Linux in the news

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Anti-open source 'whitepaper' devastated (Register)

The Register carrys a lengthy rebuttal to the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution white paper from Roaring Penguin's David Skoll. "The AdTI's very weak and poorly-researched paper opens no debate. It simply confirms that Microsoft paid AdTI to come up with something -- anything -- to stem the growing adoption of open-source (especially GPL'd) software by business and government. Let's take a look at the paper in detail."

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Report Flays Open-Source Licenses (Wired)

Wired joins in on bashing the ADTI white paper. "A spokesman for the ADTI said the report published last week was an old, unedited version that had been accidentally pushed on the Web. He said that a new version would be finished by late Monday, but he did not know if the report would be immediately posted on the Web. He promised to e-mail the final version to Wired News as soon as it was ready; by late Monday afternoon on the West Coast, no report had arrived."

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The very real limitations of open source (ZDNet)

ZDNet is carrying this opinion piece which claims there's a critical flaw in the Open Source philosphy. "The problem, however, is that open source must rely on the willingness of programmers to contribute code without financial compensation. The Free Software Foundation claims that in a world of free software, people will program because "programming is fun." In their opinion, the promise of high returns has corrupted the programming discipline, as people have been "trained" to expect that they will be paid well to program."

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U.S. Gov't Still Penguin Shy (Wired)

Wired looks at the use of Linux in the U.S. government - or the lack thereof. "'Linux is not on our list of approved operating systems,' said a senior State Department information technology official who spoke on condition of anonymity. 'That generally dictates whether it's used or not.'"

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ANALYSIS: Microsoft vs. open source gets political (IDG.net)

This IDG.net article looks at the use of open source software in governments outside of the U.S. "The perceived benefits of open-source software have moved government officials in countries including Germany, France, Finland, the Philippines, South Korea, and China to try out the technology. A decision to replace Microsoft's Windows at least in part with open-source alternatives is often the result. Officials within these countries have identified open source as a potential driver for cost savings. Some say security is enhanced by embracing open-source software. Others have said use of open-source software could stem software piracy, and lead to growth of local software alternatives."

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Super-Secure Linux, Inch by Inch (Wired)

Wired News covers the National Security Agency's Security-Enhanced linux (SElinux). "NSA's Wagner says that SELinux's adoption rate "has exceeded our original expectations. This release has also caused developers of non-Linux systems to consider incorporating similar controls based upon our earlier prototypes.""

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Are ReplayTV users breaking the law? Are you sure? (Linux Journal)

Linux Journal covers Electronic Frontier Foundation involvment in a suit against the major movie studios. "The plaintiffs in the suit are five ReplayTV customers, who von Lohmann said "have a very legitimate concern that their rights will be adjudicated without them being involved." The movie studios are currently suing ReplayTV manufacturer Sonicblue."

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Complex Linux virus warning (vnunet)

Vnunet covers cross-platform viruses, which might be able to infect Linux systems. "Although the virus was not the first of its kind to infect both Windows and Linux machines, it apparently moved virus-writing techniques "yet another step up the scale of complexity"."

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Companies

Dell makes a move to Linux (ZDNet)

ZDNet reports on the latest collaboration between Dell, Oracle, and Red Hat. "The companies' announcement comes as large corporations look for ways to save money on technology. Running a nonproprietary Linux operating system is seen by some corporations as one way to do that."

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Dell, Oracle join Red Hat for enterprise Linux (Register)

The Register covers the recently announced collaboration between Red Hat, Oracle, and Dell. "Red Hat Inc, Oracle Corp and Dell Computer Corp have teamed up to provide packaged support and services for Red Hat's Advanced Server operating system and Oracle's 9i Release 2 database management system."

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Linux Packages With Panache From Dell And HP (TechWeb)

Information Week reports on the release of Linux-based clustering products by Dell and Hewlett Packard. "Linux continues to move upstream. Dell Computer and Hewlett-Packard last week unveiled packages that bring high-end clustering and database capabilities to Intel-based servers running the operating system."

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Life Sciences Industry Turns to Linux and IBM

IBM will provide Linux systems for the Institute for Systems Biology. "The Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), a world renowned non-profit research institute, has selected IBM to provide its infrastructure technology. ISB will use IBM servers, storage and data integration products to support its research on protein-protein interactions to better understand and predict diseases, and identify potential preventions and treatments."

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Everything but the Hat Hair (Linux Journal)

Linux Journal's Don Marti discusses the deal between Oracle, Red Hat, and Dell. "Oracle, Red Hat and Dell unveiled Unbreakable Linux today, cementing RH's place in the corporate world. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison ended the Linux distribution wars today, as far as corporate installations are concerned, with the flat-out statement that "We can't provide the same level of support" (for Oracle products on other distributions as they can on Red Hat). "We've elected to work very closely with Red Hat. We're recommending Red Hat." Ellison did everything for Red Hat except actually wear the red Red Hat hat handed to him by Red Hat CEO Matthew Szulik."

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Linux: Red Hat should just stop whining (ZDNet)

ZDNet is running an article about the Red Hat and Sun's non-free version of Open Office. "RED HAT IS UPSET because Sun has started charging both end-users and OEMs for StarOffice, the Microsoft Office competitor that Sun owns and had previously given away. Red Hat has been including StarOffice for free in the box with its own Linux operating system; now it'll have to pay Sun if it wants to do that."

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Red Hat accuses Sun of Microsoft tactics (News.com)

News.com covers Red Hat's Matthew Szulik in a rant against Sun. "Sun's Rogers said he'd still like to see Red Hat include StarOffice or the open-source project on which it's based, OpenOffice. Distributing OpenOffice furthers the use of StarOffice file formats and interfaces. Microsoft has successfully used file formats and interfaces to keep its Office suite dominant."

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SuSE Linux to include StarOffice 6 (News.com)

News.com reports that SuSE will bundle Sun's StarOffice 6 word processor with its Pro-Office CD. The CD will sell for $24.95.

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Oracle develops 9i software for Linux (ZDNet)

ZDNet reports on Oracle's release of its database software for Linux. "The software maker said that it has developed a version of its 9i database software that can run across multiple Linux servers in a configuration called clustering. Clustering allows businesses to harness multiple servers to run a very large database, so servers can share work or take over from each other if one fails."

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Oracle 9i RAC to support Red Hat clustering (ZDNet)

ZDNet is carrying a Gartner Group pronouncement on the availability of Oracle9i for Linux. "However, Oracle has not proven the need for a parallel DBMS on Linux, nor has it validated its claims for scalability with references and benchmarks. Thus, Oracle and Red Hat will likely concede substantial discounts as they seek to validate claims that Linux has a compelling total cost of ownership compared with Microsoft's SQL Server, DB2 Universal Database or Oracle on Unix."

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IBM offers major boost to Linux (vnunet)

IBM will extend its systems management software to Linux environments, according to this vnunet article. "Linux support will initially be offered on key components of the Tivoli range, according to Tivoli European vice president, Milko van Duijl."

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Bringing the J2EE Cathedral to the Bazaar

O'Reilly is running an article by Satya Komatineni that examines some issues with Sun and J2EE. "While Sun is quite diligently planning, coordinating, and building infrastructure for building cathedrals around J2EE, Microsoft's .NET is poised to steal the marketplace and own the bazaar, as they did with VB and the component market in the client-server wars. We have some parallels to go by. While CORBA focused on rearing thoroughbreds, COM stole the market with a mule called VB. The only way out of this quandary is to wake up and invite the J2EE cathedral to the bazaar."

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CodeWeavers Announces CrossOver Office 1.1 (OpenForBusiness)

Open for Business reviews CodeWeavers' CrossOver Office. "On the new release, CodeWeavers CEO Jeremy White commented "With Outlook and Internet Explorer support, we feel that we have rounded out the most important features of the Microsoft Office Suite, and have made it simple and painless for an organization to adopt the Linux desktop." Based on our recent experience in OfB Labs, White very well could be correct."

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Business

UnitedLinux (Linux Journal)

Linux Journal's Doc Searls analyzes several recent partnerships in the Linux world. " While Red Hat geared up to announce Unbreakable Linux, four smaller opponents joined to form UnitedLinux. The response so far has been divided. Today, June 5, 2002, Red Hat, Oracle and Dell are announcing "their collective commitments to Linux for the enterprise" (sounds almost Communist, doesn't it?) in a big launch event at Oracle's place in Silicon Valley. Invitations sent to the press said new products from all three companies would feature "Unbreakable Linux." "

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UnitedLinux agrees to differ (Register)

The Register examines the UnitedLinux effort. "UnitedLinux is a marriage of four distros - SuSE, Caldera, Conectiva and TurboLinux - but it isn't really a distro, as we were led to believe by the pre-launch rumor mill. Well, yes and no."

"UnitedLinux is a server "distro" that at least shares common elements. The big four retain branding rights, so you'll still find "SuSE powered by OpenLinux". And each distro can add on its own features. But you'll find the same files in the same places, which is long overdue, and signals a win for the Linux Standards Base initiative. "

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United Linux musters support (vnunet)

Vnunet covers the United Linux collaboration. "Caldera, TurboLinux, SuSE and Connectiva will be the initial shareholders of the new organisation, and the first version of the software will be based on a release of SuSE Linux version 8."

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Facing the open source firing squad (ZDNet)

Here's another ZDNet column on the business of open source software - or the lack thereof. "In other words, proprietary software revenue wags the open source tail, not the other way around. The fact that IBM hires people to work full time on open source is less of an indication of open source's inherent profitability than a demonstration of the freedom available to companies with business models based on the revenue generating power of proprietary software."

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Interviews

Cyberspace's Legal Visionary (Reason)

Reason interviews Lawrence Lessig. "In a world where civil disobedience was treated with toleration, that might be a good strategy. But we're in a world where disobedience is treated with felony convictions. The idea that you are going to get lots of civil disobedience against the Digital Millennium Copyright Act is just crazy. You're going to get lots of prosecutions and people going away to jail. The cost of disobedience has become too high, and I'm not sure it's a viable strategy anymore."

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Three EuroPython Interviews

The EuroPython site features three new interviews: Itamar Shtull-Trauring on the Twisted Framework, Stephan Richter and Steve Alexander on the next genration of Zope, and Paul Everitt, co-founder of Zope Corporation. Thanks to Martijn Faassen.

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Resources

Tips for New Linux Users, Part II (ExtremeTech)

ExtremeTech has some tips for Linux newbies. "In Part I, we covered KDE's Konqueror, Gnome's Nautilus, Linux directory structure, tarballs, and mime types, among other things, and we'll now look at Linux Text Editors" (Thanks to Kyle Roberson)

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Embedded Linux Newsletter for June 6, 2002

The June 6, 2002 edition of the Linux Devices Embedded Linux Newsletter has been published. Topics include a review of Craig Hollabaugh's book "Embedded Linux", an introduction to the Dillo browser, Lynxos V4.0 Linux ABI compatibility, how the ADEOS project gets around real-time linux patents, malloc under uClinux, and more.

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Constructing a Linux-powered IrDA printing device (LinuxDevices)

Tired of filling out forms? Nobody can read your handwriting? or spell your last name? In this brief technical article at LinuxDevices.com, Entrepreneur and Linux hacker Gerd Rausch explains how (and why) he created a small device that could be installed at rental-car agencies, hotel/airline check-in desks, or health-care facilities to receive data beamed directly from your PDA. It runs on a Linux platform, of course.

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Hack your TiVo! Here's how (ZDNet)

For those who have Linux-based TiVo box, here's a ZDNet article on hacking them. "AS WITH ANY good hacking article (and this will only be a fair one), I should warn you up front that proceeding further could render your TiVo useless, void your warranty, violate all sorts of end-user licensing agreements, and, in extreme cases, kill you (if you happen to touch the unshielded power supply inside the box while having an especially unlucky day)."

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Want to hack your TiVo? Here's YOUR advice (ZDNet)

Previously LWN ran a ZDNet column about hacking a TiVo video recorder. Now ZDNet continues with more TiVo hacks from its readers. "The results of the QuickPoll were overwhelming. It asked: "Be honest: Would you consider hacking your TiVo (or other DVR), even if it risked damaging the machine or violating your user agreement?" Ninety percent of you answered: Duh--yes!"

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Reviews

Keep Track of Your Money (Linux Journal)

The Linux Journal has put up an article comparing four different, free personal finance applications. "I felt at home immediately. Emma has the GNOME look and feel, with help windows and help functions where you expect them, e.g., each button has a little help bar that appears when you hold the mouse over it for a second. I like a program that doesn't scare me, so I appreciate an intuitive user interface."

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Mozilla strides out (vnunet)

Vnunet looks at the new Mozilla 1.0 release. "Hell froze over in the geek community yesterday as Mozilla 1.0 was finally released. After nearly five years of work by thousands of developers, there was much rejoicing among the expectant fans and pigs were seen cruising at well over 1,000ft. "

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Mozilla 1.0 released after four long years (Register)

The Register reviews Mozilla 1.0. "Mozilla is nothing if not a 'vision thing'. The organization sees that it has created not just a browser to rival Internet Explorer - its initial mandate - but a cross-OS platform on top of which a next generation of standards-compliant applications can be built. In many ways, the vision goes back to Netscape's early dreams of using the browser to kill Windows."

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Introducing Linux into the Enterprise (Linux Journal)

Linux Journal Reviews GSX Server, from VMware Inc. "Once installed, GSX runs on top of Linux, providing an environment that allows you to run multiple virtual server instances. In our case, we needed additional Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 servers to provide development and test environments for new projects."

Comments (2 posted)

Linux Orbit Review Grab Bag

Linux Orbit has published the first of its Review Grab Bag features. This edition takes a look at a multi-gnome-terminal, the LimeWire gnutella client and the Metacity window manager for GNOME.

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Hitachi unveils new model of Linux-enabled Internet appliance (LinuxDevices)

LinuxDevices.com covers a new model of Hitachi's Linux-based FLORA-ie wireless web pad. The device has a 10.4-inch TFT LCD screen and is based on a 400 MHz Transmeta Crusoe processor running Midori Linux. It has built-in Ethernet and 802.11b wireless, and also provides two USB ports plus both CompactFlash Type II and PC Card (PCMCIA) expansion slots.

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Comparative Jabber book review

IBM's developerWorks features a review of three different books on Jabber.

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Taking Up the Slack(ware) (LinuxPlanet)

LinuxPlanet reviews Slackware 8.1rc2. "In short, you have a basic, highly functional Linux box that will just work without all the geegaws that thump performance. So, as far as I'm concerned. there's nothing wrong with this picture.--unless you are new to Linux or are addicted to graphical utilities and eye candy."

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Miscellaneous

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Swiss Open Systems Group (Linux Journal)

Linux Journal carries a post from Jon "maddog" Hall. maddog travels to Zurich to speak at the twentieth anniversary of the Swiss Open Systems Group. This is a story about clocks, friendly students, beer, a small Renaissance faire, and, of course, Linux/Open Source advocacy.

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Programmers enroll in political training (News.com)

News.com reports on an increase in political coursework for computer science students. "STANFORD, Calif.--It's not every computer science class that opens with a poem. But on a recent June day at Stanford University, khaki-clad senior Jeff Keltner stood before his classmates, cleared his throat, and recited verse about a Hollywood-led crackdown on technology that can transfer digital books to different devices. The final lines went something like this (to the beat of Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham"):"

"'I want to read this book I bought, but people tell me I ought not. They say I will be locked away because of the D-M-C-A.' "

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What's wrong with Nader's Microsoft plan (ZDNet)

ZDNet's Dan Farber comments on Ralph Nader's suggestion that Microsoft should release the source code to Office. " Nader even goes so far as to suggest that the federal government buy the code for Microsoft Office outright, and release it into the public domain in order to save the public money and avoid the costly upgrades from Microsoft that are designed to overcome interoperability problems. I wonder what price Gates would put on that software, which has more than a 90 percent market share. "

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MS-funded think tank propagates open-source lies (Register)

The Register writes about the study by the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution, which claims that open-source software aids terrorism. " Much to our disappointment, the organization's press release, which last week promised that the study would explain in gory detail how open-source software will foster international terrorism, turns out to have been a tissue of headline-pimping lies. Indeed, the paper never mentions terrorism at all. "

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Readers give high marks to security, Linux (News.com)

News.com looks at the results of a recent survey. " The enthusiasm for Linux among News.com readers was consistent with similar surveys in recent months. According to responses in a recent poll from Giga Information Group, 59 percent of IT managers said they would increase their use of Linux operating systems next year; none said that Linux use would decrease."

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Linux server consolidation shortcut (ZDNet)

Here's an editorial on ZDNet, about Linux on mainframes. "If you're a columnist for ZDNet and you put the words Linux and mainframe in the same sentence (which I've done), all sorts of people will come out of the woodwork to give you their opinion. I've been saving one of those opinions for a rainy day and, based on news that Hewlett Packard will be integrating VMWare's ESX server into its ProLiant line of servers, that day is today."

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The Heart of the Penguin (Linux Planet)

Linux Planet is running a feature article about a beowulf cluster that Biomedical Engineer Dr. Andy Pollard has assembled for simulating the operation of the human heart. "The research itself is targeted towards three areas: observation of the effect of electrical fields on heart tissue to learn how and why defibrillation works (and, in so doing, track down why fibrillations occur in the first place); learning in a more direct manner why fibrillations start; and how a fibrillation event progresses from start to finish."

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