tekArtist

From “User-modifiable Linux phone upgraded“:

Open source phone company OpenMoko will ship a new version of its user-modifiable Linux-based mobile phone next year. The “Neo FreeRunner” resembles OpenMoko’s original Neo1973 model, but with WiFi, 3D accelerometers, and a faster processor, as well as a consumer market focus, according to the company.

OpenMoko (com, org) had kind of fallen off the map after not meeting their October 2007 deadline for launching the consumer version. Gladly, they now seem to be back on track with their newly announced FreeRunner, a Samsung 500MHz SoC-based device.

I did win an iPhone in the meantime, but I still love OpenMoko. Even though Android and Nokia are now arguably also riding on the Open tagline.

Via Digg.

Update: Ouch… It’s supposedly priced at US$600… Hopefully, they’ll get enough volume to lower prices with the new consumer market focus.

From “Damien Katz: New Gig“:

Great news! I’ve accepted a permanent, full-time job with IBM. My primary duties are (drumroll….) CouchDB! So all the stuff I’ve been doing up until now for free I’ll be doing full time and be getting paid for it! Yee Haw!

That is fantastic news for both Damien and the CouchDB project. Shaweet!

I have released a new version (1.2) of wpDirAuth, my LDAP connectivity plugin for Wordpress.

The release brings the ability to specify alternate ports for the chosen LDAP server(s), as well as a few bug fixes found through the help of the development and support group members.

From “FOSS folk who make us proud“:

Samba developers Andrew Tridgell, Jeremy Allison and Volker Lendecke have, along with some intrepid investigators from the European Union, wrested an agreement with Microsoft that specifies that every one of Microsoft’s network protocols which are used to work with Windows Server will be provided to a newly formed body, the Protocol Freedom Information Foundation.

This is great news! Three years in the making.

I will be attending the CodeFest2008 hosted in Montreal on January 5th and 6th. This year’s theme will be all about microformats. Here is a link to the Facebook event, if you’re having trouble reaching the official wiki.

I will be vying to address an hreview project I am getting involved with, unless I’m already done with it by then, in which case I’ll find something Diso related to tackle (if not both).

Note: the event is not limited to PHP by any stretch, and anyone is welcomed. Join us, it’ll be fun. And as always, it will also be a great opportunity to network with your tech-peers.