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Linux can still beat Windows in the desktop war, and Linus Torvalds is 'working on it'

Publié: avril 9, 2016, 11:12pm CEST par Brian Fagioli

About a year ago, I declared Windows 10 was "the final nail in the coffin for the Linux desktop". What I meant by this was not that Linux on the desktop was really dead, but that the Linux community had failed to capitalize on the negative sentiment towards Windows 8x. What I didn't expect at the time, however, was Microsoft's privacy faux pas with Windows 10. While there are more than a quarter billion installs of the latest operating system, plenty of folks have serious concerns about spying.

Maybe Linux has a chance on the desktop after all. Ubuntu is being integrated into Windows 10, and Android seems to be headed towards the desktop. In other words, Linux is making significant moves. Heck, even Linus Torvalds is prepared to keep fighting the good fight, and he declares that he is still "working on it".

According to CIO, Torvalds gave a comment about Linux on the desktop at the Embedded Linux Conference. You can see his quote below.

The desktop hasn't really taken over the world like Linux has in many other areas, but just looking at my own use, my desktop looks so much better than I ever could have imagined. Despite the fact that I'm known for sometimes not being very polite to some of the desktop UI people, because I want to get my work done. Pretty is not my primary thing.

I actually am very happy with the Linux desktop, and I started the project for my own needs, and my needs are very much fulfilled. That's why, to me, it's not a failure. I would obviously love for Linux to take over that world too, but it turns out it's a really hard area to enter. I'm still working on it. It's been 25 years. I can do this for another 25. I'll wear them down.

While Linux has lost many battles to Microsoft on the desktop, the war is not over. Torvalds pledges to dedicate the next 25 years of his life to usurping Windows. Will the open source kernel prove victorious on the desktop? It is totally possible. After all, time is not finite, and even the Roman Empire fell. If you follow history, nothing lasts forever and that should ring true for Microsoft's stranglehold on the desktop.

Still, let's not forget that the computing landscape is changing. Who knows -- in 25 years, the desktop concept itself could be dead. Linux already owns both the mobile and server markets -- maybe the desktop will prove to be inconsequential in the future.

Is Linus Torvalds delusional, or does Linux really have a chance on the desktop? Tell me in the comments.

Photo credit: 3Dalia / Shutterstock
Windows 10 Anniversary Edition is due for release in July

Publié: avril 9, 2016, 6:07pm CEST par Mark Wilson

Microsoft's Windows 10 Roadmap for business users reveals that the eagerly-anticipated Windows 10 Anniversary Edition is due to launch in July this year. At Build 2016 earlier in the month, Microsoft said that the big update was due to launch 'this summer', but did not get any more precise than this for the Redstone branch release.

But digging into roadmap documents, Microsoft makes it clear that it is aiming for a July release. The company has said that the update will bring "significant new features", including taskbar badge notifications and a revamped Start menu, but it is when talking about the new features that are coming to Cortana that the date is revealed.

For Windows Insiders on the Fast Ring, the current build 14316 gives a glimpse of some of the new enhancements -- including the arrival of Bash -- but there's much more on the horizon. One of the new capabilities coming to Cortana is the ability to set reminders via pen, and in selling these digital assistant updates to business users Microsoft lets slip the proposed release date:

Cortana is your truly personal digital assistant who works across all your Windows 10 devices to help you get things done. By learning more about you over time, Cortana becomes more useful every day. Cortana helps you be more productive by handling key tasks like sending emails, scheduling events, and using the power of Bing to quickly search your devices, the cloud, or the web. Cortana is also the best digital assistant at reminders, letting you set them in more ways including by pen, and [coming in July 2016] pulling reminder-relevant info from emails so you have the details at hand. And you can instantly capture your ideas by voice just by telling Cortana to take a note.

We don't yet know a precise date, or even if Microsoft is aiming for the beginning or the end of the month, but the company now has just a few weeks to play with. The launch of Windows 10 was plagued with delays, so it will be interesting to see if this release is more timely.

Photo credit: charnsitr / Shutterstock
Thrustmaster announces TMX Force Feedback racing wheel for Xbox One and Windows 10

Publié: avril 9, 2016, 3:37am CEST par Brian Fagioli

Illegal street racing is totally dangerous. Quite frankly, not only can you injure or kill yourself, but even worse, you can impact innocent pedestrians. Luckily, if you have the need for speed, video games can give you your racing fix in a safe environment.

Today, Thrustmaster announces the TMX Force Feedback racing wheel for Xbox One and Windows 10 (plus Vista, 7, and 8x). For under $200, you can take your games to the next level with a feedback-focused racing wheel.

"Equipped with a high-performance force feedback motor offering adjustable intensity and a rotation angle ranging from 270° to 900°, the TMX Force Feedback delivers a realistic and versatile racing experience. The controller’s versatility benefits all players, whether beginners or seasoned pilots, with all types of tracks, cars and races", says Thrustmaster.

The company further says, "another example of this racing wheel's versatility is its force feedback motor, designed by Thrustmaster's development teams to offer performance suited to demanding players, while also remaining accessible to less experienced drivers. The motor features a mixed belt-pulley and gears system with metal ball-bearing axle. The result is a balanced combination of performance, robustness and precision. With 12-bit resolution -- i.e. 4096 values on the wheel's steering axis -- provided by an optical sensor, this racing wheel also offers extreme precision, delivering highly realistic racing sensations".
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If you are interested in buying this super-cool steering wheel, you can pick it up next month for $199.99. If you want an even greater immersive experience, it is compatible with some of Thrustmaster's pedals (T3PA and T3PA-Pro) and gear shifter (TH8A) too. Keep in mind, those extra accessories are not required -- the TMX Force Feedback racing wheel can operate on its own.

Will you buy it? Tell me in the comments.
If you torrent pirate TV shows, prepare to switch to MKV format

Publié: avril 9, 2016, 1:18am CEST par Mark Wilson

Let's not beat around the bush: we know that a lot of you use the likes of the Pirate Bay, KickAssTorrents and the like to grab copies of movies and TV shows. You're probably aware of a number of release groups on the scene, but you might not know that there are fairly strict rules dictating capturing, formatting and naming releases.

This weekend a major change comes into force. Until now MP4 has been the video format of choice, but the change in standards means that this format is being ousted in favor of MKV. There are astoundingly lengthy standards documents covering standard and high definition releases of TV shows, and while the alterations are touted as bringing things up to date, not everyone is happy.

You can browse through the full scene release rules if you feel so inclined, but TorrentFreak has helpfully hosted the revised standards for HD and SD releases. Although compliance with the standards is described as 'optional' many scene groups have already made the switch ahead of the changeover date. The introduction to the document says:

Since the last revision of this document in 2011, TV-X264 has grown and become a major section that many people contribute to and depend on. This new revision aims to update the standards from 2011 to standards suitable for 2016 and the future. Adding clarity and patching loopholes to once again allow for consistent and quality releases, which was the aim of this standard back in 2011.

Compliance with this document is optional as of its pre date, and mandatory as of 2016-04-10 00:00:00 UTC (1460246400 Unix time).

Not everyone is in agreement that MKV is a superior format to MP4, and many casual torrenters have been confused by a sudden switch in format. MKV has long been used as the format of choice for HD movie releases, applying the standards to TV releases -- included SD versions -- could affect, and bewilder, millions of pirates. Some have complained that their preferred media player doesn’t support MKV.

The rules come into play on Sunday 10 April; you have been warned.

Photo credit: Blablo101 / Shutterstock