Linux

No2MSThreat-Microsoft's Worst Dreams

February 21, 2004

Using MySQL from PHP. One of PHP's prime benefits is its close integration with databases, especially MySQL. Having explained the basics of MySQL, John Coggeshall turns his attention to demonstrating how to use MySQL from PHP. [O'Reilly Network Articles]
2:35:07 PM

Introducing openMosix. What does your computer do when you're not around? Chances are, not much. Why not spread some of the computing burden around? As Kris Buytaert explains, openMosix is a version of Linux that handles most of the hard work for you, leaving you to enjoy better resource usage across all of your computers. [O'Reilly Network Articles]
2:34:40 PM

SimDisk-takes on MS & Wins in Houstan

Finally an underdog story, a David to the Microsoft Goliath!!! Little unknown SimDisk takes on Microsoft Office and wins the contract for the City of Houstan!!!

You gotta love the press this generates, and the sheer stubborness and conviction the city of Houstan demonstrated when they made this choice, to go with a little startup.

From the SimDisk web site is their history description:

"SimDesk Technologies, Inc. (STI) was founded in 1999 to develop a revolutionary way to deliver software applications using the Internet. STI offers SimDesk™, an office productivity suite of applications that provide a word processor, spreadsheet, personal organizer, and e-mail client. All SimDesk Technologies' products run on the World Wide Server^TM (WWS), a groundbreaking means for economically and efficiently transporting applications, connecting millions of users to one server.

Using the WWS, SimDesk™ disperses the load so that a task can be completed with a fraction of the bandwidth and server power normally needed. Using a patented proprietary transport layer protocol and load-balancing technique, the SimDesk™ product suite is able to support millions of simultaneous users with a small fraction of the hardware normally needed in networks today."

SimDisk also does some good in bridging the "Digital Divide" check out this article. This article describes the fact that any City of Houstan resident with a PowerLibrary card can use the SimDisk server based software and get access to a server based equivalent to an office suite of software, with word processor, spreadsheet, etc.

Just to give you the scale of difference, this is like $1.70 per user compared to $300.00 per user for MS Office!!!

Apparently this idea has spread to the windy city!

PC Magazine ran an article new challenge to Microsoft supremacy besides that annoyting penquin!!

CNET's "Houstan We Have A Problem With Office" is another great introduction to this underdog story!

If you want to check out Houstan's public library use of SimDisk, check out SimHoustan.

2:33:36 PM