Open Source

OX Text review: An in-browser word processor with big ambitions

OpenXchange's new word processor, OX Text, is the first in a set of Linux-based productivity apps. Can it compete with Google Docs and Office 365?

By Serdar Yegulalp | 17 May, 2013 10:44

Tags: open source, Google, Microsoft, Open-Xchange, Desktop Apps, software

Where's the beef? Fedora releases 'Spherical Cow'

After being delayed seven times due to reported problems with the new installer, Fedora 18 has arrived. On the plus side, Fedora 18 delivers new management functionality for IT administrators and offers improved Active Directory support. However, a complicated installation process and some issues with the user interface make it a less attractive option than desktop competitors like Ubuntu and Mint.

By Maria Korolov | 08 April, 2013 11:00

Tags: Configuration / maintenance, PC, Networking, AMD, infrastructure management, hardware systems, software, Data Center, intel, acer, ubuntu, management, Microsoft

Review: LibreOffice 4 leaves you wanting more

Modest rev of the open source office suite has welcome new features, but old peeves still linger

By Serdar Yegulalp | 13 February, 2013 11:12

Tags: LibreOffice, applications, Microsoft, Office Software, software, open source software, OpenOffice.org

Samba 4 review: No substitute for Active Directory -- yet

Samba's open source alternative to Microsoft's domain controller is a good start, but not ready for prime time

By Paul Ferrill | 23 January, 2013 11:13

Tags: unix, Linux, Networking, Network management, samba, open source software, operating systems, access control, management, Active Directory, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft, security, software

10 free Drupal modules that make development easier

Working with Drupal is not for the timid -- but these 10 free modules could make things easier for developers and administrators.

By Brian Proffitt | 16 January, 2013 11:58

Tags: web apps, open source, App Development, software

10 Joomla extension modules for easier and better websites

A collection of 10 diverse Joomla extensions that can help you build and maintain your sites.

By Brian Proffitt | 10 January, 2013 12:09

Tags: web apps, open source, App Development, software

Six free databases with commercial-quality features

Free or open source databases run hundreds of millions of public-facing and private applications worldwide, but how effective is this technology and how do these products compare? For answers, we reviewed six popular free or open source database products: Microsoft SQL Server Express, PostgreSQL, Oracle's MySQL, MariaDB, Apache Derby and Firebird SQL.

By Susan Perschke | 03 December, 2012 14:33

Tags: freemium, MariaDB, open source, mysql, postgresql, software, Microsoft SQL Server Express, Oracle, open source database products, Firebird SQL, Dell, Apache Derby, Microsoft

Review: 6 slick open source routers

DD-WRT, Tomato, OpenWRT, M0n0wall, PfSense, and Vyatta suit a wide range of devices and networking needs

By Serdar Yegulalp | 14 November, 2012 11:18

Tags: unix, Linux, Networking, wireless lan, software, open source software, operating systems, Network Router

Review: VMware Workstation 9 vs. VirtualBox 4.2

VMware Workstation is richer in features and polish than ever, but VirtualBox is still both capable and free

Review: 6 free email servers for small business

Even as social networking continues to gain in popularity, email remains the undisputed workhorse of messaging, far eclipsing all other forms of electronic communication. Email administration can be a costly function, especially for small to midsized organizations, and many administrators are looking for alternatives to enterprise-sized (and priced) commercial products.

Linux Mint 13 leaves sour aftertaste

With Ubuntu 12.04 LTS as its underpinnings, Linux Mint 13 (Maya) was recently released in three versions, KDE (new), Xfce, and Gnome-Cinnamon. We tested each version separately and while we still like Mint, we're accumulating a nagging list of bugs -- some of which are the fault of Ubuntu, and some are the twists that Linux Mint takes on its own.

DLP tools deliver strong endpoint protection

With serious data breaches occurring on almost a daily basis, concerns about data protection have skyrocketed. While some experts believe endpoint breaches may no longer comprise the majority of data leaks, the intentional or unintentional release of sensitive data from endpoints within an organization, whether by employees, contractors or guests, remains a serious problem that data loss prevention (DLP) products seek to address.

How we tested DLP products

We tested multiple common endpoint scenarios, by trying to upload, print, email or otherwise transfer data that should be blocked, quarantined, warned about or simply monitored under the rules and policies we set up. The following specific types of endpoint tests were conducted:

First look: Microsoft Office 2013

The next revision of Office adds touches of Metro without itself being a Metro app

Microsoft System Center targets cloud, virtualization

With the revamped System Center 2012 suite of management tools, Microsoft has launched a powerful new weapon in the battle to control the virtualized data center and the cloud, both private and public.

Microsoft raises the bar with SQL Server 2012

While SQL Server 2008 was little more than a service-pack level upgrade, the 2012 version of Microsoft's database has a boatload of new features and delivers solid performance improvements.

How we tested Microsoft SQL Server 2012

Virtually all our testing took place across 512Kbps frame relay, T-1 and T-3 WAN links. The test bed network consisted of six Fast Ethernet subnet domains linked by Cisco routers. Our lab's 50 clients consisted of computing platforms that included Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista/Win7, Macintosh 10.x and Red Hat Linux (both server and workstation editions).

How we tested Microsoft's System Center 2012

We initially attempted to implement System Center 2012 modularly, which is almost impossible, so we used the Unified Installer after reading the salient documents for each module, then installed each module into its own VM, combining SQLServer resources where necessary. We recommend that up to four SQL Server instances may be necessary for protecting all of the modules.

Windows Server 2012 Release Preview: Compelling new features

Windows Server 2012 Release Preview features a better virtual desktop experience, much easier DirectAccess deployment and a full-scale file-classification and access control system.

Galaxy S III review: Hands down, the best Android smartphone

Thanks to real attention to usability and meaningful features, Samsung's flagship takes its place as the Android front-runner