Tag Archives: Computerworld

Chinese governement want Linux compatible computers

The Chinese government have decreed that they want Linux compatible computers.

That's a fairly strong sign that the Chinese want to embrace open source software.

Behind the headline though is an interesting snippet:

Thirty-three desktop models from hardware vendors including Acer, Asustek, Lenovo and Hewlett-Packard Taiwan, were certified Linux-compatible, while four models each from Gigabyte Technology and Synnex Technology International were still under evaluation, according to the newspaper report.

Chinese government wants Linux-compatible computers

The Chinese government has decreed that they want Linux compatible computers. That's a fairly strong sign that the Chinese want to embrace open source software. Behind the headline though is an interesting snippet:

Thirty-three desktop models from hardware vendors including Acer, Asustek, Lenovo and Hewlett-Packard Taiwan, were certified Linux-compatible, while four models each from Gigabyte Technology and Synnex Technology International were still under evaluation, according to the newspaper report.
There are some interesting missing names there, and the names which are there focus on the big far-east companies (Acer, Asustek, Gigabyte).

Chinese government wants Linux-compatible computers

The Chinese government has decreed that they want Linux compatible computers. That's a fairly strong sign that the Chinese want to embrace open source software. Behind the headline though is an interesting snippet:

Thirty-three desktop models from hardware vendors including Acer, Asustek, Lenovo and Hewlett-Packard Taiwan, were certified Linux-compatible, while four models each from Gigabyte Technology and Synnex Technology International were still under evaluation, according to the newspaper report.
There are some interesting missing names there, and the names which are there focus on the big far-east companies (Acer, Asustek, Gigabyte).

Chinese government wants Linux-compatible computers

The Chinese government has decreed that they want Linux compatible computers. That's a fairly strong sign that the Chinese want to embrace open source software. Behind the headline though is an interesting snippet:

Thirty-three desktop models from hardware vendors including Acer, Asustek, Lenovo and Hewlett-Packard Taiwan, were certified Linux-compatible, while four models each from Gigabyte Technology and Synnex Technology International were still under evaluation, according to the newspaper report.
There are some interesting missing names there, and the names which are there focus on the big far-east companies (Acer, Asustek, Gigabyte).

A new spin on the thin-client model

Lightweight desktop machines that provide a simple terminal into a much more powerful machine are becoming more popular again. The complexities of managing large distributed computers mean that people are looking for simpler solutions.

Now here's an intriguing solution to the problem of where to locate these machines and to power and support them - a computer that fits entirely within a standard power socket (here in the UK, at least).

At 209 pounds (about $400) you can have a Windows CE based terminal, providing a 1280x1024 VGA display, USB ports, and supporting popular terminal standards like Citrix and the Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). You even get audio input and output.

A new spin on the thin-client model

Lightweight desktop machines that provide a simple terminal into a much more powerful machine are becoming more popular again. The complexities of managing large distributed computers mean that people are looking for simpler solutions.

Now here's an intriguing solution to the problem of where to locate these machines and to power and support them - a computer that fits entirely within a standard power socket (here in the UK, at least).

At 209 pounds (about $400) you can have a Windows CE based terminal, providing a 1280x1024 VGA display, USB ports, and supporting popular terminal standards like Citrix and the Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). You even get audio input and output.

Security begins at home

Security - computerised or otherwise - is about knowing your rights and responsibilities. Don't give away information you shouldn't - and certainly not for a sweet. Hopefully you fall into the 30% of people who wouldn't give away their password for some confectionary, but don't let your guard down either. Sometimes requests for information from more responsible quarters can lead to the same problems.

As an example, I've been talking to a financial advisor this morning, and one of his original requests was for copies of some identification documents - passport, drivers licence, a recent utility bill. This is to comply with the money laundering regulations we have here in the UK.

Security begins at home

Security - computerised or otherwise - is about knowing your rights and responsibilities. Don't give away information you shouldn't - and certainly not for a sweet. Hopefully you fall into the 30% of people who wouldn't give away their password for some confectionary, but don't let your guard down either. Sometimes requests for information from more responsible quarters can lead to the same problems.

As an example, I've been talking to a financial advisor this morning, and one of his original requests was for copies of some identification documents - passport, drivers licence, a recent utility bill. This is to comply with the money laundering regulations we have here in the UK.

Understanding display sizes

Back in the bad old days of computing, when the need for graphics was minor, there were basically two choices - either you had a CGA card capable of 320x240 pixels, or an EGA that managed 640x480 with a massive 16 colors or even 256 colors.

Macs traditionally had higher resolutions, although the highest at the time where black & white, grayscale at best. If you got color, it would be designed for a 13 inch monitor, but often at thousands or millions of colors.

Today, we are all familiar with, and most computers are capable of, a wide range of different resolutions if you have the right monitor.

Understanding display sizes

Back in the bad old days of computing, when the need for graphics was minor, there were basically two choices - either you had a CGA card capable of 320x240 pixels, or an EGA that managed 640x480 with a massive 16 colors or even 256 colors.

Macs traditionally had higher resolutions, although the highest at the time where black & white, grayscale at best. If you got color, it would be designed for a 13 inch monitor, but often at thousands or millions of colors.

Today, we are all familiar with, and most computers are capable of, a wide range of different resolutions if you have the right monitor.