Basic Lesson #3: Talk to Me

So far, we have discussed how Open Source technology is more secure because of how files are handled. Now we will examine stability issues.

IceWM with Sound

In previous articles, I've focused on helping users of older hardware get the most from it. While most of the FOSS world uses one of the two major desktop interfaces -- KDE or Gnome -- there are plenty of folks using interfaces that are less resource hungry. While it's important to note here that hogging resources is what one pays for all the nifty automatic features found in KDE or Gnome, in reality there are few other compelling reasons to use either. While XFce is a much lighter competitor for them, the latest version (4.x) disappoints me with its lack of a sound module.

Shuttling Along: A Second Look at the SB62G2

As promised in part 1 of this review, this time around we will consider the software side of the Shuttle XPC SB62G2, a system we named our product of the year for 2003. The Shuttle is an excellent little machine, as we noted last time, but there is still that one important detail that needs to be considered: how well does it work with GNU/Linux? That is what I will attempt to overview below.

Desktop FreeBSD Part 2: Initial Setup

There are several tasks to which we must attend before actually making use of our freshly installed FreeBSD system. Immediately upon reboot, you will find yourself in the console. While it is possible to setup and use the graphical login managers -- kdm, gdm or others -- it is important to note that this uses extra resources. One of our assumptions is that you might not have all that excess horsepower, so we'll stick with the console login for now.

2003 in Review: One Step Backward, Two Steps Forward

This year was a year that wasn't exactly how we might have hoped, but overall, the state of GNU/Linux was overall better at this side of 2003 than it was at the other. In our annual tradition, what follows is a look at the ups - and downs - of GNU/Linux and Free/Open Source Software in 2003.

Shuttle's SB62G2 Tops Our Linux System List

When deploying GNU/Linux systems, there is always the predicament of what kind of system to use. You could continue buying systems from OEMs such as Dell and Gateway that do not support GNU/Linux and simply replace the systems' included OS with a GNU/Linux disk image. You could also go with HP Compaq's d220/d330 series of computers that offer Mandrake Linux 9.1 preloaded. However, if you are looking for systems that offer something more than a basic tower that includes GNU/Linux, you need to look elsewhere - at Shuttle.

Basic Lesson 2: A Home of Your Own

As Ed Hurst continues his Clueless Computer User's Guide to Open Source, Ed explains something very important everyone should know about GNU/Linux and UNIX: where your files go in those systems. While all of the differences may seem confusing at first, Ed lays them out in an easy to understand fashion so that you can start using Free Software operating systems productively quickly.

MandrakeSoft Fiscal Health Improves, Cash Flow Positive

In its yearly financial report for shareholders, issued today, MandrakeSoft SA (OTC: MDKFF) highlighted positive financial improvements. According to the publicly available document, revenue was down but losses also decreased as compared to 2001 and 2002.

Basic Lesson 1: Identities and Permissions

In this first article of Ed Hurst's Clueless Computer User's Guide to Open Source, Ed explores permissions and other basics of a multiuser system. If you are unfamiliar with these concepts or do not know why even a single user system should have multi-user principles applied to it, read on to find out.

Six multifunction printers for Linux

Have you been looking for an “All-in-one” (aka known as MFP, multi-function printer) for your Linux desktop? So have we, with somewhat mixed results. We found no MFPs in our price range (under $500.00) which are shipped with drivers for Linux. But we did find a number of MFPs which are usable on Linux machines, thanks to free software drivers available either with your Linux distribution or on the Internet. Be warned, however, that not every feature or function of many of the printers we found work with the free drivers. Here's the story on what we found, along with six specific MFPs that work with free software drivers and Linux to consider during your holiday shopping.