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I own a Linux box, I’ve tested many distributions like Ubuntu, Freespire, and Xandros. When I decided to leave the Windows world, Linux was my first option but I also needed to be connected with the reality of our Windows world.

When I saw the great advantages of OS X in terms of being able to have a stable OS capable of running any Linux application and Windows at the same time, I said to myself “this is it.” I’m still thinking Windows could be a great OS, they have the money to put into great programmers and get this OS to kick buts everywhere, for some reason they don’t.

I don’t blame Microsoft for their failures, there is a bunch of hackers around the world making money by bringing down every single flaw on this OS. If this same group were to target and attack OS X, I think Apple would be up for a big challenge.

What you are not going to hear me say or type, is that Linux is an utter crap operating system. In addition, I consider myself an Apple fan-boy, get Linux on a computer and try to install something as simple as flash for your browser, I got it done, after a lot of reading, and it’s not easy.

I love OS X, I’m forced to use Windows XP on my Mac to run applications that I need for the kind of work that I do, and my kids computers all have Linux (one Ubuntu, one FreeSpire). Our friend Torvalds think that because he’s a lousy programmer, sorry I meant to say because the file system in OS X is bad he can call it an utter crap file system.

Well dear, this is for you, learn to have respect to your competitors because if Windows have 93 percent of the market and OS X have 7 percent, where are you? I think any browser in this planet has a bigger user base that any Linux distribution combined. I know some IT people prefer to use Linux servers, and that most web hosting companies preferred them too, but tell me Torvalds, how much was your income from licensing last year.

I’m sad to say this but even Linux blogs are full with stories on how Linux is not anywhere where they would like to be. No user base, no fans, no standards, everything is done via the terminal, and the small group that are making things better must be feeling ashamed of you for being so hard headed.

Steve Jobs woke up one day and realized that if Microsoft could contribute even one crappy browser, one office suite, and a couple million dollars to his company, he could embraced the joined efforts to make things better. Be smart and maybe all the utter crap software vendors in the market will have mercy on you and ignore your words.

I’m not totally upset, I can understand what a fan-boy is, I understand Linus loves his Linux, but common don’t expose yourself like that. Bring on the flame, what do you think about this guy, do you support his point of view or not. Remember one thing, I’m a technology lover, if it’s good and serves me well, I’m using it. Cheers.

Sorry, I had to do this.

Is this the end? Will it survive 2008? Common give me a break, I’m not mentioning names but lately all the Linux news I’ve seen around are beating this topic to death. Maybe is something that needs to happen to understand people’s reaction, or maybe people are being naive about it. Where are the good news about Linux, Ubuntu just released a great, very stable version of their Linux OS.

I’m sorry to post my personal opinion on the subject but its time to end this negativity, and start posting about what really matters, the fact is that Linux is very useful. We need bloggers to start supporting open source projects creatively. Here are some ideas and for those of you who need more tips and tricks when writing about Linux, I will be talking more about it on this Blog.

How about talking about making your iPod or iPhone work with Linux, there is a piece of software called iPHUX that lets you do just that. But guess what, no one seem to care about this guy efforts to make this work, the last firmware he test was 1.0, then the project seems to be abandoned.

Several open source projects are in the works and getting better at working with the iPod, but I haven’t yet find one that is supported by a large community. This doesn’t mean that we don’t have passionate groups and loyal followers of the Linux OS, is just that they don’t get the attention they deserve.

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I just received notice that Zonbu Notebook is available to purchase for $279, ground-braking service for the best price on the market. The new Zonbu Notebook sports a 1.5GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 60GB Hard Drive, and a WXGA 15.4″ Display. If you don’t know anything about Zonbu I invite you to read an old article I wrote months ego.

With the new Notebook, the Zonbu team keeps their promise of clean and green technology that serves to most users around the world. The Zonbu Notebook has the same OS their desktop has, Desktop Déjà vu is a Linux based OS that offers all the benefits of running Linux (No Viruses.) If you have any one on your list that needs a PC, easy to use, for web browsing, emailing, and every other simple task we all do every day, the Zonbu is the answer.

The first thing you should keep in mind when thinking of hacking your PSP is the warranty, make sure you understand that anything that does not comes from Sony may damage your PSP and warranty will not be an option. When I first got my hands on my PSP I was really happy, and I still am. The form factor is great, the screen size was one of the things that won me over the DS. And the games seem to be a little more mature than plain Mario, games like Metal Gear Solid, Syphon Filter, are of my enjoyment.

As I get more into it, and learn about what some communities of “PSP hackers” are doing with their machines I was amazed. Unfortunately I don’t have the courage to ruin my $170 dollars fun machine, so I cant review any of these hacks for you but I can give you a rundown of what I’ve found so far. Before getting into the hacks let me tell you about syncing software, there are a couple good software that will sync you PSP with your PC or Mac saving you time when moving file back and forth. Check out Sony’s option Media Manager, PSPWare from Nullriver, and The Missing Sync for PSP from Mark Space.
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When I read about it for the first time, I was impressed and I’m still are. Oh wait that was this morning Lets say you have a family member like your mother or grandmother that understand very little about computers, you want the simplest system available so that they can pay their bills, receive and send emails, or write a simple letter. You stop at your local superstore and the cheapest computer you can get is $499, is possible to get a better deal but the price is just the beginning.

Introducing the concept that has been the minds of some computer enthusiastic for some time now, Zonbu . Head to their website and sign up for yours now, in their web 2.0 website you feel the simplicity from the minute your access the homepage. The concept is simple, a machine as small as an Apple Mac mini that stores everything on the web, with 128bit encryption offering security, reliability and more for just $99 (starting price).

The small box comes equipped with The Zonbu OS, a Linux based operating system that is as elegant, friendly, and intuitive as a Windows box. Because you are running Linux you are protected from almost all the viruses and exploits that pc’s and known for, and you can count on Zonbu on keeping your system up to-date with the latest in security for your small Linux box. Zonbu is not just a computer that you get on those big stores, its also a service, let’s talk about that in dept.

To get Zonbu at $99 price tag you have to commit to a 2 year service agreement, if you prefer also you can get Zonbu for $149 with a one year agreement, or for $249 you just have to pay month to month your service without contracts. The cool thing about that, and what makes it different is that the service agreement does not affect the price. Another addition to the cost is the fact that you must have some sort of fast access Internet connection.

What’s inside? The Zonbu box comes with a Intel-compatible processor, while they do not specify the processor I guess it may be some sort of Celeron or AMD Sempron type of processor. It has no fan for cooling, or disk drives making it silent and energy efficient. It has 512mb ram and a 4gig flash-based local storage. While it has local storage no files are actually stored on the system, only the OS. The website does not specify but I guess it comes with integrated graphics, and Ethernet connection.

The hardware has no drives but an optional CD-DVD rom can be adquire for $49, not word on whether records CD or DVD’s. You can use a USB key to store files locally and almost every hardware you can imagine is compatible via and of the 6 USB 2.0 plugs. It comes with over 20 free applications, typical for a Linux installation box. You must provide a monitor, mouse, and keyboard to plug into the device.

So you pay $12.95 a month and in my opinion is a fair price, the first thing you get is 25Gb of online storage, this does not count OS or application, is 25gigs of pure documents you generate. There’s a $14.95 option for 50gigs and $19.95 for 100gigs for those of you who need more storage space. The service includes, automatic application upgrades, continuous data back up, device replacement guarantee, unlimited Internet support and remote access to your data. Online back up services without any type of devices along can cost you up to $9.99 a month with other companies.

So what do you think? For grandma, a school kid, or someone that needs just the basics, I think this is the best idea anyone could have had. Would you buy one for a relative? For you? I’m seriously considering it to have a computer available in the kitchen, for visitors or anyone that just want to check out the news, a recipe etc. Email me for question at lumencreativegroup (at) gmail.com. Thanks.

Microsoft hits the open source community again, this time the software giant claims that Linux infringes 235 of their software patents. Making this the argument of choice for Microsoft, this is not the first time we have had this conversation. With the popularity raising with Linux operating systems, and company’s like Dell selling their hardware with Linux pre-installed, I was wondering when the argument was going to start.

Personally, I find myself with split opinion in regards to this situation, on the one hand you have a company defending their patents like they should. In the other hand, you have an open source community and barely monetize from their efforts to have a different platform of computing which shouldn’t be a problem at all. So I have been reading all over the Internet and found a letter from Kevin Carmony from Linspire at www.linspire.com/linspireletter where he discussed the options the open source community have.

What are the options, Kevin writes that option number one is to fight or ignore the issue. Well, tell that to Microsoft lawyer Horacio E. Gutierrez that uses all the words in a dictionary to state that Microsoft will be protecting their patents. Is Microsoft afraid of the market share Linux could take away? I think the problem is that as a company they would like a cut of any money that moves around Linux. After all, they will be loosing the opportunity to sell “three” licenses of Windows on Dell computers. Yes, I’m being sarcastic.

A couple months ego, Novell and Microsoft released a joint letter to the Open Source Community where they explained the joint collaborations to make Microsoft and Linux application more compatible. The collaboration letter stated various bullet points with details and the first one was about patents. So Novell can get around it why would Microsoft be pushing the rest of the industry.

Neosmart at www.neosmart.net point at how Microsoft won’t point what the violations are. So they want the Linux guys to stop whatever is patented inside the applications without telling exactly what it is. So what’s in the future for Linux? Legal battles takes long time, especially when they haven’t even started. Not all flavors of Linux are involved, leaving an open door for you to search the Internet and make sure you are clean. Microsoft may be only scaring people away, maybe fear that OpenOffice will to better than MS Office, which I don’t think so.

Lastly, a lot is yet to say and if Microsoft can get to sell Windows XP for three dollars to some countries I know they can settle this dispute with some licensing terms that favors them economically. Hopefully those of us who really believe in Open Source and Linux will see more Linux to come in the future, and those who are monetizing it get to pay the fair licensing they need to continue with the business structures. Find more around the web, leave a comment on this post. Which flavor of Linux you use the most? I use Freespire and Ubuntu, both of them great software. Thanks.