The Linux Foundation launches their own branded Visa card

The Linux Foundation seems to be quite adamant of getting their image out there, as of late; not too long ago, they sent out their own advertisement to show off their offerings to the public, and now they're taking publicity one step further. As TechCrunch are reporting, they've now teamed up with CardPartner and UMB Bank to debut their own Visa card, sporting their mascot 'Tux' on the front.

The card isn't just handy for showing your dedication to the open source cause, but it's also great for helping them out, too. For each card activated, The Linux Foundation will receive $50, and they will also pick up a percentage of each purchase made by users. Apparently, 100% of the proceeds will "go directly towards providing community technical events and travel grants for open source community members in order to accelerate Linux innovation." The current executive director of The Linux Foundation, Jim Zemlin, says that there's a whole bunch of ways people can contribute to the organization (be it by code, or other means) but now they can do it "by carrying Tux in their pocket."

So, hoping to pick one of these up, but you don't live in the United States? Tough luck, unfortunately. The card is only available in the aforementioned region, though others are hoping to be added in the current months. However, if you do meet the criteria, head to this link to get business sorted out.

Firefox 4.0 redesign mockups released

Earlier last week, Mozilla updated the Firefox 3.7 wiki to show potential design changes for Firefox 3.7, and today, updated their wiki to show new mock ups for Firefox 4.0 Windows designs.

The designs are changed to fit better into Windows 7 - as they want to "embrace glass" which is a major goal of Mozilla for the next Firefox release, as well as making them feel more a part of the OS. The designs also work on Windows Vista. A separate design would be in place for lower versions of Windows.

The images below show the ideas that the Mozilla team has, for some potential tab layouts/UI redesigns. Remember that these mock ups are different than the 3.7 ones posted last week. Compare them on the Mozilla Wiki.

Version A - Tabs-on-Bottom

Possibly add a Bookmarks widget as an upfront replacement for the Bookmarks menu/Bookmarks toolbar (option to turn those on would remain).

Version B - Tabs-on-Top

The more contentious Tabs-on-Top concept.

Positives

Save Vertical Space
Efficiency/Remove Visual Complexity - Right now the tabs have to be connected to something. So we are adding an extra visual element for them to connect to.
Shorter Mouse Distance to Page Controls

Negatives

Breaks Consistency/Familiarity - Moving things confuses existing users.
Title is MIA - With the space removed from the titlebar you only get the truncated version in the tab.
Longer Mouse Distance to Tabs - Takes longer to mouse to a tab.
Lost Space - Sandwiched in between the application icon and the window widgets you lose some space.

Combo Stop/Refresh/Go Button.

Attached at the end of the location bar.

Turns green when you start typing.
Blends with the location bar when at rest.
Turns blue on hover.
Turns red when a page is loading.
The proposed iconography is mostly colorless. Adding color to these temporary action driven buttons will make it more obvious something is going on.

The next generation of music

Apple seem to have a passion for trying to re-invent the way we use certain technologies. With this in mind, the FT website has published an article which talks about Apple's plans to come together with major record labels to tackle the lull in album buying in the recent years.

The popularity of download-able content has shot through the roof, especially music, leaving many people with bare CD cabinets. However, have no fear because Apple seems to think it has the answer. Working closely with EMI, Sony Music, Warner Music and Universal Music, Apple are hoping to to stimulate digital sales of albums by designing interactive booklets, sleeve notes and other interactive features to go along any with music downloads.

So, perhaps not saving the high street stores, but changing the dynamic of the iTunes store. According to the FT, Apple "hopes it will change buying trends on its online iTunes store."

The big names of music production along with Apple are heading towards a release date for September for the project.

"It's all about re-creating the heyday of the album when you would sit around with your friends looking at the artwork, while you listened to the music," said one executive familiar with the plans."

"It's not just a bunch of PDFs," said one executive. "There's real engagement with the ancillary stuff."

So, now every track buyer will hopefully be able to enjoy footage, lyric sheets, and linear notes in addition to their musical content. Apple think this will add a new dimension to the way music is provided in the future and hope further, that it will increase online sales of music through the iTunes store. The music companies according to the FT website, declined to comment on this matter.

Album sales in the US fell 14 per cent in 2008 to 428.4m units, according to Nielsen SoundScan, which tracks retail sales data.

Microsoft Wave launched, showcase for 'cool' MS technologies

Microsoft has unveiled a new website with the focus on 'cool' technologies that Microsoft has created.

According to Microsoft blogger Steve Clayton, Microsoft Wave "is a cool new site from our UK team that is something we've long been without – a cool site that isn't trying to sell anything, simply showing the breadth of cool technology that Microsoft is involved in."

Currently Wave hosts information on:

• Microsoft 2019 vision
• Microsoft Tag
• Photosynth
• Project Natal
• Worldwide Telescope
• Surface
• Deepzoom

Clayton is one of three Microsoft bloggers who will be participating on the site. The site is being run by Microsoft's UK team.

View: Microsoft Wave

Microsoft Wave launched, showcase for 'cool' MS technologies

Microsoft has unveiled a new website with the focus on 'cool' technologies that Microsoft has created.

According to Microsoft blogger Steve Clayton, Microsoft Wave "is a cool new site from our UK team that is something we've long been without – a cool site that isn't trying to sell anything, simply showing the breadth of cool technology that Microsoft is involved in."

Currently Wave hosts information on:

• Microsoft 2019 vision
• Microsoft Tag
• Photosynth
• Project Natal
• Worldwide Telescope
• Surface
• Deepzoom

Clayton is one of three Microsoft bloggers who will be participating on the site. The site is being run by Microsoft's UK team.

View: Microsoft Wave