Nov 24, 2009 GMT
A short additional "Blog" entry depicting the conferences and events I will be in the next few weeks:November 26-27: SoliSC - Santa Caterina, Brazil November 28-29: Open Beach - Florianopolis, BrazilDecember 4: Conisli - Sao Paulo, BrazilDecember 5: LPI Exam at 4Linux in Sao Paulo, BrazilDecember 9-11: I2TS Conference - Santa Caterina, BrazilI hope to see you at one or more of these events.Warmest regards,maddogPaw Prints: Writings of the maddog

Nov 23, 2009 GMT
Seven years ago, in early December, I helped to proctor the first Linux Professional Institute (LPI) test in Brazil, which had been hosted by 4Linux in Sao Paulo. At that time I gave out a "Linux License Plate" made by Compaq (nee Digital) Computer Corporation and a clock made from a CD-ROM signed by Linus Torvalds.This year I have been invited back on December 5th to proctor another exam, and this time I will be giving out yet another Linux License Plate and another CD-ROM signed by Linus....but alas not made into a clock.I was wracking my brain trying to come up with an appropriate student gift for the seven year anniversary of LPI Brazil's first test. I did not have time to...Nov 22, 2009 GMT
Five years ago I started shifting my discussions regarding Free Software to try and address the question of "How do I make money with Free Software?" Four years ago issues around usability of closed-source software in today's modern world began to creep into my talks, leading to the question of how much time is wasted on a world-wide level by software that does not do what you want and need it to do. Three years ago I started to address the issues of energy utilisation and how much the next billion computers might use if we are not careful. Two years ago I started to address issues of software piracy and how it affects end users even more than the "software providers"....Oct 31, 2009 GMT
I just got back from a three-conference trip, Futurecom in Sao Paulo, "I FÓRUM DE SOFTWARE LIVRE DE DUQUE DE CAXIAS" in the city of Duque de Caxias, a community of Rio de Janeiro, and Latinoware in Foz do Iguassu, Brazil. Each conference was interesting in its own way.Futurecom is the largest telecommunications show in Brazil. Having been put on for many years in Florianopolis, this was its second year in Sao Paulo.A large trade show floor, with large booths, many of whom had bars of different sizes and food offered to attendees. It has been a long time since I have been in an event of this size and style. Red Hat Software had a booth there for the first time.The Futurecom...Oct 29, 2009 GMT
Recently a couple of very nice things happened to me.I needed a favor, and a friend of mine reached out to help me.They were person who I have known for about ten years, and although they have always been nice to me, this last "help" was just when it was needed most.As I thanked him, he reminded me that I was instrumental in getting him into Free Software, and that this had made a huge, positive difference in his life.He reminded me that I had invited him to join me at dinner with the CEO of a company where he soon found employment.He reminded me that I had taken him to visit my two goddaughters, and as we sat on the floor playing with them, their father, Linus Torvalds, came...Oct 11, 2009 GMT
I woke up on the morning of October 9th to find that President Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize.There was a lot of discussion about whether President Obama had "earned" the honor or not, and a lot of discussion about how the Nobel Peace Prize is not always for what you have done, but encouraging you to keep going in what you are doing.As I read his acceptance speech, I thought about Free and Open Source Software, and applied parts of his speech to my favorite subject."Let me be clear, I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments"A lot of people have said to me, "Thank you for what you do for Free Software". I tell them that I was someone who...Oct 04, 2009 GMT
I heard recently, and could not really believe it until I saw it, that Microsoft was encouraging people to throw "Tupperware(R) parties" at their homes in order to launch the new version of Microsoft's products.That is right...plain old down-to-earth "homies" extolling the virtues of quickly going to Vista...er...ah...Windows 7.I knew that Microsoft had perfected the "we should not have to pay for marketing" line years ago when they orchestrated the launch of Windows 95 by getting stores to open up at midnight just so people could rush in and buy the first copy of Windows 95. Microsoft only had to pay for a couple of bottles of cheap champaign for each...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
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.