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Issue 121 (August 2009) - Pick the perfect netbook

Click here to get the DVD via BitTorrent

Click here to get the just the source code used in tutorials

8 low-cost, Linux-ready laptops tested - find the best one for you!

Linux meets Mac: put your Linux skills to use on OS X

OpenOffice.org 3.1 reviewed - end of the road for Word?

On the 4GB DVD: Linux Mint 7 - innovative Ubuntu spin-off. Plus: Ulteo, OpenSolaris 2009.06 and much more

Tutorials on music serving, Gimp, OpenOffice.org, Python programming, server security...

Features

Pick the perfect netbook

We locked Mike in a room with eight netbooks, a week's supply of oxygen and one mission: to find the ideal machine for every type of user. (Mike Saunders)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Mac OS X and Linux

We delve deep behind the gloss of OS X and find that Macs and Linux have a lot in common. (Juliet Kemp)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Sox: Hack your audio files

Learn how to perform surgery on your audio files with Sox, the versatile command line sound processor. (Shashank Sharma)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Benchmarking and profiling

Sometimes your code is annoyingly slow. Here's how to identify why using the dark art of benchmarking. (Juliet Kemp)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Dr Brown's Administeria

Take the pain out of joining your Linux server to an Active Directory domain with Likewise Open. Also: SSH security tips and Wireshark. (Chris Brown)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Interview: Michael Simms

He heads both Linux Game Publishing and Tux Games. That means you have him to thank for bringing X3, Cold War and more to your desktop. (Graham Morrison)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Coverdisc

Linux Mint 7

Fresh and innovative Ubuntu spin-off. Plus: Ulteo OVD, OpenSolaris 2009.06, OpenOffice.org 3.1, VirtualBox 2.2.4 and more... (Mike Saunders)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

HotPicks

Flush, Ubuntu Tweak, Gnome Schedule, Cactus Jukebox, Atomic Worm, SuperTuxKart, Gentoo, BoPlanets, Geeqie (Andy Hudson)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Tutorials

Sockso: build a music server

Tired of having to transfer music around? Here's how to create a personal music server so you can listen to your tunes anywhere. (Andy Channelle)

Click here to read!

Gimp: Create a fire goddess

Our graphics guru continues his journey on the fickle wings of inspiration this month. He invites you to fire up Gimp and join him on his travels. (Michael J Hammel)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

OOo: Automate your work

We reveal how to create a slew of OpenDocument invoices and multiple choice tests automatically to save you from monotonous chores. (Marco Fioretti)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Mail server: Get rid of spam

Part 8: Complete your mail server setup with Postfix, and filter out spam and viruses in the process. (Neil Bothwick)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Python: Create a chatbot

Part 2: Think like could be better? It really could if you follow our advice and create a chatbot to do your bidding. (Nick Veitch)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Security: Protect your server

We show you how to manage your ports, deal with vulnerabilities and stop crackers from taking advantage of your server. (Martin Meredith)

Click here to read!

Reviews

GP2X Wiz

We get misty-eyed with nostalgia, with this super-geeky console and arcade emulation platform. (Simon Pickstock)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Kdenlive 0.7.3

Video editing has become a de rigeur computing task, so we look at whether Linux can keep up with iMovie and Windows Movie Maker... (Andy Channelle)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Ulteo OVD 1.0

Gael Duval's latest effort, Open Virtual Desktop, provides a virtual desktop in a browser. Can it live up to its pedigree? (Mayank Sharma)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Jets'n'Guns Gold

Faster, kill, faster, upgrade, kill, bomb, maim, injure. Nick relieves the stress of the supermarket with some old-fashioned entertainment. (Nick Veitch)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

EnergyXT 2.5

Modular music composition is just another excuse for serial sonic sorcerer Graham to have several tracks on the go at once. (Graham Morrison)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

OpenOffice.org 3.1

Despite an uncertain future, the present is looking good for this prominent productivity suite. We take a peek at its recent progress... (Andy Channelle)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

News: Microsoft joins Linux Foundation

Unlikely bedfellows get together to battle warranty charges. Also: Red Hat and Ingres go on the offensive against Sun's Oracle purchase; Mandriva Click 'N Backup; Do This Now; Red Hat challenges Swiss government MS deal; Intel debuts Moblin 2. (Andy Channelle)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

News: News extra: Yahoo Hack Day 2009

Code, caffeine and beanbags aplenty at Yahoo's 24-hour programming fest... (Mike Saunders)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

Distrowatch: Mandriva 2009.1

The spring version of this beginner-friendly distro brings some seasonal excitement. Plus: SliTaz GNU/Linux, future hardware choices. (Susan Linton)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.

What on Earth: APML

A novel way to let websites know what interests you. (Marco Fioretti)

Available as a PDF to subscribers.