Does GNU/Linux need a cult figure like Steve Jobs to spread the word and convert the doubters? And does FOSS lend itself to the development of such egos, where technical merit alone does not count?

Packt Publishing has once again generously offered a few copies of the recently released "Object Oriented Javascript", by Stoyan Stefanov (@stoyanstefanov). After finishing the book last weekend, I can promise you that it's one of my favorite web development books. Stoyan does a fantastic job of making Javascript seem attainable.

One of the best things about any Linux Desktop Environment/Window Manager, is the ability to have as many virtual desktops as you like. Funnily enough, whenever I put a Windows user on a Linux system, this is the thing they struggle most with.

Canonical has begun beta testing a managed storage service - known as Ubuntu One (pictured) - that allows Ubuntu 9.04 users to share and sync files between multiple Ubuntu PCs. Here's the scoop from The VAR Guy.

The latest Firefox may still be in beta but it boasts a number of behind-the-scenes features that will make developing for the web easier as well as end-user changes that add new functionality, like private browsing and support for drag and drop.

Google Gadgets for Linux provides a platform for running desktop gadgets under Linux, catering to the unique needs of Linux users. We are compatible with the gadgets written for Google Desktop for Windows as well as the Universal Gadgets on iGoogle. Following Linux norms, this project will be open-sourced, under the Apache License.

Well, well...IBM and Novell have each filed motions in the SCO bankruptcy to convert the SCO Chapter 11 cases to Chapter 7. That makes three such motions. Here's the US Trustee's motion, if you are new. We're working on text versions.

"David Bollier will discuss the rise of the commons paradigm in the digital environment, the subject of his new book, Viral Spiral: How the Commoners Built a Digital Republic of Their Own (New Press). The book traces the origins of free software, the Creative Commons licenses and the online “sharing economy” ..."