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Linux Pipeline Newsletter www.LinuxPipeline.com Tuesday, March 15, 2005 In This Issue: - Mozilla To End Work On Browser Suite - Astaro Upgrades Linux Security Products - CA Bug Exploits Surface: Even Ex-Users At Risk - More News... - Researchers Find Windows More Secure Than Linux - Linux Clues: Living The Vi Life - Novell's Linux Shift Hits Its Stride - More Picks... Join InformationWeek for a FREE, on-demand TechWebCast on Optimizing Business Intelligence Deployments for State & Local Governments. Learn how to navigate the decision- making process and how best to deploy business intelligence technology in a state or local government environment. Register and view today: http://www.techweb.com/today/govt092904 ----------------------------------------- Editor's Note: Laptop Linux Redux Over the past few weeks, I've been following the current Linux Pipeline poll asking what you think about Linux laptop systems. It's a topic I revisit occasionally, and judging from the email I get, it's one many of you find equally interesting. Last week, as promised, Linux Certified sent me one of their current Linux laptop systems. The company is one of several that sell new laptops featuring the latest hardware--in this case, a 2GHz Intel Pentium M (Centrino/Dothan) CPU and mainboard chipset, along with all of the usual features you'll find on a current, top-of-the-line machine. The configuration I received is a Fedora Core 3 and Windows XP Professional dual-boot, giving me an easy way to compare the two OSes on identical hardware. If you know much about Fedora, you know that the Core 3 release still qualifies as bleeding-edge, especially on a Dothan chipset. That's where Linux Certified earns its keep: They ensure the device drivers all work, including the wireless driver. They also deal with other typical Linux laptop trouble spots: software suspend, power management, dedicated hotkeys, and the touchpad, along with providing extra Linux-specific documentation. I don't want to give away too much here; instead, I'll save it for the review I'm writing. I will say that Linux has been just as reliable and easy to use on this laptop as Windows XP, and in some notable ways it's better than Windows. That's more than I expected, and judging from the poll results, it's more than most of you would have expected, either. More on this--a lot more--to come. My favorite story on Linux Pipeline this week probably isn't a surprise: There's yet another high-profile research study claiming that Windows Server 2003 holds a better security record than Linux. There's one key question, as usual: Will the researchers' methodology hold up under the kind of critical heat that has wilted a long line of similar studies over the past few years? Some of these analytical train wrecks proved that sock puppets can walk, talk, and earn a good living as technology analysts. Most of the failures, however, simply couldn't account for the differences between the two platforms and the different ways they define, manage, and resolve security issues. In fact, these types of studies always attempt to make grand generalizations--and they fail on an equally grand scale. No matter what kinds of conclusions these types of studies reach, they're useless as practical tools for making business decisions. The companies funding these studies and the people who take them too seriously both have one thing in common: They're wasting their money. Have a good week.
Matthew McKenzie
Don't let future editions of Linux Pipeline Newsletter go missing. Take a moment to add the newsletter's address to your anti-spam whitelist: linuxed@techwire.com If you're not sure how to do that, ask your administrator or ISP. Or check your anti-spam utility's documentation. Thanks. Top Linux News Mozilla To End Work On Browser Suite The Mozilla Foundation says it will halt development on its namesake open-source browser suite, allowing the group to focus its development resources on the stand-alone Firefox browser and Thunderbird email client.
Astaro Upgrades Linux Security Products
CA Bug Exploits Surface: Even Ex-Users At Risk
Novell Ships Netware-Linux Combo Server Software
Mozilla Delivers Thunderbird 1.0.1 Release Candidate
Weekend Hack Infects Hosting Servers
Microsoft Execs Urge U.S. Patent Reform
Novell's Open Enterprise Server Gets Warm Welcome Editor's Picks Researchers Find Windows More Secure Than Linux A new security study gives Microsoft fresh ammunition in its war of words against Linux, but critics say it's already clear that the study's authors aren't shooting straight.
Linux Clues: Living The Vi Life
Novell's Linux Shift Hits Its Stride
The Tech That Makes Google Tick
Mac Mini Walks Tall
TechWeb Spotlight: FUDBuster: Microsoft Forces Messenger
Upgrade--Six Months Later
Penguin Power Struts Its Stuff Cast Your Vote Now! A few months ago, I asked Linux Pipeline readers to share their experiences with Linux-based laptop computers. The verdict was mixed: Many of you had great things to say about your Linux laptops, but some of you were far from happy. This time, we'd like to hear from anyone with an opinion, whether you're a laptop Linux user, know someone who is, or simply stay current on the latest Linux hardware trends: Is Linux on the laptop ready for mainstream, everyday business use? Let us know, cast your vote! Get More Out Of Linux Pipeline Try Linux Pipeline's RSS Feed Linux Pipeline's content is available via RSS feed: Get RSS link. The feed is also auto-discoverable to many RSS readers from the Linux Pipeline home page. Note: RSS feeds are not viewable in most Web browsers. You need an RSS reader, Web-based service, or plug-in to view RSS. Find out which RSS readers the Pipeline editors recommend.
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