Quantum Leap
Seeing as Linus Torvalds wrote programs and games (including Pac-Man clone Cool Man) for the Sinclair QL, perhaps Linux Format should do an article about the QL, celebrating 40 years since its release, and maybe include an interview with Linus about how the QL influenced his computing journey. This website is an excellent source of information: https://dilwyn.qlforum.co.uk.
WRITE TO US
Do you have a burning Linux-related issue that you want to discuss? Write to us at Linux Format, Future Publishing, Quay House, The Ambury, Bath, BA1 1UA or email letters@ linuxformat.com.
Neil says…
It does look as though the Sinclair QL slipped through the net when we ran our classic emulation series. I believe Les found that it was supported by the ZX Spectrum emulator he covered, and because he had no personal experience with the QL, he decided to skip over it. We’re a shambles!
Neil says… So, I’m not going to apologise for just covering Linux operating systems – there’s enough content there to last us until the heat-death of the universe! However, you’ve asked a good question – and who really knows? Of course, the various BSDs are in use commercially (widely) and (to a much lesser extent) on personal systems – don’t try to argue that Mac OS is a BSD. Moving outside of BSD, though, I think you’re exploring niche communities, which isn’t a bad thing – they’re very interesting and that’s why people get involved. So, for example, ReactOS is attempting to reverse-engineer a Windows-compatible OS, Haiku is keeping BeOS alive, and Open Indiana is doing the same with Solaris and so on. The last Roundup that looked at alternative free operating systems was in LXF251.
Free stuff
You spend a lot of time talking about Linux – I guess the clue is in the magazine’s name – however, there are a lot of other open source operating systems out there. Does anyone actually use any of them as a daily driver? Does anybody use ReactOS or that kind of stuff ?
High-confusion encoding
I don’t see you writing much about video, and now that my phone is recording in 4K, I’m wondering what the best way of encoding its footage would be. Back in the day, I’d be using DivX and MP4, but when it comes to this HEVC, I’m a bit clueless. I’m guessing Handbrake is still the best tool to use.
Neil says…
The situation is probably worse than you think in terms of different encoding options out there. The old DivX/h.264 and now h.265 were always locked up in some sort of software patent, which is why there are x264/265 open source implementations. Beca
