Google’s cloud dumps custom Linux, switches to Debian
The decision to make Debian the default image type for Google Compute Engine was announced by the company on Thursday. As a consequence, Google’s stripped down Linux OS GCEL (Google…
Linux, Open Source, & anti Microsoft news
New Zealand to bar software patents, again
In a move that’s been welcomed locally by the IT industry, the government has clarified the original intention of the legislation, that software alone should not be patentable.
Microsoft: All RIGHT, you can have your Start button back
Big changes to “key” parts of Windows 8 are coming after Microsoft admitted it “could and should have done more” on its big answer to Apple’s iOS for tablets. “Key…
Here’s Why Google’s New ‘Packaged Apps’ Are Bad News For Microsoft
Packaged Apps are different because they still work when the Internet goes down. They’ve been fairly experimental. Google asked developers to build some a few months ago and since them,…
Microsoft Sued By CopyTele Over Alleged Skype Patent Infringements
CopyTele, a “patent enforcement entity” based in New York, has filed a patent infringement suit against Microsoft in connection with its Skype IP calling and messaging service, now used by…
Government forces benefits claimants to use Windows XP and IE6
THE UK GOVERNMENT has shown it’s at the forefront of modern technology and online services with its latest form for claiming benefits online. The service does not work properly with…
Spain’s Extremadura starts switch of 40,000 government PCs to open source
The government of Spain’s autonomous region of Extremadura has begun the switch to open source of it desktop PCs. The government expects the majority of its 40,000 PCs to be…
Microsoft prevails in Xbox patent rift with Motorola Mobility
A U.S. judge ruled Thursday that Motorola Mobility is entitled to substantially less royalties than it wanted from Microsoft for the company’s use of wireless and video-encoding patents in its…
Smug Red Hat buoyed by UK gov’s open-source three-line-whip
The UK government’s love affair with open-source technology has given software house Red Hat a shot in the arm, we’re told. The company boasted that its government and system integrator…
First batch of Firefox OS phones sells out in hours
The first batch of phones based on the Mozilla Foundation’s open source Firefox OS has sold out, mere hours after they were announced for sale.
After $200M patent settlement with Microsoft, VirnetX sues for more
A patent-holding company that already won a $200 million patent settlement from Microsoft in 2010 is going after the software giant again. Yesterday, VirnetX filed suit in the East Texas…
Microsoft Ad Says IE Is Privacy Leader: What’s The Real Story?
Six months ago, Microsoft might have had a point. Now, however, many privacy advocates say that IE is the browser now falling behind in the privacy wars – because it…
First Firefox OS developer phones to launch on Tuesday
Developers who are interested in building apps for the Mozilla Foundation’s web standards–based Firefox OS will be able to get their hands on the first handsets running the open source…
Notebook makers turn to Android in face of Windows woes
Dissatisfied with sales of Windows 8 notebook and tablets, major PC vendors have reportedly joined Intel in a new push to launch convertible fondleslabs based on Google’s Android OS.
Google leak hints at an Android game center with multiplayer, chat, lobbies, leaderboards, and achievements
Google appears to be preparing the launch of a game center for Android with an unknown name. It looks like the new hub will sport a slew of features, including…