Fedora 13 Still a Gnome Distribution

Fedora has a history of being a Gnome distribution although things have been changing with the release of KDE 4.x.

Click on any picture for a bigger view.

Fedora 13 with KDE 4.4.3 and Oxygen theme

In the past certain distributions were regarded as having better KDE integration, especially with KDE 3.5.x. OpenSUSE and Mandriva notably had a better KDE experience and were regarded as KDE distributions.

However with the introduction of KDE 4.x I feel things have changed. Looking at my Gentoo KDE desktop, I no longer see OpenSUSE as having an advantage or better KDE integration.

Unfortunately I cant say the same for Mandriva, their KDE 4.x desktop has been heavily customized to look more like KDE 3.5.x. Infact I feel they have ruined KDE 4.x with their customizations. Personally I have never been a Mandriva fan.

Yesterday I decided to download Fedora 13, I went for the Live KDE CD. I prefer KDE over Gnome due to the nicer appearance and additional features. My best feature with KDE is when you drag a file or icon to another location, a context menu appears giving you a variety of choices.

Gnome would either move or copy the file / icon, just like Windows.

Fedoras KDE 4.x seems very nice but is let down by the lack of a few polishing touches.

The logon KDM greeter looks really nice, the desktop looks just like any other KDE 4.x desktop but all is spoilt by some Gnome-ish icons, notification dialogues and graphical interfaces.

The icons

As you can see in the below screenshot, the inconsistency with the icons.

The horror!

Many applications that are related to system settings or administration in Fedoras KDE spin havent been given a KDE equivalent. Hence the inconsistency and lack of a polished finish.

Gnome-ish dialogue

Next up is the notification dialogue when root access is required. For a minute I thought I was in Gnome.

Root access deserves better, give it KDE!

Gnome has invaded my KDE 4.x desktop, eek!

A system wide application

The next screenshot shows Fedoras (RedHats) Network Configuration application.

Fedoras devs, you can do better than that!

The Network Configuration application is a system wide application to control your network devices in Fedora and is not exclusive to Fedora, it is a RedHat application.

Looking at it, clearly it is GTK based just like all other RedHat applications.

Overall the lack of a consistent feel and polished result means Fedoras KDE needs more work.

Other applications you can see in the KDE menu screenshot, SELinux, Service Management, Network Device Control, Bootloader Control, Firewall are all RedHat applications. You will also notice some of these and others in CentOS and RedHat Enterprise, they are core RedHat applications and based on GTK.

As it stands, Fedora is still a Gnome centric distribution like its paid / commercial counter part RedHat.

By the way, I changed the fonts to Liberation Sans as the default font in Fedora is pure ugly.

Why not change the default fonts to the Liberation set, which was developed by RedHat?

Perhaps one day Fedora will feature better KDE integration but I have my doubts. All of the core RedHat applications are based on GTK for the obvious reason that RedHat is a Gnome based distribution.

To further explain why I have doubts a few points need to be stated.

Fedora is a RedHat sponsored project.

Fedora is based on the latest and greatest software packages and innovations.

New features in Fedora are incorporated into future RedHat Enterprise releases.

Bearing in mind all of the above, my view is Fedora is simply a development platform for RedHat to try out the latest and greatest. They use it to improve their commercial flagship product which is Gnome orientated.

Additionally any bug fixes, security fixes and enhancements are pushed upstream so overall everyone benefits, RedHat is a big contributor to Linux.

However I do not see any reason for RedHat to tweak their core applications and make it look nicer in KDE.

It is not in their interest unless they wish to release a RedHat Enterprise KDE spin with a professional polished appearance and feel.

As a desktop user I like having a good looking operating system with a polished feel and Fedora with KDE doesnt deliver.

Also bearing in mind the bleeding edge characteristic of Fedora and stability issues which I have encountered in the past, I would not use Fedora or recommend it for desktop use anyway. It is more geared towards developers, Linux enthusiasts, those interested in experiencing some of the latest innovations and those who wish to contribute and file bug reports.

If you are looking for a stable alternative to Windows, Fedora should not be on your list.

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Desktop How to purchase Apple Computer Apple 27 LED Cinema Display MC007LL A

Where to buy Apple Computer Apple 27" LED Cinema Display MC007LL/A For the Buy

Reviews:

Apple Computer Apple 27" LED Cinema Display MC007LL/A In the Search

Stunning is an understatement. A bigger display for your biggest ideas. Connect your Mac with Mini DisplayPort to the LED Cinema Display for a panoramic viewing experience unlike any other. You get a huge 27-inch widescreen display with a cinematic 16:9 aspect ratio and an astonishing 2560-by-1440 resolution. And its glossy finish shows off graphics, photos, and video in rich colors and deep blacks. Works with every new Mac. You can connect your LED Cinema Display to any of the current lineup of Mac notebooks and desktops: MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro. Built-in conveniences. With a built-in iSight camera, microphone, 2.1 speaker system, and USB hub, the LED Cinema Display keeps your desktop clutter free. Have video conferences with your notebook closed. Listen to music without headphones. And leave your USB peripherals connected to the display for quick get-up-and-go productivity. You can also connect your Mac Pro or Mac mini with Mini DisplayPort and instantly enjoy these convenient video and audio features. The LED advantage. LEDs are solid-state light sources that are an ideal complement to digital LCDs. They light up quickly, which means you experience full-screen brightness the moment you connect your LED Cinema Display to your system. And LEDs are completely mercury-free. MagSafe connector. The LED Cinema Display is the perfect companion for your Mac notebook because it includes a convenient universal MagSafe connector that powers and charges your Mac when you're at your home, office, or dorm. You can leave your notebook power adapter in your bag, ready to hit the road. Connect via Mini DisplayPort. The LED Cinema Display attaches to your Mac using the industry-standard Mini DisplayPort connector. Other display connectors have you lining up pins or fumbling with screws. The Mini DisplayPort connector is easy in, easy out. Green design. The LED Cinema Display features mercury-free LED backlight technology and arsenic-free glass. The display is also free of BFRs and PVCs in all cables and components. In addition, the glass and aluminum construction makes the display highly recyclable, so its raw materials can be used in other products.

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Consulting A Cloud Computing Services Chicago Company

By Jerri Perry

Cloud computing technology transforms the IT applications of a business. It helps businesses manage their computing resources using an online platform. Seeking the help of a cloud computing services Chicago company can transform the management of data online using tested and well secure virtual space resources. IT is one of the most important resources in a company. It defines the ability of the company to store and manage data.

The virtual space technology also enhances the communication system in a business and improves the productivity process. One area where businesses benefit from the use of the virtual space resource is in controlling IT costs. Businesses spend a lot of money in IT cost through purchase of infrastructure including computers, servers, hard drives, CDs, DVDs, and flash disks.

Businesses feel somehow threatened, and this is why the sellers of the services should come up openly and educate the business owners about this technology. In order for businesses to be assured of reliable security and quality control, they need to conduct an audit on the third party service provider they want to deal with. This is essential because it helps test the competency of the company in protecting the business data.

Using cloud technology means that you are taking your company data including the sensitive information to the online network. If there are security lapses, it could lead to immense losses. When audits are done, they can help determine how secure it is dealing with the service provider. It is very important to make sure that when using this online resource, the environment is secure and it functions within a protected network that is not intruded by other persons.

In addition, when you use this technology, you promote business continuity. The protection of data is a very important aspect, which all businesses must observe. The most immediate threat in any computing technology is the loss of data through theft or destruction. The computer infrastructure can be damaged by things like natural disasters, or experience power failure.

The cloud service provider takes charge of some of the costs, which you have been incurring such as cost of upgrading systems. Computer technology is always changing and new products are being developed while the old programs are being upgraded to make them more suitable to the modern business environment. Some of those updates do not come free, and businesses have to pay for them.

In addition, businesses cannot avoid or ignore those upgrades because they put their services at risk. Any upgraded program in the market means new security measures such as patches and encryption. Businesses have to upgrade accordingly to avert being attacked online. The cost of new hardware and software is reduced when businesses switch to this new computing technology. Companies do not have to purchase many computers to store and access their data.

With the existing minimal computers, they can be optimized to access the information from the internet. This will ensure that businesses spend less money in IT infrastructure and equipments. Businesses also don not have to pay workers to run and manage computer systems. The expert workers take up a large amount of money, which could be channeled into other users. You can get more information and advice on use of this technology by consulting a reputable cloud computing services Chicago company.

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A Status Bar Icon Ive Never Seen Before

Today I was working along, diligently as ever when I glanced at my status bar.  I glanced because a balloon notification popped up informing me that a coworker had updated a file I had referenced. While glancing I saw an icon in the status bar that I didnt recognize.

Here it is circled in red:

Turns out its a notification that there are viewport layer overrides! I use viewport layer overrides all of the time so why havent I seen this before? I dont know why but I bet that now that I am aware if its existance I will see it all if the time.

To test it out, activate a viewport. If the icon pops up there are overrides.  If not, then chances are you havent messed with anything yet. 

Click the icon and the layer manager will open up set to a Viewport Overrides filter. Nice!

I love AutoCAD.

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Wozjob Apple 1 sells for Nearly a Quarter of a Million USD

Wiki Photo: The Hand built Apple-1

The Apple-1 computer was hand build in Steve Wozniaks parents garage. Steve Jobs came up with the idea of selling it. The Apple-1 was first demonstrated in April 1976 at the HomeBrew Computer Club in Palo Alto.

Originally, the Apple 1 sold for $500 when it was sold to a reseller 1976. It was made out of wood and was billed as the first "personal computer." The retailer marked up the Apple-1 by 33% giving it a price of $666.66.

An Apple I reportedly sold for $50,000 USD at auction in 1999, with another apparently selling in 2009 for $17,500.

Fast forward to November 2010. This same Apple I (with serial number 82) sold for $178,000 ($213,600 including the buyers premium) at Christies auction house in London , making it by far the highest price paid for this model to date, at £133,250 ($210,000).

The high value of this particular example is likely due to the rare documents and packaging offered in the sale rather than the computer itself; namely (and amongst others) the original packaging (with the return label showing Steve Jobs parents address, the original Apple Computer Inc headquarters being their garage), a personally typed and signed letter from Jobs (answering technical questions about the computer) and the original invoice showing Steven as the salesman.

Story Sources: EpochTimes, Wiki, Gather

If you need the ability to print out a lot of company information for customers quickly at a trade show or event, then a Copier Rental is a perfect solution. Rentacomputer.com has been offering copier rentals to more than 1000 cities worldwide for over 20 years.

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A Swift Breakdown Of A Universal Docking Station

By Brian Fuller

Many people desire to make use of an iPod docking station for streaming music from their iPhone or perhaps iPod. The primary reason for the buzz of iPod loudspeaker docking stations is this : you wont need to link the iPod to a pair of loudspeakers with cord. While utilizing a dock, the iPod can be plugged into a charge cradle directly and will be charged at the same time. In this posting, I am going to focus on numerous of the advantages of iPod speaker docking stations and also review a couple of alternative devices.

Many people wish to listen to their iPod either by employing earphones while on the road or by employing loudspeakers while they are in your house. IPod loudspeaker docks will be a pretty useful option for playing audio via loudspeakers. Such docks have got a set of loudspeakers built-in and also permit almost any Apple product to be directly plugged in by way of the dock connector.

The Apple docking connector, then again, has been drastically altered lately. The unique "lightning connector" includes much fewer pins than the old connector and consequently newer iPods do not plug into traditional docking stations. If youve got one of those most recent iPods then you may either obtain an adaptor or seek a dock which has this particular new lightning jack. However, be cautious about acquiring one of these types of docks if you have a couple of older Apple devices. To be able to guarantee compatibility with old devices, it is best to get a docking station with a 30-pin connector and work with an adapter to connect more modern gadgets.

You can in addition broadcast tunes wirelessly by means of Airplay or Bluetooth. As opposed to investing in a docking station, you can as an alternative acquire an Airplay-enabled speaker or Bluetooth cordless loudspeaker. These two loudspeakers are able to pick up tunes through a wireless signal. Bluetooth generally can transmit for up to 40 feet. AirPlay can transmit somewhat farther yet still isnt best for playing tunes to multiple locations in the dwelling. In contrast, you can obtain a wireless iPod docking station which may broadcast a stronger signal. The benefit of using a wireless iPod dock is that the range of the wireless signal is a lot larger than Bluetooth. Consequently by working with a cordless iPod docking station, you can easily stream your iPod songs to almost all places in the house. Aside from that, these types of docks are going to recharge your iPod while be connected to the cradle. The speakers receive the wireless signal from the dock. Normally, the signal that is being transmitted by your docking station tends to be significantly more powerful than the signal which is being broadcast directly from an iPod. Hence, these types of wireless docking stations may typically broadcast for a distance of up to 400 ft.

You could imagine the fact that utilizing a wireless docking station can be a great deal more convenient compared to installing long speaker wire throughout the residence. As an alternative to obtaining a speaker dock, you might additionally investigate purchasing a couple of active speakers. Active loudspeakers already include the audio amp and consequently you have the ability to stream from your iPod by simply connecting the earphone connector of your iPod to the low-level audio connector of any active loudspeaker.

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Get this hyperlink about laptop docking stations.

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