While I enjoy using openSuse 11.1 Linux (since switching over from Windows) one thing that has consistently bugged me is the Network Manager. It was always problematic with regards to wireless networks. And googling will show many posts pointing out that it is bugged. So for the life of me I just don’t understand why it was included with the openSuse releases when it is so clearly broken.

However, I have discovered an alternative that works!

Wicd is an open source wired and wireless network manager for Linux which aims to provide a simple interface to connect to networks with a wide variety of settings.

Now when this software even has a page on the official openSuse website, why is it not in the official release?

Having recently migrated to Linux from Windows XP, I needed all of my development tools to continue my work as web developer. Part of my kit of tools is an assortment of web browsers. Firefox, no problem (of course), Opera (of course), Chrome (a bit of searching and not perfect) and Safari which required some tricks. "Internet Explorer?" you ask, well let me get back to you on that one.

Safari of course has only been released for OS X and Windows. So Wine comes to the rescue and allows me to run many Windows applications within Linux and without any virtualization or emulation.

OK, it kind of worked first go and then crashed. After some googling I discovered that you have to install Safari without Bonjour for Windows and Apple Software Update. Some extra Windows XP fonts are also required. Detailed instructions for installing Safari under Wine are available at WineHQ.

Safari appears to perform well, tabbed browsing works, HTML and CSS rendering is in order.

What doesn't work is HTTPS connections, and book marks.

So for normal everyday use it is a bit handicapped, but as a web developer's testing tool its just fine.

Microsoft's patent scare campaign thankfully hasn't scared everyone. Red Hat and Ubuntu have declined to sign any agreement that provides legal protection to users related to "unspecified patents".

More can be found on the ZDNet article "Ubuntu, Red Hat reject Microsoft patent deal ".

Well, Microsoft are at it again. The news wires and blogsphere is alive with the recent news of Microsoft upping the ante against Linux with threats of of legal action and demands of indemnity payments. There is only one thing this speaks of loud and clear; Microsoft is scared, very scared.

What is exactly happening behind the doors of the Redmond giant is open for debate. One could speculate that the lack luster response to Vista, coupled with recent manufacturers such as Dell announcing the sale and support of Linux machines is what is goading them into action. Are their legal threats the right action?

Could it be that the large coporate giant has stopped listening to what computer users want, and is turning into a totalitarian monster that dictates what people should use and do with their computer. Could it be the complacency of years of successful market domination has led them to forget the basic tenent of sales: The customer is King. Could it be that the world has moved on, and Microsoft wants the world to standstill in the glory days of Windows 95 or XP?

Microsoft have attempted to make many soothing sounds regarding its perceived relationship to Open Source. Then the deal it struck with Novell for its version of Linux stirred deep supicion. But these recent actions may just come back and bite them. Will Microsoft suffer a popular peasents revolt, with its lesser rivals banding together to assist in the revolution? All empires benign or dictorial come to an end sooner or later, without exception. However their longevity and legacy is the question.

Dell Inc. is going to start offering pre-installed Linux on PCs and laptops, after having completed a survey.

Where one large player goes, there will be sure to be others to follow. As one of the oft criticisms of Linux is its set up, bundling machines with it pre-installed will go a long way to making it more accessible to a wider public. On top of this with Vista's apparent lack luster sales, we could see the some chunks carved out of traditional Microsoft territory. There is a plethora of Open Source software now available for Linux which is now starting offer the standard functionality offered by Microsoft's Office suite. Plus with a growing number of government agencies the world over now moving over to Open Source, and looking to cut costs, especially with expensive licensing fees, the bands of small marauders could soon become a powerful alternative to the current Microsoft status quo. Interesting times lie ahead.

Further reading on Dell's offer can be found on pcworld.com, "Dell Promises Pre-Installed Linux".