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Linux, open source, and all-around tech expert Brian Proffitt is your guide to the business, community, and events that comprise open source in IT today.

by Brian Proffitt

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Brian Proffitt is a veteran Linux and open source journalist/analyst with experience in a variety of technologies, including cloud, virtualization, and consumer devices.

Why Linux desktop UIs don't matter anymore

Posted Oct 31, 2012 - 10:42 am

Today's computer users don't care much about interface bling... just get them to their apps safely. This is something Linux can do every well.
IT Management, Linux
Government and open source's open relationship

Posted Oct 29, 2012 - 11:28 am

While the U.S. government has historically leaned towards the use open source software, lately there have been a few signs to remind us the government can still very much be a proprietary software consumer. Is the love affair with open source cooling in the halls of government?
Mobile & Wireless
How Linux makes the post-desktop world possible

Posted Oct 26, 2012 - 10:24 am

Windows 8 and the direction that personal computing seems to be heading represents a big opportunity for Linux… but perhaps not the one you're thinking of.
Cloud Computing
Not even Microsoft love for Internet Explorer

Posted Oct 24, 2012 - 11:58 am

Microsoft is on the verge of getting fined for violating a 2009 EU agreement to give Windows user browser choice. Are they really that worried about Internet Explorer?
IT Management
OpenOffice's time to shine

Posted Oct 23, 2012 - 12:39 pm

Apache OpenOffice's top-level project status within the Apache Software Foundation is good news, but it also means that it's time to put up or shut up for OpenOffice innovation.
Cloud Computing
Ubuntu 12.10 brings the cloud Juju

Posted Oct 19, 2012 - 08:26 am

The new release of Ubuntu has gotten a lot of press on the desktop's integration of commercial content and web information, the interface, and Unity interface, but the real jewel of this updated version is all about the cloud.
Cloud Computing
Munich shifts to LibreOffice

Posted Oct 17, 2012 - 08:28 am

The city of Munich, which has long been a big user for Linux and open source software, has shifted its migration-to-OpenOffice plans and is now starting to deploy LibreOffice instead.
IT Management
Free Software Foundation, the irony phone is ringing

Posted Oct 15, 2012 - 10:21 am

The Free Software Foundation has launched a public certification effort for hardware that "will do as much as possible to respect your freedom and your privacy, and will ensure that you have control over your device."
IT Management
UEFI Secure Boot downgraded to PITA

Posted Oct 12, 2012 - 09:59 am

The Linux Foundation has announced its own solution to the problem of UEFI Secure Boot loading this week, a solution on its way to helping community distros and securing the future of Linux on the desktop for now.
IT Management
Beyond the hype of cloud computing

Posted Oct 10, 2012 - 08:00 am

In terms of actual pace of deployment, three popular open source cloud computing platforms are not exactly seeing growth to match the hype of cloud.
Cloud Computing

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June is...
IPv6 Month

BY THE NUMBERS: IPv6: The big switch

ANALYSIS: Recent signals point to escalating jitters for IPv4 market

OPINION: A phased approach to IPv6 that's so easy, you'll almost think you're still ignoring it

PRIMER: Getting started with IPv6

HOW-TO: Planning a secure migration to IPv6

The $200,000 software developer: We can build him, we have the technology

6 comments
Actually, NASA, we were counting on you to find the asteroids that could kill us

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An end to awkward Netflix questions: Streaming Profiles coming soon

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Unix: Rewriting history

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Has the Xbox One already lost the next gen console war?

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