Practical Technology

Microsoft’s Linux app, Skype, gets updated

sjvn01 — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:01:29 +0000

A few years back, Linux’s creator, Linus Torvalds said, “If Microsoft ever does applications for Linux it means I’ve won.” By that standard, Linux won last year when Microsoft started shipping a new version of Skype, its then recently acquired Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) program, on Linux. In late May 2013, Linux is still winning as [...]

Build your own supercomputer out of Raspberry Pi boards

sjvn01 — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:45:39 +0000

When you think do-it-yourself (DIY) computing, you probably think of setting up a screaming gaming computer or putting together the best possible components for the least amount of money. You’re almost certainly not considering putting together a supercomputer. Maybe you should. Joshua Kiepert, a doctoral student at Boise State’s Electrical and Computer Engineering department, has [...]

Chrome 27: Talk to me

sjvn01 — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:20:29 +0000

While my computer still refuses to brew me a cup of Earl Grey when I talk to it, Google has made it possible to speak to its new Chrome Web browser, Chrome 27. It sounds like a great idea. When it works, it really is quite wonderful. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that often for me. [...]