might read it from protosource (:

Official announcement page, KDE 4.0 Visual Guide

Here are some significant points of the new system:

The KDE 4 Desktop has gained some major new capabilities. The Plasma desktop shell offers a new desktop interface, including panel, menu and widgets on the desktop as well as a dashboard function. KWin, the KDE Window manager, now supports advanced graphical effects to ease interaction with your windows.

Visual updates through vector-based artwork, changes in the underlying libraries, user interface enhancements, new features, even new applications -- you name it, KDE 4.0 has it. Okular, the new document viewer and Dolphin, the new file manager are only two applications that leverage KDE 4.0’s new technologies.

Soon after KDE Community announcement, Kubuntu KDE 4.0 live CD became available and it is one of ways to get familiar with new KDE 4.0 today. ~ 550 MB ISO images are freely downloadable here (servers are overloaded right now, so be patient :) ).

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Latest nmap 4.50 is out. Must upgrade!

Date: December 16, 2007. Categories: news, unix and linux. 0 Comments

nmap demo scanNmap is well known open source tool for security auditing and many other related network exploring activities. Here is it’s developers' description taken from their site:

Nmap uses raw IP packets in novel ways to determine what hosts are available on the network, what services (application name and version) those hosts are offering, what operating systems (and OS versions) they are running, what type of packet filters/firewalls are in use, and dozens of other characteristics. It was designed to rapidly scan large networks, but works fine against single hosts. Nmap runs on all major computer operating systems, and both console and graphical versions are available.

Few days ago latest version 4.50 of this outstanding tool was released celebrating 10 years anniversary. Among notable changes are Zenmap GUI, new generation OS detection, the nmap scripting engine, new host discovery system, advanced zenmap screenshottraceroute and ~ 1500 new version detection signatures. Full changelog is here, binary packages for almost all operating systems (including Linux, BSD, Windows) can be downloaded at project’s download page.

One of major changes in 4.50 is multi-platform Graphical User Interface (GUI) that would be helpful for nmap newbies as well as experienced people. Manual page is here, screenshot is right :)

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Solar + Tiny PC + Linux = Sweeeet

Date: December 3, 2007. Categories: news, mobile and linux. 13 Comments

Really interesting device was found today in the vast expanses of Internet. Company named Aleutia (established in London, 2006) sells extremely mini PC that consumes really small amount of energy (8 watts!!!), runs Linux and can be powered by sun! It’s named Aleutia E1 and is available starting at 180 £. See details below!

aleutia e1

aleutia e1 1

Seller announces the following product specifications (see detailed specs here):

  • Processor: 200MHz x86 CPU, Memory: 128MB SDRAM, Storage: 2GB (included Compact Flash card), Power Supply (US, UK, or EU).
  • 3 x USB 2.0 ports (480Mbps transfer rate), 1 x 10/100 Ethernet port, VGA port to connect LCD display (supports resolutions up to 1280x1024)
  • Power consumption of 8W with CPU and SDRAM running at full speed. With external devices (USB 2.0 CD Rewriter, USB-powered hard drive) power consumption rises to 11W.
  • Dimensions: 11.5cm (Width) x 11.5cm (Lenght) x 3.5cm (Height)
  • Puppy Linux Operating System (version 2.14) - similar in appearance to MS Windows, stable, and pre-installed.
  • Excel-compatible spreadsheet software (Gnumeric), Word-compatible word processor (Abiword)

Looking at these specs and using Google it was discovered that Aleutia sells Norhtec’s device The MicroClient Jr! Do you see the difference at the pictures below? Maybe hand? ;)

aleutia e1 front nortec front

By the way, Norhtec’s one is of 120$… From Norhtec’s site:

The MicroClient Jr. is a revolutionary device that is especially designed for installations having limited physical space and temperature concerns. It does not matter if you are in a jammed office, a crowded place, or public transportation - it can be easily integrated with a VESA LCD to bring you computer access at any time.

It can attach to any VESA mounting fixture, allowing it to be securely mounted onto desks, room walls, or buildings, and thereby optimizing your work area. It can also attach directly to LCDs of any size to create a mobile system for the use at trade shows, presentations, promotions, etc. Unlike the traditional laptop design, the MicroClient Jr. can be used with a large size LCD. Furthermore, with FANLESS design, MicroClient Jr. is ideal for use in hot climates without air conditioning.

Get more details on The MicroClient Jr. here… Sweeeet! :)

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Long-awaited Pidgin 2.3.0 is out!

Date: November 27, 2007. Categories: news, applications, centos and linux. 1 Comment

pidgin logo One of the best instant messengers named Pidgin (previously Gaim) released it’s latest version 2.3.0. According to developers' description Pidgin is a multiprotocol IM client and it’s goal is to hide protocols from the user as much as possible (users have to know about individual protocols when they create or modify accounts, but in day-to-day communication and usage, the intent is that users don't have to think about protocols at all).

Pidgin supports the following protocols:

Read full developer’s changelog here and download Pidgin from pidgin.im/download. It’s available as source tarball, as binary packages for Fedora, CentOS/RHEL and other major Linux distributions, plus 2.3.0 version is ready also for Windows users.

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