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May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
Oct. 30, 2009
/ 12 Mar-Cheshvan 5770
Linux hits user nerve
By
Mark Kellner
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
PORTLAND, Ore. Maybe I'm on to something.
For a good chunk of last week, your reviewer's scribings about Ubuntu Linux was in
the top five of most-read stories at Washingtontimes.com, this newspaper's Web
site. Since most of the other top items concerned health insurance reform or the
H1N1 vaccine and similar weighty topics, the presence of a geek-oriented column was
a pleasant surprise.
I suspect this may reflect a growing disenchantment among many computer users with
the high cost of operating systems, specifically Windows operating systems from
Microsoft Corp. That firm launched its newest release, Windows 7, on
Oct. 22 and while sales signs are encouraging, we're not seeing the mania some
previous Windows launches have engendered. With prices ranging from about $110 to
just under $200 depending on the flavor of Windows 7 purchased, some users may
invoke the famous Roberto Duran maxim: "No mas" ("No more").
In short, when computer hardware can cost as little as $300 for a somewhat decent
setup, spending one-third to one-half of that on the operating system seems a little
extravagant, if not downright crazy.
My Ubuntu column drew a number of reader comments and questions. Here are a couple
of clarifications and answers to the most frequent items raised by readers:
iTunes for the Masses: I voiced the "complaint" that there isn't a Linux
version of Apple Inc.'s iTunes application for Ubuntu (or any other flavor of)
Linux, and that this was a demerit. Several readers, including Mr. Stephen Ostrow of
Long Island, New York, noted several open-source music player programs out there for
Linux, including Rhythmbox, Songbird, Amarok, and Banshee.
But, said I, what about buying music MP3s under Linux? Mr. Ostrow correctly replied:
go to Amazon.com and download to your heart's (and wallet's) content. His point
is well taken.
Given my druthers, I'd still prefer a Linux-friendly version of iTunes: Apple has
done very, very well, in my opinion, with its online
music/video/podcast/applications store, and while Amazon.com is a very good player
in the marketplace, there's stuff Apple has that Amazon doesn't. Bringing iTunes
to Linux would be a nice step, in my opinion.
Emulation made easy: Another question was about using "virtual machine" software
to emulate a Windows PC while running Linux. This can be done when there's a
Windows program you just need to run, and there's no alternative. Toddle over to
www.winehq.org and download the latest version, again, free. Follow the
instructions, cross your fingers and you'll be off to the races with most of the
popular Windows applications. (I'll confess I haven't tried this yet, because
I'm traveling. But I'll do it soon and report back.)
The whole issue of emulation, though, portends something else, I believe: if we're
able to cross-operate all sorts of applications on different (and less-expensive)
operating systems, then what's the future of expensive upgrades? My guess: a
limited one.
Now, there are advantages to having an operating system such as Microsoft Windows in
the marketplace: there's a long history behind the OS, a lot of support for older
computers, displays, printers and other peripherals, and ostensibly less worry about
a "plug-and-play" computing experience. And, let's face it, users have nearly
25 years of Windows versions to play with; it's super-familiar and thus,
super-attractive.
But there's that price tag. It's still jarring, especially since Apple, Inc.,
launched it's newest OS version, dubbed "Snow Leopard" at $30 a copy, period.
While what's officially known as Macintosh OS X 10.6 is not necessarily as much of
a revamp as Windows 7 has been, its price tag is more in line with the sensitivities
of today's market, I believe.
We might well be at the start, the most nascent stage, of a sea change in computing:
if your OS costs more than, say, 10 to 15 percent of your hardware's cost, it
might be viewed as costing too much.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Mark Kellner has reported on technology for industry newspapers and magazines since 1983, and has been the computer columnist for The Washington Times since 1991.Comment by clicking here.
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© 2009, News World Communications, Inc. Reprinted with permission of The Washington Times. Visit the paper at http://www.washingtontimes.com
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