Make your own open-source cloud with own Cloud 4

 May 23, 2012

Summary: So you like the idea of cloud-computing, but you don’t trust any of the cloud vendors? With ownCloud 4 you can build your own.

Cloud 4

Like clouds, but don't trust cloud 

 vendors? Roll your own with ownCloud.

Big businesses use cloud services. You and I use cloud storage services like DropBox, Google Drive, and Amazon Cloud Drive every day. But, with each you have to trust your data on other people’s systems. With ownCloud, an open source file sync and share project, which began as a KDE project, you can keep your data on your servers and decide what other public cloud services you want to integrate into your personal cloud.

OwnCloud is primarily as an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud service. With it you can store your files, folders, contacts, photo galleries, calendars and more on a server of your choosing. You can then access that storage from your mobile device, your desktop, or a Web browser. You can also sync your date with local devices and share your data either with the world at large or specific approved users.

With the new, just released version, you also now get file versioning, which allows you to “rollback” to previous versions; file-level encryption, Web-based drag and drop file management, and a built-in Open Document Format (ODF) preview.

OwnCloud is built on top of a MySQL database. The program itselfis written in PHP and JavaScript. It now has a new application programming interface (API). This should make it easier to build applications on top of ownCloud’s built-in capabilities.

In addition, ownCloud 4 includes an “experimental” feature for mounting of external file systems–including Dropbox, FTP and Google Drive–enabling users to have all their file sync and share tools in a single ownCloud interface.

OwnCloud can now also be used in a business network environment. It now includes system logging and enables administrators to manage users and groups from Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) or Active Directory (AD).

“Version 3 represented a great technology leap forward. As our community continues to grow, Version 4 has benefited greatly, and the result is the most innovative and flexible sync and share platform to date,” said Frank Karlitschek, founder of ownCloud in a statement. “The latest ownCloud offers features businesses and service providers have been asking for, and adds new features and applications that meet the needs of the community and will greatly enhance our upcoming commercial editions.”

I’ve downloaded ownCloud for my CentOS 6 and openSUSE 12.1 servers and I like what I’ve seen so far. No, it’s not as easy as Dropbox nor as powerful as the Amazon Cloud, but it lets me run my own file sync and share services on my own hardware and storage, and use public hosting and storage offerings. I like it. OwnCloud will also run on Windows 7 or Server 2008.

Sure, I could have built something like this myself. Heck I have built things like this over the years, but ownCloud brings everything I need in one place so that I can run my own cloud my own way. And, that my friends, I find a very attractive option indeed. As I continue to work on it, I’ll let you know what I find. For now, I can recommend anyone who’s Linux savvy and wants their own customized cloud service to give it a try.

Or, if you like the idea, but don’t have the expertise, ownCloud offers commercial support options.

Via unveils $49 Android PC

 

 Via APC uses new Neo-ITX form factor, embedded memory and storage

VIA APC PC

Via's APC is intended for ultra small form factors, embedded devices and experimentation. May 23, 2012

 

The APC runs on a WonderMedia ARM processor, with integrated memory and storage, and a full set of consumer I/O ports.


The PC is built on the new Neo-ITX form factor motherboard, which at 17cm x 8.5cm, is half the size of the microATX form factor.


The APC comes with browser and a selection off apps pre-installed, with connectivity for standard mouse and keyboard, and TV or monitor.

The board includes integrated 2GB NAND Flash and 512 DDR3 SDRAM, and has VGA and HMDI display ports, four USB 2.0 ports, one microSD slot, one 10/100 Ethernet port and audio-out/ Mic-in. It also has low power consumption of just 4 watts idle and 13.5 watts maximum load, ten times less that of a standard PC system.

The APC runs an optimized version of Android tailored to the hardware, and even includes hardware acceleration to provide HD quality multimedia.

The company says the APC is likely to appeal to OEMs and systems integrators that are looking for small, low power low cost devices and to hobbyists looking for a platform for building PC mods on.

"APC brings the familiarity and convenience of Android to the PC at a $49 price point that will open up exciting new markets and applications," said Richard Brown, VP of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. "Like a bicycle for your mind, APC will enable more people than ever before to explore the vast online universe."

Online censorship: UAE police shut down Facebook and Twitter accounts

May 22nd, 2012

FaceBook

twitter

The Twitter and facebook accounts were shut down for containing abusive or threatening material

Fifteen facebook and Twitter accounts have been shut down by cops in Dubai this year for containing abusive and threatening posts.

Major Saeed Al Hajeri, Head of the Electronic Crimes Department at Dubai Police, said: “We are not monitoring people on social networks but our electronic police patrols surf various websites to protect UAE citizens and residents against electronic crimes, which have increased worldwide recently.”

He said facebook and Twitter had agreed to Dubai Police’s request to shut three accounts last week. The Twitter and facebook accounts were shut down for containing abusive or threatening material, police said

The force had sent letters to the management of the social networking sites that included evidence account holders had committed acts violating UAE laws, including personal insults. “Many people think they cannot get into trouble for doing such things on the internet but they can be punished under UAE law,” he said.

He continued: “We respect people’s privacy and do not track their life on social networks. “We only take action when someone makes a complaint. “One major case involved hackers who broke into girls’ accounts and emails and downloaded their pictures.

“They then used them to blackmail them for money or sexual favours.”