If you are a Linux fan, then you probably know something about the GNU utilities. In short, Linus Torvalds (and others later) used the GNU utilities to write the Linux kernel. But before that happened Richard Stallman realized back in the 80's that computer users needed a portable operating system.What we see happening over and over again is any hardware system will eventually become obsolete. In Stallman case it was the PDP-10 system. Over time the system became obsolete and for some reason ... Read Full Story

Sharp has released a new Linux based computer called the 'Netwalker'.The Netwalker has a 1024x600 WSVGA display (5 inch or 127 mm) and runs a Freescale processor at 800 Mhz. For memory it has 512MB of RAM and 4GB of SSD storage which is expandable with a microSDHC card. Sharp is claiming 10 hours of battery life.This device is a little unusual. It could be considered a big PDA or a really tinynetbook. Sharp is saying the boot-up time for this device is under 3 seconds andin this case the Linu... Read Full Story

One of the most important and fundamental aspects of using computers is choice. The simple ability of the customer to choose which hardware and software they want. Not too long ago you would go out and buy a 'Brand System' from a manufacturer like a Commodore Amiga or an Apple Macintosh and you would just use the operating system that came with it. Often you had to buy additional peripherals such as printers or external floppy drives from that same manufacturer. Basically your only choice was... Read Full Story

One of the great things about Linux and FOSS (Free Open Source Software) is that you can download the source code not only of programs but of modules. Modules under Linux are also known as LKMs or Loadable Kernel Modules. One very interesting example is the bttv module and you can download the source here. The bttv module is the module I used to get an old TV tuner to work under Fedora.The WinTV-GO-FM is a PCI card which can receive analog television and FM radio. With the pending switch-over... Read Full Story

Starting in the year 2009 I have been asked to replace Windows installs with Linux installs. Before this I had to coax people to try Linux. Over time this process has become easier and easier. My Linux distribution of choice nowadays is Fedora 10.My experience with Fedora 10 has been mostly positive. I have installed it successfully on a Dell D610 laptop and also a Panasonic CF-48. I prefer using GNOME over KDE for a windows manager. I used to like KDE 3.4.2 over GNOME but Fedora 10 uses KDE ... Read Full Story

When I first started to see computers in stores it was fascinating stuff. It is hard to understand now, but back in the late 1970's kids growing up didn't have computers in the home. Around 1978 I started to see TRS-80 Model One's in Radio Shack and Commodore PETs in Eatons. (Both gone now, Radio Shack only exists in the U.S. and Eatons is completely gone). You could get a TRS-80 Model One for about $800 which was more money than I could afford at the time.My High School got Commo... Read Full Story

The Kauffman Foundation is an organization which provides grants in the areas of education and entrepreneurship. Based in the United States it was established by Ewing Kauffman in the mid-1960's to help young people reach their full potential. You can see their web page at kauffman.orgAlthough the Kauffman Foundation seems luke warm to the idea of using Linux (as far as I can tell) it draws interesting comparisons to Open Innovations and the World Wide Web. Basically there is an effort he... Read Full Story

I came across an interesting site the other day called Web Hosting Rating. This site acts as a concentrator of information about web hosting which includes reviews on hosts and articles on co-location, scripting, e-commerce, security, Linux hosts, Windows hosts, Domain names and general news. Each month visitors can submit hosts to the site and vote for the best web host in twelve different categories.Anyone interested in a Content Management System including Joomla, Drupal, Wordpress and mo... Read Full Story

I've been looking at the old funny pages in the Toronto Star again. Everything seems new when you have never seen it before even when it's very old. This one was actually funny, complete with cigar-chomping boss:You can see Part I of the article here: Funny Papers Part INot even mighty Wikipedia seems to know of Chris Crusty, but I have seen him on ebay! This comic strip was dated December 8th, 1934. Chris Crusty was created by Bill Conselman and Charlie Plumb.This image was too big t... Read Full Story

Looking for a programmer, web designer or freelance writer? Got a project but need help to finish? Do you have Linux skills and bills to pay? If so then click on the link below:There are many categories including graphics, gaming, marketing and promotion, training and many others. On the main page you can see projects with their average price, bids, categories and the date the project started. One of the main benefits of GetaCoder is the ability to shop around for low labour rates. Students c... Read Full Story