Desktop Linux on the rise, Linux Foundation reports

The annual desktop Linux survey doesn't officially come out until next week but this preview is very interesting... on many fronts: The number of people who took the time to respond to the survey has doubled (to 20K), the level of confidence in the Linux environment and the biggest gripe over hardware support is no longer Wi-Fi :-) it's now printers... This last point is quite a milestone!

Great read -- looking forward to the full analysis.

Desktop Linux on the rise, Linux Foundation reports

-ZB

Skype encryption stumps German police - Yahoo! News

I found this a strange article... The German police don't seem interested in deciphering certain calls... If it was the US police, they'd be raiding Skype headquarters! Maybe it's the conspiracy theorist in me but this sounds like the setup of a honeypot... Any bad-guy reading this would naturally flock to Skype to "do their business" - I suspect the German police know how to unscramble the Skype and are looking for some "quick wins".

Skype encryption stumps German police - Yahoo! News

-ZB

Black Friday deal roundup - Engadget

Geeky tech roundup! Buy soon and buy often!

Black Friday deal roundup - Engadget

-ZB

Black Friday retail coverage -- straight from my laptop to you - BloggingStocks

Happy Black Friday! ...

Here are some deals you might be interested in while you line up at various stores today to save some moulah...

Black Friday retail coverage -- straight from my laptop to you - BloggingStocks

-ZB

» Memory test - Firefox 2.0.0.9 vs Firefox 3.0 b 1 | Hardware 2.0 | ZDNet.com

Many of us are huge fans of Firefox... One issue that has plagued us for as long as I can remember is that our precious fox likes to eat RAM. The more pages you open he more it eats (naturally) but it doesn't seem to give much back when you're done (and keep the browser open). Here's a link so some promising results for Firefox 3.0 b1:

» Memory test - Firefox 2.0.0.9 vs Firefox 3.0 b 1 | Hardware 2.0 | ZDNet.com

-ZB

YouTube could kill internet by 2010 News - PC Advisor

Good post about our growing and seemingly insatiable appetite for bandwidth. Teens and adults alike are contributing to the YouTube generation. This is obviously good for the geeks among us -- ISPs will need to increase bandwidth and capacity to give us bigger, faster and better connections (but at what cost?).

Companies such as Level 3 Communications (LVLT) should profit (for a change) over the next few years as this trend continues to manifest itself.

YouTube could kill internet by 2010 News - PC Advisor

Disclosure: Long LVLT

-ZB

Sysinternals Suite

If you're an IT geek that runs Windows -- you know about Sysinternals (if not, shame on your -- get learnin'). The tools are now available as a "suite" -- simply a ZIP that has the lot of tools in it. Pick it up -- it's amazing how much use you'll get out of it!

Sysinternals Suite

-ZB

First look at Firefox 3.0b1: fast, stable, and full of new features

As always -- Ars Technica provides a comprehensive review -- this time of Firefox 3.0 b1. I need to load this up on my Linux box -- it sounds VERY promising... I seriously don't know why people still use IE on Windows...

First look at Firefox 3.0b1: fast, stable, and full of new features

-ZB

Canadian report finds P2P might sell more CDs, CRIA sponsors objection

Goes to show how strong the lobbyists are... The government does a survey -- the industry doesn't like the results so they pull people from around the world to try and debunk it. Face it folks -- digital media is here to stay and you've got to give a little to get a little.

Canadian report finds P2P might sell more CDs, CRIA sponsors objection

-ZB

Port 25 : Technical Analysis: Recovering Data from Windows systems by using Linux

Pick up the PDF in this article -- gives a step by step to recover data from an unresponsive Windows PC (applies to any PC really).

Port 25 : Technical Analysis: Recovering Data from Windows systems by using Linux

-ZB

Catch a Glimpse of Firefox 3's Sleek, Sexy New Digs | Compiler from Wired.com

Beta 1 of Firefox 3 was released today -- it does not have the expected face lift yet. Here is a little preview of some of the aesthetics to expect in the next release of Firefox.

Catch a Glimpse of Firefox 3's Sleek, Sexy New Digs | Compiler from Wired.com

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BetaNews | Microsoft misjudges demand for new Zunes

Ooops -- MSFT thought they would sell much more flash-based Zunes... Seems the shelves are "well" stocked if you're interested.

BetaNews | Microsoft misjudges demand for new Zunes

Disclosure: I heart my iPod Touch

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Microsoft struggling to convince about Vista - Computerworld UK - The Voice of IT Management

90% of IT pros have concerns around migrating to Vista. There is always some resistance to change but this is a bit extreme!

Microsoft struggling to convince about Vista - Computerworld UK - The Voice of IT Management

-ZB

Visual Studio 2008

To all of your Windows bit pushers -- Microsoft has just released Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework 3.5. The express editions are also available.

Visual Studio 2008

Happy coding!

-ZB

Master Your DSLR Camera, Part 1: Program Mode

So you've taken the plunge and you've dropped some serious coin for a DSLR (or maybe you have a point and shoot) and want to learn more about the theory of taking good pics. This is a really good article that explains some of the features (in this case on a Nikon but the theory is the same for all cameras) available in "Program" mode. Runs through concepts on: Flash, ISO and White Balance.

I'm looking forward to the next part in this series!

Master Your DSLR Camera, Part 1: Program Mode

Get shootin'!

-ZB

How to Shoot in Direct Sunlight

11 Good tips on how to shoot when the light source is behind your subject.

How to Shoot in Direct Sunlight

-ZB

How-To: Find files on your computer with find | Debian/Ubuntu Tips & Tricks

Finding files in *nix has often been intimidating to those afraid of the CLI (Command Line Interface). This is a user-friendly view with examples on some of the basics that will get you going in exploring his powerful command.

How-To: Find files on your computer with find | Debian/Ubuntu Tips & Tricks

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Canonical to Provide Optimized Ubuntu OS Layer for VMware Virtual Appliances | Ubuntu

This is a cool offering from Canonical (commercial sponsor of Ubuntu). JeOS is a light-weight edition of Ubuntu that would be very handy to use in a virtualized ecosystem.

Canonical to Provide Optimized Ubuntu OS Layer for VMware Virtual Appliances | Ubuntu

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Microsoft Watch - Vista - IT Pros: If Not Vista, Maybe Macintosh

I'm posting this because I think the general sentiment expressed is more important that the title. I don't think corporations will drop Windows in favor of Mac (though I think the consumer could). Interesting stats in the article... take a look

Microsoft Watch - Vista - IT Pros: If Not Vista, Maybe Macintosh

-ZB