Writings

Here you will find some of my older articles. All the new stuff can be found at .

• The Corporate Eyeball trap
  Recently, Open Source Definition Author Bruce Perens spoke about some of the threats facing Linux. He specifically pointed at things like software patents, which he rightfully identified as a real danger to any form of innovation and growth in Linux. However, it isn't the only one. There is another one - sneakily creeping up on the Open Source world, ready to bite - something I call the "Corporate Eyeball Trap".

• My online diary gives me freedom to be me
  This is a reproduction of an article about me and my online diary that appeared in Computers@Home in November 2002.

• Linux/OpenSource and the Government
  This document was submitted to the Government of India in response to their request for a position paper, leading up to the (now famous) closed-door meeting on December 23rd, 2002, where the Government and the IT Industry and Academia met to discuss the adoption of OpenSource by the Government. The author was one of the invitees to that meeting.

• A Case for my Palm Zire 71
  How I fixed the issue of a bad PDA case and a bad stylus.

• TCP/IP over PPP between a PalmOS PDA and Linux
  How to get TCP/IP running between your PalmOS PDA and a PC, so that you can browse the web, read email, do network HotSyncs and use Avantgo when it isn't supported under Linux.

• The Rising (Part 1)
  Fiction? Fact?

• The Rising (Part 2 - The Trade Lords)
  Fiction? Fact? Continued.

• The Rising (Part 3 - Future's Past)
  Fiction? Fact? Continued.

• The Rising (Part 4 - Common Cause)
  Fiction? Fact? Continued.

• The Rising (Part 5 - Bell of Freedom)
  Fiction? Fact? Continued.

• Why they call me "Toolz"
  An old FAQ explaining the history behind my nickname.

• Participating
  The one thing that continues to amaze me is the effort it takes to get people to participate in any meaningful fashion.

• Letter to a Non-Believer
  An open letter to someone who doesn't believe that Linux works.

• Linux Compatible Equipment
  Given the fact that Linux is only a second priority for most vendors when it comes to driver support (especially for consumer items), wouldn't it have made sense to check whether the item you are about to purchase is supported under Linux before you spend your money?

• An OS for PDAs?
  I am often asked which PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) I recommend. Most people don't realise that the really import part isn't the PDA itself, but the Operating System (OS) it runs.

• IT Slowdown in India
  Many IT Companies have relied purely on software export to the USA, and they are in for a miserable ride, because they have painted themselves into a corner.

• Rock with your PC
  If music be the food of life, the secret of well-being lies in learning to rock with your PC.

• The Corporate Linux FAQ
  Linux has a lot to offer to business users - stability, completeness, and support. These are three major issues for any corporation that needs to depend on its computers.

• Bandwidth Optimization
  Increasing bandwidth is just one way of taking care of the load on networks. It might be easier to optimize existing bandwidth.

• Viruses under Linux?
  Linux viruses are little more than curiosities - largely because of the design of Linux and general Unix permissions.

• Why August 25th?
  Why do we celebrate the birthday of Linux on August 25th?

• Why I do not participate in GNUnify
  

• Why Linux (and not GNU/Linux)
  While it may seem great in terms of ideology to call it GNU/Linux, it is simply unfair to do so.

• The CiX BBS
  Long ago, in a Universe far far away, there lived India's first and most popular BBS - CiX. This was a little description of it.