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News

• Five good reasons to try Mandriva Linux 2011

  Canonical's Ubuntu may frequently dominate the headlines in the Linux world, but the fact remains that it's just one of many popular desktop distributions of the free and open source operating system.

• Linux Foundation chief: 'You are an idiot' if you don't give back to open source

  Linux is the granddaddy of all open source projects, the blueprint for the decentralized development processes. And some of those who use the Linux code, free for the taking, don't give back in equal measure. Still, the time for cajoling those users -- even commercial projects like Ubuntu leader Canonical -- into participating is over, says Jim Zemlin, executive director of the nonprofit Linux Foundation.

• Hack or no hack, the Linux kernel is well-protected

  It was shocking to learn yesterday that Kernel.org was hacked last month. News like that is routine in the world at large, but not in the home of the all-important heart of Linux.

• Hackers break into Linux source code site

  As Linux fans know, there are two kinds of hackers: the good guys who develop free software, such as the Linux kernel, and the bad guys who break into computers.

• Tired of patent wars? Use open source instead

  As a geek and longtime tech reporter, there are few things I love writing about more than cool new technological innovations. It never ceases to amaze me what we humans can come up with, particularly when some good technology is fueling the effort.

• Linux Foundation releases specification to ease licensing headaches

  The Linux Foundation and FOSSBazaar on Wednesday released a new specification to ease the pain of license compliance for open source software. The Software Package Data Exchange (SPDX) is a data exchange specification that tracks license information in a standardized way and allows it to travel across the software supply chain.

• Android developers face legal hurdles in license compliance

  VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Developers who make apps for Android have a lot more to worry about than just building great software.

• Ubuntu's next Unity begins to take shape

  With the possible exception of GNOME 3, few recent innovations in the Linux world have proven as controversial as the Unity desktop included in Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal."

• On Linux's 20th anniversary, recounting past slights from Microsoft

  The mythical "year of the Linux desktop" still hasn't come, and may never, but on the 20th anniversary of Linux the free operating system's proponents threw a party to celebrate its success and scoff at past attacks launched by Microsoft, its biggest rival.

• After 20 years, Linux looks better than ever

  The Linux Foundation's annual LinuxCon North America event kicks off today in Vancouver, B.C., and its primary focus this year is the 20th anniversary of the free and open source operating system.

• How Linux mastered Wall Street

  When it comes to the fast-moving business of trading stocks, bonds and derivatives, the world's financial exchanges are finding an ally in Linux, at least according to one Linux kernel developer working in that industry.

• Ubuntu 'Oneiric Ocelot' gains Linux 3.0, Thunderbird

  After all the controversy that followed the release of Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal," it's hard not to anticipate with at least some anxiety the upcoming debut of version 11.10, also known as "Oneiric Ocelot."

• Five Linux desktops that aren't Unity or GNOME 3

  Between Unity and GNOME 3, there seems to be no end to the controversy surrounding Linux desktop environments this year.

• DoD debuts a brand-new Linux for telecommuters

  With all the hundreds of Linux distributions already available for practically every niche and purpose, users of the open source operating system are accustomed to having a wealth of choices. Recently, however, the set of options got even bigger thanks to a brand-new, security-focused Linux distribution from none other than the U.S. Department of Defense.

• Microsoft extends SUSE Linux partnership

  Extending a partnership established in 2006, Microsoft has renewed a working agreement to resell SUSE Linux and help develop new Windows interoperability tools for the OS, Microsoft announced Monday.