Theodore Ts’o — Linux kernel developer and technologist writing about Linux, filesystems, open source, and the broader impact of technology on society.
51 articles from this blog
A 2008 review of the iPod Touch 2nd Gen, praising its design and functionality while criticizing Apple's closed ecosystem and App Store policies.
Article compares ext4 vs ext3 filesystem check (fsck) speeds, showing ext4 is significantly faster based on real-world laptop tests.
A developer shares their experience converting their laptop to use the ext4 filesystem, noting a minor bug and plans for wider testing.
A Nokia executive's controversial talk on DRM and open source highlights the need for better communication between corporations and the developer community.
Donald Knuth discusses his preference for Linux and critiques the shift to multi-core architecture, questioning its benefits for most software.
Analyzes the distinction between 'organic' and 'non-organic' open source development models, using examples like Apache and MySQL.
A 2008 link roundup discussing open source commandments, Linux desktop strategies, and industry moves from companies like rPath and Microsoft.
Analyzes the differences between 'organic' open-source projects with community contributions and 'non-organic' ones driven by a single company.
Analyzes Sun's strategic goals and community challenges with OpenSolaris, contrasting its open-source release with Linux's development model.
A 2008 personal review comparing the Sony PRS-505 e-reader to the Kindle, focusing on design, cost, and superior open-source software support.
Explores the philosophical debate on whether 'perfect code' exists, comparing OS development philosophies and the role of stable interfaces.
A developer shares a positive experience with automatic printer setup on Ubuntu Linux, praising its ease compared to Windows and traditional Unix methods.
A 2007 analysis of Linux power management on laptops, highlighting successes with Powertop but criticizing manual driver workarounds needed for optimal battery life.
A developer details migrating their blog from LiveJournal to WordPress for better features like trackbacks and JavaScript support.
A response to critiques of the 'benevolent dictator' governance model in open source, using Linux and Debian as examples.
A critical review of the Palm Foleo mobile companion, comparing its specs and limitations to a lightweight laptop.
A developer compares Git and Mercurial (hg), explaining why he switched to Git despite its flaws, citing its power, Unix-like nature, and improving community.
Analyzes the 2006 Novell-Microsoft patent deal, arguing it's harmful to Linux and GPL compliance due to legal loopholes.
A developer simplifies a Kerberos config parser into a single C file for e2fsck, discussing the need for small, efficient code vs. bloatware.
A developer discovers a surprising Y2K-related bug in Solaris 9's strptime function, causing incorrect year parsing years after the Y2K scare.
