unix

Thanks to the "Darwin" underpinnings in OS X, Mac users can compile and run many useful open source projects that are available for Unix operating systems. These include everything from command-line tools and editors, to graphical desktop environments and games. While websites such as "Sourceforge" try to make it easy to access the latest versions of open source projects, the projects will still need to be compiled if a binary is not available. Usually this process is straightforward, but at times modifications to the source code and installation scripts may be required to get them running.… Read more

Cocktail is both useful and fun for inveterate Mac tinkerers and would-be power-users (that is, power users who aren't hard-core enough to use the command line). This multipurpose utility can help you keep your computer happy and healthy, giving you access to scores of tweaks and optimizations pulled together from various utilities, preferences, third-party hacks, and command-line tools.

Cocktail can help you with routine maintenance and customization across your disks, system, files, network, and interface. Cocktail is organized around these five areas, with highly customizable options for everything from clearing caches and repairing permissions to changing the appearance and … Read more

Monarchy, mercantilism, and Talmudic tech are on the table today. We get a little obscure in our references...at least I do...but Leo and Brian keep us on track talking about the new Sony Reader, and how the Pirate Bay is unkillable. In bad news, SCO is back, and this time it's personal.

Sony unveils three would-be Kindle killers--Pocket, Touch and now, 3G Wireless with AT&T http://paidcontent.org/article/419-sony-unveils-new-reader-digital-books-pocket-touch-and-now-3g-wireless/ http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=23187 … Read more

SCO Group, whose 6-year-old legal case arguing Linux infringes its Unix copyright hasn't been enough to keep it from bankruptcy court, nevertheless won an important victory in its case Monday.

A skeptical federal judge earlier had ruled that Novell had retained Unix copyrights when it sold its Unix business to the Santa Cruz Operation, a company whose Unix assets SCO Group later acquired. But the appeals court overturned that decision, based in part on a close reading of the Unix asset purchase agreement, sending the matter to trial for a decision. The appeals court did uphold a ruling that … Read more

While the open-source crowd gets (rightly) excited by Linux's growing market share, three companies are pulling the rug out from under the feet of traditional operating systems.

Red Hat is winning in Linux while IBM cleans up the Unix market. But those are increasingly yesterday's markets as Microsoft, Google, and VMware create different breeds of operating system, each tuned to the strength of its product portfolio.

The easiest to understand are Google and VMware. Google, with its Linux distribution Chrome OS, is placing secondary emphasis on the operating system and primary emphasis on where it takes you: the … Read more

A bankruptcy court judge has denied a request by the SCO Group to sell off part of its business, a move that could have helped it pursue court cases against Novell and IBM.

SCO, which has been in bankruptcy court since 2007, had proposed to sell off most of its Unix business assets to a company called Unxis, the latest in a series of proposals aimed at allowing the company to exit bankruptcy and continue its high-profile Unix litigation.

IBM and Novell, on the other hand, had requested that SCO's assets be liquidated, effectively putting an end to the … Read more

Brian Cooley gets mad at the Swiss and the Dutch in this episode and takes up the defense of Microsoft. We also decide to pitch IBM against Wolfram Alpha in a battle royale.

Apple readying 'media pad' and 'iPhone lite' for launch soon? http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/04/apple-readying-media-pad-and-iphone-lite-for-launch-soon.ars

Mozilla releases Firefox 3.5 beta http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10228665-2.html

Microsoft debuts Vine in Seattle: Twitter+Facebook on steroids http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/technologybrierdudleysblog/2009134578_microsoft_debuts_vine_in_seatt.html

Don’t get confused: Facebook’s open-stream approach isn’t like … Read more

Update at 9:13 a.m. PDT, with IBM comment and Sun's stock price.

With Sun Microsystems reportedly in merger talks with IBM and its stock soaring as high as 83.7 percent in morning trading, Sun's largest shareholder may find its activist role is paying off.

Southeastern Asset Management, which holds a 22 percent stake, announced in October that it was seeking an active role in the company and would engage in talks with not only Sun's management but also third parties, in an effort to maximize shareholder value.

That was followed in December with an … Read more

The team working on Microsoft's portable media player has been divided in two and put under Windows Mobile hardware and Media Center software and services. What will this mean for the future of the device? CNET News reporter Ina Fried talks about where the Zune is headed.

Also in today's podcast: It's 1234567890 day! Nerds rejoice! Plus, the gadgets that broke our hearts, and a cheap take on smartphones.

Today's stories:

Microsoft reshuffles Zune team

Midway Games presses reset with bankruptcy

Microsoft follows Apple into retail business

iPhone too pricey? Think smartphone-lite… Read more