CIT 173, week 7, Bog 5, FredNet

Team FredNet, the open source project to win the 20 million dollar Google X Prize, is a wonderful idea. If colonization of space is ever to get off the ground as anything other than a government or corporate experiment, private individuals must become involved in exploration. Team FredNet is making space exploration literally open to the masses. Anyone can now actually participate in the design of spacecraft, instead of just watching on the TV. Although this project will probably turn out to be somewhat pricey, with 6 to 10 million dollars just for the lift to Earth orbit, it is something finally within reach of a private, non-profit organization.

Team FredNet also clearly shows that the open source community can compete with major corporations on major physical projects, and not just information systems (as major as the Linux project is). This will open space travel to all kinds of unimaginable private pursuits, and provide competition to the military and industrial development of space. I can easily imagine a time in the not too distant future when the idea of Team FredNet has inspired the imagination of millions, and open source space exploration becomes the first public sector, open exploration project on the scale of the Apollo program.

Team FredNet is an inspiration for anyone who believes that space colonization is the destiny of a free humanity.

Blog 4, Linux kernal numbering

The Linux kernel is constantly in a state of development. Because of this there are many different versions of the Linux kernel in use today. If you are going to be working with Linux, or even discussing Linux with someone, it is very important to know which version of the Linux kernel you are working with. Additionally, knowing which version you are currently using allows you to determine if it is necessary to upgrade your kernel to a newer version.

There are 2 basic types of Linux kernels available: a production version, that is ready for general use, and an experimental version, which is still under development. If you are upgrading your personal Linux kernel, you would want the production version. For versions released prior to 2004, which version you are downloading could be determined by the second number in the kernels 4 number numbering scheme. If the second number (the number of the revision: the first number is the version) is even it is a production version. If it is odd it is an experimental version. For current versions of the Linux kernel 9version 2.6.0 or later) the letters "rc" are added after he numbers to indicate a version under development.

You can easily determine which kernel version is on your computer by using the uname command.

This numbering scheme does not seem to have any real disadvantages, as long as you are very careful not to mistakenly download a developing version of a kernel.

SOURCES:

http://www.linfo.org/kernel_version_numbering.html The Linux Information Project

http://www.lanana.org/docs/device-list/devices.txt

http://tldp.org/LDP/lame/LAME/linux-admin-made-easy/linux-kernel-upgrades.html Linux Administration Made Easy

http://www.lockergnome.com/linux/2002/04/09/kernel-numbering/ Linux Fanatics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_kernel