OSWALD Newsletter Archives (by issue #, click to view)
The Open Source Law Weekly Digest or OSWALD first launched late in 2002. Since then it has been regularly providing updates on all things open source related. The focus of this newsletter is on business, rather than technical developments in open source. Another strong component of the newsletter is IP news, as it is of interest to me and has an effect on open source.
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OSWALD #508 Period ending 10 February 2014
Welcome to the Open Source Law Weekly Open Source Digest (OSWALD)
The stories this week are largely reprises on earlier stories, such as the UK's move to ditch MS Office and OpenDaylight. There are a number of Android/embedded Linux/Chromebook related stories this week.
*From my blog: http://brendanscott.wordpress.com/2013/07/29/it-pricing-report-available/
http://brendanscott.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/should-governments-specify-licence-conditions/
http://brendanscott.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/ip-issues-paper-42-costs/
Verbatim distribution with attribution ok.
Other distribution - email me.
Regards
Brendan
***** Government/Policy
There's no better time for governments to go open source http://phys.org/news/2014-02-source.html
Maude isn't the first to realise that vast amounts of public money is spent on computer programmes that could be found for free. Even with bulk discounts, setting up thousands upon thousands of civil service computers with Microsoft software is a real drain on finances.
DARPA shows off clearinghouse site for open-source code and information http://www.networkworld.com/news/2014/020414-darpa-clearinghouse-278431.html?hpg1=bn
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency debuted a new website dedicated to sharing open-source data and publications today, calling it the DARPA Open Catalog.
***** Applications/Gadgets
Facebook's groundbreaking Android security tool goes open source http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2014-02/05/facebook-conceal
engineers at Facebook have developed a way of protecting the company's rather popular Android apps when they're stored on SD cards, and they're now sharing this security tool with the world at large, letting other software developers protect their apps in similar ways.
Suse's kGraft looks to put live kernel patching back into Linux http://www.zdnet.com/suses-kgraft-looks-to-put-live-kernel-patching-back-into-linux-7000025919/
The source is to be licensed under both GPLv3 and GLPv2 — the parts of kGraft that interact with the GPLv2-licensed kernel will have GPLv2 licencing, with the parts that touch the GCC compiler using GPLv3.
Asus mini-PC breaks Chrome OS price barrier http://linuxgizmos.com/asus-mini-pc-breaks-chrome-os-price-barrier/
Asus announced its first Chrome OS computer, a Chromebox mini-PC that runs on 4th Gen. Intel Celeron SoCs, offers 4k UHD video output, and starts at $179.
Geeksphone Revolution specs revealed http://linuxgizmos.com/geeksphone-revolution-specs-revealed/
Geeksphone revealed specs for its unlocked Atom-based Revolution smartphone, set to ship Feb. 14 for about $270, with dual-booting Android and Firefox OS.
HTTPS Everywhere for Firefox for Android Secures Your Mobile Browsing http://lifehacker.com/https-everywhere-for-firefox-for-android-secures-your-m-1517857894
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has made the add-on available to mobile users, and it works like a charm.
Medical Device dev platform runs Linux on DaVinci SoC http://linuxgizmos.com/medical-device-development-platform-runs-linux-on-davinci-soc/
eInfochips announced a development platform for medical imaging device designs, based on two tiny COMs that integrate TI DaVinci DM816x and DM814x SoCs.
ASUS Chromebox, HP Chromebox and Google Chromebox for meetings http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2014/02/07/asus-chromebox-hp-chromebox-and-google-chromebox-for-meetings/
The Chromebox is a small form-factor computer powered by an Intel processor and running Google’s Chrome OS.
***** Reports
First Look at Maxthon Cloud Browser for Linux http://news.softpedia.com/news/First-Look-at-Maxthon-Cloud-Browser-for-Linux-422850.shtml
Well it's Chrome with a new name and a different way of tracking you, the Maxthon Passport.
OpenDaylight http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/datacenter/opendaylight-hydrogen-sdn-platform-arrives.html
http://www.zdnet.com/why-microsoft-is-invested-in-opendaylight-7000026015/
http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/netos/opendaylight-summit-open-source-and-open-standards-needed-for-sdn.html
http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/datacenter/whats-next-for-opendaylight-sdn-helium.html
http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/84761
http://networkstatic.net/opendaylight-openstack-integration-devstack-fedora-20/
When OpenDaylight got started, the core of the project was the SDN controller. Since April, the project itself has also expanded dramatically and now includes a broad spectrum of SDN components. The Hydrogen release itself has three separate editions, each designed for certain target use cases.
Linus Torvalds Applauds NVIDIA For Posting Early Tegra K1 Open Source Drivers To The Nouveau Project http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/02/03/linus-torvalds-applauds-nvidia-for-posting-early-tegra-k1-open-source-drivers-to-the-nouveau-project/
http://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/item/35645-open-source-no-longer/
http://liliputing.com/2014/02/nvidia-offers-initial-open-source-support-for-k1-graphics.html
But yesterday, Torvalds gave NVIDIA a thumbs-up - which is two whole fingers away from his previous gesture - for posting an early open-source driver for the Tegra K1.
Experimenting With Steam's In-Home Streaming On Linux http://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/experimenting-with-steams-inhome-streaming.3039
In-Home Streaming was part of the SteamOS announcement Valve made back in September and beta invites to the functionality have been sent to some people around the internet. Luckily I was part of that group and I can share some of it with you!
Open-Source Hardware: Prepare For Disruption http://www.informationweek.com/strategic-cio/executive-insights-and-innovation/open-source-hardware-prepare-for-disruption/d/d-id/1113660
Facebook, Fidelity, Goldman Sachs, and other leading IT users think the open-source movement is ready to shake up the hardware industry the way Linux did in software.
Linux should be a part of School Education http://www.linuxfederation.com/linux-part-school-education/
On other hand Linux is free and wide adoption of Linux among schools will bring down the cost of education drastically.
Embeddable webserver adds source and NAS plugin http://linuxgizmos.com/embeddable-webserver-adds-source-and-nas-plugin/
Back in June we noted that, unlike Barracuda, Mako Server shipped without source code. This is no longer the case. You can now take the C source code and compile the web application server for your embedded Linux platform of choice.
Rackspace opens the door wide for open-source development http://www.zdnet.com/rackspace-opens-the-door-wide-for-open-source-development-7000026021/
http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/new-rackspace-policy-encourages-employees-contribute-open-source-project
In other words to make it clear that RackSpace practices what it preaches, Rackspace employees are allowed to contribute to any open-source project even if it directly competes with initiatives officially backed by Rackspace.
Steam Lights The Green Light For More Linux Games http://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/steam-lights-the-green-light-for-more-linux-games.3055
The list below are all of the titles that specifically listed Linux as a supported platform.
Linux May Gain Rebellion As A Developer & Publisher In Future http://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/linux-may-gain-rebellion-as-a-developer-publisher-in-future.3057
Robbie Cooke, RebellionHi Liam, As an indie studio and big PC developer we like to support as many platforms- and therefore gamers - as we can. We’re very much looking at Mac and Linux, and we recently attended the Steam Dev Days presentation about Steam boxes.
The Enterprise Strikes Back On Open Source Contributions http://readwrite.com/2014/02/07/enterprise-open-source-contributions
Skerrett and Jagielski point out that "old school" companies like IBM don't get the credit they deserve.
AMD Catalyst 14.1 Beta Arrives with a Bang and with Linux Kernel 3.13 Support http://news.softpedia.com/news/AMD-Catalyst-14-1-Beta-for-Linux-Arrives-with-a-Bang-and-With-Linux-3-13-Support-423025.shtml
AMD has released the new AMD Catalyst 14.1 Beta Linux video driver for the Linux platforms, featuring quite a few changes and support for a couple of new chipsets.
Why Windows won't be a roadblock for SteamOS http://www.itworld.com/open-source/403888/why-windows-wont-be-roadblock-steamos
Looking at these arguments as a potential consumer, none of them are really that convincing. The Steam client on Windows already has a Big Picture mode that makes it work just as well as a "part of the living room" as SteamOS does.
***** Snippets
Linux Top 3: Linux 3.14 is Not a Piece of Pi http://www.linuxplanet.com/news/linux-top-3-linux-3-14-is-not-a-piece-of-pi.html
LibreOffice 4.2 Office Suite Boasts New Features, Performance Boost http://www.eweek.com/enterprise-apps/slideshows/libreoffice-4.2-office-suite-boasts-new-features-performance-boost.html
Firefox Set to Get a New Look, Better Sync http://www.datamation.com/applications/firefox-set-to-get-a-new-look-better-sync.html
What will drive mainstream desktop Linux? http://opensource.com/life/14/2/what-will-drive-mainstream-desktop-linux
Linux 3.14-rc1 is out https://lkml.org/lkml/2014/2/2/176
How to analyze corporate contributions to open source projects http://opensource.com/business/14/1/corporate-contributions-to-openstack
Will Android lose market share to other versions of mobile Linux? http://www.itworld.com/open-source/402818/will-android-lose-market-share-other-versions-mobile-linux
Bigger, better, faster: LibreOffice 4.2 http://www.zdnet.com/bigger-better-faster-libreoffice-4-2-7000025807/
Complete List of all ZenOSS Process http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2014/02/zenoss-core-daemons/
GNOME 3.12 Might Be Delayed for Beginning of April Because of Wayland 1.5 http://news.softpedia.com/news/GNOME-3-12-Might-be-Delayed-for-Beginning-of-April-Because-of-Wayland-1-5-423669.shtml
Mozilla Firefox 27 Delivers Better Security, Performance http://www.eweek.com/enterprise-apps/mozilla-firefox-27-delivers-better-security-performance.html
ROSA Desktop Fresh R2 GNOME review http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2014/02/03/rosa-desktop-fresh-r2-gnome-review/
Engage women, have fun, get more out of your open source project http://opensource.com/life/14/2/open-source-can-empower-women
Why open source will rule the data center http://www.infoworld.com/t/open-source-software/why-open-source-will-rule-the-data-center-235733
GNOME 3.12 Might Be Delayed Until Wayland 1.5 http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=search&q=GNOME+3.12
KDE 4.12.2 and 4.11.6 Officially Released with More than 20 Bugfixes http://news.softpedia.com/news/KDE-4-12-2-and-4-11-6-Officially-Released-with-More-than-20-Bugfixes-423865.shtml
Mageia 4 Linux Desktop Distro Delivers Improved Performance, Features - http://www.eweek.com/enterprise-apps/slideshows/mageia-4-linux-desktop-distro-delivers-improved-performance-features.html
HP vs AWS : An open source battle for two worlds http://siliconangle.com/blog/2014/02/03/hp-vs-aws-an-open-source-battle-for-two-worlds-oeforum/
Steve Wozniak: Apple Should Make an Android Phone http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2014/02/woz-interview/
Mutter-Wayland 3.11.5 Adds Support for Sub-Surfaces http://news.softpedia.com/news/Mutter-Wayland-3-11-5-Adds-Support-for-Sub-Surfaces-424302.shtml
How to customize Mageia 4 KDE http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2014/02/02/how-to-customize-mageia-4-kde/
MOC: Meet the most lightweight and easy-to-install music player for Linux http://www.techdrivein.com/2014/02/moc-lightweight-console-based-music-player-linux-ubuntu.html
GPT disk partitioning guide for Ubuntu 13.10 on a PC with UEFI firmware http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2014/02/05/gpt-disk-partitioning-guide-for-ubuntu-13-10-on-a-pc-with-uefi-firmware/
Gender doesn't matter in Linux and Open Source http://www.itworld.com/open-source/403735/gender-doesnt-matter-linux-and-open-source
Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Scores Major Cloud Win http://thevarguy.com/open-source-application-software-companies/020714/red-hat-enterprise-virtualization-scores-major-cloud-win
5 Reasons Why PCLinuxOS Is Better For Windows XP Users Than Ubuntu http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2014/02/5-reasons-why-pclinuxos-is-better-for.html
Linux Kernel 3.13.2 Is Now Available for Download http://news.softpedia.com/news/Linux-Kernel-3-13-2-Is-Now-Available-for-Download-424739.shtml
Google aims Chromebox at video conferencing http://linuxgizmos.com/google-aims-chromebox-at-video-conference-hp-coming-soon/
ReactOS 0.3.16 review http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2014/02/06/reactos-0-3-16-review/
Breaking down geek stereotypes in open source http://opensource.com/life/14/2/breaking-down-geek-stereotypes
What's the best entry point for women in computing? Open source. http://opensource.com/life/14/2/interview-leslie-hawthorn-open-source-day
Mandriva releases new version of systems management software http://www.itwire.com/business-it-news/open-source/63060-mandriva-releases-new-version-of-systems-management-software
Let's talk Linux, but in a language we can all understand http://www.techrepublic.com/article/lets-talk-linux-but-in-a-language-we-can-all-understand/
Analysis of the top 10 Linux operating systems http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2014/02/analysis-of-top-10-linux-operating.html
Debian inches towards new init system decision amid fallout http://www.zdnet.com/debian-inches-towards-new-init-system-decision-amid-fallout-7000026128/
Docker Open Source Container Virtualization on the Rise http://thevarguy.com/virtualization-applications-and-technologies/021014/docker-open-source-container-virtualization-rise
Patching a running kernel: legal issues unknown http://www.itwire.com/business-it-news/open-source/63075-patching-a-running-kernel-legal-issues-unknown
Space Pioneer - an ambitious Kickstarter project promising day one Linux support http://www.thelinuxrain.com/articles/space-pioneer-an-ambitious-kickstarter-project-promising-day-one-linux-support
Anubis, the God of Dead Bitcoin Miners http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/anubis-god-dead-bitcoin-miners
Red Hat Deepens Big Data Partnership with Hortonworks http://www.enterpriseappstoday.com/data-management/red-hat-deepens-big-data-partnership-with-hortonworks.html
GNOME Maps App Features Much Smoother Animations http://news.softpedia.com/news/GNOME-Maps-App-Features-Much-Smoother-Animations-425315.shtml
Linux 3.14 rc2 http://article.gmane.org/gmane.linux.kernel/1644031
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