The Phoronix Test Suite is the most comprehensive testing and benchmarking platform available that provides an extensible framework for which new tests can be easily added.

  • OpenBenchmarking.org Integration
  • 130+ Test Profiles
  • 60+ Test Suites
  • Extensible Testing Architecture
  • Optional Linux-based LiveDVD/USB Testing Distribution (PTS Desktop Live)
  • Automated Test Installation
  • Dependency Management Support
  • Module-based Plug-In Architecture
  • PNG, JPG, GIF, Adobe SWF, SVG Graph Rendering Support
  • Automated Batch Mode Support
  • Global Database For Result Uploads, Benchmark Comparisons
  • Detailed Software, Hardware Detection
  • System Monitoring Support
  • GTK2 Graphical User Interface + Command-Line Interface
  • Runs On Linux, OpenSolaris, Mac OS X, Windows 7, & BSD Operating Systems

http://www.phoronix-test-suite.com/

I have been missing Google Gears since the time I upgraded to Firefox 3.6 on my Karmic Desktop. Google hasn’t been kind enough to release an update. Yesterday while searching through Google, I came across this bug report on Google Gears Page.  I noticed that several people have been compiling Google Gears (Joys of Open Source!) for their platforms. In fact custom compiled version for Firefox 3.5 are available for download here. However I couldn’t find any compiled versions of Google Gears for Firefox 3.6. So I decided to give it a try.Continue reading

Is Firefox in Linux too slow for you? Does the new Places/URL/Location bar keep freezing every time you try writing something in it? I have had this issue consistently since I upgraded from Firefox 2.x to Firefox 3.0.

I tried googling the issue a zillion times and tried several solutions I found on various forums and blogs but all efforts amounted to naught. Damn, I felt defeated. I finally resigned and reverted to the old URL bar.

Continue reading