Applications

Interviews

How Canonical Stays on the Light Side
The question of Canonical's success seems answered, for now. A better question could be, how will Canonical avoid the pitfalls of success that have befallen other strong software companies?
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 05:09:23 PM EST

Guide Gets Readers Away From Windows Gotchas
People who are new to Linux have a wide choice of introductory books. A recent addition to the market is "Peter van der Linden's Guide to Linux" from Prentice-Hall Publishers. Ibrahim Haddad caught up with van der Linden recently spoke to him to find out why he wrote it and what van der Linden sees as the important trends in Linux.
Thursday, September 8, 2005 11:04:01 AM EST

Ugandan Mozilla Highlights Power of OSS Translation
Translation of an application is one of the most useful ways of getting free and open source projects out to the world. In this interview, LinuxPlanet looks at one such project in Uganda, and learns how time and effort can bring new technology in a familiar language.
Monday, September 13, 2004 12:27:00 PM EST

Linspire Keeps Focus On Pre-Loaded PCs
With $20 million from a Microsoft settlement in their pockets, what does the often-hyped Linspire have in mind next? According to CEO Michael Robertson, it's OEM time.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004 06:25:06 PM EST

The Many Faces of Wine: Realities of Open Source and Business
It's the age-old question: how does an open source software company bring home the bread? Dee-Ann LeBlanc reports on how three firms--CodeWeavers, TransGaming Technologies, and Lindows.com--all use and create different aspects of Wine to succeed as open source software companies.
Wednesday, May 15, 2002 09:57:20 AM EST

Helix Code: Beyond Project to Product
Miguel de Icaza and Nat Friedman have managed to turn the Linux world upside down, first with the creation of Helix Code and then with the formation of the GNOME Foundation. In this extensive interview with Dennis E. Powell, Miguel and Nat discuss how they plan on making money from GNOME (it involves selling to end users online services associated with Helix Code software), where GNOME ends and Helix Code begins (which seems to be a blurry line at best), and why they find it necessary to totally tear apart StarOffice in order to make it fit within the GNOME framework.
Monday, September 11, 2000 05:00:00 AM EST

Opinions

11 Predictions for Free Software in 2008
From KDE to the OOXML controversy to video drivers: a gaze into the crystal ball for free (as in free speech, not as in free beer) software.
Monday, December 31, 2007 09:44:51 AM EST

Visually Impaired User Weighs In on Assistive Technology Debate
One of the arguments in Massachusetts against OpenDocument centered on the needs of the visually impaired. In this guest column, a visually impaired PC user explains that not only is using an exclusively Windows solution a crash-prone option, it is also far more expensive than equivalent technologies in OS X and, eventually, Linux. Scott Seder makes the case for more open source development in the Assistive Technology arena.
Thursday, January 5, 2006 11:09:09 AM EST

How Can Vendors Make 64-bit Computing Attractive?
64-bit platforms are here. The operating system of choice, Linux, is here. So what does it take to get more widespread adoption of the next generation of processing power? Rob Reilly has a few words of advice for those hardware vendors.
Monday, May 23, 2005 03:39:47 PM EST

LinuxWorld Expo New Haven for Corporate Users, Vendors
The end of the Linux as a geek-oriented operating system has officially arrived. This change has been coming for quite a while and it was confirmed last week during the LinuxWorld Expo in Manhattan. Is it a joyous occasion or a requiem for the beanbag chairs? LinuxPlanet Editor Brian Proffitt reports on the change from within.
Sunday, January 26, 2003 10:00:39 AM EST

.comment: The Trouble with January
What is it with January? Every year at this time, weird bugs and malfunctions spring to life. Dennis E. Powell describes this year's crop at his house.
Wednesday, January 16, 2002 03:07:30 PM EST

.comment: Why Windows Users Should Oppose the Settlement (and Other Notes That Defy Categorization)
"Windows users should hate the settlement; the dean of KDE bugs gets squashed; the shootout on bootloader hill; and an idea for bringing Linux to those who could really use it. Dennis E. Powell clears his desk."
Wednesday, January 9, 2002 10:02:18 AM EST

.comment: Good Idea or Wacky Fantasy?
There is a lot of duplication of effort among Linux productivity applications developers, some of it unnecessary. Dennis E. Powell, in a fit of insanity or, possibly, clarity, proposes a LUPI solution.
Tuesday, December 4, 2001 10:12:20 PM EST

Editor's Note: Is Ximian Practicing Appeasement or Practicality?
Ximian announced the final release of Evolution 1.0 today, providing the Linux desktop with what may be the strongest e-mail client and PIM going. It also announced a proprietary software offering that will allow Evolution to interoperate seamlessly with Microsoft's Exchange server. If anyone had doubts that Ximian has parted ways with the Anything But Microsoft crowd, it's time to lose them as the company Miguel de Icaza founded to polish the ideologically pure desktop he created joins the list of Linux outfits exploring mixed licensing models and life in the Not-Post-Microsoft Era.
Monday, December 3, 2001 01:25:34 PM EST

.comment: In Praise of IBM
IBM, computing's 800-pound gorilla, has made a big commitment to Linux. Will it extend to the desktop? Dennis E. Powell reports that his friends at the Armonk leviathan hope so, but in any case, Linux profits from IBM's involvement.
Wednesday, November 21, 2001 05:48:49 AM EST

.comment: The Plateau
Step back and take a look at the Linux of today and you might be surprised. Dennis E. Powell was as he realized that the new crop of Linux distributions are something he's comfortable recommending even to those who are not especially technically inclined. The improvements left to make, he found, are because Linux users seek perfection.
Wednesday, October 17, 2001 01:44:53 AM EST

.comment: KDE3 Is Coming
In this week's .comment, Dennis Powell leads the way through a build of the KDE Project's first alpha release of KDE 3. Even adventurous users may want to wait for another release before beginning the process of chipping in bug reports, he says. Beyond the normal hangups of alpha software, however, is a more troubling issue: that of backward compatibility between Qt 3 and the large library of apps built around Qt 2. Will library creep endanger Linux in the enterprise?
Wednesday, October 10, 2001 02:45:00 AM EST

.comment: A Dead End and a Milestone, or "What's Up, .doc?"
If one of the unhappier realities of the Linux publishing industry is that the vast majority of Linux books are likely being written in Microsoft Word to satisfy the need editors and publishers have for rainbow-colored revision copies, one of the more pleasant facts of the Linux world is that just when you're cursing the lack of a feature in your almost-favorite app, it pops up. Or not. As he battles the forces of .doc, Dennis Powell considers KDE's pending jump to Qt-3.0 and all the happy confusion (and progress) that might entail.
Wednesday, August 29, 2001 03:31:05 AM EST

.comment: We're Getting There!
Longtime .comment readers will want to sit up and take notice this week as Dennis E. Powell confronts GNOME on his desktop, considers Red Hat for the first time since version 5.0, contemplates a package/source manager that may unite geeks and the source-averse once and for all, and comes up concluding that now, more than ever, Linux has a fighting chance. Just in time to provide a real alternative to Windows XP.
Wednesday, August 15, 2001 03:26:00 AM EST

Editor's Note: Sun's Practical Present, Tech Support Revisited
Last week, Sun released the results of its GNOME usability study. Michael Hall says the Linux community couldn't have asked for a nicer present than one that helps talented hackers understand an area where their coding skill does them little good: the over-cited, seldom-understood world of usability. Plus: a second look at tech support, with the one document every Linux advocate should keep taped to the wall when it comes time to help those hopeless newbies.
Thursday, July 26, 2001 03:56:24 AM EST

.comment: The Desktop? The Desktop!
As is often the case, it's a week of surprises and changes of direction around the Linux world and Dennis Powell catches us up on a few of them. Read about how KWord may be ready to be your word processor, Caldera's abdication of the desktop, the problems with (and a possible solution for) root-privilege-requiring CD burners, the sense behind SuSE's design, and just a bit about William Gates III: Organ Grinder.
Wednesday, July 18, 2001 09:00:48 AM EST

.comment: Separated By a Common Operating System
When Dennis Powell's Caldera installation died, he decided to use the occasion to look at two other Linux distributions: Progeny Linux and SuSE Linux. While he likes both of them, he realized that there's really no such thing as a generic Linux distribution, as both distros -- as well as most other Linux distros -- are set up to box users into relationships with manufacturers, as knowledge of one distribution has little to do with any other distribution. If Microsoft were to cook up a plan to cause Linux to disappear in a virtual Tower of Babel it could scarcely be more effective than that which has been adopted by distributions on their own, voluntarily.
Wednesday, June 27, 2001 09:20:55 AM EST

gnotebook: The Desktop War: A Separate Peace
It's a good day for Progeny users as the distribution releases its own GNOME 1.4 packages, an interesting time for Linux as the community debates its future on the desktop, and a time for reassessment for Michael Hall, as he presents the final edition of gnotebook.
Friday, June 1, 2001 08:21:59 AM EST

.comment: If Not Now, When?
Dennis Powell also takes exception to the notion that it's time write the Linux desktop's obituary. On the other hand, he offers up some points for why things aren't moving so fast: resistance to proprietary hardware support, and resistance to for-pay software among them. This week Dennis reminds us that the best technical solution doesn't always win, and the real task ahead for convincing people to make the switch to a Linux desktop lies in providing a truly compelling reason.
Wednesday, May 23, 2001 09:01:25 AM EST

The StartX Files: The Linux Uncertainty Principle
Where do you want Linux to go today? Brian Proffitt maintains that the Linux desktop isn't dead, but it's ensnared in conflicting visions and the occasional misplaced need to match Microsoft feature for feature while forgetting the value of incremental gains in basic end-user functionality.
Tuesday, May 22, 2001 09:44:13 AM EST

Editor's Note: RIP: Linux on the Desktop
With the departure of Eazel and the inability of anyone to make a buck on selling a desktop-oriented Linux distribution, it's time to write the obituary for Linux on the desktop -- or at least admit that it's unlikely that Linux world domination via the desktop will occur any time soon. Instead, writes Kevin Reichard, we should take joy that Linux has become a valuable and essential server operating system, and that when planning for the future we should build on that success, rather than lamenting the demise of Linux on the desktop.
Monday, May 21, 2001 01:17:44 PM EST

.comment: A Tale of Two Packages
One key difference between Linux and the Unixes that have come before it is its very real potential as a desktop operating system for everybody, and SuSE is a good example of a distribution doing the work to make that happen. So what to make of the fact that something like PCMCIA seems to work "out of the box" while XFree86 4, despite all its enhancements, continues to present daunting configuration challenges? Dennis Powell explains.
Wednesday, May 9, 2001 09:48:55 AM EST

gnotebook: Assessing What We Owe
It's widely understood that Eazel, the company behind GNOME's Nautilus, is in no small amount of financial trouble. Enough so, in fact, that the company has started accepting contributions via PayPal. The question this raises is one of how GNOME users should react: either thanking them for the code and moving on, or pitching in as a way of recognizing the company's contributions.
Friday, April 27, 2001 09:19:56 AM EST

.comment: New Stuff
This week's .comment involves looks both forward and back. Dennis Powell takes a look at the newest Opera beta and the vexations the previously stable browser introduces in its latest iteration; examines some of the newest features and snags found in KDE 2.2 alpha 1; and returns to HancomOffice, a Korean office suite that elicited an unhappy review not too long ago. The trouble with Hancom, it seems, might not be its developers but rather the lack of a standard development target.
Wednesday, April 25, 2001 08:14:07 AM EST

The StartX Files: Like Sands Through the Hourglass...
After looking at PLWM -- the Pointless Window Manager -- last week, Brian Proffitt catches up with Peter Liljenberg, one of the primary developers of PLWM (along with Morgan Eklöf). Liljenberg admits that the Python-based PLWM isn't actually so pointless and has great potential as a hands-on window manager for disabled users and set-top systems.
Tuesday, April 24, 2001 08:17:57 AM EST

gnotebook: GNOME Fans of the World... Relax.
Rabid cravings for GNOME 1.4 binaries getting you down? Michael Hall says "Relax." There are worse waits. His notes on fresh meat madness from a mile up.
Friday, April 20, 2001 05:06:32 AM EST

The StartX Files: Things That Are Pointless
It's a pointless world we live in sometimes: pointless corporate sponsorships, the pointlessness of branded life, and the relief from despair only a trip to Las Vegas to make some honest cash can bring. This week Brian Proffitt proposes the perfect way to metatheme your X desktop with a pointless window manager: PLWM.
Tuesday, April 17, 2001 09:04:36 AM EST

gnotebook: Midnight Travels With Progeny
Progeny Debian GNU/Linux has thrown in its lot with GNOME as its default desktop. Michael Hall takes a quick look at some useful GNOME-oriented features of the distribution (recently released as version 1.0), discovers a source for GNOME 1.4 binaries for it, and issues a plea for assistance in finding the perfect GNOME support person for the upcoming Great Desktop Swap with Dennis Powell.
Friday, April 13, 2001 02:00:13 PM EST

gnotebook: Bugs, Press Releases, and Molasses: The GNOME 1.4 Launch Considered
GNOME 1.4 was released to the world earlier this week after a premature announcement and a last-minute bug. All wasn't necessarily well, even if you discount the slings and arrows of armchair Medusa doubters. Michael Hall discusses why Medusa really is a good thing, why the GNOME Foundation should call this one a practice run, and where the binaries are.
Friday, April 6, 2001 10:17:08 AM EST

.comment: The Developers Haven't Heard
If the trend among Linux distributors reflects more and more disenchantment with the notion of selling Linux desktop installations, Linux developers seem happy to remain behind that particular curve. Dennis Powell argues that better typeface handling, better word processing, and better print support are all in the works, and that it's up to the distributors to take a step back and abandon the "one size fits all" distro.
Tuesday, April 3, 2001 11:11:01 PM EST

gnotebook: Nautilus Revisited: Unhappy Users Make All the Wrong Demands
Nautilus 1.0 has been out for scarcely a week, and in some quarters there are already demands that it be forked and stripped to the bare essentials, or removed from the impending GNOME 1.4 release entirely. Michael Hall argues that this is borne out of impatience, misplaced competitiveness, and a distorted perception of where Linux is in the race for the desktop.
Friday, March 23, 2001 09:14:39 AM EST

.comment: What Are We Shooting For, Anyway?
It's great that Linux is scalable to the point that it runs on both an Intel box and an S/390 mainframe, but for Dennis E. Powell, Linux won't truly be a success until it conquers the final frontier: the desktop. In this column, he explores the factors that are inhibiting Linux on the desktop -- including a lack of support from distribution packagers.
Wednesday, March 21, 2001 08:43:05 AM EST

gnotebook: Bluefish: GNOME's Happy HTML Hybrid
There's an awful lot of cluttered, bad HTML out there, and Michael Hall blames, in part, all the WYSIWYG HTML tools producing it. Is there an answer to the need for a friendly HTML editor that works well in modern desktop environments? Michael thinks he may have found one in the Bluefish HTML editor.
Friday, March 9, 2001 01:44:35 PM EST

.comment: Taking Inventory
Most Linux distribution and software leaders -- like Ximian, Red Hat, Eazel, Debian -- are rushing to promote automatic installations and upgrades for their customers. But for an operating system that relies so heavily on source code, this plan could end up fragmenting the Linux community, as distributions release software that is incompatible with everybody else's. Dennis E. Powell explains why we need a baseline standard in the Linux world to address these issues.
Wednesday, March 7, 2001 07:23:27 AM EST

gnotebook: Two for the Web: gnobog and Encompass
In the beginning was Mozilla, which promised to free us all from the heartache of Netscape. Then along came Galeon, which took the best of Mozilla and delivered us to the joys of a dedicated browser with little cruft. Now there's Encompass, which builds on gtkhtml to deliver a fast browser that launches in an eyeblink. Michael Hall takes a look at Encompass and another tool to make your browsing life easier: gnobog... the GNOME bookmark organizer.
Friday, March 2, 2001 08:14:32 AM EST

The StartX Files: Seeing Linux Without Sight
If you can't see the computer, you can't use the computer, right? Wrong. In this week's column, Brian Proffitt explores the world of Linux for the blind, covering the Blinux project, Emacspeak, and SuSE's Braille-display supporting installer.
Tuesday, February 27, 2001 10:49:24 AM EST

Lou's Views: KDE vs. Ximian
Yesterday saw a remarkably nasty spat between the leaders of the two major Linux desktop environments: GNOME and KDE. Even though cooler heads have prevailed and major damage was averted, the Linux community just experienced their own version of the infamous "thirteen days" of the Cuban Missile Crisis. In that spirit of having just dodged a bullet, Lou Grinzo provides everyone concerned with a little free advice from someone who's been through the industry meat grinder a few more times than most of the people on these two projects, not to mention the countless hordes getting riled up about this: Shut up, grow up, and stop fighting each other instead of your common enemies.
Tuesday, February 13, 2001 11:37:35 AM EST

.comment: Freedom's Just Another Word for Do It My Way
Free software, free beer, free source code...there are many interpretations of the word "free" when it comes to Linux, the Free Software movement, and the Open Source world. For Dennis E. Powell, freedom means that the end user has the freedom to make their own decisions -- and that's why he finds the strictures imposed by the Free Software movement to be as morally corrupt as the limits imposed by Microsoft.
Monday, February 12, 2001 12:57:04 PM EST

Editor's Note: Linux in 2001
In the span of 14 months, Linux has gone from a really cool underground technology to the toast of Wall Street to a firmly established player in the enteprise and corporate-computing worlds. What will Linux bring in 2001? Kevin Reichard thinks that Linux will continue its rise as a enabling technology, but that it still faces a lot of challenges as a standalone technology, especially where the desktop is concerned.
Monday, January 22, 2001 04:01:14 PM EST

Editor's Note: Reinventing the Wheel, Openly
If Linux is to succeed as a desktop operating system, it needs to offer more than just high reliability and good security -- it needs to offer compelling applications that attracts users. Kevin Reichard argues that the Open Source community's well-known hostility to commercial software will be the undoing of Linux as a desktop OS, forever consigning Linux to the enterprise/IT server ghetto.
Tuesday, January 16, 2001 03:03:21 PM EST

.comment: So You Think You Want to Use Linux
The conventional wisdom is that Linux is too difficult to learn for beginners or those with more experience with Windows or the Macintosh. Nonsense, says Dennis E. Powell, who lays out a path here for anyone wanting to introduce Linux to a newbie.
Wednesday, January 10, 2001 08:28:58 AM EST

.comment: Be Careful What You Wish For
Recently a writer for the Los Angeles Time proclaimed Linux a failure after a two-week trial of desktop usage. But, as Dennis E. Powell points out, the many benefits to Linux cannot be discerned in a minimal two-week stint.
Friday, January 5, 2001 09:16:28 AM EST

.comment: Ain't Anti-Aliasing Amazing?
When it comes to handling typefaces and fonts, Linux does an extremely poor job; in fact, its poor handling of fonts is probably one of the biggest reasons why Linux hasn't made more inroads on the desktop. That's why the newsgroups were buzzing with the news that anti-aliasing was now possible on the Linux desktop under KDE 2.0 and XFree86 4.02. But, as Dennis E. Powell reports, he found it virtually impossible to set it up on his Linux desktop -- even after some personal assistance from Keith Packard and Waldo Bastian.
Wednesday, December 27, 2000 07:40:20 AM EST

.comment: Browsing
Welcome back to the browser wars! Surprisingly enough, there's been a ton of development activity surrounding Web browsers in the Linux/Open Source world. In his weekly column, Dennis E. Powell explains why both Konqueror and Opera are fine choices for Linux users--and why he's abandoning Netscape.
Wednesday, December 20, 2000 08:48:24 AM EST

.comment: 86ing XFree?
XFree86 is a terrible, inefficient, arcane tool that's difficult to set up and impossible to manage, argues Dennis E. Powell. So what are the alternatives? There are a slew of them--including some potential replacements for X that reside directly in the Linux kernel.
Wednesday, December 13, 2000 08:31:09 AM EST

Editor's Note: theKompany's Act of Trust
Earlier this week theKompany stepped up to the plate and donated the source code to Kivio, a Visio-like diagramming tool, to the KDE project. Like many others in the Open Source community, he's expecting users to step up and pay for something that they can get for free. Michael Hall explains why people like theKompany's Shawn Gordon are taking a chance on Open Source--and why we need to support them if Open Source is viable as a model for the future.
Friday, December 8, 2000 08:34:40 AM EST

.comment: The Christmas List, or Wantin' Ain't Gettin'
As we approach the holidays, Dennis E. Powell is preparing a list and checking it twice--a wish list of applications and hardware that would benefit the Linux world.
Wednesday, December 6, 2000 10:25:57 AM EST

Editor's Note: Adobe Says No to Free Beer
When Adobe pulled the plug on FrameMaker earlier this week, it clearly had figured out that it couldn't make any money selling expensive, high-end commercial software to a community that lives for Free Beer. The distressing thing, Kevin Reichard argues, is that the community doesn't realize that the constant clamoring for Free Beer and the disdain for commercial vendors could lead to the eventual demise of Linux.
Thursday, November 30, 2000 04:33:32 PM EST

.comment: Weaseling a Good Idea
When rumors of a KDE League first surfaced, the possibility that KDE supporters were forming an opposition group to the GNOME Foundation were soundly denied by KDE officials. Now, as it turns out, there was a KDE League in the works. Dennis E. Powell explains why the emergence of the KDE League is a bittersweet moment for Linux.
Wednesday, November 15, 2000 03:34:37 AM EST

Editor's Note: The Perils of Irresponsible Advocacy
These are heady times for Linux on the desktop, what with the release of KDE 2.0 and the ongoing development of GNOME and Nautilus. But, as Michael Hall points out, Linux has a ways to go before it can be considered the equal of Windows or the Mac on the desktop--and those who argue otherwise are guilty of irresponsible advocacy.
Friday, October 27, 2000 07:43:22 AM EST

Editor's Note: Turning the Town Red
When Microsoft invested in Corel, the immediate speculation was that the future of Wine was in doubt. (For the uninitiated, Wine is technology that lets Windows applications run under Linux.) But, as Kevin Reichard finds out after talking to CodeWeavers' Jeremy White, the future of Wine is rosier than you might think--just not in the form you might expect.
Monday, October 9, 2000 02:09:53 PM EST

.comment: Are We Asking for It?
It all began innocently enough: phantom images appeared on the screen, even though there was no Web browser running on the Linux box. And although the images ended up being legit--the result of an application grabbing files in the background--it led Dennis E. Powell to conclude: Much of the reason that Linux is relatively invulnerable is that nobody has gotten around to writing the software yet that will make it vulnerable.
Wednesday, October 4, 2000 11:38:39 AM EST

From the Desktop: Amiga, We Hardly Knew Ye
Feeling a little nostalgic for the 1980s? Then we have the window manager for you: AmiWM, a window manager that's based on the venerable Amiga interface. Nostalgia isn't the only reason to use AmiWM: as Brian Proffitt reports, AmiWM is a speedy and highly functional window manager that uses a minimum of system resources.
Wednesday, October 4, 2000 10:00:00 AM EST

Editor's Note: Tech Triangulation and Linux
We all know that tech support can be a little spotty when it comes to outside organizations--like the telcos--and Linux. But as Michael Hall reports, sometimes tech support for Linux can be downright hellish and inaccurate.
Thursday, September 28, 2000 12:09:27 PM EST

Editor's Note: Xi Graphics Is Here to Save You from Free Software
Who needs free software like KDE and GNOME when you can adopt CDE from Xi? Michael Hall admires the horrors that arise from trying to bring you yesterday's desktop in today's Linux.
Thursday, September 21, 2000 11:15:10 AM EST

Editor's Note: Serial (Software) Monogamy
The rapid change in the Open Source/Free Software communities means that users have an unprecendented amount of choices when it comes to desktop environments, applications, and window managers. Michael Hall points out that sometimes some feel there's too much change and that some worthy applications--like Balsa and AbiWord--get lost in the dust. But he wouldn't have it any other way.
Friday, September 15, 2000 08:28:59 AM EST

Editor's Note: KDE to be Part of Debian GNU/Linux
With all of the recent furor surrounding the release of Qt under the GPL license, Debian users were wondering: how would the controversy affect the inclusion of KDE in a future release of Debian's GNU/Linux? Michael Hall answes this question after interviewing Wichert Akkerman, current project leader for Debian, and Ivan Moore II, who heads up the (until now) unofficial effort to package KDE for Debian.
Thursday, September 7, 2000 11:15:07 AM EST

.comment: Peace in Our Time?
What a week! First Qt/Free goes GPL, and then RMS warns that it's still illegal. However, that feeling is not shared by all in the Free Software/Open Source world, as Dennis E. Powell finds out during extensive interviews with Helix Code's Nat Friedman and Miguel de Icaza, who both spoke of KDE and Qt licensing issues in largely conciliatory tones.
Wednesday, September 6, 2000 08:40:37 AM EST

.comment: Disco Night at the Old Folks' Home
The battle for the Linux desktop isn't new--in many ways the battle between KDE and GNOME closely resembles what was going on 11 years ago on the UNIX desktop, when a young upstart named Microsoft (!) was trying to dictate the look and feel of an emerging UNIX desktop to a reluctant IBM. Dennis E. Powell looks back and tells what we should learn today from the prior desktop wars.
Wednesday, August 30, 2000 08:28:12 AM EST

Peace and Bread in Time of War: GNOME Defended
Let's just take a step back and look at exactly what is entailed in the KDE vs. GNOME war: a lot of smoke and mirrors, but little substance. Michael Hall explains why there's not really a war being waged.
Monday, August 28, 2000 12:51:36 PM EST

From the Desktop: It's a Users' World
GNOME, KDE...who really cares right now? Brian Proffitt argues that it's way to early to decide between the two competing Linux desktops, because in the end the users are going to figure out what they want and someone's going to give it to them.
Friday, August 25, 2000 06:39:44 AM EST

.comment: Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, It's Off to War We Go
No one likes a religious war, especially one where the participants share a common goal. Yet we appear to be poised for a fight between KDE and GNOME advocates for the Linux desktop. Dennis E. Powell outlines the strategies that each side will use in the desktop battle.
Wednesday, August 23, 2000 09:39:16 AM EST

Editor's Note: Slashing My Wrists on the Cutting Edge
It should be a simple task: installing Linux on industry-standard, yet cutting-edge laptops. But it's not, as evidenced by editor Kevin Reichard's trials and tribulations in getting X to run on a newer Sony Vaio laptop.
Tuesday, August 15, 2000 01:02:35 AM EST

.comment: Working Today Trumps High-Powered Vapor
The KDE developers mailing list has been abuzz over an article in The New York Times saying that on Thursday IBM, Sun Microsystems, and others will throw their support behind Gnome as the standard Linux desktop. But, as Dennis E. Powell points out, this isn't a setback for KDE developers--it's an opportunity.
Monday, August 14, 2000 09:04:31 PM EST

.comment: Help Comes From Unexpected Places
It should have been simple: throw a new graphics card in a Linux system and be dazzled by the shiny new images. But, as Dennis E. Powell relates, nothing is ever quite so simple--and the end result was a journey that taught him more both about Linux and the vast number of helpful Linux users than he thought possible.
Wednesday, August 9, 2000 08:49:21 AM EST

Editor's Note: Brilliant Disguise
Sun's decision to release StarOffice under the GPL was a brilliant move: it provides a powerful and proven tool to the Open Source community while putting Microsoft on the defensive. Kevin Reichard opines.
Monday, August 7, 2000 12:34:58 PM EST

.comment: Putting KDE in Its Place
One of the best things about Linux is that it's a product of consensus within the community--a community that sometimes has differing agendas. What happens when that consensus dissipates? Dennis E. Powell explains how a large Linux vendor--Red Hat--is wreaking havoc with file placements in KDE 2, the end result being a more complicated and harder-to-maintain installation for most users.
Wednesday, July 26, 2000 08:15:51 AM EST

.comment: Guys Named Stephan and Matthias
Two years ago the Linux world changed forever with the release of KDE 1.0. Dennis E. Powell looks back on what's happened with Linux desktop interfaces in those two years and what we can expect from the KDE designers in the future.
Wednesday, July 12, 2000 08:14:34 AM EST

Deep Dark Truthful Mirror
As Linux continues to grow in popularity, its most ardent fans must begin to acknowledge the inevitable: that Linux moust coexist in a world that doesn't always play by the rules. In this op-ed, Lou Grinzo points out five truths that Linux fans must face.
Friday, July 7, 2000 08:53:05 AM EST

Editor's Note: The Readers Respond
Last week's column regarding Microsoft.Net and Linux provoked a flurry of responses from readers. In this column, we share the feedback from the intelligent readers that make up the LinuxPlanet community.
Thursday, July 6, 2000 12:05:10 PM EST

.comment: Luddite Linux
You can't have an iconoclast without an icon. So argues Dennis E. Powell when looking at the graphical interfaces that are becoming an essential part of Linux--GUIs that are not as intuitive as we all would believe.
Wednesday, July 5, 2000 09:08:07 AM EST

Editor's Note: Microsoft Supports Linux! (Sort Of)
There's one important detail lost in the shuffle when Microsoft announced Microsoft.Net: that the software giant is moving its apps to the Web, loosening their dependence on Windows. And what's the best platform for running Web applications? Linux, of course. Kevin Reichard ruminates on Microsoft's back-handed endorsement of Linux.
Friday, June 30, 2000 12:24:46 PM EST

Editor's Note: The Importance of Open File Formats, Redux
The responses to Kevin Reichard's plea for open file formats was overwhelmingly positive--and included in that chorus of voices was Vistasource President Bernie Thompson, who told of his company's commitment to open file formats in Applixware Office for Linux.
Thursday, June 22, 2000 04:13:49 PM EST

Intel's Dot.station: Why the DOJ Was Right
Intel announced plans for a Linux-based Web appliance, and immediately the product was dissed by analysts who said that it could never compete effectively with PCs. But Paul Ferris argues that the Dot.station will be a cost-effective altertative to Windows PCs--and shows why Intel's actions prove that the DOJ was correct in going after Microsoft.
Thursday, June 22, 2000 12:10:14 PM EST

Previews

Don't Trip on the Red Carpet, Evolve with GNOME CVS
It was a big week for GNOME: the first beta for the 1.4 release arrived, and Ximian rolled out Red Carpet. Michael Hall takes a look at Ximian's new package management tool and provides some quick pointers on GNOME CVS for those times when keeping track of all the bleeding-edge GNOME goodies starts breaking things.
Friday, February 23, 2001 09:00:10 AM EST

Preview: Kapital, Personal Finance for Linux
One of the biggest holes in the Linux application field is a true replacement for Intuit's Quicken personal-finance manager. That gap should close shortly, thanks to theKompany's impending release of Kapital, a personal-finance manager that emulates the leading functions of Quicken for the Linux user. Dennis E. Powell previews.
Monday, February 19, 2001 10:06:38 AM EST

Slouching Toward Galeon 1.0
GNOME had a significant presence at this year's LinuxWorld Expo in New York City. In this inaugural GNOME column, Michael Hall interviews a slew of GNOME luminaries (including Eazel's Don Melton and Ximian's Ian Peters, Joe Shaw, and Vladimir Vukicevic) and previews the Galeon Web browser, which is rapidly approaching a 1.0 release.
Friday, February 2, 2001 08:24:57 AM EST

Preview: Aethera Brings Business-Level Contact Management to KDE2
For almost as long as there has been a KDE, there has been talk of the on-again, off-again Magellan project, a unified contact management and email application with some PIM-like features. Every few months discussion of the project would re-emerge on KDE mailing lists, with new rumors of a release Real Soon Now. Guess what? It's Now. Dennis E. Powell previews theKompany.com's Aethera, a contact-management/email packages based on the original Magellan code.
Wednesday, January 17, 2001 01:35:26 PM EST

Emacs' GNU Look: A Sneak Preview of Emacs 21.0
As the Linux desktop evolves rapidly, it seems as though Emacs is the forgotten application. But a new, revamped version of Emacs is in the works, a version that overhauls the look and feel of this valuable multipurpose tool. And, as Michael Hall reports, with support for proportional and international fonts, X/Motif libraries, IMAP, a customizable interface, and inline images, Emacs may end up being the most powerful tool in your Linux arsenal.
Monday, December 18, 2000 11:01:24 AM EST

The Evolution of Evolution: Steady Progress
The early preview releases of Evolution were rough, to say the least. But if you're a GNOME fan who's curious about the project and can put up with the occasional roadblock posed by Evolution, you'll want to check out the latest prerelease (0.6). Michael Hall reports on his experiences using Evolution for mail and calendar scheduling.
Monday, December 4, 2000 02:28:17 PM EST

Preview: Nautilus PR2
Though we really weren't impressed with the initial prerelease version of Nautilus, it was clear that Eazel was bringing many good ideas to the Linux desktop. Now, with the recent release of Nautilus PR2, Eazel has managed to implement many of these fine ideas--and in the process create a desktop file manager that could end up being the best in computing. Michael Hall previews Nautilus PR2.
Friday, November 10, 2000 08:50:44 AM EST

.comment: KOffice Is A Good Start
With the release of KDE 2 came a significant upgrade to KOffice, a set of integrated applications (word processor, spreadsheet, et al). But, as Dennis E. Powell reports in his review, KOffice is still a work in progress--and while it holds a ton of potential, it's still a rough jewel that needs a lot of work before it's ready for daily usage by average Linux users.
Monday, October 30, 2000 07:46:18 AM EST

A Hands-On Review of the Open Source OpenOffice
Lost in the shuffle of this morning's unveiling of the OpenOffice.org Web site was that Sun actually released a new and improved Open Source version of its StarOffice software. How new and improved is OpenOffice? Michael Hall grabbed the source code and built it; he reports on what's new, complete with screen shots.
Friday, October 13, 2000 03:32:53 PM EST

.comment: Visiting the Kernel
Yes, we know the mainsteam press has taking the Linux community to task for taking so long in coming out with Linux kernel version 2.4. But, as Dennis E. Powell reports, you will love kernel 2.4 whenever it's released in a final version--and chances are pretty good that you'll decide that time spent refining the kernel was well-spent.
Wednesday, September 13, 2000 05:00:00 AM EST

A Sneak Peek at Nautilus from Eazel
The Nautilus file manager will be part of the upcoming October release of GNOME 1.4. Clearly a work in progress, Nautilus is the work of Eazel, a startup dedicated to bringing interface tools to Linux. Michael Hall interviews Eazel's Darin Adler to reveal the future of both Nautilus and Eazel, while also bringing us a sneak preview of how Nautilus works.
Friday, September 8, 2000 11:30:50 AM EST

Red Hat Linux 7: A Brief Look Under the Hat
Itching for a sneak peek of Red Hat Linux 7? You're in for a treat, as we bring you an exclusive look at the next version of this popular Linux distribution.
Tuesday, August 15, 2000 02:34:57 PM EST

Preview: Netscape 6, Preview Release 2
Netscape 6/Mozilla has become the great lightning rod of the Open Source world: nearly everyone has an opinion about the yet-to-be released product. Michael Hall previews Netscape 6, Preview Release 2, and explains both its strengths and weaknesses.
Thursday, August 10, 2000 11:53:50 AM EST

.comment: A (P)review of KDE2
Last week the KDE developers imposed a feature freeze for the 2.0 release, so for the first time we have a solid idea of what will comprise the new KDE. Dennis E. Powell previews what is truly new and noteworthy in KDE 2.0.
Wednesday, August 2, 2000 09:24:26 AM EST

Looking at the Galeon Web Browser
Looking for a stripped-down, bare-essentials Web browser for fast surfing? Then you'll want to look at our preview of Galeon, a GNOME/GTK-based browser that has taken the Gecko rendering engine (Mozilla's heart) and put it to work in a small, fast browser that does nothing more than render pages, store bookmarks, and provide all the speed of Gecko in a remarkably small bundle.
Tuesday, July 18, 2000 09:52:50 AM EST

You Say You Want an Evolution
The next contender for heavyweight among Linux applications--and the one that will be needed the most by Windows users deserting that platform--is Evolution, the Outlook-style mail/calendar program current under development by Miguel de Icaza's Helix Code. Michael Hall previews Evolution.
Friday, June 30, 2000 08:45:16 AM EST

Sneak Preview: CorelDraw 9 for Linux
Corel continues its march into Linux space with the beta release of CorelDraw, which has a long and storied history in the Windows world. Michael Hall previews CorelDraw, compares it to outstanding Open Source tools like The Gimp, and explains why the release of CorelDraw is important for the Linux community.
Tuesday, June 20, 2000 09:48:44 AM EST

Suites for the Sweet: GNOME Office
OK, so GNOME Office isn't exactly a finished product: it's really more of a game plan now than a finished product that can be truly compared with the likes of WordPerfect Office or even KOffice. But, as Michael Hall reports, GNOME Office contains several intriguing components--and certainly bears watching for the near future.
Tuesday, June 6, 2000 05:41:38 AM EST

Konquering the Web
One of the more noteworthy new tools in KDE2 is Konqueror, a Web browser that does more than browse the Web: it works as a file browser, an FTP browser, and an application launcher. Dennis E. Powell previews this exciting new tool.
Tuesday, May 30, 2000 08:03:26 AM EST

Leading and Bleeding with XFree86 4.0 and KDE 2 Beta
With KDE 2 and XFree86 4.0 on the horizon, you'll soon need to make some difficult decisions about upgrading your Linux systems. To ease your mind about these important choices, we asked Scott Courtney to tell how he upgraded his Linux system to run both XFree86 4.0 and KDE 2--and show how these hot new technologies will change your Linux usage.
Monday, May 15, 2000 10:11:30 AM EST

Product Review: FrameMaker 5.5.6 for Linux
More and more established software vendors are bringing their wares to Linux. One of the highest-profile applications on the move is Adobe FrameMaker, a robust desktop-publishing system. Brian Proffitt reviews the public beta of Adobe FrameMaker 5.5.6 and explains why its presence is important for Linux.
Monday, May 8, 2000 09:47:20 AM EST

Sneak Peeks at Mozilla and Opera Web Browsers
This year should see the release of the next generation in Linux Web browsers, as Opera for Linux and Mozilla are unveiled in prerelease versions. We take a sneak peek at each.
Wednesday, January 5, 2000 03:54:32 PM EST

Reports

Reflections on Open Source Commerce, Part 2
Linux on the desktop has yet to gain any real market presence. Despite the unrest over Microsoft Windows Vista, the companies that focus on Linux as a business have yet to deliver a go-to-market proposition that is compelling for the consumer, for the retailer, distributors, and original equipment manufacturers. Author John Terpstra continues his look at the challenges facing the desktop and server markets, with a close examination of current market dynamics.
Friday, May 16, 2008 09:39:23 AM EST

Reflections on Open Source Commerce, Part 1
It has been more than two years since the Yin and Yang article was published on LinuxPlanet. Now, open source expert and author John Terpstra revisits the state of the Linux desktop and server in today's market and highlights the challenges Linux faces to succeed.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 09:58:56 AM EST

Fie on Photoshop: Krita, the Real Photoshop Killer
Krita isn't really going to kill anything or anyone. What it will do is meet most of the needs of users who want a modern, sophisticated native paint and image-editing application for Linux. It was designed from the ground up for graphics professionals.
Thursday, February 7, 2008 01:10:34 PM EST

Building a New KDE
How do you produce a major update of a popular desktop for GNU/Linux? Following the January 11 release of KDE 4.0, Bruce Byfield sat down with KDE and discussed the new and improved elements of KDE, and what it took to get them there.
Thursday, January 31, 2008 02:45:30 PM EST

The Gobuntu Mission Examined
There's disagreement about whether Gobuntu lives up to its goal as the "strictest possible interpretation of the Free Software Foundation's 'Four Freedoms'."
Monday, November 12, 2007 12:10:26 PM EST

Desktop Stats: Linux Behind, But Moving Forward
The competition for market share between the leading desktop OSes, Windows, Mac and Linux, has seen no major revolution this year. But based on data from Net Applications, there have been subtle changes that suggest major shifts in the years ahead.
Friday, October 12, 2007 05:01:47 PM EST

A New Dawn Rising For Open Documents?
With the filing of a new bill in Oregon, five US states have now taken legislative action around adopting open documents. Still, government agencies in the US lag way behind those in Europe in moving beyond Windows lock-in.
Friday, March 30, 2007 06:35:47 PM EST

Zimbra Pursues Microsoft, Novell With Revamped Software, Red Hat Pact
Open source-based messaging and collaboration specialist Zimbra is picking up more steam in its bid to compete against Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWare, with the release of Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS) 4.5 today and intentions to roll out a 5.0 update--plus an expanded deal with Red Hat Software--later this year.
Monday, January 29, 2007 09:49:41 AM EST

Desktop Linux--What Happened, And What Didn't, In 2006
Mozilla, Adobe, and Novell made some major news in desktop Linux this year, and smaller developers introduced interesting innovations. But on the whole, 2006 was just about as memorable for what didn't happen on the Linux desktop as what did happen, with interoperability issues of various sorts playing big roles on both sides of that stage.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006 12:57:05 PM EST

Is Linux Ready for Small Business?
Many small businesses have avoided Linux for a variety of reasons: not enough applications, complexity of installation or that it requires too much technical know-how to run. The technology has matured over many years, which raises the question: how valid are these considerations today? Drew Robb reports.
Thursday, December 21, 2006 01:38:47 PM EST

Heading Beyond Wall Street--HP's Linux-Enabled Blade Workstation
Hewlett-Packard is eyeing additional markets for a new Linux-enabled remote blade workstation solution, already in use at Lloyds TSB and several other big financial trading firms. Jacqueline Emigh gets the low-down on a groundbreaking product line HP is introducing in the financial sector.
Monday, December 11, 2006 03:16:29 PM EST

Hovsepian: Balancing on the Novell-MS Tightrope
A lot has been said about the hows of the Novell-Microsoft deal, but what about the whys? What motivated Novell CEO Ron Hovsepian to initiate a deal with Linux's No. 1 Enemy? In this interview, Hovsepian reveals the business realities behind the move, and that when it comes to Microsoft, Novell knows full well who it's dealing with.
Thursday, November 30, 2006 02:17:09 PM EST

GL Studio Puts Simulators On The Desktop
In the latest multi-million dollar training simulators, pilots get to shoot the bad guys out of the virtual sky, while infantry men practice driving their vehicles over virtual desert terrain. Today's sophisticated virtual trainers immerse the soldier in ever more realistic combat situations.
Monday, November 27, 2006 09:58:19 AM EST

At Intel's Request, Glide Online Suite To Get Linux Client, Back End
Under urging from Intel Corp., TransMedia's Glide online applications suite--an emerging competitor to Microsoft Office--will gain a Linux desktop client in January of next year plus a Linux version of its back-end infrastructure during the March 2007 timeframe. Jacqueline Emigh reports.
Monday, October 16, 2006 03:07:35 PM EST

The Challenges of Open Source in Non-Profits
Open source seems to present a number of obstacles to those making technical purchasing decisions in those businesses that are classified non-profit. The interesting facet of this discussion, however, is that the same business needs exist in not-for-profit institutions as it does in for-profit ones. At the end of the day, each organization has to have money in the bank to conduct its affairs. Ian Hodge files his debut report for LinuxPlanet.
Monday, September 11, 2006 11:44:26 AM EST

Must-Haves For The Linux Road Warrior
Network-centric services are connecting users to some truly valuable data. For the price of a computer, a network connection, and a browser, you can find information on just about anything, from anywhere on the planet. Rob Reilly takes time from his travels to demo two valuable road warrior tools.
Monday, August 21, 2006 10:12:31 AM EST

IBM's Lotus Sametime Heads for Linux, Voice Messaging
On Monday at LinuxWorld, IBM announced the first Linux desktop client for its Lotus Sametime instant messaging (IM) and collaboration platform, along with plans to add voice messaging to Sametime. Jacqueline Emigh reports.
Monday, August 14, 2006 04:25:05 PM EST

LinuxWorld Analysts Cite Hottest Open Source Trends
What are some of the hottest trends in the Linux/open source market today? Avid activity among some resellers, abundant virtualization, and a growing tendency to mixed open source/proprietary deployments, according to a trio of top industry analysts, who helped to preview LinuxWorld San Francisco.
Wednesday, August 9, 2006 02:58:27 PM EST

Finding the Open Source Tipping Point
When open source developers gather on a panel to discuss whether "all software will go open source," you can expect the sentiment to tip that way, only with lots of arguments. A recent AlwaysOn Innovation Summit planel explored this very question and others.
Thursday, August 3, 2006 10:42:49 AM EST

Linux Gains Ground in Wall Street Nooks, Crannies
Behind the scenes on Wall Street, who is really using Linux? Although developers remain the major practitioners, Linux is also making headway these days as a grid platform for transaction processing, a place for running algorithmic trading engines, and even as a desktop environment, according to participants in this week's SIA (Securities Industry Association) conference in New York City. Jacqueline Emigh reports.
Friday, June 23, 2006 02:20:50 PM EST

Novell's Desktop Advances
At LinuxWorld Canada 2006, Dee-Ann LeBlanc sat down with Ross Chevalier, Chief Technology Officer of Novell Canada, Ltd, who wanted to talk about why 2006 is finally the year of Linux on the desktop. Or, more precisely, "The Year of Adoption for an Enterprise Linux Desktop."
Friday, June 16, 2006 02:45:30 PM EST

Linux Computing at MIT
It is the institution that is arguably the home of free software, as well as so many other important technologies. So it comes as no surprise that the IT infrastructure at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology depends on Linux. Rob Reilly takes a tourist's look at the nuts and bolts of MIT information systems.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006 09:06:26 AM EST

Novell Chips Away at Microsoft's Desktop Dominance
In an effort to break some of Microsoft's stranglehold on the desktop, Novell is taking new steps in the product and pricing arenas to attract customers who want to move either gradually or quickly to Linux. Jacqueline Emigh reports.
Monday, April 3, 2006 09:18:58 AM EST

New SUSE Linux Features New Interface, More Mono Apps
While Novell conducts video-enabled usability tests of new GUIs, the company's partners are implementing Mono, a cross-platform development environment built into the new SUSE Linux 10, along with other tools to create applications and hardware drivers for current and future editions of Novell's Linux desktop. Jacqueline Emigh reports.
Friday, March 24, 2006 10:46:09 AM EST

Linux Rare at Legal Firms, Except for Security
In the increasingly Microsoft-dominated land of law firms, Linux deployments remain just about nil, but security appliances are starting to stand out as one exception, according to attorneys and IT folks attending LegalTech. Jacqueline Emigh files this report.
Friday, February 10, 2006 07:01:11 PM EST

Hardware Emulation and Old Games
Have you ever found yourself quoting something from a favorite old arcade game ("Elf needs food, badly!") and wondered whatever happened to that original experience? When caught in a nostalgic mood, it's a natural move these days to find out if you can revisit those old games again.
Monday, January 2, 2006 10:44:47 AM EST

Novell's New CTO/EVP Mulls 2006 Linux Strategy
Novell has a new CTO, a position that has gone unfilled for a while. In this article, Jacqueline Emigh finds out about Dr. Jeffery Jaffe and reports on what he is bringing to Novell--and what he thinks Novell will soon be bringing to the world.
Thursday, December 29, 2005 02:11:27 PM EST

Knock Knock. Who's There? Mandriva
To say that Mandriva has been quiet on the Linux front lately might just qualify as an understatement. The Paris-based Linux distribution company has had a rough road these last couple of years, having pulled themselves out of redressement judiciaire (the French equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US) in March 2004. But now the company is back with a vengeance, and is more than willing to discuss its past, present, and future. Brian Proffitt reports.
Thursday, December 15, 2005 10:39:26 AM EST

Sun Gives Red Hat, Novell Their Niagara Marching Orders
Sun Microsystems is "talking publicly" this week with both Red Hat and Novell SuSE about doing native ports of their respective Linux distributions to the high-powered and relatively low-priced RISC-based T1000 and T2000 Fire Servers rolled out in New York on Tuesday. Find out more about how the open source bug has bitten Sun in this report from Jacqueline Emigh.
Friday, December 9, 2005 01:15:18 PM EST

Google Displays Model OSS Citizenship
One of the hottest companies on the planet, it is a well-known fact that Google has relied on open source tools and technology to build itself. But how good of an open source citizen is Google? Based on its actions in 2005, the company's doing a pretty good job.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005 03:57:48 PM EST

Inside the Novell Linux Migration
It is open knowledge that Novell has been progressing towards migrating their own internal desktops and servers to a pure-Linux play. Details of this migration have been sketchy, but in a public presentation to attendees of Ohio LinuxFest, Novell specialists gave a rare look inside the ongoing move to Linux and laid out ideas for other companies to follow in their own migration plans.
Thursday, October 6, 2005 11:29:56 AM EST

Gaming Open Source
The enterprise is about open source. Open source is about the enterprise. Its business value is unrivaled. Okay, okay, we get that. But when you strip away all the efficiency models, the market-speak, and the TCO reports, what's fun about open source? Dee-Ann LeBlanc reports on the State of the Gaming Nation in Linux and open source today.
Monday, October 3, 2005 12:18:55 PM EST

Integration: Versora Readies Software for Gradual Migration
For companies looking at adopting Linux on the desktop, Versora is now readying a new edition of its Progression Desktop software, slated to offer new "transitional" capabilities geared to giving users a chance to make the move gradually.
Monday, August 22, 2005 03:41:50 PM EST

A PC For Every Citizen
Imagine a world where you can access your messages and files from any platform, anywhere. SimDesk Technologies is delivering on that idea, using open source and an upcoming Linux client to let anyone gain access to their data from any PC. And their customers aren't the enterprise... it's the citizens of Houston, Chicago, and yes, the State of Indiana.
Thursday, August 18, 2005 03:35:02 PM EST

Linux on the Desktop--Wide Deployment Soon?
Is Linux about to "make it big" on a lot more desktops worldwide? Executives from Novell and IBM expressed diametrically opposing opinions on this question, in a panel discussion at last week's "Linux on Wall Street" conference that also touched on the server and IP (intellectual property) sides of Linux. Jacqueline Emigh reports.
Thursday, April 28, 2005 11:08:21 AM EST

Behind the New Mandriva
Citing desires for both a "new identity" and an end to possible legal liability, Mandrakesoft changed its name to “Mandriva” last week, not long after announcing a merger with Conectiva and many details of a future product roadmap. Some members of the Linux community are unhappy about the changes, but Mandriva has plans to make the changes more palatable.
Monday, April 11, 2005 03:44:57 PM EST

Desktop Linux Summit 2005: Interest Continues to Grow
Linux author and correspondent Dee-Ann LeBlanc made her way to the Third Annual Desktop Liux Summit and files her observations on how the show is going this year: "One thing's for sure. Not only is the Linux desktop itself growing, but so is interest in it..."
Friday, February 11, 2005 09:39:58 AM EST

Switching to Linux is Getting Easier
Deciding to switch to Linux is one of the daunting questions every CIO must continually evaluate. Fortunately, the answer is getting simplier as Linux evolves into the enterprise-ready versions making their way onto the market today.
Monday, November 1, 2004 09:46:42 AM EST

Xandros To Roll Out Myriad Servers After Desktop Release
Xandros has seen a new version 2.5 launch of their desktop product, so will they rest on their laurels? It seems unlikely, since next week at LinuxWorld they plan plan to introduce their new Xandros Desktop Management Server. More on the company's plans to shake the Linux, er, world within.
Saturday, July 31, 2004 10:44:01 AM EST

Is Linux Desktop Better Than Windows?
Use of Linux by nonprofit organizations is nothing new. For one thing, the lower costs of Linux fit in well with limited budgets. Now, though, some end users at nonprofit organizations are choosing Linux for a completely different reason--namely, a better desktop experience than they've been getting from Windows.
Monday, June 28, 2004 04:25:15 PM EST

Large Plans for Linux at Marist College
You might not associate a small upstate New York college with penguins, but recently Marist College became host to one of three OSDL laboratories. This is a school, however, with even stronger ties to Linux and Open Source.
Thursday, June 17, 2004 10:10:16 AM EST

IBM Workplace - A Good Thing for Linux?
IBM Workplace, a new application management model launched this week, is bound to spell changes ahead for Linux developers, administrators, and desktop users. Just what kind of impact should the Linux community expect?
Thursday, May 13, 2004 10:27:46 AM EST

Is Linux Desktop at the Crossroads?
With Microsoft's next generation version of Windows, code-named Longhorn, scheduled for release as much as 12-24 months away, does Linux have a window of opportunity to capture market share? The answer depends on who you ask, but even the most optimistic prognosticators don't see Linux desktop eating into Microsoft's domination of the desktop in any significant way.
Thursday, May 6, 2004 10:07:53 AM EST

Real World Linux 2004: Bigger and Better
RealWorld Linux 2004 came to a close last month with a lot of news generated around the newest Linux player on the block, Novell. But what was the show as a whole like? Speaker-correspondent Dee-Ann LeBlanc gives this review of the conference atmosphere and events.
Monday, May 3, 2004 12:18:16 PM EST

Novell Eyes YaST Solutions of Various Stripes
"In releasing YaST (Yet Another Setup Tool) to open source, Novell has thrown down the welcome mat to management solutions aimed at homes and small businesses as well as enterprises, according to Novell officials..."
Monday, April 12, 2004 03:20:04 PM EST

Linux Vendors Push Migration Strategies
Use Linux today, all the pundits proclaim. The cost seems right, the scale seems right... there's just one problem: what's the best way of actually migrating to this open-source OS? Recently, more vendors are stepping up with clear guidelines and toolkits that can make the move to Linux a lot easier.
Thursday, April 8, 2004 11:37:51 AM EST

Sun Wants to Make Linux 3D
"Sun Microsystems, a company that has been making noise lately in the Linux desktop market with StarOffice 7 and Java Desktop, is currently working on an experimental 3D successor to Java Desktop that they believe will change the way we interact with computers, and in the end elevate the popularity of Linux in general..."
Monday, March 22, 2004 08:37:36 AM EST

Bacone College Stays Cutting Edge With OpenOffice.org
After 124 years of continuous operation in Oklahoma, Bacone College must know how to do a few things right, especially when it comes to making strategic decisions for the future. It should then come as no surprise that the college would choose to standardize on OpenOffice.org for its writing, spreadsheet, and presentation needs.
Thursday, March 11, 2004 11:28:09 AM EST

Sun Readies Three Linux Desktop Offerings
Sun's upcoming 3D desktop environment, codenamed Project Looking Glass, drew lots of glances at LinuxWorld last month, largely because of advance demos by Computer Associates. However, Sun is planning not just one, but three new offerings in the overall desktop space. Jacqueline Emigh reports.
Monday, February 2, 2004 11:29:02 AM EST

Linux-Based PageBuilder Takes on Microsoft's FrontPage
Web-based tools are nothing new. But a California company is using Red Hat Linux and PHP to create PageBuilder, a server-based software system aimed at quick, WYSIWYG creation of Web pages from Linux, Windows, and other desktops.
Thursday, December 4, 2003 09:45:37 AM EST

Will Linux Topple Windows from the Desktop?
Will Linux ever oust Windows from most people's desktops? Backing from big vendors like Novell and Sun certainly doesn't hurt. Yet lingering barriers remain. During recent industry conferences, Linux veterans pointed to factors that include usability, fragmentation in users' preferences, and the need for both more desktop apps and better tech support.
Monday, December 1, 2003 10:34:56 AM EST

From the Data Center to the Desktop: Linux Grows Up
Linux has matured from a robust adolescence, a time when those in the server room had those in the board room convinced that it had the potential to be everything for everybody, to being known for being highly effective in certain conditions, such as those that benefit from scaling out, yet less desirable in others, such as those that require scaling up. So what is the state of Linux in the enterprise, circa 2003?
Tuesday, November 4, 2003 09:06:40 AM EST

Which Linux Distro Is Best For You?
At the recent PC Expo in Manhattan, a few sessions turned to the topic of Linux. One such session provided a introductory round-up of the Linux distributions that are out there, and which might be better suited for commercial, development, or power-user scenarios.
Monday, September 29, 2003 11:06:21 AM EST

OSDL Seeks To Be Linux Center of Gravity
With the likes of Linus Torvalds and Andrew Morton coming onboard, one gets the distinct impression that some interesting things are happening at the Open Source Development Labs. Fortunately, it didn't take long to catch up with OSDL CEO Stuart Cohen to find out more.

Thursday, August 21, 2003 11:08:24 AM EST

ActivCard Gets Physical (Security) with Linux
Linux is a secure operating system, of that we have no doubt. But let's face it, anyone with a little knowledge and a lot of physical access can get onto any machine, Linux or otherwise. Physical security is a key--yet often overlooked--aspect of overall security. This week, ActivCard has introduced a new commecial product that will enable smart card control of a Linux system, along with a whole range of network, Internet, and e-mail security possibilities.
Thursday, June 26, 2003 02:03:41 PM EST

Invisibly Protecting your Digital Assets with Public Key Infrastructure
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) offers the opportunity to streamline your procedures for protecting and sharing sensitive and valuable information. When it comes to protecting your company's valuable digital assets, you owe it to yourself to investigate what doors PKI can open for you and your organization.
Monday, June 23, 2003 11:39:19 AM EST

SuSE Delivers Business Desktop Linux
SuSE has been planning their business around business-class Linux servers for years so it should come as no surprise that when they finally offer a Linux just for the desktop, SuSE Linux Desktop, it comes targeted at enterprises. This is a desktop Linux for CIOs, not individual users.
Monday, June 16, 2003 11:28:49 AM EST

CrossOver Office's Microsoft Office Support is Not a Problem
CodeWeavers' CrossOver Office 2.0 now enables Linux users to run Microsoft Office from 97 to XP and Visio on most Linux distributions. Just don't expect Microsoft to help you though if you run into trouble. CodeWeavers, on the other hand, will be more than happy to help.
Thursday, May 15, 2003 01:49:04 PM EST

Real World Linux Showcases New Products, Strategies
Dee-Ann LeBlanc took a trans-Canadian trip to Toronto this week to visit and speak at the Real World Linux conference. She picked up some interesting bits of news while she was there, including word of a new business venture from TransGaming.
Thursday, May 1, 2003 11:24:38 AM EST

Modeling Linux in the Enterprise
Think Linux and open source software isn't ready for the enterprise? Linux International and Wild Open Source have collaborated to actually demonstrate live just how viable Linux is as a business solution. Jacqueline Emigh reports.
Thursday, January 30, 2003 11:44:20 AM EST

Hot Rodding Your Slightly Dated Laptop For Fun and Profit
Are you skittish about putting Linux on your laptop because the installation will be hard and it will be tough to find the right drivers? Are you worried that you're going to be limited to command-line based applications, especially on that old corporate laptop that moves like molasses under the weight of XP? Try revving up your beat up old laptop, using Linux to get some serious performance from something that was once obsolete.
Monday, November 18, 2002 10:42:26 AM EST

Red Hat Tour Seeks Feedback From Community
There is something mystical about searching across the country for the answers one seeks. The journey and the open road all hold strong sway over our imaginations--then there's the Red Hat Road Tour 2002, which pretty much blows that kind of fanciful thinking right out of the water. Still, the five-man crew of the giant red RV is driving across the US in search of their own answers... but will they find them? Brian Proffitt reports on the tour's visit to his hometown.
Thursday, November 7, 2002 10:45:35 AM EST

Exclusive Preview of Red Hat 8.0: Bluecurve's Debut
Users will get their first official look at Red Hat 8.0 upon its release on Sept. 30. LinuxPlanet's Jacqueline Emigh got an advance look at the latest release earlier this week, and files this preview report on what's under the Red Hat this time around. Screenshots of the new interface are also included.
Thursday, September 26, 2002 02:53:35 PM EST

Students Score Big Opportunities For Learning Using Linux
In a practical sense, it is rather hard to ask users to just quit using the technology they're used to cold turkey. Rather than abandoning their use of Windows altogether in favor of Linux and Open Source, one Florida school is opting for a slower, more balanced approach as they move towards Open Source and Free Software. And, as Rob Reilly reports, the results are already pretty dramatic.
Friday, July 12, 2002 11:08:18 AM EST

Graduation Day for Linux
"Suddenly, the rest of the world has figured out what many in the Linux community knew all along--that the availability of free, resource-stingy software to these various environments could not help but bring significant costs savings to new Linux users. For two men in Portland, Oregon, the success comes as no surprise--they've been implementing Linux within school systems in the Portland area for the past six years..." Brian Proffitt reports.
Wednesday, May 22, 2002 10:49:58 PM EST

Getting Connected: The Evolution of Linux and Windows E-Mail Integration
In today's world of tight IT and MIS budgets, saving money and
investing wisely in new infrastructure are words to keep your job
by. Regardless of whether there's a recession, times are tough and
money is tight. One good way to implement cost-savings, Bill von Hagen reports, is to use non-Microsoft products in a corporate e-mail environment. In this article, he gives a detailed overview of the Ximian Evolution client and how, with the help of the Ximian connector plug-in, it can allow Linux-based clients to work freely with Exchange-based messaging systems.
Friday, March 22, 2002 11:31:07 AM EST

Bynari Compatability: Linux Software Vendor Provides Exchange Emulation
Breaking the hold of the Exchange/Outlook combination is not an easy thing to do. In this report from Bill von Hagen, see how the new product InsightConnector is giving administrators the choice to replace Exchange with Linux-platform IMAP servers.
Friday, March 15, 2002 09:15:46 AM EST

Frontline Report: Linux World Expo Turns Businesslike
Dennis Powell braves a whole new world at Linux World Expo 2002, discovering that the Javits Center has turned into less of a Mecca for Linux enthusiasts and more of a business opportunity for the Movers and Shakers.
Thursday, January 31, 2002 12:03:14 AM EST

Running Windows Apps on Linux: Put Away the WINE
There's always a crucial factor when Linux advocates are trying to woo new users: the fact that most Windows users are locked into their favorite applications, many of which have no comparable counterpart in the Linux world. Brian Proffitt reviews two tools that run Windows applications on a Linux desktop: the WinToNet application server for the corporate crowd and Win4Lin for the small office/home user crowd.
Monday, March 12, 2001 01:38:04 PM EST

The StartX Files: X Is For Xim--Just Kidding, It's For Xfce
Brian Proffitt concludes his grand tour of Linux window managers with a look at Xcfe, a GTK+-based window manager that is made to resemble the CDE environment for UNIX. He also interviews Xfce lead developer Olivier Fourdan, who drops a little bombshell: the future of Xfce will include voice recognition, as Fourdan will be using IBM Via Voice SDK to create a new module for Xfwm that will allow people to drive the window manager with a microphone.
Tuesday, February 20, 2001 12:52:11 PM EST

Conflicts of Interest: Plans for Nautilus and Evolution
As GNOME 1.4 approaches beta testing, the GNOME world is faced with a slew of decisions regarding the future: how the plans of Eazel and Red Hat might conflict with the plans of Ximian, and how the different technologies will be melded into a whole. Michael Hall looks at the different road maps from the major GNOME players.
Friday, February 16, 2001 11:31:40 AM EST

NetRaider: Small, Fast Window to the Web
Looking for a graphical Web browser that's as stripped-down and speedy as a text-based Web browser? Consider NetRaider, a work-in-progress that's based on Konqueror.
Thursday, February 15, 2001 07:24:29 AM EST

The StartX Files: U Stands for UDE and Uncharted Territories
Goodbye "From the Desktop," hello "StartX," as Brian Proffitt continues his weekly reviews of Linux window managers. This week: Brian reviews UDE (UNIX Desktop Environment) and its window manager, UDM, and interviews Christian Ruppert, lead developer on UWM.
Tuesday, February 13, 2001 11:22:33 AM EST

Red Blood in the Emergency Room, Red Carpet on the Way
This week's GNOME column takes Michael Hall to his local emergency room, where he has a heated discussion over the merits of GNOME vs. KDE. Also, Michael announces a contest to name his GNOME column (Ximian swag! Ximian swag!) and updates us on the progress of Red Carpet.
Friday, February 9, 2001 09:50:13 AM EST

From the Desktop: Tom LaStrange Speaks!
OK, so he's not exactly as reclusive as Garbo in her later days, but Tom LaStrange -- the creator of the twm window manager, a staple for early X Window users and still a popular option today for Linux users -- did emerge from the shadows to explain the history of twm and discuss what he's doing today.
Tuesday, February 6, 2001 11:43:02 AM EST

Mozdev.org: These Aren't Your Father's Browsers
Brian Proffitt sits down with David Boswell and Pete Collins, two key players in the Mozdev.org group, a developer's group closely related to, but not the same as, the Mozilla Project. What's the difference? The Mozilla Project is the open source organization that sprang into being after Netscape Communications made its announcement that it was releasing the source code for Netscape Communicator 5 in 1997. Mozdev.org is a separate open-source project, but it is tightly integrated with the original Mozilla Project. While the Mozilla Project focuses on changes and improvements to the base Mozilla code itself, Mozdev.org creates a collaborative development envirnoment for applications that can be developed from the Mozilla code.
Tuesday, February 6, 2001 07:43:47 AM EST

How SuSE Carries Its Big Stick
Carving out a profitable niche in the Linux space has proven to be an elusive goal, and SuSE is approaching the marketplace with the same mix of operating-system sales and services that others like Red Hat Software are offering. But the differences between SuSE and other Linux companies lie in the details, explains Dirk Hohndel, Chief Technology Officer for SuSE in an interview with Brian Proffitt: SuSE may be speaking softly, but it's carrying a big stick.
Monday, February 5, 2001 07:45:44 AM EST

From the Desktop: W is for WindowMaker and West Coast
This week Brian Proffitt looks at WindowMaker, one fine looking window manager that's based on the legendary NeXTStep interface. Brian reviews WindowMaker and discusses its origins and future with designer Alfredo Kojima.
Tuesday, January 30, 2001 07:17:37 AM EST

From the Desktop: T is for twm and Tracking Originality
Those whose roots in UNIX actually predate Linux will remember twm, known variously as the Tab Window Manager and Tom's Window Manager. For many years, twm was the best freely available window manager for the X Window System, and it still exists to this day as a functional window manager for Linux systems. Brian Proffitt looks at twm and why it's so important in the history of X.
Tuesday, January 23, 2001 11:01:12 AM EST

w3m: No Ordinary Text Browser
Looking for a text-based browser that can handle the most complicated of tables? Browser guru Brian Proffitt recommends checking out w3m, a Linux-based Web browser created with the express purpose of handling complicated Web pages in text mode.
Friday, January 19, 2001 12:23:40 PM EST

.comment: Happily In My CUPS
Setting up printing under Linux is not a pleasant task, whether you're connecting a printer to your own Linux box or to a Linux server on the network. How can you solve the problem? Dennis E. Powell recommends CUPS, the Common Unix Printing System, which solves a multitude of problems. In this column, Dennis details how he used CUPS to remedy printing problems on his personal Linux system and tells how CUPS can solve printing issues on a network.
Wednesday, January 17, 2001 12:42:39 PM EST

Penguins Over the Wires: X Servers for Windows
When Michael Hall's DSL connection began to behave erratically, he faced a Sophie's choice: keep running Linux and putting up with the hassles of a connection that came and went on a whim, or get a working Windows 98 install up long enough to let the technician diagnose the problem. His solution: running X applications over a network on a Microsoft Windows machine, using MicroImages MI/X and Labtam WinaXe X servers.
Friday, January 12, 2001 11:53:57 AM EST

Freedom 2.0 for Linux: Masking User Identities
Want to mask your identity when cruising the Web? Then take a look at Freedom 2.0 for Linux, a nifty little add-on for your browser and e-mail client that allows you to create pseudonym identities for yourself while you are out surfing on the Web. Under the guide of one of these identities, called nyms, you can surf to your heart's content knowing that what the Web sites full of cookies and trackers are seeing is the nym, not you.
Thursday, January 11, 2001 04:37:04 PM EST

From the Desktop: S Is For Sawfish and Shedding
The preferred window manager for the GNOME environment, Sawfish offers users an unprecedented level of control over all aspects of their usage -- and they can exercise all of this control without having to generate a configuration script. Brian Proffitt reviews.
Tuesday, January 9, 2001 11:56:30 AM EST

From the Desktop: Q Stands For QVWM and Quality Sarcasm
Brian Proffitt reports on the ultimate in retro window managers: QVWM, a window manager that looks and works exactly like Windows 95. Why anyone would want such a window manager, however, is another matter.
Tuesday, January 2, 2001 07:39:49 AM EST

From the Desktop: Derailing the Alphabet
Brian Proffitt checks into the archives of window managers and comes up with two venerable tools: mwm and olwm. Of the two, mwm is still used today--it serves as the basis of the Common Desktop Environment, with many old-time UNIX hacks still swearing allegiance--while olwm receded from the spotlight some time ago.
Tuesday, December 12, 2000 09:31:01 AM EST

From the Desktop: M Stands for MLVWM and Memories
Tired of WIMPy Linux interfaces that owe way too much to Bill Gates and Windows? Then rebel with MLVWM, the Macintosh-Like Virtual Window Manager, and pretend you're using a Macintosh. Brian Proffitt interviews the creator of MLVWM, Takashi Hasegawa.
Tuesday, December 5, 2000 06:00:05 AM EST

Protecting Your Linux System with FireStarter and Storm Firewall
With Linux emerging as a powerhouse on the desktop, it's more important than ever to make sure that your Linux system is secured. Michael Hall reviews two tools that automate the process of setting up a firewall on your system: FireStarter and Storm Firewall.
Friday, December 1, 2000 11:44:36 AM EST

From the Desktop: I Stands For Ice, Ice, Baby and Introspection
This week Brian Proffitt reflects on his own mortality, realizing that he is growing old. Not that you really care about that, of course; this article is worth reading because it discusses the amazingly flexible IceWM window manager, which will probably outlive Brian as he cruises into middle age.
Tuesday, November 21, 2000 08:52:20 AM EST

GNOME on the Road; Rolling out the Red Carpet
It takes the ultimate road trip--in this case, the sprawling and demanding COMDEX trade show--to thoroughly test software. Michael Hall tells how he used the road tools in GNOME to file regular dispatches from COMDEX. In addition, he delivers some early information about Red Carpet, Helix Code's subscription plan for GNOME.
Monday, November 20, 2000 09:10:44 AM EST

From the Desktop: F Stands For FVWM95 and fOX Project
So what's the difference between between FVWM2 and FVWM95? Darned if we can tell. Brian Proffitt continues his tour of Linux desktop tools with a look at FVWM95, a derivative of FVWM2, and details exactly what future development is planned for this Windows-like window manager.
Tuesday, November 14, 2000 12:34:26 PM EST

From the Desktop: F Stands for FVWM2 and Free Market
This week Brian Proffitt looks at the venerable FVWM window manager, which has been around a long time (longer than many Linux users, probably), but thanks to the efforts of a dedicated development team, still chugs along. In addition, Proffitt updates us regarding the true story of which Linux-Mandrake users received KDE 2.0 and which users received a beta version.
Tuesday, November 7, 2000 07:42:40 AM EST

From the Desktop: E Stands for Enlightenment (Really, I Promise)
Many people were first exposed to Enlightenment as the former default window manager for GNOME -- and to this day many GNOME users swear by it. But, as Brian Proffitt learns in an interview with Rasterman, the future of Enlightenment isn't in acting as the window manager for a specific environment or providing applications: it's to unify the Linux desktop by appealing to both KDE and GNOME users.
Tuesday, October 31, 2000 07:03:27 AM EST

From the Desktop: C Stands for ctwm... and Confrontation
This week Brian Proffitt examines the ctwm window manager, which is based on the venerable pre-Linux twm. But before he profiles ctwm and chats about it with developer Claude Lecommandeur, Brian drops by his local PTA meeting and is forced to defend Linux before a surprisingly aggressive Macintosh user.
Tuesday, October 17, 2000 11:08:35 AM EST

From the Desktop: Blackbox
Austere without being stark, the