As an open source operating system Linux shows up all over the place. I’ve seen Linux-powered vending machines, ATMS, model cars and autopilot drones, never mind the slew of Linux-based mobile phones hitting the market in the form of Android and Maemo.

And now a new Australian company called Misa Digital has put Linux to work in a digital guitar it has developed. The instrument is powered by Gentoo Linux and uses a touchpad and buttons instead of strings. The result is pretty amazing, as you can see from the video below.

Misa isn’t shipping the guitar just yet, but pre-orders are available from the Misa Digital website. Rocking.

Episode 14 of ZA Tech Show features special guest Mark Shuttleworth. It was awesome speaking to Mark who was on the line from London for an hour of the show. We discussed:

• The international appeal to reverse ISO’s decision on OOXML.
• Open standards.
• The rise and future of Ubuntu and Linux.
• Linux’ desktop readiness.
• Firefox 3 nearing final release date.
• The future of open source and its impact on platforms outside of just software.
• Sub-notebooks, the OLPC and how these initiatives impact on education in the developing world.
• Driving collaboration in open communities.
• Windows 7.
• The adoption of open source by traditionally proprietary companies.
• The importance of open API’s in Web 2.0.
• What to expect in the next version of Ubuntu Linux.
• MTN’s talks with Reliance.
• Eskom’s investments in infrastructure.
• Dell being sued for fraud by the city of New York.

Mark is an inspiration and it was great to find out more about what he is up to at the moment and get his take on open standards, Linux and other topics. You can get the episode from the ZA Tech Show website.

I regularly speak to Linux users wanting to roll their own kernels. There are various reasons to do this, including getting accurate support for your hardware. In 2004 I wrote a guide to kernel compiling on the now deserted International Linux Community user’s board. I’m bringing it over to my blog in the hopes of helping more Linux users get into the habit of rolling their own. (more…)