Sony appears to be considering using Linux as the core OS for its upcoming PlayStation 3. Of course, Linux is already available for the PlayStation 2 as an add-on, but this would mean that Linux will run natively on the PS3, and most likely be the game environment as well.

Now, this is pure speculation, but if the PlayStation 3 is indeed based on Linux, and games are written for Linux on the PS3, it seems like it should be pretty easy to port it to Linux on the PC. Now how cool would that be!

In this article on BBspot, Microsoft has announced that it will be conducting its own version of psy ops against the Iraqis by giving them outdated versions of Windows 95, and modifying the BSOD to look like the american flag.

Sorry for the lack of news lately - I've been hard at work on other parts of the site. Too bad most changes I made aren't even noticeable unless you know what to look for...

Anyway, I have a few new articles for everyone. To kick things off, I wanted to mention the new O'Reilly Hacks Series of books. Each book in the series contain 100 hacks, or "tools, tips, and tricks that help users solve problems." I just bought Linux Server Hacks and Google Hacks, and so far I'm quite impressed. Well worth checking out if you're looking for some new reading material.

I'm currently in the middle of updating the LegRoom.net theme, as well as updating the layout of the home page. Although the theme looks almost identical at the moment, I've made extensive changes on the backend, reimplimenting it with another theme system that will make updates and modifications much easier in the future.

However, as a result of the changes, there are still a few minor problem with page layout, colors, etc. If you notice any such problems with the site, please let me know. Also feel free to send any feedback or ideas for improvement.

In the meantime, please bear with me while I complete this transition. Thanks.

This is an update to the story below. Dell includes a hardware sensor that detects refilled ot 3rd-party ink cartridges, and refuses to allow use of them. So, either buy a separate printer, or expect to pay out of the ass for ink cartridges for your Dell printer.

For more information , see the Slashdot post or the original Yahoo article

Apparently, all of the year+ old rumors are true - Dell will begin selling its own printer line next week. According to C|Net, Dell has two goals in mind: boost it's own sales, and hurt archrival HP. HP, you might remember, snubbed Dell last year when the rumors of a Dell-branded printer line first surfaced. Dell, it seems, is still rather pissed about that.

This move, combined with their decision to begin selling Dell-branded PDAs last fall, makes for some interesting times at Dell.

You can read the full article here:
http://news.com.com/2100-1041-993750.html?tag=lh

Most fans of the Mozilla web browser suite are probably aware of Phoenix, the lightweight, cross-platform browser heavily based on Mozilla's code. Phoenix supports the same web standards as Mozilla, but it has a much smaller memory footprint due to it's stripped-down codebase, lack of integrated mail client, etc.

Well, here's more good news for speed-happy or low-end hardware users - Minotaur. Designed with the same goals as Phoenix, this will be a lightweight, cross-platform mail client based heavily on the Mozilla Mail code. You can read additional details in this usenet post, or on the project homepage.

I just want to also say that, although I personally prefer the standard Mozilla suite, this is a good thing. Older machines especially will benefit from this, as well as anyone that's put-off by Mozilla's sometimes long startup times (due to the fact that, unlike another web browser, it's not loaded as part of the OS).

In an amazingly stupid move, Office Depot has decided to only sell Designed for Windows XP certified hardware and software.

"Please be aware that Office Depot is immediately requiring all products that connect to a Personal Computer ... must pass these Designed for Windows XP logo requirements to be considered for retail distribution through our stores.... Products must be certified as Designed for Windows XP by May 30, 2003."

This is undoubtedly due to pressure by Microsoft to extend their monopoly even further, this time to retail shelf space!? If a retail chain as large as Office Depot bows to their pressure, you can guarantee that they'll only increase the pressure on other distributers to drop non-MS certified products. Hopefully, other retailers will have more backbone and common sense than Office Deopt, who has just landed themselves on my boycott list.

Read below for more information, including the press release:

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=8472

As you can see, I've added many new and updated topic icons to my page. The graphics, of course, come from slashdot.org, and I'd like to thank them for being generous enough to allow others use of their icons. Hope you enjoy the new look!

According a new security survey released by the Computing Technology Industry Association, human error, rather than technology, is the most significant cause of security breaches.

Of course, anyone that's worked in the security field can certainly tell you this. Social Engineering, anyone?

More info can be found at the PCWorld article below:

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,109872,00.asp