Desktop Linux Gains Ground
Linux laptops, migration tools, and additions to the open-source community highlight LinuxWorld Expo.
Alexandra Krasne, special to PC World
SAN FRANCISCO -- Every LinuxWorld Expo is accompanied by a buzz about Linux nudging Microsoft Windows on the desktop. Windows still dominates, of course, but at the show here this week, it's clear that vendors are paying attention to the open-source operating system.
Tools for Newcomers
For users ready to make the move, migration tools and Linux-friendly systems were making their debut amid the penguin jokes and discussions of the state of open source.
For example, Alacos was demonstrating its new Linux Migration Agent Professional, a program designed to move all of your data from Windows to Linux.
The application moves settings, files, and users without even installing any software, say company representatives. It even moves spreadsheets, movies, icons, photos, graphics, and Outlook, Outlook Express, and Netscape e-mail address books and settings. You simply run the application from a CD and plug in either a crossover or network cable. It's scheduled to ship in September.
For those straddling two worlds, CodeWeavers was showing a prerelease version of Crossover Office, which lets Linux users run popular Windows applications. This version supports Apple's ITunes, and will allow Linux users to listen to and rip their favorite music using the popular Apple application. Codeweavers representatives say it will become available within a month.
Linux Notebooks
If you want to start fresh, several new notebooks sport Linux from the start.
Hewlett-Packard announced it is preloading the Compaq Nx5000 with Novell's SuSE Linux, and EmperorLinux showed its own Linux laptop as well as noting its software support for other models.
Sometimes vendors try Linux and then stop offering preloaded models, say the folks at Emperor. The company has begun offering the Gazelle, a Sony Vaio A170 series notebook preloaded with EmperorLinux or any of a number of other distributions.
The company will install most major Linux distributions on a variety of models, the most popular being its Sharp Actius MM20. Emperor is also now partners with IBM and Dell, says Adriane Durey, Emperor's creative director.
"While many Linux users enjoy trying to make Linux work with new hardware, some decide they want to spend their free time in other ways," Durey quips.
HP's Linux Ventures
HP's Compaq Nx5000 notebook also bundles OpenOffice, a DVD and media player, Wi-Fi support, and Bluetooth. Prices start at $1140.
HP also hosted a demonstration of a photo printer working with open-source drivers. Representatives said printouts look the same whether you're running Windows or Linux. Over 200 HP printer models work with Linux, including all of the company's LaserJet and PostScript models, as well as most of its inkjets--both single and all-in-one models, HP representatives say. Some are not supported because of proprietary or older technologies, they add.
Also on display were ruggedized "prosumer" notebooks from Psion. Instead of running Windows CE, these Teklogix devices were running Linux. But you can't buy them yet; Psion is just testing to see how well it runs, says Ref Jezierski, director of mobile computing.
"We like open source and the interest has been phenomenal," Jezierski says. "It's about choice, although [here at LinuxWorld] we're preaching to the converted."
3D on Desktop
Crowds gathered around Sun's booth to check out the latest version of the company's 3D Java demoware. The software is designed to make your entire desktop 3D and interactive.
Although the company doesn't plan to release a commercial version of the 3D software, Sun has released the demo's source code to the community with the hope that developers will create compelling applications.
"It's a platform for people to experiment," says Paul Byrne, senior engineer at Sun. "[We] don't want just eye candy."
Byrne says new applications are being developed all the time. Developers are also working on various 3D applications, such as a Rolodex-style address-book utility, as well as porting existing 2D applications to the platform. To run the software, you'll need at least a GeForce2 graphics card.
