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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.

Microsoft plays victim card in FRAND complaint against Motorola, Google

Posted Feb 22, 2012 - 11:08 am

In what could be the greatest example of the pot calling the kettle black, Microsoft has launched a new antitrust complaint against Motorola Mobility and Google with the European Commission.
Oracle's Java claims now less than $230 million

Posted Feb 21, 2012 - 09:13 am

Oracle's Java infringement case against Google has come a long way since the heady days of $6.1 billion in damages.
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- Open Source, java, Oracle
Debian Project formally sets software patent policies

Posted Feb 20, 2012 - 12:03 pm

A new software policy from the Debian Project seeks to minimize its exposure to patent litigation. But could the new policies create friction with other projects within the community?
Where are all the Linux professionals?

Posted Feb 17, 2012 - 10:58 am

A recent jobs survey reports difficulty finding qualified Linux professionals. So where might they be?
- 2 comments
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- IT Management/Strategy
Why Android will never be closed source

Posted Feb 16, 2012 - 10:20 am

It's easy FUD to claim Google will close up Android, but such a move would be insane.
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  5
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- Mobile & Wireless
Open APIs fall far short of open source

Posted Feb 15, 2012 - 10:52 am

The benefits of open APIs come at a cost: little to no influence on the larger product and a higher chance of lock-in.
- 1 comment
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- Open Source, API
FSF asks web devs to ID JavaScript code

Posted Feb 14, 2012 - 10:28 am

The Free Software Foundation wants web developers to insert license info within sites to avoid what Richard M. Stallman calls "the JavaScript trap."
- 2 comments
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  4
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- IT Management/Strategy
Move to mobile will bring big changes for Linux

Posted Feb 13, 2012 - 12:12 pm

Linux is free, Linux is ubiquitous. What cxould that mean for distributions, interfaces, and the future of mobile platforms?
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- Open Source, Linux
Ubuntu, Debian top community poll

Posted Feb 10, 2012 - 08:00 am

The 2011 LinuxQuestions.org Members Choice Awards have been tabulated, and the results show some surprises.
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- Open Source, Debian, Linux
Apache Software Foundation to outsource event management

Posted Feb 09, 2012 - 09:49 am

Faced with declining attendance and revenue numbers, the Apache Software Foundation is seeking to hand off management of one of its semi-annual ApacheCon events.
- 1 comment
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  1
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- IT Management/Strategy

February is...
Open Source Month

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SOPA replacement uses child porn as excuse to spy on 99.7 percent of Americans

4 comments
PlayBook 2.0 update is here, and does it really matter?

3 comments
Can an Android phone run without Google?

3 comments
Please God, kill me now before Pinterest spams me again

3 comments
Where are all the Linux professionals?

2 comments

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