The bMighty Blog -- Open Source

Firefox 3.0 Release Schedule Update

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 08:15 AM ET | May 13, 2008

In a previous post, I mentioned that we would probably see a Firefox 3.0 release candidate before the end of the month. Based on a senior Mozilla developer's recent remarks, that estimate looks to be right on track.

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Apple | Hardware & Software | Internet/Web | Linux | Open Source | Windows

OpenOffice.org Readies Its Mac Attack

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 07:27 AM ET | May 13, 2008

Mac support has never been a big selling point for OpenOffice.org. Fortunately, this is about to change in a big way.

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Apple | Hardware & Software | Open Source

Most Workplace Toilet Seats Are Cleaner Than Most Workers' Keyboards

Posted by Keith Ferrell 02:54 PM ET | May 5, 2008

The viruses in your computer can harm your computer's data; the viruses (and germs and bacteria and toxins) on your computer can harm you.

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Green Business | HR | Hardware & Software | Healthcare | Open Source | Security

Can Mozilla Build A Better Web App?

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 10:36 PM ET | May 1, 2008

A Web application is only as good as its delivery platform. Unfortunately, the two most popular choices, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, aren't very good at delivering Web applications.

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Open Source

Two Must-Have Open-Source Security Tools

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 11:49 PM ET | Apr 29, 2008

Over the past decade, open-source developers have created some of the world's top-rated IT security tools. While some of these applications have a well-deserved reputation for being complicated and difficult to use, there are some notable exceptions.

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Hardware & Software | Open Source | Security

Google Docs Shifts Into High Gear

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 05:15 AM ET | Apr 28, 2008

Can you guess what new feature Google Docs just introduced? Here's a hint: It doesn't involve a talking paperclip.

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Open Source

Portable Applications: Software -- And Security -- On The Move

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 11:15 PM ET | Apr 21, 2008

Using a public computer is something most of us do from time to time. So is leaving data that might come back to haunt us if it falls into the wrong hands. Here's an easy, reliable, totally free way to ensure that you never again walk away from a strange computer wondering whether an identity theft or hacker will make you pay for an innocent mistake.

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Open Source

Managing Your Software Madness With Open-Source Alternatives

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 12:20 PM ET | Apr 21, 2008

Few things are more annoying than software that doesn't deliver the goods -- especially when your business is paying for the privilege of being annoyed. But no matter which application is driving you nuts these days, there is probably an open-source alternative available

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Open Source

Keeping Up With The Linux Kernel

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 08:06 PM ET | Apr 17, 2008

Linux kernel development is a serious, and very complicated, process. You don't have to be a programmer, however, or even a Linux power user, to appreciate the end result -- especially when a new version of the Linux kernel hits the street.

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Hardware & Software | IT | Linux | Open Source

PBX For Small Business: Asterisk Comes A-Callin'

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 08:51 PM ET | Apr 15, 2008

The market for open-source business software today is growing so quickly that it can be hard to single out the really exceptional success stories. If I had to pick just one, however, I think I know which one it would be.

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Business & E-Business | Hardware & Software | Linux | Networking & Communications | Open Source | Technology/Telecom

Pointers For Picking The Right Linux Distro

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 08:55 PM ET | Apr 10, 2008

Everybody loves a good list -- especially bloggers and opinion columnists. Here's a pointer to a list that is likely to make your job a bit easier if you're shopping for the right Linux distro for your business needs.

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Hardware & Software | Linux | Open Source

Linux Minus Linus: No Big Deal?

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 09:41 PM ET | Apr 8, 2008

There was a time when Linux could not have survived the departure of its creator, Linus Torvalds. Today, of course, the situation is very different -- or is it?

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Apple | Linux | Open Source

Old Hardware, New Tricks: Building A Linux File Server

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 05:56 PM ET | Apr 4, 2008

Want to bring some law and order to an unruly small-business IT setup? A Linux file server could be just the ticket -- and if you have an old, obsolete PC sitting around the office, you've got everything you need to get started.

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Hardware & Software | IT | Linux | Open Source

Death And Taxes On Linux: One Down, One To Go

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 08:21 AM ET | Apr 2, 2008

Of the two inevitabilities in life, Linux can't do much about death. Can it do anything to help you with your taxes?

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Business & E-Business | Finance/Accounting | Hardware & Software | Linux | Open Source

Another Good Reason To Quit Feeding Microsoft's Favorite Cash Cow

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 04:01 PM ET | Mar 28, 2008

If you put just one open-source software package to work in your small or medium-sized business, I can tell you exactly where to begin. And as much as I like Linux, I actually have something else in mind for you.

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Business & E-Business | Hardware & Software | Linux | Open Source

Linux By The (Version) Numbers

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 05:03 PM ET | Mar 25, 2008

What's in a version number? More than you might think, if the number in question is attached to your favorite desktop Linux distro.

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Hardware & Software | Linux | Open Source

Wine 1.0 On The Menu For Desktop Linux Users

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 05:58 PM ET | Mar 20, 2008

It looks like Wine's time has finally come: Version 1.0 of the Windows emulation software is now slated for a June release. And Linux users almost certainly have Google -- or, at least, Google's money -- to thank for moving things along.

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Hardware & Software | Linux | Open Source | Windows

Ubuntu Eyes The Linux Server Landscape

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 06:45 PM ET | Mar 18, 2008

It took Ubuntu just four years to claim its crown as king of the Linux desktop. Now, Ubuntu's developers are plotting a similar coup in the Linux server market -- and smaller businesses have a lot to gain from the battle that is about to unfold.

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Business & E-Business | Hardware & Software | IT | Linux | Management | Open Source | Operations

The Open-Source Database Gets Its Due

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 04:51 AM ET | Mar 14, 2008

Are proprietary databases doomed? The short answer, according to one noted database engineering expert, is no. The long answer is that open-source competition is about to take the world's proprietary database vendors -- and their customers -- on a wild, and very interesting, ride.

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Business & E-Business | Hardware & Software | IT | Linux | Open Source

Fight The FUD: Lies, Damned Lies, And Linux

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 08:50 PM ET | Mar 12, 2008

When it comes to IT security, Linux generally scores outstanding marks. There is, however, one notable exception to this rule: A threat that Linux, and many other open-source apps, just can't seem to shake.

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Business & E-Business | Hardware & Software | IT | Linux | Management | Open Source | Security | Windows

Ballmer's Remarks Inspire A TCO Trip Down Memory Lane

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 06:50 AM ET | Mar 7, 2008

Earlier this week, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer had a few things to say about the never-ending Windows vs. Linux total cost of ownership debate. It's an interesting interview -- but not quite as interesting as some internal Microsoft email on the same subject that turned up last year, as a result of the company's involvement in yet another antitrust lawsuit.

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Business & E-Business | Government | Hardware & Software | Linux | Open Source | Windows

Open Source Without Tears

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 02:45 AM ET | Mar 6, 2008

Open-source software can save a small business loads of time, money and trouble. That's a good thing, because the process of finding the right open-source app to meet your business needs can be a royal pain in the butt -- unless, that is, you know where to begin your open-source software hunt.

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Hardware & Software | Internet/Web | Linux | Open Source

Codeweavers, Google Brew Some Fine Wine For Desktop Linux Users

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 12:20 AM ET | Mar 4, 2008

Over the past few years, Linux-based desktop virtualization has improved by leaps and bounds. In some cases, however, it is already possible to run Windows software on Linux, while cutting Windows itself completely out of the picture -- and thanks to Google, some very high-profile Windows software is now bridging the Linux gap.

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Hardware & Software | IT | Linux | Open Source | Professional/Creative Services | Windows

Fight The Power: Greening Your Linux Systems

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 08:32 AM ET | Feb 29, 2008

Linux has a lot of advantages as a desktop operating system. Power management, unfortunately, still is not one of them. But there are plenty of ways to make a Linux system less power-hungry -- and some of the most effective fixes are also some of the easiest.

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Green Business | Hardware & Software | Linux | Mobile | Open Source

Will Office Open XML Slam The Door On Accessibility?

Posted by Matthew McKenzie 07:17 PM ET | Feb 27, 2008

Microsoft's bid to turn its Office Open XML (OOXML) format into an ISO standard is a bad idea for any number of reasons. One of those reasons, however, strikes me as especially troubling: If OOXML wins ISO approval, it could make life much harder for millions of disabled people who rely upon accessibility-enhancing tools and technologies.

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Government | Hardware & Software | Non-Profit | Open Source