As promised in part 1 of this review, this time around we will consider the software side of the Shuttle XPC SB62G2, a system we named our product of the year for 2003. The Shuttle is an excellent little machine, as we noted last time, but there is still that one important detail that needs to be considered: how well does it work with GNU/Linux? That is what I will attempt to overview below.
This year was a year that wasn't exactly how we might have hoped, but overall, the state of GNU/Linux was overall better at this side of 2003 than it was at the other. In our annual tradition, what follows is a look at the ups - and downs - of GNU/Linux and Free/Open Source Software in 2003.
When deploying GNU/Linux systems, there is always the predicament of what kind of system to use. You could continue buying systems from OEMs such as Dell and Gateway that do not support GNU/Linux and simply replace the systems' included OS with a GNU/Linux disk image. You could also go with HP Compaq's d220/d330 series of computers that offer Mandrake Linux 9.1 preloaded. However, if you are looking for systems that offer something more than a basic tower that includes GNU/Linux, you need to look elsewhere - at Shuttle.
In its yearly financial report for shareholders, issued today, MandrakeSoft SA (OTC: MDKFF) highlighted positive financial improvements. According to the publicly available document, revenue was down but losses also decreased as compared to 2001 and 2002.
Have you been looking for an “All-in-one” (aka known as MFP, multi-function printer) for your Linux desktop? So have we, with somewhat mixed results. We found no MFPs in our price range (under $500.00) which are shipped with drivers for Linux. But we did find a number of MFPs which are usable on Linux machines, thanks to free software drivers available either with your Linux distribution or on the Internet. Be warned, however, that not every feature or function of many of the printers we found work with the free drivers. Here's the story on what we found, along with six specific MFPs that work with free software drivers and Linux to consider during your holiday shopping.
As vice president
in charge of Hewlett-Packard's Linux strategy, Fink says HP's
decision to indemnify its customers against lawsuits the SCO Group
files has been a boon to sales. He also sees HP making inroads with
its Linux products against Sun Microsystems' Solaris operating
system.
As far as revolutions go, the opening salvo was muffled. But for those within earshot, the reverberations were far- reaching. Last month, China - the largest single potential market for almost anything - selected an upstart computer-operating system called Linux for installation on 1 million computers next year. Ultimately, the country plans to install similar systems on 100 million to 200 million machines.