Redefining Mobile with Open Atrium
In the Atrium

© Paul Prescott, 123R
Open Atrium provides an easy-to-use collaboration environment for small workgroups.
Clear your mind. Now think about the words mobile and open source and Linux. You are probably thinking netbooks, Android phone, or some Linux application interacting with mobile devices. My first instinct when considering the mobile apps theme of this issue was to look at Linux and FOSS programs that would interface with my BlackBerry. That or my wife's Motorola cell phone. So I started looking at synchronization tools, which led me to contact management, address books, and so on.
After looking at, and tossing aside, several ideas, it occurred to me that my notion of mobile applications has changed quite a bit. Mobility isn't just about contacts; it's about the conversations you have with those people when you aren't with them. Furthermore, it's about working with groups, not just chatting or texting the cute programmer on the second floor of Building 5.
Group communication and interaction in a mobile world is entering the fuzzy realm of the global network. Because it is web based, the gateway to working (and playing) within a group is your browser. The real magic, however, happens on that Linux server, somewhere in the fuzzy world of your own network. Group communication, like the classic reasons for travel, tends to fall into one of two categories. Like the friendly border guard says a thousand times a day: "Business or pleasure?"
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.
-
Fedora Linux 43 Beta Now Available for Testing
Fedora Linux 43 Beta ships with Gnome 49 and KDE Plasma 6.4 (and other goodies).
-
USB4 Maintainer Leaves Intel
Michael Jamet, one of the primary maintainers of USB4 and Thunderbolt drivers, has left Intel, leaving a gaping hole for the Linux community to deal with.
-
Budgie 10.9.3 Now Available
The latest version of this elegant and configurable Linux desktop aligns with changes in Gnome 49.
-
KDE Linux Alpha Available for Daring Users
It's official, KDE Linux has arrived, but it's not quite ready for prime time.
-
AMD Initiates Graphics Driver Updates for Linux Kernel 6.18
This new AMD update focuses on power management, display handling, and hardware support for Radeon GPUs.
-
AerynOS Alpha Release Available
With a choice of several desktop environments, AerynOS 2025.08 is almost ready to be your next operating system.
-
AUR Repository Still Under DDoS Attack
Arch User Repository continues to be under a DDoS attack that has been going on for more than two weeks.