system76, one of the few (quite possibly the only) hardware vendors that exclusively use Linux as the preloaded OS on their systems, just dropped some new ultraportable hotness for the Linux crowd. Packing an array of Core 2 Duo processor options (up to 2.33Ghz), 802.11a/b/g wireless (with a light sprinkling of Bluetooth), a 13" widescreen WXGA display and up to 1.5Gb of ram all wrapped in a sexy white chassis that weighs in at 4.3lbs. and running Ubuntu 6.10, is more than enough power for the penguinista on the go that likes to travel light. Starting at just under a grand (just under two for the top of the line), the Darter Ultra is available now directly from system76. Now, where'd I put that credit card...

Product Page [via Engadget]
computers, laptops, ultraportable, Linux, Ubuntu, system76, Darter

In my opinion OpenDNS is one of the best free services on the Internet. If there is one free service that everybody should be using, this is it. Aside from providing lightning fast DNS lookups that help boost your web surfing, OpenDNS also provide two other services that traditional DNS servers don't normally provide. The first, and most important, is protection from phishing. By using the PhishTank database as well as a their own data on phishing sites, OpenDNS warns users that they are about to visit a potentially dangerous web site. This is especially great if you are tech support for friends or family members that you are afraid may fall for a phisher's lure. OpenDNS also features typo correction for commonly misspelled domain names. For example if you type craigslist.og instead of craigslist.org, you will still be directed to the correct site. For less common typos and URLs that don't resolve to anything, OpenDNS presents you with a search page to help you find what you are looking for.

As I said before, OpenDNS features lightning fast DNS lookups in addition to phishing protection and typo correction. By using some neat routing and load balancing tricks, OpenDNS is able to make sure that you always use the closest available of their 5 worldwide data centers. Most users will see a noticeable reduction in load times for most web pages when using OpenDNS versus their ISP's own DNS servers (you can even use OpenDNS to speed up web surfing from your smart phone). I for one noticed a massive improvement after switching my office to OpenDNS after we switched to a new ISP whose own DNS servers performed pathetically. Even at home, where my own ISP's DNS servers performed remarkably well, I noticed a marked improvement after switching to OpenDNS. Switching to OpenDNS is as easy as changing the DNS settings on your computer or router, especially since they provide an excellent guide to setting up their service on most operating systems and routers. All in all, there is no reason why you shouldn't be using OpenDNS.

OpenDNS
PhishTank

computers, Internet, security, DNS, phishing, OpenDNS

So, you decided to jump in head first and give Linux a spin, but discovered that there was this commercial Windows app you need. Maybe its time to upgrade an aging software package and you are interested in seeing if you can use open source software to save on upgrade costs. Possibly you've had a change of heart about that pirated software you are running, but don't have the cash to go legit. No matter what the circumstance, OSalt has you covered. Featuring one of the largest and easiest to use directories of free and open source (FOSS) alternatives to proprietary, closed source software I have ever seen. OSalt is the place to go for anyone looking for FOSS alternatives to commercial software. Whether you are looking for a Photoshop replacement, an Office suite, or an enterprise grade database, OSalt has the open source answers you are looking for.

OSalt [via MAKE:Blog]
computers, software, open source

If you follow Apple, then you know that they have purchased ad space during the Super Bowl. Presumably, it is to make some sort of announcement. What I want to know is what you think Apple is going to announce. The poll will be available for the next week. After which, we'll take a look at the results, I'll interject my own two cents and we can sit back, crack open a cold one and see if we're right.

(If you can't see the poll, click here to take it via an alternate method)

computers , gadgets , Apple , Super Bowl , poll