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[edit] Daily Linux News from LWN.net
- Intel previews next-gen Classmate PC (DeviceGuru)
DeviceGuru takes a look at Intel's new Classmate PC. "Intel offered a sneak peek of the next-generation of its Classmate PC design at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco today. The new design features a tablet, touchscreen, and motion-sensing user interface, and is powered by
- Jim Zemlin: The New Center of Linux Gravity (internetnews.com)
internetnews.com talks to the Linux Foundation's Jim Zemlin. ""Things have gone better than I would have expected," Zemlin told InternetNews.com. "We're in the business of growing the Linux platform and making sure the development process of Linux is maintained in a way that is productive and safe." The Linux Foundation also has the task of making sure that key developers of Linux such as Linus Torvalds have a neutral place to work. Torvalds is employed by the Linux Foundation. "One of the things that make Linux work as a development project is the fact that Linus [Torvalds], who is the final decision maker on the release of the kernel, works at a place that is not one of the competitors that collaborates on the project," Zemlin commented."
- Using Linux for Photography, where we stand (Linux Photography)
The Linux Photography weblog has posted a lengthy summary of the state of the art for basic Linux-based photographic tools. "Linux definitely needs a credible high quality photo retouching program. Cinepaint has a Ferrari engine inside an old 2CV, while Gimp has the 2CV engine inside a Ferrari. Krita is taking more the direction of a high flying painting program than a photo editor. So this piece is badly needed although being worked on with Cinepaint's next generation (Glasgow) and the integration of GEGL in Gimp.'
- SCO fined in Germany over Linux claims (ZDNet)
ZDNet reports that SCO has been fined by a German court. "SCO Group has been ordered to pay a
- Thursday Security Updates
Debian has updated kernel (multiple vulnerabilities). Gentoo has updated pdns-recursor (DNS cache poisoning). Mandriva has updated yelp (format string vulnerability), mtr (buffer overflow), xine-lib (buffer overflow) and xine-lib (multiple vulnerabilities). rPath has updated postfix (privilege escalation).
- Linux popularity across the globe (Royal Pingdom)
Royal Pingdom has published an analysis of global Linux usage. "The Linux landscape is constantly changing and has a strong community of both developers and users. But where is Linux the most popular, and where are the different Linux distributions the most popular? To try to answer these questions, we have looked at data from Google with the highly useful Insights for Search, which gave us a number of interesting and often surprising results. Aside from just looking at Linux itself, we have included eight common Linux distributions in this survey: Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Fedora, Debian, Red Hat, Mandriva, Slackware and Gentoo."
- openSUSE to add SELinux
The openSUSE project has announced that, starting with openSUSE 11.1, SELinux will be supported for those who want it. "While our customer experience shows that AppArmor is the best solution for the vast majority of users, applications, and use cases, we want to give all of our users the ability to choose the security framework that's appropriate for their respective environments and needs."
- Kernel prepatch 2.6.27-rc4
The 2.6.27-rc4 prepatch is available. Along with lots of fixes, it includes support for the multitouch trackpad on new Apple laptops, more reshuffling of architecture-specific include files, a number of XFS improvements, interrupt stacks for the SPARC64 architecture, the removal of the obsolete Auerswald USB sound driver, and new drivers for TI TUSB 6010 USB controllers, Inventra HDRC USB controllers, and National Semiconductor adcxx8sxxx analog-to-digital converters. The short-form changelog is in the announcement, or see the long-form changelog for all the details.
- LWN.net Weekly Edition for August 21, 2008
The LWN.net Weekly Edition for August 21, 2008 is available.
- Standards, the kernel, and Postfix
Standards like POSIX are meant to make life easier for application developers by providing rules on the semantics of system calls for multiple different platforms. If operating system developers decide to deviate from the standard, but fail to document it, application developers can be caught unaware. Postfix recently ran afoul of a situation like that; click below, subscribers only, for a look at the problem.
- Stable kernels 2.6.26.3 and 2.6.25.16
The 2.6.26.3 and 2.6.25.16 stable kernel updates are out. Both contain a long list of fixes for a wide variety of serious kernel problems.
- VMware exec says Windows days are numbered (ComputerWorld)
Stephen J. Vaughan Nichols discusses Paul Harapin's predictions for the end of Windows. "Seriously. In an ITWire tale, Paul Harapin, VMware's managing director for Australia and New Zealand said Windows is already being replaced by virtual appliances running on Linux. In ten-years, there will be no more Windows. OK. I know people at Red Hat who would say that that's exactly what will happen. That's right out of the new Red Hat KVM-based virtualization playbook. But, someone from VMware saying this? Wow."
- Wednesday Security Updates
Mandriva has updated kdegraphics (poppler vulnerability) and kernel (multiple vulnerabilities). Ubuntu has updated postfix (unauthorized append).
- The SFLC's Guide to GPL Compliance
The Software Freedom Law Center has released A Practical Guide to GPL Compliance, a document which appears to be aimed at corporate management. It is a detailed and clear discussion of the issues as seen from the SFLC point of view. "The companies we contact about GPL violations often respond with: 'We didn't know there was GPL'd stuff in there'. This answer indicates a failure in the software acquisition and procurement process. Integration of third-party proprietary software typically requires a formal arrangement and management/legal oversight before the developers incorporate the software. By contrast, your developers often obtain and integrate FOSS without intervention. The ease of acquisition, however, does not mean the oversight is any less necessary. Just as your legal and/or management team negotiates terms for inclusion of any proprietary software, they should be involved in all decisions to bring FOSS into your product."
- Microsoft and Novell do it again
Microsoft and Novell have announced that, since their deal turned out so well, they will be expanding it. "The investment focuses on enhanced programs from Novell to provide tools, support, training and resources for customers seeking an enterprise-class Linux platform and specifically, the optimal interoperability solution between Microsoft Windows Server and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server from Novell. It also includes Microsoft's commitment to purchase up to $100 million in certificates that those customers can redeem for expanded support from Novell that includes SUSE Linux Enterprise Server support and support for moving toward an enterprise-class Linux platform."
