Practical Technology

for practical people.

October 15, 2013
by sjvn01
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Samba 4.1 brings Linux desktop and Mac files from Windows 8, Server 2012

The big file-sharing leap came with Samba 4. That release brought Linux an Active Directory (AD) domain controller. With that version, Samba gained the ability to share files with both old and new Windows systems by bringing its support up to Server Message Block (SMB) 3. Now, with a smaller file-sharing jump, Samba 4.1 brings Linux desktops and Macs the power to use files being offered by Windows 8.x and Windows 2012 servers using SMB 3.

Samba 4.1 brings Linux desktop and Mac files from Windows 8, Server 2012. More>

October 10, 2013
by sjvn01
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Ubuntu 13.10 Review: A great Linux desktop gets better

Many hardcore desktop fans still haven’t forgiven Ubuntu for switching to its Unity interface. Others dislike how Canonical, Ubuntu‘s parent company, has gone its own way with such technical issues as working on the Mir display stack instead of the more mainstream Wayland. And, some people dislike how Ubuntu is combining “local” searches with Web searches. So what!

Ubuntu 13.10 Review: A great Linux desktop gets better. More>

October 9, 2013
by sjvn01
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Lies, damned lies, and Android benchmarks

I’ve been making, evaluating, and using benchmarks for decades. Along the way I’ve seen vendor after vendor try to play games with them so that their products would look better than the competition. So, I wasn’t surprised when the news broke that Samsung had fudged recent Galaxy Note 3 benchmarks to make its hot new smartphone look better. I’m even less surprised that AnandTech has subsequently discovered that almost all Android device OEMs have rigged their devices to show their best on certain benchmarks.

Lies, damned lies, and Android benchmarks. More>