Practical Technology

for practical people.

May 28, 2013
by sjvn01
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Google moves away from the XMPP open-messaging standard

When Google announced that it was consolidating its Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) instant messaging and video-conferencing services into Google Hangouts, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) noticed that Google had also sharply diminished “support for the open messaging protocol known as XMPP (or sometimes informally Jabber.)” Google has since admitted that it is indeed shrinking its support for Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP).

XMPP was meant to enable users from one Internet communication network to be able to talk to a friend or co-worker on another such network. So, for example, an AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) user could talk to his co-worker on Google Talk and vice-versa. It sounds great, so what went wrong? 

Google moves away from the XMPP open-messaging standard. More >

May 24, 2013
by sjvn01
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Microsoft’s Linux app, Skype, gets updated

A few years back, Linux’s creator, Linus Torvalds said, “If Microsoft ever does applications for Linux it means I’ve won.” By that standard, Linux won last year when Microsoft started shipping a new version of Skype, its then recently acquired Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) program, on Linux. In late May 2013, Linux is still winning as Microsoft has released an updated version of Skype for Linux.

Microsoft’s Linux app, Skype, gets updated. More >

May 23, 2013
by sjvn01
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Build your own supercomputer out of Raspberry Pi boards

When you think do-it-yourself (DIY) computing, you probably think of setting up a screaming gaming computer or putting together the best possible components for the least amount of money. You’re almost certainly not considering putting together a supercomputer. Maybe you should. Joshua Kiepert, a doctoral student at Boise State’s Electrical and Computer Engineering department, has managed to create a mini-supercomputer using Raspberry Pi (RPi) computers for less than $2,000.

Build your own supercomputer out of Raspberry Pi boards. More >

May 22, 2013
by sjvn01
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Mint 15: Today’s best Linux desktop (Review)

As the years roll-by, every new update of Linux Mint impresses me more. Other desktop operating systems, such as Microsoft’s Windows 8 may abandon the tried-and-true windows, icons, menus, and pointer (WIMP) desktop metaphor.  Others, such as Ubuntu with Unity try to keep some of the WIMP interface while expanding it for tablets and smartphones, but the Ubuntu-based Mint, with Cinnamon and MATE, has stayed true to the WIMP interface. As far as I’m concerned the latest version, Linux Mint 15, Olivia, is now not merely the best Linux desktop, it’s the best desktop operating system of all.

Mint 15: Today’s best Linux desktop (Review) More >

May 21, 2013
by sjvn01
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Google Voice integrating into Google Hangouts

For years, Google had multiple Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP), instant messaging, and video-conferencing services. Now, Google is uniting those services under Google Hangouts. It wasn’t clear though  where Google Voice, its main VoIP program that crossed the gap between landline/cellular and Internet calls, was going to fit. We now know that it too is being integrated into Google Hangouts.

Google Voice integrating into Google Hangouts. More >