November 28, 2008
DSLinux is the port of Linux to the Nintendo DS, a handheld game console that was developed and manufactured by Nintendo. The console features a clamshell design, very much like the Game Boy Advance SP, with two LCD screens inside. One of the screens serves as the touchscreen. Its system pioneered the development of handheld games.
Some consider the DSLinux as an educational hacking project for themselves as well as for others. It is not recommended for users who have no Linux or command line experience. First time users of this version may find the learning curve quite steep although the results are extremely rewarding for those who persevere at it.
Comparing the DSLinux with Standard Linux
November 18, 2008
The DSLinux has no virtual memory since the Nintendo DS does not have an MMU. A virtual memory is a way of making a program think that it owns all the memory in a computer while also being able to isolate programs from one another. Although DSLinux can still run multitype programs at the same time, all memory programs live in the same memory address space and are only relocated at run time to prevent overlapping. Any program therefore, can access memory anywhere to read arbitrary files, spy for passwords or even crash the kernel, among the so many nasty things that can be done. The absence of paging due also to the lack of MMU means that DSLinux cannot use memory as Linux on a PC so efficiently does.
The small amount of RAM and small size of storage media available can be very limiting while typing with a stylus is not exactly as comfortable as typing on a real keyboard.
October 2, 2008
The Xbox is like every other PC where Linux can be run. It is a legacy-free PC by Microsoft that consists of an Intel Celeron 733 MHz CPU, an nVidia GeForce 3MX, 64 MB of RAM, an 8/10 GB hard disk, a DVD drive and 10/100 Ethernet. With Linux, an Xbox becomes a full desktop computer with mouse and keyboard, a web/e-mail box connected to a TV, a server or router or node on a cluster. There is a choice between a dual boot and using Linux alone. When only Linux is used, both IDE devices can be replaced and what’s more – the Xbox can be connected to a VGA monitor
Xbox was supposed to be named DirectX-box due to the extensive use of DirectX within the console’s technology. Although the final name came to be Xbox, it still retained some hints towards DirectX such as the logo and the “X” shape on the top of the box.
September 21, 2008
Even though there is a constant flow of new technologies and inventions in the software and music industries, I am always on the lookout for quality programs that are efficient and easy to use. One such a product that I recently came across is Blaze Media Pro. This is basically an all-in-one multimedia application that allows you to accomplish all of your conversion needs quickly and simply. This isn’t just a regular audio converter. With this software you can covert, burn, rip, record, and playback music and video files. VCD, DVD, and SVCD are all supported so you can be sure your converting needs are taken care of.
One of the many concerns that people have when converting their audio and video files is making sure that whatever file it is saved on is able to be converted successfully to the desired format, without jeopardizing the quality of the file. This software supports all of the major formats including CD, MP3, WAV, WMA, OGG, MPEG-4, AIFF, M4A, AAC, AC3, FLAC, and ALAC. Video formats with two-way conversions include ASF, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, AVI, and others. Features included in this software are video editing, copying of music CDs, combining and extraction, video creation, audio tag editing and more. This software can serve as your audio converter, video encoder, and MOV Converter all in one.
