Industry News and Articles

New Project Puts Open Source Spin on Data Center Design :

A new industry group hopes to improve the design and construction of data centers through the application of open source principles. Dubbed the "Open Source Data Center Initiative," the group was formed last week by GreenM3 along with the University of Missouri and ARG Investments. Read Article...

AT&T Makes Room for Android Backflip :

With its $99 price, the new Android-based Motorola Backflip clearly stands apart from Apple's iPhone on more than just appearance. Both are smartphones, to be sure, and both are offered through AT&T. They also provide many of the same features and functionality. However, they likely occupy very different positions in AT&T's strategy. Read Article...

Microsoft and the Incredible 'Internet Usage Tax' :

It's not often that Linux Girl is struck speechless by some tidbit of news in the tech world, but every once in a while it happens. Last week, it happened. Amid all the high-level discussion of Internet security at the RSA Conference 2010 in San Francisco, Microsoft's Scott Charney actually suggested a government tax to help the company improve Windows security. Read Article...

iPhone Gets Down to Business With Open Source BI App :

Users of apps from BIRT, the open source Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools project, will be able to access them on the iPhone starting Monday. Actuate, which founded the BIRT project and coleads it with the Eclipse Foundation, is putting its BIRT Mobile Viewer on the App Store. Read Article...

The Linux Desktop Will Have Its Day: Q&A With Canonical Founder Mark Shuttleworth :

Canonical founder and CEO Mark Shuttleworth, developer of the Ubuntu open source operating system, announced in December that he was stepping aside to develop cloud product design and curry new partners. He named Chief Operating Officer Jane Silber to take his place as CEO. Several weeks ago, Silber announced the hiring of open source industry veteran Matt Asay to fill her old job as COO. Read Article...

A Big, Linuxy 'Thank You' to Matthew Katzer :

Sometimes there's nothing like a good lawsuit to force people to acknowledge just how much something is worth. Take FOSS, for example. Sure, there are estimates made of its value from time to time -- the latest, in fact, just recently put the kernel alone at $1.4 billion -- but for many people out there, "free" in price tends to be viewed as free of value. Read Article...

Apple's HTC Suit: All About Google :

The lawsuit Apple filed this week may target smartphone maker HTC, but Cupertino is likely shooting for much bigger prey. Specifically, Google is the real focus of Apple's wrath, said Chris Hazelton, research director for mobile and wireless with the 451 Group. The numerous issues listed on Apple's simultaneously filed complaint with the ITC are "all based on what the operating system does and how it interacts." Read Article...

gFTP: The No-Hassle Way to Transfer Files :

I am an avid user of open source software and a firm believer in the benefits of FOSS. I have a choice of operating systems at my disposal, but I now cringe whenever I have to work in the Microsoft world. I much prefer the vast array of Linux apps. Why? They are bloat-free problem solvers. Take, for example, the gFTP File Client. Read Article...

BBC iPlayer Locks Out Open Source Flash Alternatives :

As a result of recent updates to the BBC's Flash-based iPlayer, open source media players can no longer play its content. The updates implement SWF Verification, a copyright protection mechanism that excludes free alternatives to Flash player, such as that offered by the XBMC community, among others. The result is that such open source plugins can no longer stream iPlayer content. Read Article...

Apple Sues HTC for Patent Thievery :

Apple has filed a lawsuit against smartphone manufacturer HTC, alleging that the company has infringed on 20 patents related to the iPhone. The complaint cites Google's Nexus One, the T-Mobile G1, the Droid Eris, the Touch Diamond, the Touch Pro2, and the Imagio as examples of infringing devices. Apple also filed a complaint with the ITC seeking to block imports of these products. Read Article...

The Echo of TomToms in the Amazon Deal :

It's hard not to have an overwhelming sense of deja vu every time word of a new Microsoft patent deal reaches the news. Such was the case last week, when Redmond's legal eagles gleefully proclaimed their success in making a patent cross-license offer that Amazon apparently couldn't refuse. The is particularly notable for its relevance to open source. Read Article...