Redistribution of FOSS Software

I had just been reading an article at http://www.softwarefreedom.org/resources/2008/shareware.html when I came across Zorin O/S being sold on Ebay, nothing wrong with that until you look at the conditions. So as I see it the producers of Zorin O/S and probably many more are in violation of the requirement not to restrict access to software unless a fee is paid. Notice how Zorin require another donation if you want to update to the latest release..
From their website;

“How much does Zorin OS cost and how do I get it?

The Core, Lite and Educational versions are available to download for free from the Free download page. The Premium versions (Business, Gaming, Multimedia and Ultimate) are available in exchange for a donation on the Premium page for a physical DVD or a download. “

“If I got an older version of one of the Zorin OS Premium releases would I get a free upgrade to the newer version?

You will have to either donate for a new physical DVD from the Premium page or a Download of it (see above) to upgrade to a newer version of your Premium release. “

Failed to query NoScanout for screen 0

I’ve set up a PC with a Nvidia 7800GTX and Samsung widescreen monitor that should be at it’s default resolution of 1440 x 900 but the Font aliasing is pretty appalling and when I look in the Nvidia settings menu all I see in the panel on the right is;
Failed to query NoScanout for screen 0.
Having done a quick search I uninstalled the latest Nvidia drivers (from Additional Drivers) and install “recommended with updates” after a restart everything works fine in the Nvidia control panel but the Fonts still look rough, i’ve managed to make them look slightly better with “sub pixel geometry” and “hinting” which I found in “Customise look and feel”

Why more isn’t better

Adam Vincent of Sys-Con has written to warn people that to protect yourself on the internet you should use 2 or 3 Anti Virus product’s, well that flies in the face of all the Anti Virus advice I have ever read. He also failed to point out that although Linux systems could in theory get virus’s, 99% of the time they do not, so just switching to Linux would be a better plan than draining the few resources left on your Windows PC by installing 3 types of Anti Virus. But hey what do I know i’m not a security specialist.

“Anti-Virus, more IS better”

Securing Your New Computer | SYS-CON MEDIA

“It doesn’t matter who you vote for, the goverment will always get in.”

I keep read scathing comments about how non voters are not fit to be in society, responsible, directly for killing women and children abroad etc. in fact a tirade of nonsense. Ah bless you all you really don’t like the idea that some of us don’t “buy in to”  this “we are helpless please look after us” mentality. Is it jealousy ? is it because you have been voting in pointless elections and you feel robbed of time that could have been put to better use. The whole system of goverment in this country and several others has failed it’s people, I have been alive around 50 years and it has NEVER been any different, like the old t-shirt logo said “It doesn’t matter who you vote for, the goverment will always get in.”

“Hi. We have no records on you.” Torrent use illegal say’s website.

You Have Downloaded – We show what you downloaded

“Hi. We have no records on you.

This means you are using a private torrent tracker or, of course, you may not be a torrent user at all! It happens.”

And your point is ? are you trying to suggest that the use of Torrents is illegal ? Well I have been downloading with Torrents so you got that wrong, I have the new Fedora the New Ubuntu, Android for ASUS Laptop and the latest Haiku. I give your website 3 out of 10 and mark it “Must try harder”

Ahhh I see, just found this on there website;
“We are also trying to apply this database to advertising. About 10% of all online shoppers, in the US, are torrent users as well. Knowing what they download might be useful market research.”

Open Source software more likely to spread malware

The way I read this article they are suggesting Open Source software is more vunerable to malware than Proprietory software, er, sorry but that is one of the most ill informed comment’s I have had the misfortune to read. Based on that premise Microsoft Windows must have a better history of security than say Linux for example. As anybody who has ever done the slightest bit of research into O/S security would know, that quite simply isn’t the case so I can only assume the author of the article did no research what so ever.

How to avoid malware hiding behind QR codes

Getting British Business online with Yola and Google

What happened to the Getting British Business online deal ? It was supposed to be a free domain name but when I try to register one I get asked to pay. And who are Yola and what is their connection with Britain anyway. Google ! is this a little scam you are getting involved in you bad search engine.

Ubuntu 12 & Fedora 16 Unity at last

I’ve been trying both of these new distributions and i’m not sure if I like the new Unity desktop/window manager i’m not sure I haven’t done enough research yet but short term use suggests it’s more aimed at an average desktop user rather than an Administrator I certainly struggled to find certain admin tools.
I’ll keep you informed, what are your opinions ?

Hacking Cracking and Sensationalism

Leveson inquiry: Guardian journalist justifies hacking if in the public interest | Media | guardian.co.uk

Apparently David Leigh was able to “hack into voice mail messages” really ? You “hacked” into voice mail messages ?
No you didn’t, stop claiming to have done some thing you didn’t, the term Hacking refers to customising or making a new item from one that one’s not originaly designed for that use.
What David Leigh did was “cracking” which involves breaking things (security etc.)
So let’s look at this fantastic story now; David Leigh rang someones voice mail service entered the default password and was able to gain access to said messages.
It doesn’t sound quite as exciting now does it, which is why it was never told like this.

LOL, Cat. Need your day brightening up ? Want to know how people really talk ?