Open Source
News
- +
Open-source bias cheered, booed in planned EC rules review 07 July, 2009 04:52
New EC rules would recognize more standards bodies by the public sectorIndustry groups criticized and praised on Monday what they consider is a bias in favor of open-source software in the European Commission's plans to update the rules governing industry standard technologies. - +
Symbian Foundation makes progress, but challenges remain 03 July, 2009 04:48
First version of the open mobile operating system promises more customizationThe Symbian Foundation expects to begin beta testing of a new version of its mobile phone operating system within the next few weeks. Symbian, the first version of the software since the foundation said it planned to go open source, should be ready for release six months after that, so smartphone buyers may see the first devices using the software in the first half of next year. - +
Vendor squabbles cause W3C to scrap codec requirement 03 July, 2009 05:48
The decision could mean third-party plugins needed to play multimedia content will be around for a long timeThe latest rewrite of the Web's mother tongue won't recommend the use of specific audio and video encoding formats that could make it cheaper and easier for people to distribute multimedia content. - +
Good master data management needs a focus on data 03 July, 2009 08:48
Gaining the ability to use data to project into the futureTo engineers at oil and gas exploration and development company Nexen Inc., having access to information means being able to think in terms of concrete data and not barrels of gas. - +
PostgreSQL 8.4 released, focus on admin, monitoring 02 July, 2009 00:00
New release ups performance, eases upgradesThe PostgreSQL project has released version 8.4 of its namesake open source database system with some 300 new or improved features and a renewed focus on administration and monitoring tools.
Features
- +
Moblin: a first look at Intel's open-source OS 03 July, 2009 03:00
The first beta of Moblin v2.0 has just been released, and I decided to take a play with itMoblin is an Intel-created open-source operating system for netbooks and, specifically, the kind of people who use them. - +
No to SQL? Anti-database movement gains steam 02 July, 2009 12:07
But can enterprises take open-source alternatives Hadoop, Voldemort seriously?The meet-up in San Francisco last month had a whiff of revolution about it, like a latter-day techie version of the American Patriots planning the Boston Tea Party. - +
Beyond Firefox 3.5: sneak peek at Mozilla's next browser 01 July, 2009 09:18
While most of the tech world is busy getting to know Firefox 3.5, Mozilla's engineers are already deep into their next big projectMozilla's Firefox 3.5 is off to a running start. The new browser, boasting significant speed increases and a host of added features, was officially released Tuesday morning. By mid-afternoon, the program had surpassed 1.6 million downloads worldwide and was steadily climbing. - +
What to look for in Firefox 3.5 01 July, 2009 05:44
Firefox 3.5 is out now. Mozilla says the newest version of their browser will be more than twice as fast and more usefulMozilla today released Firefox 3.5, which you can download from Mozilla's Web site. Firefox 3.5 boasts a number of significant changes--ranging from new ways to work with the browser features to under-the-hood improvements that Mozilla developers say will make the browser more than twice as fast as Firefox 3. Here are some of the new features you'll find in Firefox 3.5. - +
Trade group: Free-to-obtain software has long-term costs 24 June, 2009 06:19
Governments looking to save money should consider total cost of ownership, report saysGovernment agencies looking to save money by using software with no up-front purchase cost should fully consider the long-term expenditures for using those products, a new report said.
Case Studies
- +
Linux, Open Source Software Pay Off for PayPal 26 March, 2007 09:20
PayPal's upgrade path is 'unbelievably cost effective', ex-Visa CTO says.When Scott Thompson left Visa to take the CTO role at PayPal in 2005, the Web company's data centre surprised him. "Wait a minute," he recalls saying, "they run a payment system on Linux?" - +
Techies told to take 'soft' approach to office success 15 February, 2007 09:56
Insurer relies on IT staff's soft skills to rollout open source appsRepeated efforts at Nationwide Mutual Insurance to try Linux on the mainframe faced opposition, some of it from IT employees worried that a mainframe-server consolidation would be a threat to their jobs. But their resistance offered James Vincent, a mainframe systems engineering consultant at Nationwide, a lesson that he put into use after the project was approved. - +
Deep into Munich's Linux F/OSS migration 07 November, 2006 09:57
Projekt LiMux has embraced Linux and OS development for up to 80% of the city's desktopsThe city of Munich got more media attention than respect after it decided on a migration to Linux and open source software on the desktop. After a careful and deliberately open movement towards deciding its IT future, Munich was slammed in the media, then became a target for Microsoft negotiators and a project at risk from a proposed European move to U.S.-style software patents. - +
Visa customers reap benefits of IP network 30 March, 2001 13:57
A home-built expanded payment-processing network with a networked storage infrastructure based on Internet Protocol gives Visa customers convenient access to their funds through the InternetAs chief technology officer at Visa US, which handles 35 billion online transactions annually, Scott Thompson is pummeled with pitches about new networked storage technology that promises to reduce workload and bring a higher return on investment.
Interviews
- +
KOffice on version 2.0, extensions, and being like Firefox 28 May, 2009 16:05
App store idea may include content, templates and extensionsThe idea of an application that supports third-party extensions and add-ons users can download and install in one click may be more applicable to Web browsers than office suites, but the developers at the open source KOffice project have developed such an architecture where all components are modular. TechWorld interviews the marketing coordinator for KOffice, Inge Wallin, to find out where this lesser-known of the open source office suites is headed now version 2.0.0 has arrived and what excites its developers. Building an easy, intuitive, cross-platform, and extensible platform like Firefox is high on the agenda. - +
Oracle, SAP are roadkill: Technology One chairman 27 May, 2009 16:23
Technology One chairman Adrian Di Marco takes aim at Oracle, SAPThe business model used by Oracle and SAP is fundamentally flawed and will lead to their downfall within the next decade, said Technology One chairman Adrian Di Marco. - +
The A-Z of Programming Languages: Tcl 08 May, 2009 13:22
Our series on the most popular programming languages continues as we chat to Tcl creator John OusterhoutOur series on the most popular programming languages continues as we chat to Tcl creator John Ousterhout. - +
The A-Z of Programming Languages: Falcon 09 April, 2009 11:10
Our series on the most popular programming languages continues as we chat to Falcon creator Giancarlo NiccolaiComputerworld's investigations into the most widely-used programming languages continues as we chat with Giancarlo Niccolai the creator of the Falcon programming language. - +
Open source identity: Spine CMS creator Hendrik Van Belleghem 04 March, 2009 11:02
Perl wizard ignores PHP status quo and cooks up Web CMS from scratchLooking for a Web-based content management system that uses Perl instead of PHP? Want to serve dynamic and static content with PostgreSQL, not MySQL? What started out as a hobby project by Hendrik Van Belleghem, based in Bazel, Belgium, has grown into Spine a Perl Web content system for Apache on Unix systems. With so many LAMP (Linux Apache MySQL PHP) content systems available, Spine offers a refreshing alternative with the tried and tested Perl language and is database independent. Open Source Identity interviews Van Belleghem about Spine, a lesser-known alternative to the popular Web CMSs.
Opinions
- +
Will Oracle kill the Java community? 04 June, 2009 03:41
Some worry at this year's JavaOne, but most say 'better Oracle than IBM'Will Oracle be good to Java's developers? - +
Has ASUS all but given up on Linux? 27 May, 2009 14:53
Custom themes are now being developed for Windows as they once were for Linux.At today's ASUS product showcase in Sydney, a bunch of media representatives were given a taste of the company's latest and greatest notebooks, including the new range of Eee PC netbooks. - +
Linux certifications: Hot or not? 15 May, 2009 06:06
Employers want Linux skills, but they don't care much about certifications -- and for some, it is a red flagWith Linux having gained traction in business, certifications of Linux expertise are becoming more popular, similar to how Novell or Microsoft systems certifications became important for those platforms. But some in the Linux community say the emergence of certifications is by no means a golden ticket for admins, and perhaps just a waste of time and money. - +
After Oracle, should MySQL users stay or go? 22 April, 2009 07:53
Some say the deal will be the ruin of MySQL, while others say it could be a boost for the open-source databaseHow do MySQL users feel about Oracle Corp.'s takeover of the open-source database through its acquisition of Sun Microsystems Inc.? Judging by Twitter, anxious -- and snarky. - +
Has Microsoft lost its war on open source? 21 April, 2009 05:58
Whatever dastardly plans Microsoft may have, open source proponents say it doesn't matterIs Microsoft a friend or foe of open source? Going by the company's actions, Microsoft can't seem to decide whether to make love or war. But if it's war, Microsoft appears to lack the legal weaponry to defeat or even disturb its adversaries.
Reviews
- +
Review: Firefox 3.5 makes browsing faster, easier and more fun 02 July, 2009 07:55
Mozilla puts Firefox 3.5 ahead of the browser pack with better performance, improved tab handling and nifty new features.The just-released version 3.5 of Firefox is a winner, offering significantly faster Web browsing, better tab handling, a host of interface tweaks and, like just about every other browser on the planet, a "porn mode." If you already use Firefox you'll want to upgrade right away. If you're not a Firefox user, this version represents a very good opportunity to give the browser a test run. - +
Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope 14 May, 2009 12:00
The new edition of the friendly Linux desktop OS -- Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope -- is more maintenance release than upgrade.Having rocketed to prominence in just a few years as probably the most popular desktop Linux distributions, Ubuntu has earned a reputation for stability and ease-of-use. The latest edition - Ubuntu 9.04, aka, "Jaunty Jackalope" - continues that tradition and is mostly a maintenance release, but it brings a number of updates that should enhance its appeal. - +
Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 06 April, 2009 11:52
If you're looking for a practical business desktop replacement for Windows, your best choice is Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11: a true Windows replacement.If you're looking for a practical business desktop replacement for Windows, your best choice is Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11: a true Windows replacement. - +
KeePassX: a free password manager for Linux, Mac and Windows 10 March, 2009 15:52
Ditch the Post-it note for a dedicated security applicationIf you're finding it impossible to keep up with the multitude of passwords required to use computers and the Internet then why not try a password manager like KeePassX. It works with Windows, Mac OS X and Linux and keeps login data and other sensitive information in an encrypted database. - +
Recording the Linux desktop -- the hard way 31 December, 2008 08:53
Recording a Linux desktop video is hard work and an exercise in trial and error.I can do many things with the greatest of ease on the Linux desktop. But, as I discovered while doing my community Linux overview, recording a Linux desktop video isn't one of them. Oh, boy, is it ever not one of them.
Discussions on Open Source
Whitepapers
Read up on the latest ideas and technologies from companies that sell hardware, software and services. Zones
Zones provide focussed content from Computerworld and leading technology partners.Newsletter Subscription
Newsletter Subscription
Computerworld Webinar
Thursday, June 11th, 2009
10:30am EST (Sydney, Australia)
Screening at your PC
Computerworld is hosting a 30 minute live webinar to help you to learn how unified communications can save you money, foster innovation and business agility by making it easier for people to find, reach and collaborate with one another.
Register Now
- +
Savings do add up: How organisations are saving thousands by adopting Unified Communications and Collaboration. 15 June, 2009 12:01
This week's CW Live podcast features a discussion between Audrey William, research director at research firm Frost & Sullivan Australia, and Craig Campbell, business unit executive for Integrated Communications Services at IBM Australia / New Zealand on why companies are adopting unified communications, and whether there is any benefit to hosting a unified communications solution in the cloud.- +
Storage Virtualisation: Increasing Information Availability and Lowering Costs 02 June, 2009 12:36
This week's CW Live features a discussion between Dr Kevin McIsaac, IBRS Research's Advisor for Virtualisation and Craig McKenna, Consulting Technical Leader, System Storage, for IBM's Growth Markets division, on why storage virtualisation is key to an organisation's information management plan.- +
Computerworld Live Podcast #100: Enterprise Cloud Computing and Network Virtualisation 25 March, 2009 13:46
CW Live speaks with Matthew Zanner, HP ProCurve worldwide director of datacentre solutions, about how cloud computing is changing the way IT professionals are designing their networks and running their datacentres.- +
Computerworld Live Podcast #99: Reducing the Costs of Enterprise Mobility 28 January, 2009 10:43
CW Live speaks with Mark Thompson, Global Sales/Marketing Manager for HP's ProCurve Networking Business, to discuss strategies for reducing the cost of enterprise mobility, including tips on securing a wireless network, smart network design strategies, and advice for simplifying the management and support of wireless networks.- +
Computerworld Live Podcast #98: The Future of Datacentre IP 18 December, 2008 10:33
CW Live speaks withLin Nease, Director of Emerging Business for HP ProCurve, to discuss the future of networks, including the effect of IP-based storage on datacentres, new capacity requirements generated by the use of 10Gb Ethernet, and how an efficient network design can slash energy and cooling costs, and help enterprises build a "green" image. - +
IT Media Releases
Verbatim Announces SSD ExpressCards for PC and Mac Users 06 July, 2009 14:26
Verbatim lets data sprint with launch of eSATA Combo Hard Drives 06 July, 2009 14:23
KORDZ punts on US home cinema market turn around 06 July, 2009 12:20
Frost & Sullivan: Converged Services A Natural Play For Telcos 06 July, 2009 09:06
Challenge Your Memory with Kingston and Win Hot Memory Products Home 03 July, 2009 12:20
Tags in Whitepaper tags
Computerworld Community Comments
- "I agree a little more constructive criticism would be nice. There are several websites which help you such as <a href="h ..."
on The A-Z of Programming Languages: Bourne shell, or sh
by Anonymous | 07 July, 2009 09:36 - "It's a good thing that Microsoft was able to find ways to know that these people are scammers. People who scams for a li ..."
on Microsoft sues three for 'massive' click fraud scam
by Anonymous | 07 July, 2009 08:08 - "I am totally fed up with Windows updates bullying me to install EI8. I don't want it.
Tonight I couldn't get to do an ..."
on Thinking about upgrading to IE8? Think twice
by Anonymous | 07 July, 2009 08:00 - "I think i've gotten 5 push notifications since I turned this feature on from the day AP introdiced it....spotty AT BEST ..."
on Five fab apps for iPhone OS 3.0 and the new 3GS
by Anonymous | 07 July, 2009 05:48 - "In the context of "What Now?: Remember the Milk" ... you write, "iCal can send you e-mail or desktop note alerts, which ..."
on Five fab apps for iPhone OS 3.0 and the new 3GS
by Anonymous | 07 July, 2009 01:10
Whitepaper
Data Centre Assessments: The First Step to Optimisation
A well-designed and executed assessment supports the ability to respond to a change in the business environment. Help make good management decisions by knowing what you have, what it can and cant do, and where investment gives the greatest returns. Read on.
Enterprise IT Buyer's Guide
Sponsored Links
Market Place
Most Popular: PC World
Most Popular: Good Gear Guide
