Microsoft opens port 25

Posted on April 14, 2006
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Microsoft have launched a new site for the discussion of open source technologies and Microsoft technologies. Microsoft apparently has an extensive lab where Open Source tools are tested, Linux playing a major part. This website will be a forum for discussion of it’s findings. On the face of this seems fairly benevolent, discussion can only be a good thing

However Microsoft have a extreme commercial interest in seeing the deployment of it’s own products over the deployment of Linux for example. This makes me slightly skeptical as to how objective some of these articles can be. Microsoft have even coined a new phrase “Coopetitition”. Keep an eye on the site, it might actually prove interesting.

http://port25.technet.com/

SAP dismisses open source innovation

Posted on November 11, 2005
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Apparently Shai Agassi,the president of SAP has made a rather surprising remark during an address to a business conference. He states that Open Source (In particular Linux) is not innovative enough. He adds that

“Intellectual property [IP] socialism is the worst that can happen to any IP-based society, And we are an IP-based society. If there is no way to protect IP, there is no reason to invest in IP”

These statements are surprising because I had the opinion that SAP had a rather positive view of Open Source. It has collaborated with Mysql to help mature Mysql’s enterprise offerings.MySQL gets access to SAP database technology . SAP have also invested in Zend, the PHP company SAP & Zend. I also was surprised when SAP showed great interest in the article I wrote for PHP architect on how to Integrate SAP with PHP

I disagree with what he stated. Intellectual property socialism has launched a global innovation which the whole globe is taking advantage of, the Internet. Imagine if Vint cerf had “protected” his IP and licensed the use of TCP/IP. Or you had to pay Tim Berners Lee a license fee every time you wrote your shopping list in HTML. SAP, Oracle, Microsoft and all the other enterprise players would not be in the position to commercialy exploit something which was created out of the very thing he is deriding.

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2145809/sap-dismisses-open-source?page=2

Integrate Linux with Active Directory

Posted on November 11, 2005
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While attending a Linux Expo in London, I came across a company named centrify which create integration tools to allow Linux users to be integrated with Microsoft Active Directory. I have used any of these products, so I’m not sure how effective they are. However this is an imporant find which will ease the management of Linux servers.

Most business systems will have Active directory delployed in some form within the infrastructure. Therefore this is a could find to help minimise system managment costs
http://www.centrify.com/directcontrol/overview.asp

An example of unapplied Information Technology

Posted on October 10, 2005
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While doing some research into how I can get Linux to autoplay a DVD, I came across a rather worring article on Zdnet. The article explains that Dell is currently being sued by InterVideo because they have been supplying software that allows users to play DVD’s automatically on insertion

It appears that this simple operation can only be provided by InterVideo due to a patent that they have on this simple operation. If you have read some of my thoughts on how Information Technology should be applied, you will note that I have stong opinions on how Information Technology is being exploited. This is another example of the misplaced focus. I could understand if they were protecting investment in a complex video codec, but this is not the case.

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1040_22-5833838.html

Gnome,Good hobby? Or Professional desktop.

Posted on August 26, 2005
Filed Under Open Source | Leave a Comment

I’m an advocate of Open Source technology because of the potential for high gains in productivity, for minimal costs. I’m using Gentoo Linux and Gnome as my main desktop, mainly to establish how viable a Linux desktop is. I’m quite pleased with the results.

However, I have recently come across a problem with Gnome. It is not a technical problem as such, it is a problem with the way the developers release new versions and the attitude towards functionality. After a upgrade to gnome 2.10 i found that could no longer modify my menus in the manner I know.

The documentation still states that I can modify my desktop menus, however if you follow the instructions, it fails. After searching for the reasons why this no longer works, I found out that this functionality has been removed.

The apparent reason is due to a software management technique called “timeboxing” it means you have fixed release dates and code freezes that cannot be altered. If something isn’t finished before the code freeze, well it just has to wait for the next release.

Therefore, to modify my menus (Something most desktop users will do, and windows users can do with ease) I either have to download a third party tool, or wait for a new release of Gnome.

I can not complain to hard due to the fact that Gnome is based on the good will of developers devoting time to develop this great application. However, this is also the problem. The developers have no obligation to provide or maintain this application to the standard users require.

Lots of initiatives have started to provide a Linux desktop which will be a strong contender to the dominate windows desktop. Gnome is being used as one of the alternatives. However, with the attitude to functionality being displayed here, I’m starting to think whether it should be left as a nice hobbyist project for hackers. I shall wait and see.

http://gnomesupport.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9392&highlight=menus

Responsibility and OpenSource

IT Solutions Section

Posted on June 17, 2005
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One of the key purposes of this website is to highlight Information Technology which can provide huge benefits. In the “IT Solutions” section of this website, I will highlight solutions which solve problems across many different areas of business.

A combination of Open Source and propriety systems will be used to help solve real problems. This takes time however, so keep watching this area of the website as I discuss some the solutions available.

I have a passion for delivering Information Technology solutions which provide high benefits. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to implement any of the solutions I will be outlining here.

Contact Jason Simmons

SAP Weblog

Posted on June 5, 2005
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Saplogo

One of the Information technology solutions which I will be outlining on this site is the integration PHP and SAP. The combination of these two technologies enables the creation of some powerful and cost effective tools.

I have been given the privilege of helping to build the community to embrace this technology. Check out my SAP weblog here

Integrating PHP with SAP

Eradication of Voice Over IP

Posted on May 27, 2005
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DECT mobile I have just read an article on the register informing that Skype have been informed that they can not operate in certain countries unless they carry emergancy services voice calls. I find this interesting because it appears that the conventional voice carriers have a found a reason to slow down the up take of these pesky cheap internet voice calls

Perhaps cordless DECT phone should no longer be sold, rather than the usual disclaimer stuck on the phone stating that the phone is not designed for making emergancy calls

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/05/26/skype_911/

I have joined the world of blogging

Posted on May 20, 2005
Filed Under General | Comments Off

Just renovated my website. I have also joined the world of blogging. I have found something I feel passionate enough to write about. Come back once I have sorted out the rough edges and made sure everything works

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