Top 10 Fastest Linux-based Supercomputers in the World

Supercomputers are computers that offer more processing capacity as compared to current processing capacity, particularly in calculation speeds. They are used in various fields be it research, aerospace or accurate weather forecasts. As of now, more than 90% of supercomputers run a Linux-based operating system.

We have here a “top 10 list” of the fastest Linux-based supercomputers in the world.

Note: The rankings and data in this article are latest as of June 2011. Please note that these rankings and performance ratings are carried out regularly and are bound to change over time.

5 Absolutely Useless Compiz Plugins

Compiz is no doubt the best compositing manager for Linux. It has been a part of Ubuntu for a long time and is actively maintained as well. Since the addition of the contentious Unity plugin, Compiz has become the most popular and reliable compositing manager easily surpassing GNOME 3's Mutter.

Being a part of a big project like Ubuntu, developers are coming up with amazing new plugins like Modal dialogs. This, of course, doesn't mean that there aren't any useless plugins for Compiz. Here are 5 such plugins that find no practical applications whatsoever:

1. Desktop Cube

The desktop cube was and is one of the most enviable features of Linux. Managing multiple desktops in a visually intuitive way has made the cube quite popular amongst Linux enthusiasts. Having said that, switching desktops using the cube plugin is, if not clumsy, distracting for many. Imagine you have a browser window in one desktop and LibreOffice Spreadsheet in the other. Now say, you have to quickly switch between the two, would you want a huge cube to take you from window to another? The cube, as fancy as it may look, is bereft of any practical application. Of course, many won't agree with me on that one, but some of the extra plugins that come with the Cube plugin are so ridiculous that you might eventually acquiesce.

Here are two other useless Compiz plugins related to Desktop Cube:

Infamous Microsoft FUD Campaigns Against Linux

From the buggy-yet-popular Windows 95 to the god-knows-what-it-is and upcoming Windows 8, Microsoft has come a long way. Unlike the 90’s, they aren’t just making computer software, today they manufacture almost anything your tech-savvy mind can dream of. But after all these years, what hasn’t changed is the fact that Microsoft is still a company full of uptight nerds who think that attacking their competitors is what makes them no 1.

Microsoft’s long war against Linux, Android and all things related to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is something that can’t be ignored anymore.

Here is a look at the history of Microsoft's infamous FUD (Fear, uncertainty and doubt) campaigns against Linux and FOSS:

iPad vs. Chromebooks vs. Windows-based Netbooks

Apple, with the launch of the universally coveted iPad, started a new trend in secondary computing devices. These gadgets, also known as post-PC devices, don't necessarily replace the desktop but they do a good job at complimenting it.

Netbooks, both Windows-based and Linux-based ones were already major players in this market before being overtaken by iPad and Android tablet computers. Venturing late into this domain came Google's highly anticipated Chromebooks, making the secondary device market even more competitive.

Today, let's compare three of the biggest players (excluding Android tablets) of this secondary computing device market --which are iPads, Windows-based netbooks and Chromebooks – and see how they stack up against each other:

Top 5 Alternatives to Ubuntu Linux

Top 5 Alternatives to Ubuntu Linux: After the Unity debacle, if you’re thinking about switching to Windows 7 or Mac OS X, there is no reason to lose hope that soon. The cute little penguin offers many good choices even for the new user. Although Ubuntu 11.04 “Natty Narwhal” provides GNOME 2.x as a fallback option, moving away from it isn’t as scary as you think.

Here are the top Linux distributions you can switch to, if you are planning to ditch Ubuntu:

1. Linux Mint

We’ve already compared Linux Mint 11 and Ubuntu 11.04 on various grounds such as User Interface, Software Applications, Performance, Ease of Use etc. It comes as no surprise that it was a very close fight. However, Mint came out as a winner at the end. Linux Mint 11 "Katya", by sticking to the familiar GNOME 2.x interface, keeps things simple and sweet. The simplicity by no means bogs down Mint’s performance or features. In fact, the simplicity compliments Mint’s fresh look as well as the powerful set of default applications it comes with. If you absolutely hate Unity, this is the time to switch as Mint offers an easy-to-use familiar interface with features that make any “Ubuntuer” envious.

6 GTD Applications for Linux to Improve Productivity

Getting things done (GTD), an organization method created by productivity guru David Allen, has gained a lot of reputation amongst many folks who are enthusiastic about managing their time. The essence of this method is to take the task-taking process out of the mind and onto an external medium like a paper or a text file. Since its detailed mention in Allen’s bestselling book by the same name, Getting Things Done has been incorporated into many organization web apps and software.

Here are some applications that let you get the best of GTD on your very own Linux system:

Chandler

Seriously, no FRIENDS references here -- Chandler is a Python-based, cross-platform calendaring application released under the Apache license. Although Chandler isn’t a full-blown GTD application, it is based on the same principles that are mentioned in David Allen’s book. Chandler is basically a PIM application that lets you add notes, todos, meetings and reminders. The interface is designed in such a way that you can triage anything you enter based on 3 statuses - Now, Later and Done. You can then set a status to any entry based on your workload. The best thing about Chandler is that it syncs easily with Google Calendar, iCal, Mozilla Sunbird/Lightning and Evolution.

Google+ vs. Facebook: Funny GIF Images Collection

The Google Plus vs. Facebook war is on. Although still on trial run and can only be accessed by a limited number of users, Google's latest foray in the world of social networking has been doing great so far, receiving generally positive reviews from those who have already used it. A lot of tech blogs and news sites are praising Google+ and are calling it a potential Facebook killer. I think all those compliments are worthy.

I've been using Google+ for several days already and I can honestly say that it is simply awesome. It is clean, fast and intuitive, and it puts privacy on top priority. I think Facebook is too cluttered and noisy nowadays that a lot of people will find a new home in Google+.

This early, Google+ has already gained several fanboys who think that it is ready to give Facebook a big slap in the face. In fact, some fans have been creating and sharing several funny Google+ vs. Facebook animated GIF images.

7 Most Notorious Computer Hacker Groups of All Time

With the recent attack on PlayStation Network and a bunch of high-profile websites, computer hackers are back in the limelight again. Hackers and hacker groups were quite famous in the 80’s and 90’s but their popularity started fading since the Y2K days. Today, we are once again witnessing hackers threatening to take on giant corporations sending chills down everyone's spine.

We have already featured here some of the most infamous black hat hackers of all time. This time, we will take a quick look at some of the most notorious computer hacker groups that ever existed:

Masters of Deception

This New York-based group was responsible for notorious acts such as downloading confidential credit card histories of stars like Julia Roberts, breaking into AT&T’s computer system and stealing credit card numbers. Founded by hackers Acid Phreak, Scorpion and HAC, Masters of Deception or MOD, was a mockery of LOD (Legion of Doom), its archrival and a hugely popular hacker group at that time. MOD claimed that Legion of Doom had lost its direction, which also resulted in the famous hacker Mark Abene (a.k.a Phiber Optik), a former LOD member, jumping ship and joining Masters of Deception. The group operated during an era where C64s and TRS-80s where the hottest gadgets around, that is the late 80s. MOD’s days of glory however, ended when FBI and Secret Service forces arrested their members and put them behind bars.

Acer AC700 Chromebook Laptop Computer Preview

The release of Google’s famed Chrome OS has certainly been eagerly awaited by many people with much anticipation for what the new open source operating system can bring to the table. As certain leaks have shown up in the past, a notebook running Chrome OS can actually be up and running in about 10 seconds and can wake up from sleep mode in less. In short, if there were anything that can be synonymous with the operating system, it would be a lot of speed.

In fact, Kogan, an Australian computer manufacturer, went ahead and released the Kogan Agora Chromium laptop, the first notebook running the famed operating system a couple of months back to be touted as the world’s first Chrome OS notebook. Unfortunately, the specs of the Kogan Agora Chromium were so laughable that people did not line up to get one.

Samsung followed suit with the release of their Samsung Series 5 Notebook, also running Chrome OS. Although packing some decent specs, reviews of the Series 5 were mixed and certainly not what the company was expecting.

5 Free and Open Source Skype Replacements for Linux

Skype is without doubt one of the best proprietary software available to Linux users. However, ever since Microsoft acquired it, some people have started looking for free and open-source alternatives to the popular communication (Voice over Internet Protocol, instant messaging, videoconferencing) software.

Let's take a close look at some of the best choices you have if you were to quit using Skype today. So without further delay, here are some of the best free and open-source Skype replacements (in no particular order) especially for those of you who are using Linux:

1. Ekiga

Ekiga, formerly called GNOME Meeting is a VOIP and video conferencing application that works across Linux and Windows. It includes many great features like USB hotplug support, Contact list, Basic instant messaging, video calling, call transfer, call forwarding and more. Due to its huge number of features as well as stability, Ekiga has been touted as the best FOSS replacement for Skype, as many competitors don’t have features like HD video conferencing that Ekiga offers. As far as the user interface is concerned, anyone familiar with Pidgin or Empathy will easily be able to use Ekiga. There’s nothing complex about the UI, just a plain, simple and old-school GNOME app. The only shortcoming is that it doesn’t integrate with the Ubuntu app menu yet, which, I hope, will be done once more people start switching from Skype to Ekiga.