Hello everybody, and welcome once again to the fortnightly newsletter of Free Software Magazine: keeping you well informed about the realm of free software! Happy reading!
General announcements
Had problems lately with your favourite magazine? So have we! FSM is being read by so many people at the moment that during the last few months our poor server has been struggling, and at times, giving up. This is no good for us, and it’s no good for our readers... so thanks to the fabulous people at 3fn.net, we now have a brand spanking new DEDICATED SERVER. Let the good times roll—we won’t be crashing again anytime soon!
Latest content
OpenXDAS: A free distributed audit service—John Calcote takes on that most neglected of important features; software auditing. Read more...
What’s a GNU/Linux distribution?: Some tips for beginners—New to GNU/Linux? Matt Barton gives you the low-down. Read more...
FSM Dead! Official!—Eddie Macnaghten shares why we should all just pick up our bats and head on home. Read more...
Is the desktop dead?—Laurie Langham, our newest blogger, tells us why the desktop is dead. Read more...
Education, education, education—Free software can really help education: Jonathan Roberts explains how. Read more...
Making waves with Audacity: Using free software to create a relaxing, virtual trip to the shore— David Horton brings the beach home... AND explains how to use Audacity! Read more...
Latest content continued
Software ain’t patentable, damnit! Part 2—Jabari Zakiya explains the latest legal developments in software patents. Read more...
Free software out of passion—or, the curse of capitalism—Is free software just for people with too much time on their hands? Anthony Taylor says no! Read more...
The simplest way to make databases in OpenOffice.org—If you have data that you can put in a spreadsheet, a database is just a few steps away, says Solveig Haugland. Read more...
Interview with the organisers of PostgreSQL Day 2007—Gabriele Bartolini talks with a range of important people from PostgreSQL Day 2007.Read more...
The hidden roadblock—What is stopping SMB adoption of GNU/Linux?—Ken Leyba looks at why small business are hesitant to take on GNU/Linux. Read more...
Tips for transitioning to a GNU/Linux distribution—Chris Mostek smooths the transition from Windows. Read more...
Latest book reviews released
Linux Administration Handbook Second Edition by Evi Nemeth, Garth Snyder, Trent R. Hein, et al Anthony Taylor explores the world of GNU/Linux sysadmin with the book every administrator should have. Read more...
Using Samba, Third Edition by Gerald Carter, Jay Ts and Robert Eckstein Mitch Meyran has a look at Samba. Read more...
Book competition announcement for this fortnight
This week we are giving away a copy ofOpen Source Security Tools: Practical Guide to Security by Tony Howlett and a copy of Linux Administration Handbook Second Edition by Evi Nemeth, Garth Snyder, Trent R. Hein, et al.
All you need to do to enter is check out the latest book competition announcement on our blogs page.
GOOD LUCK!
Thanks go to Prentice Hall for providing these fantastic prizes.
Winner of the book competition from last fortnight
Thanks to all those who entered, unfortunately there can only be one winner...
Congratulations Cory Lievers of Alberta in Canada!
Cory has won copies of Practical Subversion, Second Edition and Pro Open Source Mail: Building an Enterprise Mail Solution.
Thanks to all who entered.
Thanks also go to Apress for providing these great prizes.
Please comment wherever possible and don’t forget to log in so that you’ll be in the running to win the latest book competition
Poll Results—Dell has announced Linux laptops. NOW, when a friend says “I want need a new PC", and he doesn’t want a game machine, what would you do?
Well, 43% of you went with the “Recommend the Dell/Ubuntu machine but don’t push it”. This was followed closely by 33%, who chose “Let them know that the Dell/Ubuntu option exists, and let them decide”. 15% were going with the very definite “Urge to get a Dell/Ubuntu machine” option, and 9% of you would “Tell them to buy a Mac”. AND, just for the record, none of you would recommend Vista! Good for you! Most of those of you who commented were erring on the side of caution. Which isn’t surprising; no-one wants to be the helpdesk for all their friends! Read more here and stay tuned for...
This fortnight’s poll
Trivia poll: How many Microsoft patents are broken by free programs?
Okay so you’ve probably heard by now that Microsoft are at it again. They’re saying that free software applications infringe on their patent portfolio. But this time they’re getting more specific: they’ve told us how many patents they think are being infringed. Not which ones. Just how many. Let us know how many of Microsoft’s patents you think are being infringed upon by free software. (This poll is a little tongue-in-cheek so don't take it too seriously.)
Reminders
Comments
Your comments on articles, issues, and blog entries are very welcome. They provide other readers with insightful suggestions, further information, and the feeling that they are not alone. They also provide our authors with the feeling that they are being heard. Please comment wherever possible and don’t forget to log in so that you’ll be in the running to win the latest book competition.
Avatars
Avatars are a great way of expressing your personal identity, whether it be a photo or an image that you feel represents the you you want to be. Read more about avatars here. To add an avatar: log in, go to “my account” in the menu on the left, go to the “edit” tab and scroll down to where it says “Upload picture”. Now, hit the browse button, find the image on your computer that you want to upload and go to the bottom of the page and hit the submit button. That’s it; you now have an avatar image.
Invite a friend
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Subscriptions
Ever wanted to follow that story, or blogger, or be informed when a change appears to some content that you want to keep up with? Now you can. Using our new “Subscribe” feature, you can receive an email update every time a blog or page is updated or when a comment is added, so you can keep up with all the latest changes. You can manage your subscriptions by logging in and going here.
Donate
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Your donations will help us to continue spreading the word about free software and producing more fantastic issues.
Contacting us
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Thanks
Thank you for subscribing to Free Software Magazine. You are a part of a growing community who help to raise the awareness of, and educate new users in, the joys of free software. Without you we would not have this community and without you we would not have a magazine. Happy reading!