Members generally satisfied with GNU / Linux and Ubuntu
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The deputies of the National Assembly using GNU / Linux for a year now. An initial assessment has been completed and it seems rather positive. This migration will be symbolic provided increased visibility for the operating system and has been an opportunity to test it on an audience of non-scientists.
In November 2006, the National Assembly announced it would increase the posts dedicated to members under the GNU / Linux and other open source software. This decision was taken following an investigation requested by several deputies. It was revealed that the needs of members could be covered by the free migration and that this would lead to significant savings, despite the projected cost of setting up these computers and systems.
After a tender launched in late 2006, Linagora and Unilog had awarded the contract. The system would be installed Ubuntu distribution with the following software: the Firefox browser 2, the email client Thunderbird and its extension agenda Lightning, and OpenOffice.org 2.0. The contract included the installation, technical support, maintenance and training. The introduction was made last July, there is now almost a year.
Members generally satisfied
Apart from saving of approximately 500 000 euros, MPs interviewed by IOC Online seem to have adapted well to their new environment. To use that they do, i.e. primarily office and the Internet, they usually find their appropriate posts. Some bring to the forefront of security issues but also interoperability, opening new system.
The record is not entirely positive, since some MPs acknowledge having hardware problems, including synchronization between their PDAs and positions of the Assembly. These have since been resolved but some have had to invest in buying a PDA compatible. Remember that this move was primarily symbolic as pertaining only to a few hundred posts. However, APRIL, an association for the promotion and research in computer science free, welcomed this first review and comments: “They [the members] encourage players french a promising economic sector, promote interoperability and open way for further migration. ”
According to the association, “despite tight deadlines and pace of work, their deputies and assistants are easily adapted to their new environment. This shows that FOSS are undoubtedly ready for the job, both in business that for the general public. ” Several MPs interviewed videos and text transcripts are available on the site of APRIL.
This view from an association in favor of free software seems confirmed by the latest generation of GNU / Linux distributions, such Ubuntu 8.04, Mandriva Spring 2008, OpenSUSE 11 or Fedora 9, which are accessible systems including the beginners.
Motorola ZN200: dual-band GSM phone / 3G
The manufacturer Motorola is preparing to launch a new mobile phone mid-range in South America, the model ZN200.
Nothing really extraordinary for this new model, slider (or sliding). He announced a compatibility dual-band GSM, GPRS, WAP and 3G. The screen is a 2-inch LCD model displaying 262 144 colors at a resolution 240 x 320 (QVGA). Multimedia side, there is a 2 Megapixel camera with flash and zoom, a reader reading several audio formats (see list below) and an FM radio tuner.
To store data, the device will have 30 MB of internal memory and a memory card reader microSD (1 card with a capacity of 1 GB is delivered). As for the timing, it will pass through the USB or Bluetooth.
These are the only information we have. Nothing has been clarified on the weight, size or the autonomy of mobile.
Pricing and availability:
There is no indication at this time availability in Europe. Available from next September in Brazil, it will be sold at around 200 euros.
Characteristics:
* Format sliding
* Compatibility GSM (850 and 1 900 MHz), GPRS Class 10, WAP 2.0 and 3G
* 2-inch LCD screen, or 5.08 cm
* Display 262 144 colors in a resolution 240 x 320 (QVGA)
* Camera 2 Megapixel digital zoom and flash
* MIDI player, MP3, WAV and WMA
* FM radio tuner
* Internal Memory: 30 MB
* Location for microSD memory cards
* Connectivity Bluetooth 2.0
* Port USB 2.0
* Finish: black or pink
openSUSE 11.1: the roadmap
The last major version of GNU / Linux openSUSE has just been delivered, and the community to detail its schedule for the next milling scheduled at the end of 2008.
With GNU / Linux distributions, it’s always a bit the same story, and for the most popular of them in any case, it never stops with regard to the adoption of a development cycle can usually distribute two versions per year.
Thus, after Mandriva for Mandriva 2009.1, and the Ubuntu community with the publication of the first alpha version of Intrepid Ibex, it is the turn of the community acting under the auspices of Novell announced the color for openSUSE 11.1, finally a little.
Taking logically following openSUSE 11.0, the new version will be based on a Linux kernel 2.6.27, or even more, knowing that the final version 2.6.26 is not yet available. But so, it still provides a wide trusting the work of other communities. As for desktop environments, the time of the GNOME 2.24 will come, while this is the KDE version 4.1.1, which has had time to digest its passage QT 4.4. Nevertheless, KDE 3.5.10 will be offered as an option. For the rest … not much if not efforts that will focus on improving the mechanism for updating packages.
A mark on your calendars
Pending more information, it will be content with the roadmap may hear various changes at the whim of adventures, or more often misadventures. The 2008 calendar of OpenSUSE 11.1 is currently as follows:
* July 24: openSUSE 11.1 Alpha1
* August 21: openSUSE 11.1 Alpha 2
* September 18: openSUSE 11.1 Beta 1
* October 2: openSUSE 11.1 Beta 2
* October 16: openSUSE 11.1 Beta 3
* October 30: openSUSE 11.1 Beta 4
* November 13: openSUSE 11.1 RC1
* November 27: openSUSE 11.1 RC2
* December 18: openSUSE 11.1
IE8: SmartScreen filter for better security
All Web browsers recent upgrade their tools anti-phishing and anti-malware. Internet Explorer 8 is no exception.
Both Opera 9.5 and Firefox 3.0 had the desire to propose security features more advanced in order to fight against various threats in the field embodied by the malware and phishing. Otherwise known as phishing, phishing is to recall a technique used by criminals and to make people believe that a user is directed to a trusted third party as a seemingly legitimate website in order to obtain personal information and where appropriate usurp his identity. Internet Explorer 8 Microsoft will also have this concern.
In Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft has already introduced a security feature dynamic designed to alert users in case they try to consult a site identified as fraudulent. With the help of various partners, Microsoft has also added support for Extended Validation technology in IE7, which is implemented in PayPal example, in order to color the address bar green when consulting a site to ‘legitimate identity. In this connection, PayPal had criticized Apple’s Safari browser for not having followed the same path that IE7.
With IE8, Microsoft continues its efforts, and in a note published on IEBlog, product manager for Internet Explorer security explains that the protection against phishing has been improved in the browser with the development of a SmartScreen filter. The SmartScreen technology is already used in email clients online with a view to fight against spam.
Anti-malware also on the agenda for IE8
In addition to the anti-phishing filter SmartScreen tackle anti-malware benefiting from the ecosystem dedicated Microsoft to include a blacklist of sites exploits distributing malicious software. “The feature SmartScreen anti-malware takes advantage of the reputation of a URL, which means that the host servers programs are evaluated to determine if these servers are known to distribute content unsafe. This analysis is done in concert with other anti-malware technology-based signatures as Malicious Software Removal Tool, Windows Defender and Windows Live OneCare, “said Eric Lawrence. In case of danger, a specific page will be displayed in order to deter the user to continue its consultation.
Beyond SmartScreen other security features will be present in IE8 with a filter to prevent XSS attacks Cross Site Scripting, a communication more secure with iFrames or changes in the way ActiveX controls are handled.
All these security features will come into action with the release of beta 2 IE8 scheduled for August 2008. A first version in French was also on the agenda for this beta 2 but should be available later.
Opera 9.51: Update for Internet browser
A new version of Opera Software has just been made available to users.
Opera, Internet browser multi platforms that we owe to the eponymous Norwegian publisher, we brought in a new version. Marked 9.51, this update brings small batch of improvements and corrections.
Notable among these is as follows:
* Improving the function of drag and drop into tabs
* Improving the reconnection of IRC client
* Improving the display of chat rooms
* The correction of a stability problem when printing or preview before printing
* The correction of a stability problem with the Yahoo! Mail
* The correction of a security hole discovered to execute arbitrary code
* The elimination of unwanted line breaks in text editors advanced
* The security mode is activated correctly when navigating on secure sites (HTTPS)
* The saving images is no longer registered in the transfer of files
Some improvements and corrections that would have perhaps been integrated into version 9.5 published a few weeks ago, then had he not been discussed ahead of the release of Firefox competitor in its version 3.0.