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Ken Hess's Linux Blog

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All About khess (Ken Hess)

My new book, Practical Virtualization Solutions, is out.

Catch my radio talk show with co-host Jason Perlow The Frugal Tech Show, every Friday at 6:30pm Eastern. You can call in or just listen in. Live Interviews with Today's Technology Leaders (C-Level Executives) whose products and services save money for businesses.

And check out my columns, Cover Your Assets, at ServerWatch.com helps you with more money-saving tips for your IT infrastructure and Linux Magazine's Virtual Reality at linux-mag.com.

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Linux Servers and Apache

10 Ways that Enterprises use Linux

1 Day Ago - The world's largest technical support, software and hardware companies use Linux on a daily basis for a variety of tasks and solutions. This post gives you an overview of all the ways in which large companies use Linux. Most don't use Linux on the desktop but do use it in ways you might expect (and... (Read More)

Retraction: Five *nix Myths Busted

12 Days Ago - To you, my loyal readers, I must offer up a sincere apology for my recent post, Five *nix Myths Busted, and am posting this full retraction for that post. To fully drive home my retraction and refute any myths about my competence with Linux or Unix, I am going to go through each point that I made... (Read More)

Microsoft and Linux Will Never Be "Best Buddies"

15 Days Ago - I just read an article called: Life after Windows: What happens to tech if Microsoft dies?" The article made me think of what it really would be like without Microsoft. I didn't like it. We need Microsoft over there competing with us. No matter what happens to the economy, to the PC hardware format... (Read More)

Five *nix Myths Busted

17 Days Ago - I love mythology and there's nothing like hearing a technology myth to make my day complete. Just today someone applied one of the following myths in a conversation with me. I didn't say anything but it gave me the idea for this post. Here are the five myths related to *nix systems that I hear most... (Read More)

Jobs.Linux.Com: When Job Boards Go Bad

21 Days Ago - Last week, The Linux Foundation launched it's new Linux Jobs board and normally, I applaud anything that The Linux Foundation (TLF) does but not this time. And I think it's great that TLF has a job board on Linux.com, however, the execution lacks the luster I've come to expect from these guys. So,... (Read More)

Zimbra and VMware: Is This a Good Idea?

22 Days Ago - Did you hear that one of the web's most popular web-based collaboration suites, Zimbra, was purchased by virtualization leader, VMware? Zimbra customers like the idea of VMware owning the software suite. Industry observers have differing opinions on the topic. Formerly owned by Yahoo, Zimbra now... (Read More)

10 Characteristics of a Linux Guru?

32 Days Ago - I just read a post on another site from someone who calls himself (herself?), linux guru, and it made me ponder the following question: What is a Linux Guru? I've known many knowledgeable people over the years but never have I met an actual guru. I wonder if people like linux guru think that he can... (Read More)

The Linux Commercial Contest

Dec 31st, 2009 - As promised yesterday, this is my potential solution to the Linux survival question: A Linux Commercial--created by you--and it's a contest. Sound exciting? You creative types will now have a chance to create your own short film/video/commercial for Linux. Give Linux a face, a voice, a rap, a song,... (Read More)

Will Linux Survive the Global Economic Meltdown?

Dec 30th, 2009 - While companies worldwide look for ways to reduce costs, shed dead weight from their labor resources and streamline their businesses, it makes me wonder if Linux will survive the global economic meltdown. Oh, I know it will survive in terms of us geeks who use it and tout its goodness. It will... (Read More)

Linux Freedom Under Attack

Dec 8th, 2009 - Do you need a reality check? Freedom isn't free. You have to work hard, and possibly even die, for it. Fortunately, free software doesn't require you to sacrifice anything but restrictions. Unfortunately, the powerful marketing machines constantly bombard and tempt you with semi-clever TV... (Read More)

5 Linux-based Cloud Businesses

Dec 5th, 2009 - Amazon Web Services (AWS) uses it. Elastichosts uses it. Google uses it. Yahoo uses it. Engine Yard uses it. Facebook uses it. "It" is Linux, of course. But what else do all these companies have in common? If you said "cloud technology," you're correct. Perhaps the best known of all cloud... (Read More)

Linux: Freedom or Freakdom?

Nov 30th, 2009 - I was talking with my friend, Jason Perlow, yesterday and he told me that I should back off of the free software rants because he feels that I'm entering the gray edges of freakdom. We laughed about it but it made me think: When does a strong belief in something become extremism? I've had two... (Read More)

10 Things I Hate About Linux

Nov 25th, 2009 - It's hard for me to admit it but there are things, ten things to be exact, that I really hate about Linux. Sometimes I think it's just me but I do see other people stating a few of these in the forums so I'm at least not alone with some of these issues. These are in no particular order and they... (Read More)

Does Linus Torvalds Hate Freedom?

Nov 20th, 2009 - According to an ongoing debate over the GPL version 3, he does. How can this be, since Linus Torvalds, creator and chief architect of the Linux kernel, knows about software freedom and free software? He doesn't have a problem with what Richard Stallman refers to as "tivoization," which is the... (Read More)

10 Special Linux Distributions That You Should Know

Nov 16th, 2009 - At my last, best count, there were over 550 individual Linux distributions. From the most generic, flat installs of the most common distros to ultra-specialized, multimedia-oriented to the eye-popping, fancy ones--they're all there for the taking. I found ten distributions from among the 500 or so... (Read More)

The 10 Best Linux Distributions of 2009

Oct 11th, 2009 - It was exactly one year ago today that I published my original "The 10 Best Linux Distributions" and it's time to put forth a new list for this year's best. Without looking at the old list, I've decided to compile this one from scratch. This 2009 list takes several factors into account for... (Read More)

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Getting Started and Choosing a Distro

Free Training from The Linux Foundation

14 Days Ago - Who says you don't get something for nothing? Certainly not the good people over at The Linux Foundation (TLF) who're offering free Linux training. TLF is doing its part for the worldwide Linux community by offering this free training plus the Linux Jobs Board and all of its other services. I... (Read More)

10 Linux-based Technologies to Look for in 2010

Dec 21st, 2009 - Everyone has posted their predictions for 2010 but here's the real scoop on what's going to happen in 2010 with Linux and Linux-oriented hardware and software products. Get ready to see the biggest increase in Linux adoption in history. You can say you saw it here first. These are in no particular... (Read More)

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Linux in 5 Easy Steps

Nov 24th, 2009 - Hey Windows fans, would you like to take Linux for a spin to see what everyone's buzzing about? It's easy to do in just five easy steps. You can test Linux for yourself without having to setup multibooting, worry about partitioning or installing over your current Windows system. That's right, you... (Read More)

Linuxdistrus nolongerexista: What Happens When a Linux Distribution Goes Extinct?

Nov 12th, 2009 - It's a fact of life that Linux distributions go extinct and it happens more often than our Linux fan base would like to admit. At last count, there are approximately 50 individual distributions that are now extinct. What happens to the poor unfortunates who adopt and use these defunct distros? Are... (Read More)

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Window and Desktop Managers

Linux Desktop Environment Innovation Nonexistent

18 Days Ago - As a current GNOME user and former KDE user, I'd like to know when we can expect some new innovations from either of these desktop environments? I know KDE came out with KDE 4.x just over two years ago but it seems that its popularity has fallen away in favor of GNOME. GNOME only releases new... (Read More)

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Death to the Desktop! Long Live the Cloud!

33 Days Ago - I have a feeling that the desktop operating system as we know it is on its last leg. The reason I make such a bold statement is that cloud computing will replace our fat, bloated, virus-riddled, failure-prone desktop with something far more agile and elegant: A lightweight browser-based system.... (Read More)

Ubuntu Spelunkers Return to Redmond Cave

Dec 3rd, 2009 - It was a cold November morning, leaves covered the now yellowed grass, the dog's water stood frozen, two little winter birds fluffed their feathers while sitting on a low tree branch outside my kitchen window and the smell of coffee began to fill my nostrils telling me that it's time to quell my... (Read More)

Inventing A New Linux User Interface

Nov 20th, 2009 - If you weren't already familiar with the likes of GNOME, KDE, XFCE, LXDE, Enlightenment and others, what would you like to see in a Linux User Interface? Whether you call it a desktop manager, a window manager, an XGUI or user interface; what do you think it needs to be successfully adopted for... (Read More)

9 Free Linux Distributions: A Linux Free For All

Nov 5th, 2009 - Have you searched for Linux distributions that are 100% free? Did you find more than one that suited your needs? Well, here's a list of nine from which you can choose your favorite. Free means freedom to alter, redistribute, sell or release as a different product with no restrictions on you or your... (Read More)

It's On! Ubuntu and Microsoft Going to the Mat

Oct 27th, 2009 - Ubuntu's CEO, Mark Shuttleworth fired one over Microsoft's bow with a statement that the soon to be released Ubuntu 9.10 is ready to go head-to-head with Windows 7 on Netbooks. He also said that Windows XP is still hanging around on some Netbooks as a "ghost." Shuttleworth wants another shot at the... (Read More)

Android Shmandroid, Who Cares?

Oct 26th, 2009 - It's a cell phone for crying out loud. Do you get it? A cell phone. You know, you make and receive phone calls on it. It's a telephone that you carry around in your pocket. Who gives a rip whether it's equipped with a web browser, a file editor or an ice cream dispenser; it's a telephone. People... (Read More)

2009's Top 10 Reader's Choice Linux Distributions

Oct 19th, 2009 - My "10 Best Linux Distributions of 2009" list drew a bit of disdain from some of my readers, so I thought I'd make it up to them by posting a list of Linux distributions that they like to use. Since I have no way of knowing which of these distributions is better or worse than the others, I've place... (Read More)

Ubuntu 9.10: First Impressions

Oct 5th, 2009 - Ubuntu has redeemed itself with its latest version 9.10 (Karmic Koala). I took a look at Ubuntu 9.10 on October 1st and have been playing around with it for a few days. My first impression is that it is good stuff--seriously good stuff. From the new, updated installer to the faster boot times, I'm... (Read More)

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Windows Software

8 IT Predictions for the New Year

Dec 15th, 2009 - Everyone has their predictions for the new year but do they often prognosticate using an animated video? The folks over at rPath created a clever video animation depicting their reasonable and humorous predictions for 2010. rPath might be best known for its online virtual appliance builder. You can... (Read More)

Is Microsoft the Newest Free Software Advocate?

Sep 29th, 2009 - What the heck is happening in Redmond? Is Microsoft really giving away antivirus software? Yes, friends, it appears that they are. Come on Microsoft, we really want to hate you. I've carried this Microsoft voodoo doll* around with me for years--stabbing it every time I have to pay money for one of... (Read More)

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*nix Software

Freedom on the Offensive with Multiple Lawsuits

Dec 15th, 2009 - The Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) took aim at 14 consumer electronics companies for violating GPL licensed products. This is the largest lawsuit of its kind ever filed. This lawsuit uses what Richard Stallman calls "tivoization" as its defense. Tivoization, if you recall from my post, "Does... (Read More)

Does Open Source Software Put Government Security at Risk?

Dec 12th, 2009 - The Obama Administration vows to cut costs in part by using open source software (Software whose source code is made available to the user), cloud computing, virtualization, Linux and other low cost technologies. But, does the use of open source software put the government, its records and our... (Read More)

Richard Stallman Speaks

Oct 9th, 2009 - I had the honor and pleasure of speaking to Richard Stallman a few days ago while he was in New Zealand on a speaking tour. I had been in an email conversation with him over several days asking about which software programs he uses and I finally connected with him for some clarification and more... (Read More)

What Free Software Means

Oct 5th, 2009 - You often hear the terms 'free software' and open source used interchangeably but they're not the same. In fact, true free software zealots launch into a fiery diatribe on the issue should you even utter the words "open source" when speaking of free software. Free software is not related to the... (Read More)

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Windows Vista and Windows 7

Will Windows 7 Promote Linux Adoption?

Nov 23rd, 2009 - I've done a bit of research on Windows 7 Enterprise to discover some of its new features and to uncover its secrets. From what I've seen so far, Microsoft has provided some interesting Linux-esque features that might accidentally boost Linux adoption as a side effect. The two primary features to... (Read More)

5 Reasons Why You Should Switch to Windows 7 (And 5 More Reasons Why You Shouldn't)

Oct 23rd, 2009 - Yesterday was Microsoft's big day. Windows 7 was released. Did you go buy your copy already? Are you waiting? Whether you have or haven't doesn't really matter but I'm going to give you my five reasons why you should switch to Windows 7 and five more why you shouldn't. Both are compelling and... (Read More)

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ASP.NET

Got Mono? Visual Studio Does

Nov 10th, 2009 - Today, Tuesday November 10, 2009, Novell announces a Visual Studio plugin that allows support for non-Microsoft operating systems that use .NET code development on a platform known as Mono via a new product called Mono Tools for Visual Studio 1.0. This is not a cost free toolset. In fact, it's... (Read More)

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Apple Hardware

Warning: Apple Hardware in Danger from the DOJ

Oct 8th, 2009 - The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating IBM's computer market conduct and, depending on the outcome, it might just affect your beloved Apple computers. As everyone knows, IBM is the major player in the mainframe computer market but now their business practice of not licensing other... (Read More)

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Viruses, Spyware and other Nasties

WWIII Coming to a Computer Near You?

Oct 7th, 2009 - No, I'm not talking about a Linux vs. Microsoft or Apple vs Microsoft but rather a prediction by UN Telecommunications Agency Chief Hamadoun Toure'. Apparently, the U.S. Homeland Security and other U.S.-based paranoia groups agree since US Secretary for Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said that... (Read More)

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