Exciting Technologies Coming to Linux
The first half of 2009 is over and after your summer vacation, you might want to start gearing up for the new distro releases. Once again open source proved that developers collaborating all over the world deliver constant platform improvement. Let’s see what they have in store for us this time.
KSplice – Rebootless Kernel Upgrade
One of the arguments I use often when talking about the advantages of using Linux is the fact that you do not have to reboot when installing or upgrading software. Most of the time. Almost every Linux user knows you have to restart your system after updating the kernel. The guys at Ksplice Inc. came up with this fascinating new technology that basically enables you to apply kernel patches and start using the new kernel right away, without rebooting. That is really all there is to it.
Comment: I don’t know about you, but as far as I’m concerned, it is pretty mind-blowing. Kind of like making a headless chicken do your homework. Read about the underlying technology here.
USB 3.0
Via Wikimedia Commons (Tosaka)
This new bus specification promises a speed of 5 Gigabits per second, about 10 times faster than USB 2.0. And the first operating system to get a USB 3.0 driver is GNU/Linux, specifically, kernel 2.6.31 (scheduled for September).
Comment: Although we have yet to see some hardware (guess we will have to wait until good ol’ Windows adopts the tech), think about the possibilities. A pen-drive could be almost as fast as a regular hard drive, which would drive storage prices to the ground. As soon as a 1 GB or more USB 3.0 thumb drive appears, mark my words, I will be installing Fedora as if my life depended on it.
Ubuntu to support Google Android applications
Ubuntu Netbook Remix running Android (via Ars Technica)
With a user base of roughly 2 million and more than 20 Android-powered devices coming this year, Google’s mobile operating system may become a force to be reckoned with. Developers will embrace the platform and given time, Android’s Market will contain hundreds of thousands of applications. Well, at least that is the direction in which the Ubuntu dev team is thinking. They plan to introduce an easy way to port Android apps over to their flagship Linux distribution. While most applications will be useless on a desktop machine, there might be some apps that, with their small size and modest memory consumption, might do a certain task much better than its Ubuntu-native equivalent.
Comment: I have to hand it to the Ubuntu guy who first got this idea: very original thinking. However, I do not think this is a wise way to use developer resources. There are still many things in Ubuntu that need fixing. New features are going to bring new hurdles. The Android support idea is great, though we should wait until the Android Market grows a bit.
As you can see, 2009 may not be the Year of Linux on the Desktop, but it will certainly be an interesting year. Thanks to the openness of the platform, GNU/Linux remains the driver of innovation in modern desktop computing.
Are there any interesting technologies I missed? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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USB3.0
Well, good thing for me that 16gb thumb drives are on the market. What you mean to mention is when we’ll get usb3.0 compliant devices….
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Ksplice is nice but, it is only necessary for a very limited market. Live kernel patching is old hat in equipment like expensive PBXs running WindRiver OS and it will be handy for maintaining uptime for critical servers. But, Ubuntu users won’t see a whole lot of point, especially when they have to reboot anyway in order to clear out suspended user space programs.
USB 3.0
Thumb drives are presently limited by the speed of the NAND flash memory that they use, not the USB 2.0 specification. USB 3.0 MAY be beneficial when used with a much higher performing SSD(Solid State Disk). The only real short term benefit of USB 3.0 is the ability to use more devices at once without being constrained be the bandwidth of the bus.
Android on Ubuntu
Because there just aren’t enough pointless desktop “gadgets” consuming desktop space. Right? What Android app provides better or missing functionality that native Gnome/KDE apps lack?
Pointless!
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no mention of kde 4.3 ? RC2 is out and seems great.
Wow, thats too good but as you see, things are equally dependent on adaptation by Windows. I tried switching to Ubuntu a while ago and Ubuntu user forum was quite acidic towards my questions, like if you don’t know this then go use windows. That wasn’t a very good experience (and I always google before asking question) and major turn off. So at the moment, I don’t plan to use Linux till it becomes as user friendly as Windows.
You see, I do want to switch to linux but I want to get my work done as well, not only spend time in learning new OS, keeping my work aside. I know a good load who sails with me on this point. I guess, developers need to take this point into consideration while developing distros.
OK, I know this might seems a conflict of interest, but I think my own “RUNZ Framework” will have a good impact on the Linux world, mainly because it allows “portable apps” and SuperDeb installers, among other things: hacktolive.org/runz
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TJ, you are obviously a troll. Ubuntu is far easier to use than windows, especially when virus, trojan, spy/adware complications are taken into consideration. How do I know this? Because I switched my girlfriend over to ubuntu and she took to it like a duck to water. She switched without even taking a breath. Ubuntu dials her DSL automatically, and sure she uses firefox/opera about 90% of the time, but I showed her how to search for and install apps and now she’s got about 50 (no exaggeration) games loaded. She set up instant messaging on her own, loads pix from her camera and uses them in the screen saver, and she even customized her GUI. Plus, her friends have no problem using her ubuntu pc either. So your complaints just sound so phony and pathetic. It’s the exact same verbiage that was going around 5 to 10 years ago, with the exact same cliche complaints. All you’re trying to do is poison the well with your arsenic word.
Do you know what’s really difficult to use? Vista. It drives people insane with it’s constant nags, incessant security dialogs and provides non-answers to problems that even experienced users have difficulty resolving. How do I know this? Because it was vista (came pre-installed on her pc) that was driving my girlfriend crazy. It used to be she would call me with problems all the time with vista, and now that I replaced vista with ubuntu, her calls have stopped. Ubuntu has effectively saved our relationship.
Microsoft better get windows7 working way better than vista or they’re just going to continue to decline in market share. The scorn and ridicule heaped on vista, many proclaiming it the worst microsoft OS ever, has done more for the popularity of linux than just about anything else.
TJ, I don’t want to scare you off again, but if you want to use a new operating system, you’re going to need to learn it. That’s inherent to it being different. It’s a complex beast that you’re not going to completely understand after using it for ten minutes. There’s nothing developers can do about that for you.
I’m sorry to say this, of course, but if you’re not willing to learn a new operating system, you’re only option is to keep using the one you’ve already learned – Windows, as I understand it.
ATTN: HACKTOLIVE
I just checked out your runz framework and it’s an awesome idea. I love the flexibility of portable apps.
Now one request: make xmms a portable app, and include it in SuperOS (which I am downloading right now as I type this). It really peeves me that ubuntu does not include xmms, and having it available as a portable app would guarantee you millions of downloads. Also, thank you very much for offering SuperOS as a VDI image, there’s no faster way to try out a new OS.
two words Ksplice HOLY ***7
@Jonesy
I would make a portable xmms if I could, but at the moment I can only make portable apps if the original developer offers some form of .tar or if I can just extract the files from one .deb file and there are no further dependencies… and that is not the case of xmms
However, I am working on a “portable apps creator”, but it still needs lots of work… Cheers
@ those bagging on TJ;
I am very adept at computers in general, and have to agree with TJ. I have Ubuntu 9.04 running on one machine, have tried Puppy, and Mint, and though they do run the pre-installed programs, ie. internet, and word processing, adding software from those pre installed repositories can be difficult, adding software requiring adding repositories, and keys, near impossible. The file browser is not as efficient as XP’s, (hate Vista’s). I have problems accessing data on portable hard drives, some sort of Root permission problems, sometimes locks me out of thumb drives too. I have major problems trying to use Wine to play PC games, or use non-Linux software (Linux software may do the same thing as some PC software, but I prefer my familiar software and interface); this is a BIG one to me. If Wine was setup in such a way as to make it simple to install and run PC software I think I could fully switch.
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I thought you said exciting technologies?! USB3 is a standard that will be available on every platform within the year. And a behemoth of a Kernel being able to run while you recompile it in the background? Hardly interesting to the world outside Linux geeks.
By exciting technologies I was hoping for something new from Linux… like a great UI that doesn’t take the RAM and CPU power of 10 1995 supercomputers. Go back to the drawing board and look at the Amiga you morons. I was also expecting exciting new things like DECENT applications with the tools and UI that non programmers want and can use… but you fail again Linux… “Its the ‘tools’ STUPID!”.
@Duh?: It’s not pointless to port Android apps. I agree that the last thing we need is another suite of desktop gadgets, but still, there will always be a use for a suite of portable, small-footprint apps. I like Ubuntu, but many of its popular apps crawl on my Eee PC Seashell running Netbook Remix–I’d be happy to be able to choose net-aware proggies with very low overhead for basic tasks.
@Aric A. – I wouldn’t expect an Android emulator to really improve performance. Not to mention the terrible integration. It’s a fun experiment but nothing more than that. There are more exciting developments but they’re not mentioned in this post. The one that are mentioned aren’t all that interesting.
what’s about kde 4.3 ?
T.J., I’d like to make a suggestion for your planned upgrade to Linux from Windows. I did it in steps. First I moved to Firefox, then to OpenOffice, and then I made the leap to one of the Linux distributions. Once you have the same familiarity with Linux that you have with Windows, you’ll find Linux to be a far less aggrevating experience. Best wishes to you.
I think Ubuntu supporting Android apps is a big deal for the Linux community, the amount of applications that will be available for the OS will increase alot. And yes they’re applications optimized for mobile devices I doubt it’d hurt to have them on the desktop too.
The one thing I’m hoping for is better web integration in Linux, the web is increasingly becoming the de facto platform, hopefully with the release of Chrome OS the Linux community will work harder to implement better web integration with the OS.
vladimir, the dude didn’t like his experience. that doesn’t make him a troll. Clearly, you’re the type of individual to scares ppl off from Linux because of you’re idiotic “everyone who criticizes or has a problem is a troll” mentality….or are you a MS plant to chase folks away from Linux? I think that’s the case. You act like you’re defending Linux, but you’re just pissing-off potential users. Sounds nuts, doesn’t it? So do you. I’m sure the guy pilots a black helicopter & killed Kennedy, too.
Linux OSs don’t self destruct & die the way WIndows does, but there are a lot of issues that some folks are gonna find too time consuming. Sometimes setting up multiple displays can be a real pain in the ass…one area that Windows, unfortunately, does really well. A new user could spend a day on that alone. It takes minutes in Windows. The guy doesn’t want to waste his weekend. What’s easy on one Linux Distro can be a disaster on another. On some distros Samba is, especially for a new user, crazy difficult. I used Debian, Kanotix, then Sidux for years. I use LinuxMint, now, which would be a truly outstanding distro were it not for the ubuntu-related annoyances. You know, their well-known shoddy approach to fixing bugs?
Everything in the Linux world is NOT perfect & Utopian. For most of us it’s a helluva lot better than dealing w/ Windows, but if you’re not going to recognize that there are flaws, and that not everybody is an IT pro or an acne face kid who’s never kissed a girl w/ all the free time in the world, you’re not helping. Some folks just want to be an end-user & use a PC w/o having to notice the OS — as it should be. We’re not there yet. Windows will never be there. OSX? …depends on who you ask.
Oh, and Linux isn’t an ‘it’ if you’re referring to an OS. It’s a ‘them’..hundreds of them. Ubuntu isn’t Linux; it’s just one. Go back to surfing the web on ubuntu & thinking you’re an expert.
It appears we have the anti-troll trolling troller posting on this site.
Now what would that make me?
oh yeah I almost forgot my real comment:
Linux is not automatic, I have been using it for ten years and use it everyday at work making embedded devices, yet I still have difficulty every so often with configuring new hardware.
There is about a one month learning curve while first using Linux to learn about permissions and installing packages(adding repositories and keys), etc. Yet, these things are a crucial reason Linux does not have viruses and spyware. The permissions stop programs writing to important files without you knowing and the keys and repositories assure that only verified programs are installed on your system. It also helps to learn basic bash, but you can get by without it and this need is slowly being fixed.
When I used to use Windows I spent most my time cracking software licenses and removing viruses and spyware hidden in binary closed source programs. With Linux once you understand the system everything is just a free click away and the code is available and verified so punks can’t hide malicious stuff in the programs.
Once you have Linux working, you will never like anything else.
Markurosu has the right idea.
Some people are scared of new things (not kids, put them on a Mac, WIn, KDE or Gnome and they go on their business) especially older people set in tehir ways.
I have upgraded to Linux all my family, aunt, uncles and others who wanted free tech support (I cut down my support time by over 90%) because I couldnt deal with the time consuming virus, malware problems. That’s 5 people over 70 and 7 people between 58 and 70. 2 of those people never used a computer.
The ones that used Windows were all using free software before the switch.
OpenOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, VLC and even some like Picasa, Google Earth, Opera and Skype which are also available. When I switched them to the KDE desktop, they were familiar with all the programs. I also put then all on KDE because its much, much closer to the look of Windows that the Mac centric Gnome.
Using Kopete instead of Trillian wasnt hard, neither was using Amarok or Audalicious instead of Winamp.
Familiarity is very important to people.
I dont use Ubuntu much as their Kubuntu version….sucks (im on Kubuntu 9.04 right now though!). My distro of choice for friends has been PCLinuxOS for the past 2-3 years and Mandriva2009 since KDE4.2 is now ready for general users.
However, whenever I have a friend who is knowledgeable about WIndows (installing, repairing, adding hardware) who wants to try a distro, I suggest Ubuntu BECAUSE of the community forums which are very helpful and can help him figure it out on his own without my help.
Was someone abrupt? Very possible but Ive seen people go out of their way to help newbies and whenever someones is bitchy in the way you mention, people call that person on it. On the other hand, Ive seen people arrive in forums with an attitude and be surprised that people call them on it too. So unless you send us a link to the offence you are referring to, its hard to make the call. Of course, had this been Debian forums, then Id believe it
If you can install Windows, you can install most Linux distros with no problem but lets not expect that most people will do this since most people dont know how to install Windows. For me, a simple user is the person who pays the big box store 100-150$ to install some spyware programs and 60$ to backup up info on an externalHD. Those people will not be able to install any OS.
Oh yeah, installing programs hard on Linux? Compared to Windows? Please.
My mom knows how to open Kpackagekit and go through the games section, she reads teh description, clicks the check mark and clicks to apply changes. If a 70+ woman can do it, it CANNOT be that hard.
Wauit, what were we talking about? Android apps on my desktop? Meh. I cant think of many Iphone apps Id want on my desktop but hey, if you can do it? Why not? Sort of like widgets…. I dont have to use them all but its nice to know theyre there and if it does go through, c’est la vie.
But before spending time on something that isnt out yet, Id rather see Canonical spend more time on Kubuntu, their redheaded stepchild.
And yes, there are trolls in every forum/comments like the one who complain about “the desktop UI” when there are dozens of available desktop environment and some lean ones which run on my Thinkpad T23-P3 w/ 128mb ram and 8mb video card, my P4 1Ghz desktop the kids are running and my moms’ cheapo 5-6 yr old Acer laptop which runs KDE with no problem.
Choice is a great thing but choice is also a scary thing.
[...] que más adelantado está en el soporte de nuevas tecnologías, y lo demuestra el artículo de Internetling en el que se habla de tres tecnologías que llegarán (o han llegado) en los próximos meses a [...]
[...] que más adelantado está en el soporte de nuevas tecnologías, y lo demuestra el artículo de Internetling en el que se habla de tres tecnologías que llegarán (o han llegado) en los próximos meses a [...]
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[...] Exciting Technologies Coming to Linux The first half of 2009 is over and after your summer vacation, you might want to start gearing up for the new distro releases. Once again open source proved that developers collaborating all over the world deliver constant platform improvement. Let’s see what they have in store for us this time. [...]
BoyBunny just made me realize that how confused the world can be for the intellectually challenged!
Here are some “Exciting New Technologies” that should come to Linux:
Stable, working sound.
Stable window compositing that doesn’t have to be turned off to run games or random applications.
[...] Exciting tech coming to Linux http://www.internetling.com/2009/07/19/exciting-technologies-coming-to-linux/ [...]
TJ, If your not happy with Linux response then I would suggest you give Linux Mint 7 a try, its based on Ubuntu and now comes under the HDE and Gnome flavours. the community on the Mint website is great and everyone will help you. Its a great operating system and beats the pants off windows.
Boro
BeAsItMay you obviously have not used Mint as all the repositories are installed for you. all you have to do is menu/admin/synaptic package manager, pick your app/game and press install. you dont even have to boot the system, you just right click on the menu and reload plugins. as for the WIne, I dont use wine myself I installed Virtual Box and on that installed windows xp (I need this for my only windows program, my account software.) even xp boot up in around 5 seconds under linux mint. I moved to Mint as I was not able to get a printer driver for my printer under Vista. now all our computers have been moved over to Mint. try number 7 its a big improvement.
TJ, keep using windows, but install something like virtual box, so that you can play with different versions of Linux. I use Linux consistently with no issues, and I’m not a guru by any means, just takes time to get to know it. My mom had just as many issues with windows as with Linux, so it just takes time.
“Android’s Market will contain hundreds of thousands of applications.”
That’s 1 app per every 20 user … You sir are a blogger, not a journalist.
BoyBunny just made me realize that how confused the world can be for the intellectually challenged!
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usb 3.0 is worthless, just like usb 2.
if i want decent data transfer i use firewire. the REAL data speed are way superior.
and it does it without killing the cpu/battery.
but apart from that it’s good news.