Question of the Day:  Do you use Linux as your computer’s operating system?

… and if so, which distribution?  In the past, Linus has captured my attention from time to time, having an old desktop machine first running Red Hat and then Ubuntu.  Ubuntu was fun, lightweight and fast, for the most part.  It was enjoyable.

When a consulting job necessitated a machine with a Windows operating system.  As a result my current Toshiba laptop running Microsoft’s Vista was purchased and put my Linux infatuation into somewhat of a vise.

Fast forward a couple of years, and there is something about Linux that is calling me.  So I ask, if I were to explore Linux again what would be the best distro for me to check out?  As noted above, I’ve used Ubuntu and Red Hat, but it’s been a while for each.  Please leave your thoughts in the comments!

Play PacMan at Google.com!

This is too cool!

If you’re as old as I am, you were about 14 when PacMan was introduced 30 years ago. I knew Google would be doing something kinda cool for this today, and I wasn’t disappointed.  Head on over to the Google Home Page today and you can play an interactive version of PacMan right on their home page!

Oh goody! 

Just in time for the new iPhone announcement and release in the next few months, AT&T has increased (nearly doubled) its Early Termination Fees for Smartphone’s from $175 to $325, the AP is reporting today. ETF’s for feature phones will drop $25 to $150.  The new fees apply to all new accounts or account/phone upgrades as of 01-Jun-10.

The fees are supposed to drop $10 per month over the life of the 2 year contract that you shackle yourself to.  In the end, (at the end of 24 months) there’s still $85 to be reconciled somewhere, though. I’m not sure if AT&T is going to eat that or if they are going to saddle end user’s with it. 

Interestingly enough, when VzW raised their ETF’s in November of 2009, it sparked a Federal investigation that is ongoing.  I would assume that regulators will get wind of this, and add it to the mix.  I’m glad I left AT&T, as there is NO way that I’d be willing to cover the additional $150, 4G (4th generation) iPhone or not.  Unless AT&T is going to do some DRASTIC horse trading and dramatically lower the prices of ALL of their Smartphone’s, including the iPhone, they’re going to hear the out cry from the masses on this one.

I’ve been waiting on this announcement for a while. To say I’m drooling over it is an understatement. The Nexus One is a GREAT Smartphone; but right now, with Android 2.1update1, its a bit crippled. The device is slow, processes hang up occasionally and the device appears to freeze; and it could be so much more than it is, with just the right kind of frozen desert… I’m just sayin’.

FroYo – Android never tasted so good!

Thankfully, Google IO included a big announcement today.  Google announced the release of Android 2.2, codenamed FroYo.  Google is building FroYo on 5 pillars.  In no particular order, they are:

1. Performance & Speed
   The new Dalvik JIT compiler in Android 2.2 delivers between a 2-5X performance improvement in CPU-bound code vs. Android 2.1 according to various benchmarks.
2. New Enterprise Capabilities
   We’ve added Exchange capabilities such as account auto-discovery and calendar sync. Device policy management APIs allow developers to write applications that can control security features of the device such as the remote wipe, minimum password, lock screen timeout etc.
3. Faster, More Powerful Browser
   We have brought the V8 JavaScript engine to the Android browser as part of 2.2. This has resulted in a 2-3X improvement in JavaScript performance vs. 2.1.
4. Rich Set of New APIs and Services
   New data backup APIs enable apps to participate in data backup and restore, allowing an application’s last data to be restored when installed on a new or a reset device. Apps can utilize Android Cloud to Device Messaging to enable mobile alert, send to phone, and two-way push sync functionality. Developers can now declare whether their app should be installed on internal memory or an SD card. They can also let the system automatically determine the install location. On the native side, a new API now gives access to Skia bitmaps.
5. Additions to Android Market
   Android Market provides Android Application Error Reports, a new bug reporting feature, giving developers access to crash and freeze reports from users. Developers will be able to access these reports via their account on the Android Market publisher website.

The user interface also has a lot of interesting enhancements.  Engadget has a lot of cool Éclair and FroYo comparison pics. The FroYo pics are on the right side of the comparison. No release date for the OS has been shared yet (that I can find).  However, rest assured that as soon as it does hit my Nexus One (or other JAMM Android user’s device), we’ll have an in-depth article on it up ASAP.

Ruttensoft.com has just announced version 1.0 of CloudFiles (see JAMM’s Quick Look here), marking the first non-beta status release.  CloudFiles is a client that works with the Dropbox file service, allowing users to access their accounts on a Windows Mobile phone.

CloudFiles is available for the special price of $5.49 now through May 25th.  This will save you 20 percent off the regular price $6.99.

You can download a 7 day trial or register your copy here.