Open Document Format
Long-term archiving of documents generated and stored in computer format presents formidable problems. Current storage media, such as magnetic tape, CDs and DVDs, have a limited, ill-defined lifespan. Programs currently used to read their contents sooner or later will become obsolete. And the most-used formats for storing office documents are mostly proprietary, mutually incompatible, and incompletely documented.
The international Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) has developed an Open Document Format (ODF) based upon the XML-based file format originally created by OpenOffice.org. It was developed with inputs from a variety of organizations, with the notable exception of Microsoft, and a committee of the United Nations. It is publicly accessible, and can be implemented by anyone without restriction. The Open Document Format was recently adopted by the International Standards Organization as ISO/IEC 26300. Many foreign governments are adopting the new format, and it has also been adopted by the US National Archives
Microsoft, meanwhile, is developing its own proprietary, XML-based document format expected to be used in the forthcoming Office 12 suite. Most likely it won't be compatible with ODF.
The most recent version 2.0 of OpenOffice.org uses ODF as its native format, although documents can also be saved in formats that are compatible with the major proprietary Office Suites.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenDocument)
Camera Fingerprints
Jessica Fridrich and coworkers at Binghamton University have developed a technique to extract a characteristic "fingerprint" pattern from pictures taken by a digital camera. It depends on the observation that each original digital picture is overlaid by a weak noise pattern characteristic for the camera used. It is due to background electrical noise in the pixel units of the light sensing element.
That pattern can be seen by taking a picture with a digital camera with the lens covered. The resulting image is not pure black, as with a film camera, but shows a mottling in many colors, due to electronic noise. The mottling also shows up when a digital picture is underexposed, maybe because the flash did not go off. The mottling pattern is uniquely different for all cameras. It is distinct from pixellation that results from insufficient resolution.
It requires a number of pictures taken by the same camera to extract the characteristic pattern. Being able to identify the camera used can be helpful in legal prosecutions of child pornography and such. Study of the background patterns can also give an indication of image tampering.
Astrophotographers habitually take pictures of faint objects in a dark sky with CCD chips similar to those found in digital cameras. In order to eliminate the mottling from their images they take a "dark frame," a picture taken under identical conditions with the lens covered. They then digitally "subtract" the dark frame from the image to remove the mottling. This can be done with Adobe Photoshop, but it doesn't work with inexpensive digital cameras that internally process and compress photos, usually in JPEG format.
(http://urel.binghamton.edu/PressReleases/2006/Jan-Feb%2006/Fridrich.html)
Linspire Back On Top
The best things in life generally go unnoticed. If you notice your shoes, they probably don't fit right. If everyone notices your new glasses they may not be flattering.
If you own a PDA, do you know what operating system it uses? Never noticed it? How about the operating system of your computer? You've noticed that plenty of times, haven't you?
The ideal operating system works quietly in the background, doing what's expected of it. Microsoft Windows has come a long way over the years, to the point where weeks may go by without you noticing anything wrong. But oh boy! when it crashes.
Over the past 15 years Linux, "the other operating system," has in the hands of computer professionals grown into a powerful, reliable tool. It has been running many of the largest computer servers in the world, including Google. Early efforts to make it available as a desktop operating system didn't get very far because of the steep learning curve to overcome in mastering it.
To make Linux easier to use, a number of Linux distributions on CD-ROM have become available. They typically bundle the Linux Kernel with drivers for peripherals, sound and video cards, and network connections, and include a boot manager to allow side-by-side installation of Linux with MS Windows. In addition, the self-installing distributions typically include a windows interface, an Office Suite such as OpenOffice.org, an Internet browser and email program (Mozilla), a paint program (The Gimp), a variety of card and arcade games, and other useful or entertaining features.
The ideal distribution provides the best off-the-CD support for a wide variety of peripherals, useful programs, and easy access to a broad range of other programs available for the Linux operating system. Over the last several years I have reviewed most of the major distributions and concluded that Linspire (nee Lindows) and Xandros came the closest to the ideal.
Last year Linspire underwent a major upgrade to version 5.0, including support for the latest version of the Linux Kernel, itself a major upgrade. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the new Linspire to run well on my computers, so I reluctantly switched to Xandros on my desktop, and kept the old Lindows 4.5 on my laptop for everyday Internet access. Xandros does not have the same range of software available, including updated versions, as Linspire.
Recently Linspire issued its greatly improved version 5.1, and I am glad to report that in my opinion they are back on top again. It faultlessly recognizes all my systems, including the recent AMD 64-bit double-core CPU in my new computer. In fact, Linux was weaned on 64-bit processors and runs best in that environment. Linspire continues to offer its extensive program library ($20/year) that lets you download programs over the Internet and install them, all with a single mouse click. It doesn't get easier!
Try it sometime. Use the free LIVE CD version of Linspire 5.1 to boot your computer. It allows you to experience Linux without permanently installing anything on your hard drive, and to determine your system's compatibility. After you turn the system off nothing is left behind.
(http://www.linspire.com)
Maybe some day you'll be running Linux without even noticing it!
Noticeable
One amazing event during our special May meeting that went unnoticed: Jim Geiser, 75, SWIPCUG President and volunteer fireman, backing a humongous, $400,000, gleaming red firetruck into its cramped stall in the fire station -- in a single try! (http://swipcug.apcug.org/Photos/photos06.htm)
Did you see his interview on CNN in mid-May?
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There is no restriction against any non-profit group using this article as long as it is kept in context with proper credit given the author. The Editorial Committee of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an international organization of which this group is a member, brings this article to you.
Date Revised: 3 August 2006
