See also: last week's Commerce page.

Linux and Business

Va Linux Systems. VA Linux Systems is working hard at becoming a one stop shop for all your Linux and Open Source needs. They provide hardware, software, service and information. Now they have launched the Open Source Developer Network site. OSDN looks a lot like a configurable front-end to VA's other sites; future plans evidently include email hosting and instant messaging.

VA has also announced a number of "charter members" of OSDN, including Compaq, EMC, Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM, Intel and Sun. eGrail has jumped in and announced its charter membership in OSDN.

There is a separate announcement for its new online ordering system, which lets customers pick out the operating system components they want installed on their systems.

High Availability and Clustering. A number of LinuxWorld announcements were about high availability and/or clusters. Here are some examples:

• Lineo announced a high-availability cluster product. It runs on CompactPCI systems, and costs $2000 per CPU board.

• PolyServe announced that its "Understudy" high availability clustering and load balancing software will be shipped with SuSE Linux 7.0.

• SteelEye Technology has announced a high availability solution for servers running Apache and Sendmail.

• Technauts has announced a high-availability solution for Apache servers.

• SGI and SuSE have announced the release of SGI's FailSafe high availability solution for Linux.

• Mission Critical Linux announced the porting of its "Convolo" cluster code to the IA-64 architecture.

• Linux NetworX, Inc. introduced Evolocity, an integrated cluster system with a vertically rack-mounted chassis.

• Bay Mountain announced a clustered Linux server product.

• Alpha Processor, Dolphin Interconnect, and Scali have announced an Alpha-based clustered server system.

HP expands commitment to Linux. HP announced its increased interest in Linux. Included is the designation of Linux as a "strategic operating system," the intent to release MC/ServiceGuard - its high availability clustering system - for Linux; the ability to run Linux binaries on IA-64 HP-UX systems; a couple of its workstations will be made available with TurboLinux installed; and there is a 64-bit PA-RISC port available.

Informix, Compaq and SuSE deliver Alpha Linux platform. Informix has announced the availability of its Informix Dynamic Server 2000 database running on the Alpha platform with SuSE's distribution.

More certification news from LinuxWorld.

• The Linux Professional Institute has announced that its Level 1 certification is being accepted by IBM as a prerequisite to its "solution technologist" certification.

• Corel has announced a deal with SAIR Linux; Corel will be using SAIR's training program for its own Linux training offerings.

• SAIR is partnering with Global Linux Network to provide training and certification in Korea.

• SAIR has also announced that Productivity Point International has signed an agreement to provide SAIR Linux certification training.

• TurboLinux announced the launch of a series of Linux training courses aimed at LPI certification.

• TeamLinux has chimed in with an announcement that it is partnering with TurboLinux to provide these courses.

• The Linux Professional Institute has announced that its Linux certification exams will be translated into Japanese.

• SAIR, meanwhile, announced that "more than 275" people signed up for its free training and certification "boot camps" at LinuxWorld.

BSDI News. BSDI is getting into the hardware business with a line of rackmount server systems. They can be had with either BSD or Linux.

Loki Software has announced an alliance with BSDI to port games to FreeBSD.

Trolltech AS. Trolltech announced a collaboration with Lineo; Qt/Embedded will be packaged with Embedix.

Trolltech also announced the preview release of Qt 2.2.

And Trolltech's Qt/Embedded GUI code has come out of beta.

Linuxcare. Linuxcare has announced a set of open source tools that manufacturers can use to determine if their systems are compatible with Linux. [Editor's note: Linux itself seems like a very good tool for that purpose...]

Sun and Linuxcare announced the availability of Sun's StorEdge disk array for Linux, with Linuxcare providing support.

Linuxcare has certified a number of systems from HP.

Linuxcare has also developed a configuration tool for HP's OpenMail.

TimeSys. TimeSys has announced its TimeWarp integrated development environment for its real-time distribution. Also, in a separate announcement, TimeSys talks about the cool features of TimeSys Linux/RT, and yet another PR announces the addition of multiprocessor capability.

OpenSales unveils partnership program. OpenSales has announced a new partnership program "designed to provide its customers with a menu of services critical to conducting e-commerce -- while ensuring that the OpenSales AllCommerce(TM) application suite is freely available through multiple channels and interoperable with leading-edge technologies." The plan itself seems somewhat vaguely defined, but it has clearly drawn some interest. Here are announcements from Penguin Computing, Linuxcare, and CollabNet on their joining the program. OpenSales has also announced that Guardian Digital will be bundling AllCommerce with its business server system.

Red Hat, Inc. to acquire C2Net. Red Hat has announced that it is acquiring C2Net, providers of the Apache-based Stronghold web server. The acquisition is happening for just under 2 million shares of stock.

Blur Media releases 'Evolution of Linux' preview. Blur Media has announced the release of a preview of its "The Evolution of Linux" documentary. "'It's a hyper-postmodern project,' said film director Curtis Lee Fulton, 'I take the superfluous sounds and images I encounter around the different environments of interview sights and rearrange them, distort them and fold them into the context of my subject, creating a new meaning.'"

Michael Cowpland quits. It's official: Corel has announced the resignation of Michael Cowpland as the President, CEO, and Chairman of the company. He plans "to dedicate his time and resources to new start-up opportunities" - evidently in the Linux area.

Press Releases:

Open Source Products.
Unless specified, license is unverified.

• ArsDigita Corporation (CAMBRIDGE, Mass.) announced the general availability of version 3.4 of the ArsDigita Community System (ACS), which provides the core applications for building collaborative Web services.

Commercial Products for Linux.

• Atipa Corporation (KANSAS CITY) unveiled the new File Server and File Server Plus as the latest additions to its Product Solution Series of scalable products. Both feature a pre-installed internal tape backup system powered by BRU.

• Aurema Pty Limited (DUBLIN, CA) announced that its ARMTech product will provide enterprise Linux users a complete solution for the allocation and control of major system resources on servers and appliances.

• Chilliware, Inc. (Los Angeles, California) announced the availability of its "Mohawk" configuration tool for Apache; Mentor, a Linux application designed to speed up the process of creating help-file documentation; Sculptor, a desktop publishing application for Linux; and Xtreme Ice a new distribution of Linux operating system.

• ei Corporation (MILPITAS, Calif.) introduced Aries, a small, robust, dedicated Linux based microserver.

• Embedded Planet (SAN JOSE, Calif.) announced the availability of Linux Planet 1.2, its next-generation application development platform supporting embedded Linux.

• Netword, Inc. (GAITHERSBURG, Md.) announced Networds, Internet keywords that are used instead of complex and cumbersome URLs. The software is free for Linux users.

• Nothing Real showed Tremor Version 1.0, a front room, client-based compositing solution engineered to handle the needs of the HDTV, broadcast and video markets.

• Perle Systems (WESTMONT, Ill.) announced the addition of a Linux dial-out modem pooling client for its line of 833 Access Servers.

• Sanchez Computer Associates has announced that its "enterprise banking system" PROFILE has been ported to Linux.

• SteelEye Technology Inc. (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) announced a premium support program that gives LifeKeeper for Linux customers 24x7 help desk support service.

• Stormix has announced the release of its "Storm Firewall" product - an application-level package which provides a graphical firewall configuration interface.

Products with Linux Versions.

• Apogee Networks (ROCHELLE PARK, NJ) announced the NetCountant line of Content Settlement and Billing products.

• Group 1 (LANHAM, Md.) announced the release of MailStream Plus 6.2.4, its presort software solution.

• Inprise/Borland (SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.) delivered the second version of Inprise Application Server (IAS) and VisiBroker object request broker (ORB) for CORBA.

• ParaSoft (MONROVIA, Calif.) announced the integration of Java and C/C++ tools into WebKing, a Web application development and testing tool.

• Rave Computer Association, Inc.(Sterling Heights, Michigan) announced a new SCSI hard drive option for its RackMount-1UAXe (RM1U-AXe).

Java Products.

• Apogee Software and MontaVista announced that Apogee's "Aphelion" Java tools are being ported to MontaVista's Hard Hat Linux.

• Apogee also announced that Aphelion will be ported to LynuxWorks' LynxOS and BlueCat Linux.

• Inprise/Borland has announced that it will be licensing IBM's Java Developer Kit to bundle with its products.

• Sun Microsystems has announced distribution deals for Java 2 with SuSE and TurboLinux.

Books & Training.

• O'Reilly (Sebastopol, CA) announced "HTML & XHTML: The Definitive Guide, 4th Edition".

Partnerships.

• Alpha Processor has also announced a partnership with Stormix Technologies.

• Bluepoint Linux Software signed a deal with Jiajun Keji Ltd. to market Bluepoint Linux in Hong Kong.

• HotDispatch (SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.) announced that OpenAvenue (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) would use HotDispatch technology to help service the community of source code developers using OpenAvenue's collaborative development Web site.

• Intrinsyc Software, Inc. (VANCOUVER, B.C.) announced a strategic alliance with MontaVista Software Inc. (SUNNYVALE, Calif.). Look for new Internet devices from Intrinsyc running MontaVista's HardHat Linux.

• Intrinsyc Software, Inc. (VANCOUVER, B.C.) announced a strategic alliance with Lineo, Inc. (LINDON, UT), that will provide Original Equipment Manufactures (OEMs) with tools to create, link and manage Linux-based Internet devices and Information Appliances.

• Linksys (IRVINE, Calif.) announced a joint marketing agreement with the Tzolkin Corporation (BOSTON). Under this agreement Linksys will bundle a Free 30-Day trial CD-ROM of the TZO.COM Dynamic DNS Windows and Linux client software and a 20% discount option in all packages of popular selling Linksys Cable/DSL Routers, throughout North America.

• Mission Critical Linux will be offering support for SGI systems running Linux.

• NetMaster Networking Solutions Inc. (CHILLIWACK, BC) entered into a licensing agreement with Psionic Software Inc. (AUSTIN, TX) to include PortSentry and HostSentry technology into NetMaster's Linux-based Gateway Guardian line of Firewall and VPN software products.

• SuSE has announced a deal with VMware that will have SuSE distributing VMware's software products in Europe.

• TeamLinux (AUSTIN, Texas) entered into an alliance with Knox Software Corporation, a Carlsbad, California-based data backup software provider. The partnership features the integration of Arkeia software with TeamLinux' strategic suite of professional services.

• TheLinuxStore.com (SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) announced it has signed an agreement with 1mage Software Inc., a provider of electronic document imaging systems for Linux and UNIX environments.

• VERITAS Software Corporation and Cobalt Networks, Inc. (SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA) announced they are collaborating to bring VERITAS Software's Linux backup solutions to Cobalt's Linux server appliance products.

• WireX Communications, Inc. (PORTLAND, Ore.) announced an OEM licensing agreement with Microbits (ADELAIDE, South Australia). Under the terms of the license, Microbits will use WireX's Immunix Linux server appliance software for their newest workgroup server.

Personnel.

• Nitrosoft Linux (OTTAWA, ON) announced the appointment of Derik Belair to the position of president. Prior to joining Nitrosoft, he played a key management and consulting role in Corel Corporation's Linux business.

Linux At Work.

• Baymountain, Inc. announced that Getloaded.com's move to Baymountain ASP has been successfully completed.

• StoreBusters Inc. (SALT LAKE CITY) named Caldera Systems' OpenLinux as its e-commerce operating system platform of choice.

More LinuxWorld Announcements.By press time LinuxWorld will be nearly over. For those who missed it, or would like a recap, here are some press releases that came in prior to or during the event.

• Here is LinuxWorld's own summary of the news for August 15.

• 3ware, Inc.: Escalade, for building creative applications.

• 5NINE has announced the launch of WMLBrowser.org, which hosts an open source project to make a Wireless Markup Language browser.

• Agenda Computing Inc. (Irvine, Calif.): Agenda VR3, a new Linux-based portable PC.

• AMD seeks to publicize all of the Linux companies that are working to support its new 64-bit processors.

• Applied Data Systems: embedded Linux on golf carts; Internet browser for embedded systems.

• Arkeia has announced a free version of its network backup software for Linux.

• Century Software Embedded Technologies(SALT LAKE CITY, Utah): a Linux-based windowing system and graphical development environment for the new Compaq iPAQ handheld computer.

• Cirrus Logic Inc.: Maverick processors running embedded Linux.

• Cleanscape Software International: a new company that intends to provide broad-based software tools for supporting Linux application development.

• Compaq Computer Corporation: new Linux products and partner-based offerings.

• Dell proclaims that a PowerEdge server was used to generate the great SPECweb benchmark results back at the end of June.

• Global Knowledge Network, Inc. (BURLINGTON, Mass.) introduced updated training and certification curriculum for Red Hat Linux 6.2.

• GraphOn released Bridges 1.1.

• IBM announced a deal where Red Hat will be bundling IBM's Linux-based software. The announcement also includes the donation of over 100 printer drivers as open source.

• IBM announced its new "NetVista" thin client systems.

• IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. (FOSTER CITY, Calif.): showing more than three dozen Linux titles.

• InfoExpress announced a deal to package its virtual private network solution with Rebel.com's systems.

• Linuxcare, Inc. and Motive Communications, Inc.: an automated, highly scalable e-service solution for Linux.

• LynuxWorks has announced support for Motorola's MBX2000 board.

• Maximum Linux Magazine announces a makeover as a more technical publication.

• Metro Link, Inc. (FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.) CTO Garry Paxinos and Technical Director Stuart Anderson speaking on the advantages of using the X Window System in embedded systems.

• MigraTEC demoed 64Express at LinuxWorld. This product is apparently a migration tool which helps in the porting of 32-bit applications to 64-bit systems.

• MobileSys announced that its wireless messaging engine will be supported on Linux.

• MontaVista Software has released the Hard Hat Linux Cross Development Kit version 1.2.

• MontaVista also announced a deal with IBM's Object Technology International; OTI's "VisualAge Micro Edition" will be packaged with HardHat Linux.

• NetMAX announced the release of the NetMAX Professional Suite, a security and file/print serving package.

• Omnis Technology Corp. (SAN CARLOS, Calif.) in cooperation with IDG and VA Linux, will sponsor the "Show Favorites" awards.

• Penguin Computing has launched a new rackmount server system.

• SGI and Enlighten Software announce that SGI will be providing Enlighten's system management package on its Linux and IRIX-based systems.

• SGI has also announced the release of its "Open Inventor 3D" graphics toolkit as open source.

• StarNet Communications Corp.: X-Win32 Version 5.0, Windows-to-Linux/Unix connectivity software.

• SteelEye Technology Inc. announced a systems integrator partnership with Sierra Associates.

• SuSE Linux (OAKLAND, Calif.) demonstrated the flexibility of SuSE Linux software and its cross-platform implementations from IBM S/390 through the Macintosh G4 down to WAP phones.

• Tech Soft America is releasing HOOPS 3D v5.0 for free "personal use" on Linux.

• TurboLinux and NEC demonstrated 16-way Itanium system.

• VistaSource announced the launch of the beta program for the latest version of AnywareOffice. They also announced that the ISP "Zoned In" will be providing AnywareOffice as part of its service.

Other.

• The Computer Museum of America (LA MESA, Calif.) announced that voting on the Hall of Fame Web site has been extended until September 15. Currently among the top 10: Linus Torvalds -- author of Linux operating system (1993); Marc Andreesson -- lead developer of the NCSA Mosaic graphical browser (1993), co-founder of Netscape; Larry Ellison -- founder of Oracle database company (1977).

• IBM (LAS VEGAS, NV) announced the WebSphere Developer Domain, a new online resource that provides free software and technical information for developers who want to build applications based on IBM's WebSphere* software platform.

• ibooks.com (AUSTIN, Texas) announced that ibooks.com's technology will power IBM's developerWorks digital bookstore service.

• LinuxPPC Inc. has sent out this press release describing how it intends to fix up its customer service - which, evidently, has not been up to the level they would like - in the near future.

• Netscape announced that the Open Directory Project has exceeded 2 million listings.

• Penguin Computing is opening an office in Houston.

Section Editor: Rebecca Sobol.

Next: Linux in the news