Monday, November 15, 2010

Heads up: Lubuntu 10.10 RMX

0 comments
 Still on the Ubuntu note; if you are a fan of Ubuntu goodies.  You owe it to yourself to swing by OMG! Ubuntu and keep watch on their site for news based on the popular distro.  Yesterday they ran a quick mention about Lubuntu 10.10 RMX.
Lubuntu 10.10 RMX

Most Ubuntu user's are familiar with Ubuntu (GNOME based) and Kubuntu (KDE based).  But most of the time Lubuntu gets overlooked.  So, what is Lubuntu?

Easy, Lubuntu is a derivative of the Ubuntu operating system (which in itself is a derivative of Debian Linux).  This version of Ubuntu runs on LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) instead of GNOME or KDE desktop environments.  This user interface is great for computers who have lower resources such as: older computers or even netbooks.  The 10.10 RMX version has a few added features and apps that are useful.  But also comes with multimedia codecs preconfigured.  So, if you have an older pc laying around, breath a little new life into and check this one out.

Linux Tracker: Lubuntu 10.10 RMX
OMGUbuntu.co.uk: Lubuntu 10.10 RMX article

The Future Path of Ubuntu

0 comments
Another Monday is fixing to wrap itself up for the the day, and after doing some reading up over the last few weeks; there is a topic that I can't seem to shake out of my mind.  The direction of the very popular Linux distribution (and my personal fav); UbuntuUbuntu is an excellent operating system for new converts to the world of Linux and open-source software.  Canonical is obviously very progressive in their ideas (something other distro's seem to be lacking).  And for that I definitely give them props.

However; changing from the GNOME or KDE desktop environments to offer the Unity Desktop Environment, is a pretty risky jump.  I sincerely hope Canonical will make it easy to use GNOME or KDE.  It's not that I have anything against the Unity Desktop Environment; because I don't.  Personally, I think it's looking pretty sharp.  And for a netbook or a tablet, it looks to be an ideal way to navigate the OS.  But for a full fledge desktop install (yes, some people still use these beasts); I would prefer using a fuller featured desktop environment.  And from best I can tell the community of user's seem to be split on the decision.

Here is a screen shot of 10.04 running Unity:


Another change from the norm recently announced is that Ubuntu will be trying to move away from X for the windows manager, and picking up Wayland instead.  Personally, I would be more open to this change as opposed to being forced to use Unity.  However, I am also aware that it's not like Ubuntu will be rocking Wayland when Natty comes out in April either.  That change will take some time to implement.  I think we can all agree that X has it's issues and seems to be somewhat cumbersome at times.

Regardless of the changes coming to Ubuntu, it's still a wonderful system.  And once Natty hits the world, I will still recommend new user's checkout Ubuntu.  But, depending on the options given about the desktop environment; I'll either use Natty and use GNOME, stay on 10.10 for the time being, or might spread my horizons and try other Linux distributions whom I may have overlooked.

So whatever you're stance on Linux, Ubuntu, or open-source may be...It's a great time to be a geek!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

This Week In The News: E-Ink gets Color, 3G Ipod Touch Adapter, Ask.com Troubles and more!

0 comments
We have several newsworthy topics this week.

Finally, E-book Reader enthusiasts finally get color screens!

E-Ink and LG Display showed off their color electronic paper screens today in Japan.  Until now, user's who preferred colored screens over traditional e-book readers with monochrome screens have had to go the route of the iPad .  Some retailers (namely Best Buy and Kmart) have been carrying color Android-based ebook readers as well.  However, after some hands on time with the Pandigital ebook readers in Best Buy.  I'd have to say that the touch screen capabilities aren't quite what they could be.  Of course, this could also cause cost to go up as well.  One of the biggest deterrents in displaying color with e-paper displays is the lack of a light source behind the display panel.  The screens rely on 'ambient' light for display.

With the color screens this hasn't changed. Of course, this feature is also a huge contributor to the battery life of the device.  So, common sense tells me that if you like your e-book reader, and would like to see shades of colors.  Go ahead and look forward to this.  However, if you are looking for something more on par with a display experience of say a laptop or netbook.  You may be better suited for the time being with an iPad or one of the Android e-reader options.
Source: http://bit.ly/bfu4ew

3G iPod Touches coming soon to the Sprint 3G Network...

I am a proud owner of an iPod Touch.  I have had mine for a couple of years now, and truly don't remember how I ever got along without one.  I use it for everything from listening to music, to checking my email, and in some cases my Netflix viewing; depending on where I'm at.  Earlier this year, you may have heard about the guy who developed a case for the iPod Touch that would basically turn it into an iPhone.  Now, Sprint in cahoots with Chinese based company ZTE are bringing a case-like accessory that will allow 2nd and 3rd generation iPod Touchs to have access to Sprint's 3G data services.

This eliminates the need to have to seek out a wi-fi hotspot whenever you need to go online with your device. This connectivity however, does come with a price.  As they say 'you have to pay to play'; it still holds true.  This device will sale for $79.99and will run $29.99 a month for service.  On the bright side, there is no annual contract for using the device.  On top of adding the 3G connectivity, the device will also allow up to 2 other devices access online.  So consider it a cross offering comparable to the iPad 3G plan AT&T offers (monthly pay-as-you-go usage) with a device like a 3G Mi-Fi for internet connection.  Look for the ZTE Peel in your Sprint Store on November 14th.
Source: http://bit.ly/b3iOhO

Ask.com Got Spanked....By Google?

Remember back in the day there was this cool little Search Engine called AskJeeves.com.  To do a web search a user could surf over to their site, and punch in their query phrased as a question.  Like "Do monkey's really eat bananas?" and it would kick back you search results.  The Jeeves apparently got kidnapped or feel of the face of the planet because they eventually turned into Ask.com.

Here's the scoop, Barry Diller bought Ask.com for $1.85 billion dollars.  Not a bad turnover for the seller.  Mr. Diller's main goal was to give Google a run for their money.  That was in 2005. As we all know Google has basically exploded to 'super-search-engine-service-offerer status' since then.  With the inclusion of services like:

  • Gmail
  • Google Voice
  • Wave/Buzz/Orkut
  • Google Maps/Google Earth
  • The now dead Goog411 project
  • Blogger
  • and to mention just about everybody on the planet now uses Google
It was sure to be a hard race.  According to the article at Bloomberg.com, Google holds around 65% of all search traffic.  While Ask.com holds around 2%.  Granted, not many have attempted to go up against the search giant that Google has become.  Now that Ask.com has had to unfortunately downsize their staff.  They are going to concentrate on their Q&A services that they were known for back in the day.  Does this mean that they cartoony Jeeves character will make a come back?  Don't know.  But one thing is for sure, they need to get the ball rolling.  Because by admitting defeat in predominately Google territory and going back to doing what they were good at before the whole 'let's challenge the big dog' mentality came about, they have to essentially make up for lost time and efforts.

Kinect on Linux!

Lastly today, I will hit on a topic that caught some attention from the opensource community last week. With the launch of Microsoft's Kinect for the Xbox 360, the company Adafruit offered a $2,000 'bounty' for anyone in the opensource communities who could crack the Kinect and make an opensource driver.  Hector Martin has done so.  Checkout his video linked on OMGUbuntu for more info.

For those not in the know, the Kinect is a motion detecting camera that grants gameplay similar to what you experience with Nintendo's Wii.  Yet, you hold no controllers.  It works by sensing depth perception and motion tracking.  Once this device gets some real world implementation with Linux I may definitely check into one.

Until next time, Happy Surfing!