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Linux and business


VA Linux Systems' IPO is coming soon, perhaps as soon as December 10, according to the Reuters IPO diary. Expect it to be spectacular - VA is a solid company operating in a hot area. One might expect the stock to go up a bit.

VA has put together its own version of a stock offering for the Linux community. In the VA deal, developers who get "the letter" are eligible to buy exactly 100 shares of stock at the IPO price. Those who have gotten this letter should note that they have until December 3 to get their applications back in - one assumes that they mean it when they say that late applications will not be accepted.

Remember also that a lot of participants in the Red Hat offering had difficulty with the reconfirmation process while at the LinuxWorld conference. A very similar thing could happen to those going to The Bazaar in New York. Plan to be reachable.

VA, meanwhile, may be in its silent period, but that doesn't mean it is standing still. The company has recently announced the expansion of its Professional Services Division, which includes hiring key Samba hacker Jeremy Allison. Another announcement describes a deal with Loki Entertainment Software for the retail distribution of the commercial Debian box set. VA is on the move, expect to see a lot more coming from that direction in the future.

Lynx jumps into the embedded Linux world. Lynx, which has been doing embedded systems via its "LynxOS" for some time, has announced its entry into the embedded Linux market. They will be creating yet another embeddable distribution, called Blue Cat Linux; it will be based on the Red Hat 6.1 distribution. They are also adding Linux binary compatibility to LynxOS, releasing a Red Hat-based development environment, and providing technical support and training services. They claim endorsements from companies like Hewlett-Packard and Parasoft.

Thus, one could conclude that they are jumping into embedded Linux in a big way. This field starts to look like it is getting crowded, even if it is expected to be large. It remains to be seen how many versions of embedded Linux can really be supported by the market.

Linux training in Germany. We've seen two different announcements of training availability in Germany:

  • Red Hat has made its "Red Hat Certified Engineer" training programs available in Germany. Courses are taught in Stuttgart. (English version available via Babelfish, note that "Red Hat" gets translated as "Talk").

  • The Service Network GmbH, official training partner of SuSE, announced the availability of Linux and Samba training in Goettingen, Germany starting November 1st. "The new location has everything a participant would expect: Experienced trainers, perfectly reachable via car and train. Several hotel alternatives direcly nearby. The training center is near the city for recreation after the course."

Speaking of Germany...SuSE has received equity investments from Intel and Apax Partners. The best place to look for information (which is scarce) is this page on SuSE's site. "SuSE will use the investments to set up new sales and support offices worldwide. The main functions of these subsidiaries will be to sell SuSE Linux and commercial Linux products and to establish and support a comprehensive network of SuSE Business Partners."

Here, also, is SuSE's press release on the investments.

Novell is cooking up something. A new license, entitled the Novell Cooperative License, has been posted in draft form on Bruce Perens' Technocrat.net site. This is currently a license without products; presumably there are announcements waiting in the wings. The license has a very GPL-like feel to it.

Red Hat scores another big support contract. Red Hat has announced that it will be providing support services to AutoZone, which is apparently setting up a Linux-based network. "Red Hat's services organization will provide consulting and support services for a network of approximately 3,000 Linux-based Intranet terminals in AutoZone's store locations throughout the United States." This announcement has gotten quite a bit of attention, and is partially credited for the big rise in Red Hat's stock price over the last week.

'Using Samba' released, adopted by Samba team. O'Reilly announces the release of the new book Using Samba, which has been adopted as an official Samba reference by the Samba team. It is being released under an open content license.

CA Enterprise Linux Advisory Council. Computer Associates has announced the creation of the "CA Enterprise Linux Advisory Council," "a comprehensive business initiative that will focus on identifying and defining new projects and products that will address the unique and specific needs of Enterprise Linux users"

Corel Linux is the number one Linux download at CNET. Corel announces that Corel Linux is currently the most popular Linux item being downloaded from CNET's download site; the announcement also mentions recognitions of Corel Linux at the Linux Business Expo.

Linuxfool.com announced LinuxFool.com, a Linux discussion forum site (and October 14 LWN link of the week), has announced its existence. "...ultimately the site will provide a single point of communication for all Linux users"

SAIR opens Raleigh office. Sair, Inc., a commercial provider of Linux professional certification (also discussed in the November 18 LWN), has announced the opening of an office in Raleigh, NC "to direct east coast operations in response to the growing worldwide administration of Sair's Linux and GNU training and certification program." For details, see their press release (formatting and Microsoft characters as we received them).

Press Releases:

    Products For Linux:

  • AlphaTrade.com announced that all of the E-Gate financial applications are now fully configured for the Linux operating systems.

  • Bittco Solutions announced the release for Linux of a commercial software tool for searching and visualizing the Web, called NetReality.

  • Bristol Technology Inc. released its Wind/U cross-platform development tools on Linux.

  • Cambridge Interactive offered free unlimited use of its "Power Steering" groupware development application to open source projects. They claim to be able to greatly help developer collaboration with their application.

  • Chase Research announced support for Linux across their entire product line. "Linux support for kernel version 2.2 has been comprehensively tested with the many distributions of Linux including Red Hat, Caldera, SuSe, and others. " (Thanks to Philippe De Muyter.)

  • Cygnus has announced version 4.5 of its Source Navigator product. It's interesting to note that the press release explicitly mentions support for several Linux distributions; here's hoping that practice continues in the future.

  • Fujitsu Software Corporation announced that its TeamWARE Office 5.3 will now support the Linux platform.

  • Kaspersky Lab announced the public release of the first commercial version of AVP for Linux/FreeBSD Unix.

  • MultiGen-Paradigm, Inc. announced that the company is porting Vega, its industry-standard software environment for realtime visual simulation, virtual reality and visualization applications, to Linux.

  • Rogue Wave Software announced Threads.h++ and Tools.h++ Professional for Linux.

  • SGI announced IRIS Performer 2.3 for Linux, a real-time rendering toolkit for Intel processor-based systems running Linux.

  • Synergex International announced the availability of Synergy/DE 7.1 for Red Hat 6.

  • V-ONE Corporation announced SmartGate for Linux, a VPN product with both client and server support for Linux.

  • VXE, Virtual eXecuting Environment, announced software that protects servers from intruders, hacker attacks.

    Products Using Linux:

  • Alpha Processor, Inc. announced the API PowerRAC Chassis 320, a high-density packaging option for its UP2000 motherboard.

  • Cybernet Systems Corporation announced agreements with several large distributors for the company's Linux based NetMAX thin server series.

  • Global Media launched the Globalmedia.com Community, a Linux-based broadcast network.

  • IndyBox Systems announced they would be lowering the price of all their systems from 10% to 25%.

  • Interland, Inc. announced a dedicated hosting offering featuring Linux-based Cobalt RaQ server appliances from Cobalt Networks, Inc.

  • LinuxOne, Inc. announced the availability of the LinuxOne "Ready Drive," a hard drive with the LinuxOne OS pre-loaded.

  • National Semiconductor Corporation announced that Infomatec AG will port its custom Linux-based basic platform Java Network Technology (JNT) operating system to the National Geode WebPAD platform.

  • Network Concierge announced the beta release of its V2 Linux Server Appliance Software.

    Partnerships, Investments and Acquisitions:

  • EarthWeb announced that it has completed an exclusive license agreement that will expand ITKnowledge (www.itknowledge.com) with over two-hundred new titles from the Coriolis Group, LLC, including its Linux/Open Source books.

  • EBIZ has cancelled its acquisition of JustLinux.com. Evidently they had announced it a bit too soon - in the end, the two parties were unable to agree on the terms...

  • Ecrix Corporation announced completion of its third round of financing with $5 million from August Capital.

  • Extended Systems announced plans to partner with Hewlett-Packard Company to provide businesses with the tools they need to digitally send and receive paper documents via the Internet. The ExtendNet 4000 Internet appliance server uses Linux.

  • GoAhead Software and Motorola Computer Group (MCG) announced an agreement to integrate and distribute GoAhead HighAvailability software for MCG's CompactPCI telecom platforms.

  • GraphOn Corp. announced that its "Bridges" product, which eases Linux and Windows integration, will be bundled into Corel Linux.

  • Magic Software Enterprises announced that it has merged Canada's Open Sesame Systems ("OSS") with its U.S. operations.

  • MacMillan announced the release of two books tracking information for the Linux Professional Institute Certified (LPIC) Linux Level 1-Test 1a, the first of several certification tests from The Linux Professional Institute (LPI).

  • Senternet Technologies Inc. announced that it has acquired 100% of Linux Corp.

    Awards:

  • Cygnus Solutions announced that its Code Fusion Integrated Development Environment and Integrated Computer Solutions' Builder Xcessory PRO have both been awarded the Linux Journal's 1999 Editors' Choice Award for the "Best New Application - Software Development."

  • NBase-Xyplex announced that it has won Corporate IT Australia Best of Show at the NetWorld + Interop 1999 show in Sydney, Australia for its Open Linux architecture.

  • O'Reilly announced that Open Sources: Voices from the Open Source Revolution was awarded the Linux Journal 1999 Editors Choice Award "Best New Book of 1999".

  • Red Hat issued this press release crowing about recent awards it has won. "These distinctions highlight the value, performance and support superiority of the Red Hat Linux operating system."

    Financial:

  • Magic Software Enterprises announced that its board of directors has approved, subject to shareholder approval, a three-for-one split of the company's common stock.

  • SLMsoft.com Inc. announced its results for the nine months ending September 30, 1999.

    New Hires/Personnel Changes:

  • eSoft Inc. announced the appointment of Scott Hickman as vice president of sales.

  • Magic Software Enterprises announced the appointment of corporate insider Israel Teiblum as president.

  • MontaVista Software Inc. maker of the Hard Hat Linux operating system for embedded computers, named Bill Weinberg director of marketing.

    Other:

  • ChartCare, Inc. announced its subsidiary BridgeComm Corporation was created in February 1999. BridgeComm focuses on Internet and Linux solutions in the network, Firewall and Open Source consulting, development and evaluation arenas.

  • EBIZ Enterprises Inc. put out a press release on their participation in the Linux Business Expo.

  • Evans Marketing Services announced the availability of a report on Open Source Software by analyst Eugene Kim.

  • Gordon Haverland wrote in to mention that he had been looking for Linux-friendly banks in Canada and finally found one, ING Direct, who responded with this email:
    Thank you for your interest in ING DIRECT. The Linux operating system is compatible with the ING DIRECT website. If you experience any difficulties when accessing the site located at www.ingdirect.ca please contact us immediately via email or call toll-free 1(888)464-3232 or locally at (416)756-2424.

    We hope you enjoy the site.

  • Linux CTI will be one of the sponsers for the Technology Marketing Corporation's 6 technology-focused Learning Centers on the exhibit floor at CTI EXPO Fall '99, December 8-9, 1999 in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

  • LinuxForce Inc. announced the opening of an office in Irvine California.

  • Linux Professional Institute LPI Weekly News for November 19 provides a link to the LPI Incorporation document and reports that funding looks good and the first Linux certification exam, T1a, is on track.

  • Linux Professional Institute LPI Weekly News for November 23 announced the release of their first exam, T1a. "The first LPI exam, designated "T1a", covers distribution-neutral topics regarding basic Linux administration tasks. It is the first of a series of exams that LPI is producing as part of its Level One certification."

    It also mentions that SGI has signed on as a platinum sponsor.

  • New Planet Software is a new company, recently announced, formed by the developers of the open source tools, Code Crusader and Code Medic. They are also supporting a C++ development library, JX, or the "JX Application Framework", source code freely available, but licensing required for commercial or government use. Check out their license for more details. "New Planet Software business plans involve roles as a support seller and commercial licensor of the JX Application FrameworkTM Professional License. This approach allows New Planet Software to keep JX Application Framework, Code CrusaderTM and Code MedicTM open source."

Section Editor: Jon Corbet.


December 2, 1999

 

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