Open Source – Page 28

Kubuntu Sucks (But KDE Doesn’t): The Ubuntu Feisty Fawn 7.04 Review

My rating of Kubuntu 7.04: 5.4 /10
My rating of Ubuntu 7.04: 9.1 / 10

Ah well, for a person like me who keeps on changing OSs at the drop of a (red) hat, sticking to one (Freespire) for one year got too tedious. Freespire 2 was supposed to be released in June, but it’s been delayed week after week. So I got bored, with just one exam (physics) left, and decided to install Kubuntu.

Now the thing is, they haven’t done any changes to speak of – they just took the latest KDE version and dumped it in, with practically no changes. KDE is always a looker, with loads of eye candy without hoggin resources, and sure ‘nuf, it showed that. However, my troubles were just beginning.

For a start, Kubuntu doesn’t support the codec prompt for installing codecs like Ubuntu does. I thought, ohkies, whadev, I’ll install it via the package manager. And guess what? The package manager doens’t allow me to install anything! Yup, software listed, unless on the system already, was greyed out. Which basically means, I could only unistall stuff. Moreover, it didn’t even SHOW all the packages generally found in Ubuntu repositories.

I then went to the Kubuntu site for documentation about this, and found that they only have it up to version 6.10. Crap. Within an hour of installing, Kubuntu was on its way out from my system.

The interesting thing to note is that I was not at all disappointed with KDE, because its newer version sports an even cooler look – and remember this is just the default package which doesn’t have any mods. KDE sports a much more sophisticated feel, and I’m far more comfortable with it, anyday.

It was time for Ubuntu then. Installed without a hitch, and the codec prompts worked this time. It’s worked like a charm till now, except for the fact that I don’t like Gnome, and there seems to be a bug in its Rythmbox music player (Amarok rocks!). I also hate the fact that Gnome offers less customisation than KDE, and makes you run around the whole desktop to change related stuff. That’s one more advantage of KDE – a unified control center which handles every goddamn thing about your OS, so it’s easier to quickly access and change stuff. Also, Ubuntu initially had problems setting my network up and needed a reboot to register changes, unlike Kubuntu which implemented them realtime.

And then the apps. KDE’s defaults, like K3B, Kaffeine, Amarok, Kopete etc etc win over their default Gnome counterparts, hands down, anyday. KDE apps sport a much better look, and are definitely more advanced. You can check it out.

Ah well, Ubuntu as my OS now then…

PS – For those who’ve been waiting for my LG Dynamite phone review, a big sorry! While changing my OS I forgot to back the half-written post on that topic, and I’ll have to start all over again. Now I need to start my physics exam prep though…

The GPLv3 Is Here…

Yes folks, the much talked about, much debated GPLv3 is out. The GNU Public License is the legal stuff that protects Linux kernel, and many more open source software. And it just got its new version. GPLv2 was written way back about 15 years ago, and the OSS community felt the need to update it. However, it has caused much controversy indeed. Released on Friday, this bit of news did get drowned out in the hoopla over the iPhone. But believe me, this is far more far-reaching than any other tech development in recent times.

GPLv3 puts restrictions like DRM, and precludes any patent deals like the Microsucks-Novell one. It’s not about that though – changes will take effect after months. What I wanted to talk about is other developments. After GPLv3, I see Microsucks getting ready for war. A blow to Linux as we know it. Recently, Microsucks tried to make similar deals with Red Hat, Mandriva, and Ubuntu – all Linux biggies. All refused. Which means, I don’t see anyone else of any consequence left. The only major player on MS’s side is Novell now. Linspire and Xandros went in because these distros are targeted towards the mass market, and know that something like GPLv3 will hurt them.

And hurt Linux Microsucks definitely wants to. Over recent times, Steve Ballmer has been going on rabidly about patent violations. Maybe it’s just a pressure tactic to get more people on-board, maybe it’s just FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Destruction). And I get this feeling that Microsucks wants to go in for the D of FUD. It’s Vista OS is out, demanding more system requirements. Of course, Linux is on the rise – with people switching over to less resource hungry Linux. Linux is still small, I agree, with a 0.7% market share according to some very good estimates, but Microsucks KNOWS Linux is on the rise. It’s percolating down…all this stuff on how good free software is.

I’m sure the Linux camp too has a patent arsenal – I guess they have stuff to counter-sue Microsoft. How much, is the question. Being closed source, their faults remain hidden; while MS has full access to Linux code. The reason why it could go in for a strike is that now is the time after 6 years, that it wants users to upgrade. And it’s seeing a lot of inertia. With the PC industry in cahoots with MS to sell costlier PCs that people don’t need to buy, Billy sees a direct threat to him not being the richest asshole anymore. A strike could accomplish this – create fear in the minds of people that they’ll be sued, and they’ll drop it like a hot potato. As for the snickering MS partners like Novell who THINK they’re safe, well, people will think Linux is bad, isn’t it? And chuck them too. MS can very sweetly dump them at its own free will then.

I’m all for interoperability, I’m all for collaboration. What worries me is that they tried to pin Red Hat and other majors down to the mat. I don’t care if Linspire goes in, it’s a small player and just one niche segment catering to mass market is something I’m ready to support; giving up a lot of freedom of Linux by having Red Hat and all join is something I’m against. Maybe I’m falling for nothing but FUD, falling for unfounded fears. But I know which side I’m on, I’m on Linux’s side. If it means supporting GPLv3 instead of interoperability, so be it. If interoperability does work out though, then I’m all for it, and for more collaboration deals.