Archives par mot-clé : Advocacy

Acer, HP and MSI netbooks seen at Bureau en Gros in Montreal

Netbooks at Bureau en grosToday I went to Bureau en Gros, which is the same as Staples stores in the USA. Think of it as the office supplies and electronics / computing store. Although I knew netbooks were coming « sometime soon » I didn’t expect to see them here in Montreal, particularly at a « mainstream » store like BeG!

I took some pictures, but here are direct links to BeG online catalog:

Update: I am told this guide to install Ubuntu on the Acer Aspire One should be in my post 😉
Update 2: The Aspire One has since gone out of stock and is not even in the catalog anymore!

I find it very interesting they were side by side and had clear tech specs, including operating systems right down to the graphics chipset. I took more detailed pictures, although not very high res as I only had my phone camera at the time. I’ve put them all on Flickr in case anyone is curious. Can’t wait to see any Ubuntu netbook remix machines available in Canadian retail stores!

 

Linux Developer Network (Beta) Launched

I had the greatest time 2 weeks ago at Linux World Expo 2008 in San Francisco, USA. Although I had the best intentions and wanted to blog just about everything, I just couldn’t get 5 minutes near a keyboard! I’ll be posting some of it over the next few days.

Today while reading Planet Ubuntu and Canonical joining the Linux Foundation I remembered visiting their booth at LWE and seeing Linux Foundation’s new Linux Developer Network (Beta) which just launched.

From the site:

The Linux Developer Network (LDN) is the online community for Linux application developers and independent software vendors who want to start or continue their journey developing applications for the Linux platform. In other words, if you or your company wants to work with Linux, this is the place to be.

The LDN’s goal is to empower developers to target the Linux platform. A platform is only as strong as the applications that run on top of it, and the LDN wants to make sure those developers have everything the need to successfully and cost-effectively target Linux. One of the ways LDN will help developers accomplish this is to help them build portable Linux applications.

LDN is also about giving developers the tools they need to create the best Linux apps possible, no matter which platform developers want to work with. We’ve designed the LDN to be flexible and go where the community wants it to go. Mobile, embedded, driver development, cloud computing–keep an eye out for what’s next in the world of Linux.

Here on LDN you will find in-depth articles, white papers, and howtos that describe the latest practices of Linux development. Blogs from top kernel and application developers help round out the expertise.

It’s not just talent and advice; LDN also offers tools and documentation to determine just how distribution-portable your current application is, and outlines ways to make it more portable. If LSB certification is your goal, then the LSB Software Development Kit is available for new applications, with guidelines and demos available on how to port existing apps to the LSB.

Join Today!

Linux is about the strength of community, so LDN also provides developers with peer-level support, through forums and mailing lists, as well as tips, tricks, and tools to create and discuss the hottest brainstorm ideas in the community. You can even get your own blog started, hosted by LDN!

In fact, community is such a huge part of what LDN is all about, we’ve started the LDN Rewards Program–a way to earn points, gain visibility, and enhance your professional reputation in the Linux community. Get points for posting in the forums, adding to the brainstorms, writing articles–however you want to contribute. Monthly point leaders will be eligible for LDN-exclusive prizes, and top participants will be eligible for trips to Linux Foundation events!

 

Ubuntu wins « Best Desktop Solution » at Linux World Expo 2008

I just wanted to extended a huge « thank you! » to all of the Ubuntu community 🙂 Today Ubuntu won the « Best Desktop Solution » Product Excellence Award at LinuxWorld Conference and Expo 2008 in San Francisco, California for a second consecutive year.

From the site:

« Judged by a group of respected industry experts managed by LinuxWorld.com, the LinuxWorld Product Excellence Awards recognize product and service innovations by LinuxWorld® and NGDC exhibitors.

Product Excellence Awards are divided into 12 product categories, including a “Best of Show,” that represent major areas of innovation in the Linux and open source community. « 

Last but not least, I also want to thank all of my colleagues who were pretty busy at the booth, and of course those taking care of all things Ubuntu in the 22 countries where we have employees – including Zaïd Al Hamami, Kurt von Finck, David Bensimon and Adilson Olveira who fired last-minute comments that helped me put the finishing touches to the Ubuntu Desktop presentation. Cheers to all!

Now off to that FSF Pizza Party!

 

Following up with my last friendly reminder

I still can’t get around the fact my post about being respectful on Planet Ubuntu got so much attention and was hi-jacked for so many different purposes.

The next Community Council is on Aug. 5, however I doubt I’ll make it to present my specific complaint as I’ll be at Linux World Expo at that same exact time, in an event I can’t move or cancel. Someone suggested having a poll across members to settle the matter. I hope we don’t have to wait another month, unless another member wants to present the issue that day – let me know. Bottom line is I’d like to have a better Planet, hoping we can agree on what that is. And if we can’t, well, so be it.

Regarding all the technical explanations I saw for not categorizing posts, I’ve posted links and instructions for WordPress, Drupal and Blogger at the Planet Ubuntu page on the wiki. Something good has to come out of this 🙂

I got a few emails from friends that found it disturbing I don’t address each and every remark that followed. I don’t feel much of what’s been said has been helpful, in fact most of the comments have made the point for me by posting public personal, hateful attacks or by focusing on out of topic posts (which in fact I don’t mind much). What else can I add to that kind of response ?

I can’t convince everyone this is not my personal quest for morality and absolute rules accross all-things-Ubuntu. If you’ve seen unacceptable behavior (however you define it) from members and never brought it to our community lead’s attention or to the Community Council, I can’t do much about that either.

As a member I think it’s my duty to bring up issues in a helpful, courteous manner and be part of the solution but if I can’t even do that anymore, then I guess there is in fact « nothing to see, so move along ».