5m0k3: Technology

It would appear that Google has confirmed their development of a desktop linux project, tentatively called Goobuntu. Ubuntu has been previously featured here at TechBlaster. The intentions of this OS are not currently known. If done correctly, and effectively, this could be an excellent stab at Microsoft's dominance.

Obviously, a great deal of work must be done in order to make this simple enough for basic Windows users. However, it could be a big thing due to Google's large audience.

Gaim is a multi-platform, multi-protocol instant messenger. It serves Linux, BSD, MacOS X, and Windows. Gaim can communicate with AIM and ICQ (Oscar protocol), MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, SILC, GroupWise Messenger, and Zephyr networks. Gaim 2.0 is currently in the works. You can grab the beta, now.


John T. Haller has packaged Gaim as a portable app for use on your USB thumb drive from anywhere! You can download 1.5 or 2.0 beta.

For those of you who haven't tried Ubuntu, or are seeking additional resources, this post is for you.

• Automatix provides an automated GUI for installation of a variety of applications. It allows you to tweak various things, to get Ubuntu running up to your standards in no time. You must have Breezy Badger (5.10) to use Automatix.
• Updating Firefox to 1.5 is made simple with this tutorial. You can also do this easily with the aforementioned Automatix.
• This Unofficial Ubuntu Starter Guide is an excellent resource for you new Breezy users.
• Ubuntu will also ship CDs to you absolutely free of charge! There is absolutely no excuse to not try Ubuntu.
  

The Beta status of Google News has now been removed. With this graduation, new features were also added. Google News now has automatically-generated personalized news story recommendations. As quoted from the Official Google Blog:

"When you’re signed in to your Google Account, you’ll receive recommended news stories based on the previous stories you’ve read. These recommendations will be highlighted just below the top news stories on the page, in a clearly marked section. You can also get a full page of recommended stories by clicking on the section. All of this is done automatically using algorithms. For example, we might recommend news stories to you that many other users have read, especially when you and they have read similar stories in the past."

Recolored is an application that allows you to colorize black and white photos by simply scribbling on them. It uses advanced algorithms to accomplish this. Currently, Recolored is in Beta stages and is available free of charge. A new version, 0.7.0 was recently released. It is about three times faster than 0.6.0.

If you need a bit of help getting started, try this tutorial.
Click Here to download Recolored 0.7.0 Beta.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has had a 3D mapping program available since mid-2004. It has grown in leaps and bounds since its initial release. World Wind combines a great deal of satellite technology and imagery into one excellent application.

"Leveraging Landsat satellite imagery and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data, World Wind lets you experience Earth terrain in visually rich 3D, just as if you were really there."

Not only can you explore Earth, but the moon as well! World Wind is open-source. Several add-ons are available to further improve the product.

Click to Download NASA World Wind 1.3 Source Code.
Click to Download NASA World Wind 1.3.

The Windows XP to Mac OSX transformation pack is to be released later today [Sunday, approximately noon, Central Time]. I have previously written about FlyakiteOSX, and the new features should be excellent. The actually release is complete; we are simply waiting for it to be packaged.

The installer is to be setup in a different manner, to avoid flaws when uninstalling or making changes. You may also be happy to hear that you can install v3 directly over v2 with absolutely no problems!

To monitor the progress of this release, you can follow the thread at Neowin or Aqua-Soft. Upon release, you can download it and get further information from the FlyakiteOSX Website.