operating systems

Over at Micropersuasion, Steve Rubel is making a bold prediction: The portals will be big winners in the social-networking wars.

"Social networking is certainly rising and there seems to be no end in sight to the phenomenon. However, what I do know is that people will jump around from one Myfaceborkutspace to another and not all of them will win," Rubel wrote.

He is referring to Long Tail author Chris Anderson, who points out that all good web sites should have elements of social networking and therefore suggests that social networking is a "feature, not a destination.&… Read more

The Globalization Institute, a Brussels-based European Union think tank, has recommended the EU require all PCs to be sold without preloaded operating systems such as Microsoft Windows.

There is no reason why computer operating systems could not follow the same model as computer hard drives and processors, which comply with standards that allow for broad compatibility as well as competition in the market, said the report, which was submitted to the EU's regulatory body, the European Commission.

Such a policy would lead to increased competition and innovation in the area of computer operating systems, something the Globalization Institute report … Read more

You might love your iPod or other portable music player, but can it play OGG and FLAC files? How about a game of Pong? Tom Merritt shows you how to install Rockbox, an open-source operating system for digital music players.

A new report surfaced Tuesday that Google's hell-bent on making its own mobile phone operating system, adding to the rumors that a prototype could be released soon.

Engadget is reporting that we could hear official news from Google about its plans for a handset-optimized operating system in September. The newest report falls into the more likely category--at least in my opinion--that Google would be working with existing phone companies on a device that uses a Google-developed operating system and suite of mobile applications, not building its own hardware.

The appeal for Google is simple: mobile phone growth is exploding, … Read more

Japan's economy, trade and industry ministry is planning to develop a standard operating system for car electronics, according to a leading Japanese newspaper.

Among the major manufacturers signing on to the development project are Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Toshiba, Yomiuri Shimbun reported Monday.

The group's goal is to have a prototype by 2009.

Just as computer operating systems, such as Windows Vista, allow multiple applications to communicate with one another, an automotive operating system enables different driving systems to work together. The standard automotive operating system from Japan will include everything from fuel injection, brakes and power steering … Read more

Robert Vamosi has taken the just-announced RTM (Release to Manufacturer) version of Windows Vista for a spin, and he's got the First Take, video, and photo gallery to prove it.

Usually, the RTM label means development is all done. But Microsoft's still working on fixing a few bugs before Vista's business release on November 30 and its retail release in January 2007. However, this version is the best indicator yet of what to expect from the final four Vistas: Windows Vista Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, and Windows Vista Ultimate.

A few highlights from … Read more