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Mozilla project released Firefox 1.0.5 test build

I read about this announcement from MozillaZine. The release focuses on minor bugfix on previous Mozilla Firefox release 1.0.4.

The most notable bugfix included in this test build is the spoofable Javascript Dialog Box vulnerability that would lead attacker into tricking and trick the user into entering his/her account information inside the fake password dialog box.

Internet Explorer is also affected by this vulnerability though we havent heard about Microsoft planning to fix it.

You can download Mozilla Firefox test build here :
Windows
Linux

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Reasons for starting open source project

Well I dont know how to write a good english essay, let alone write an inspiring one. But the story I want to present below is quite related to start a good and decent open source project that will definitely pay off.

Take a lesson from the Matchbox project which was published on Newsforge a couple of days ago. The project only started as innocent attempt by some guy name Matthew Allum, trying to use windows manager in devices which use small display screen. The main reason he created Matchbox was that there are no windows manager that can work on small display (240×320), FYI, the KDE window manager barely works in 640×480 display.

Matchbox screenshot

He later made a practice of publicizing the project on handhelds.org; he published the project on his page there and was well-known in the Linux on handhelds community. He garnered several speaking positions at big conferences like FOSDEM, Usenix, and Python, where he worked to dispel what he called the “myth of slow X.”

Months and months passed, his work unsuspectedly got recognized by one of the phone maker giants. His work on Matchbox caught Nokia eyes which offers him funding to continue his research on producing windows manager on their handheld device. So he did accept his offer and founded OpenedHand, a company whose sole purpose was to help Nokia to build windows manager for N770 Internet Table.

Matchbox window manager

Now, the relationship between Nokia and Allum extends beyond his work on the window manager. “It got to the point where I could suggest new modules and they’d say, ‘go for it.'” Nokia has provided enough work to OpenedHand that it now employs four full-time developers, and it is hiring more.

There are other inspiring works that have been huge success, yet started at a humble open source project. Works that just first started as “scratching an itch” by developers.

For examples of other open source works which was hugely recognize is the infamous Linus Tovarlds and it’s Linux Kernel, Phil Katz with pkzip, Bram Cohen with BitTorrent and many more!

How about you? when will you start your own open source project?

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Debian Developers criticised Firefox Policy

Mozilla Firefox browser which is developed by Mozilla Foundation faced criticism by Debian Developers because of its official trademark policy is seen by them as excessively prohibitive.
Get Firefox!

This have still being debated in the Debian Community.

Most of the concerns came around whether Mozilla’s trademark policy allows them to modify the software for updates and security patches, and still distribute it using its original name. There are a lot of other projects too that recompile Mozilla Foundation source code and make additional changes and still release the resulting binary with Mozilla’s trademark.

Although Mozilla Foundation however, have given Debian explicit permission to use the Firefox logo and brand name, the issue still rise because it contradict with the clause of the social contract which stipulates software licenses must not be specific to Debian.

Mozilla previously have several problems with trademark issues regarding it’s Firefox browser which was change from Phoenix to Firebird and finally to Firefox.

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Nokia favours BSD for its development

BSD Setan
Nokia enters the BSD camp by ZDNet‘s Dana Blankenhorn — Amid all the hoopla about Nokia tying up with Apple and open source, developing a version of the Safari browser for its Series 60 cell phones, what has not been mentioned is its impact on the continuing BSD vs. GPL debate.Apple’s own open source work is strictly under the BSD.

Sounds like even though Nokia show its support towards Linux kernel development by announcing it’s support for the Linux kernel, somehow Nokia is now playing safe with open source, by involving itself with BSD-style licenses development.

Business strategy i presume….

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PLKN will have Guns, hooray for trigger happy kids!!

Yes, that’s right, PLKN the Malaysian National Service will have Guns as part of their training. According to Vice Minister of Defense, the reason for the use of guns in PLKN is to increase the inner-strength and patriotism spirit in participants.

Guess they found out what attracted most youths this days, GUNS!! My house is already full of excitement of trigger happy boys after they learn about the news…. We can expect the numbers of willing participants to join PLKN will increase after MLKN implemented the module…

Way to go to PLKN, you are getting cool now !!

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Perl IP Subnet Calculator

Hey, i came across this website after strolling around the web aimlessly. It’s IP Subnet Calculator written in perl. Great tools if you are lazy enough to calculate the subnet by your own. The web application is downloadable and in perl. And of course You can host it on your website for other people to use and benefit too.

This applications works great if you want to design your network and break it into a more manageable subnet.

Here’s the link : Perl Ipcalc

I hope that some people would develop an ip/subnet calculator for IPV6 and release it under one of the FOSS license. I’m too busy (and sometime too lazy?) to write one…

p/s : freeware would be ok, but FOSS is way-way better, because other people could port it on other platform.