See also: last week's Commerce page.

Linux and Business

Open Source corporate sponsers. Open Source activity has certainly been strong this week. As was mentioned in this week's front page, corporate sponsors play a large part in keeping the open source community going. Who are these corporate sponsors and what are they up to this week?

The Open Source Development Network (OSDN) is a division of VA Linux. The old Andover.net is now incorporated into OSDN. Of course the Andover.net site is still there, but the OSDN site has all the same departments, and lots more besides. Through OSDN, VA Linux supports open source in many ways. Freshmeat.net and SourceForge.net are just a couple of the many examples. OSDN has an opportunity to support open source in other ways as well. The recently announced Open Source Database Summit provides a different type of forum for developers. (More info on the Summit can be found in this week's announcements page.)

Corporations make alliances to better support open source. This alliance between OSDN and Jabber is a good example. Webb Interactive is the corporate sponsor/developer of the open source messaging system, Jabber (found at jabber.com). OSDN will soon feature the Jabber system on both SourceForge.net and OSDN.com.

DevelopOnline.com is a collaborative, online development center for programmers and engineers geared towards the embedded market. Sponsors include Intel, Avnet, Lineo and, according to this announcement, MontaVista. DevelopOnline recently announced support for Linux developers wishing to work on Compaq iPaq and StrongArm based handheld devices.

Smaller companies may not have the resources of VA Linux or Intel, but ID-PRO has found another way to help. They are holding an auction to raise money for the Free Software Foundation Europe and KDE. They will be auctioning the prototype version of PAUL, ID-PRO's communications server, which has been signed by a number of Open Source luminaries such as Linus Torvalds and Jon "maddog" Hall.

The Danish Parliament supports open source, showing us that governments can also supply support. Danish MP Knud Erik Hansen had put out a press release regarding a proposal in the Danish Parliament on open source. "In the report the parties clearly express their support for Open Source and for provision of a good framework for development of Open Source by the state. This will be a part of the state's IT policy in the future. The report recommends that the state henceforward use Open Source in the development of its own software, that the state provides possibilities for bids with Open Source software, and that the state disseminates information about experiences with Open Source." (Thanks to Peter Toft, via Stéfane Fermigier).

More open source announcements can be found below in the press release section.

European Commission to research software patents. Here is a release from the EuroLinux Alliance on a move by the European Commission to study the economic and social effects of software patents in Europe. It seems they are beginning to figure out that there could be some trouble there. The EuroLinux Alliance is trying to help them out with well-written input; they are looking for contributions from people in Europe. This issue directly affects a lot of our readers; consider helping them out if you can.

Axis announces 2120 network camera. Axis Communications has announced the availability of the 2120 network camera. This camera resembles the 2100 model, reviewed by LWN last May, in that it has a built-in Linux system and web server, and plugs directly into the net. The new version has a number of new features, including full motion JPEG output and motion detection capability.

Codemesh needs Beta testers. Codemesh is porting its JunC++ion product to several *nix platforms, including Linux. "The UNIX platforms that customers have expressed the most interest in are Solaris, Linux, AIX, and HP-UX. If you're interested in becoming a beta test site for one or more of these UNIX platforms, e-mail Codemesh at beta@codemesh.com."

Press Releases:

Open Source Products

• 5NINE (MONTREAL) announced that WMLBrowser.org, an open source development project for creating a Wireless Markup Language (WML) Browser to work with all types of Linux environments, is supporting RIM blackberry devices.

• ActiveState released ActivePython 2.0, a free binary distribution of Python for the Linux, Solaris and Windows platforms.

• American Coders, Limited (RALEIGH, NC) announced another release of its product Open Business Objects For EDI (OBOE). OBOE translates between several Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) document formats and EDI/XML files. The base package for OBOE is available with an open source license.

• Covalent Technologies has a set of product and service offerings around the open source Apache web server. The services announcement includes training courses and commercial support options. On the products side, they have the "SNMP Conductor," which is a network management product; "Nettruss" - for Apache management; and a set of security products.

• Microcross, Inc. announced the availability of GNU X-Tools, a suite of 21 target microprocessor software development tools.

• NETDUMP (VIENNA, Austria), the project for the exchange of data garbage (mainly of the artistic kind), which has won prizes such as the Prix Ars Electronica 00, is being released as Open Source.

• Stratabase (ABBOTSFORD, BRITISH COLUMBIA) released a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software application.

• The Software Group Limited (BARRIE, ONTARIO) released Linux drivers and administration utilities for its SGP hardware adapter to the public domain under the Free Software Foundation's General Public License, version 2.

• Zero-Knowledge Systems announced the release of the source for its "Freedom 2.0" client, and plans to release its entire Freedom Privacy suite.

Commercial Products for Linux

• Avnet Inc. (PHOENIX) announced that it will offer its extensive design service technology to design engineers and Linux programming developers through DevelopOnline, an online development center designed to accelerate product time to market.

• Concert (NEW YORK) introduced Concert IP Secure, extending the capabilities of Concert IP Extra, the company's suite of Internet security and VPN solutions.

• Informix has a couple of announcements related to the Linux world. The first is the release of their Red Brick Decision Server 6.1. The second covers the release of their Extended Parallel Server Developer's Edition for the Linux platform.

• Keller Group announced the release of PMfax for Linux, a full-featured fax and voice messaging application.

• NetSilicon, Inc. (WALTHAM, Mass.) announced the availability of NET+Lx, a complete environment for building embedded Linux applications.

• Overland Data, Inc. (SAN DIEGO and PHOENIX) and Enhanced Software Technologies, Inc. (EST) announced that Overland's AIT LibraryPro automated backup tape library is certified to run under Linux.

• VirtualTek announced plans to release Joydesk 2.11 for the Cobalt Qube 3 server appliance. Joydesk 2.11 is an integrated web-based Intranet solution.

Products Using Linux

• Cyber Digital, Inc. (NEW YORK) created its GoCyberWeb.com Division to provide sophisticated web hosting solutions for small to medium size enterprise (SME) customers. Cyber Web Server (CWEB) software technology is based on Cyber Digital Linux and Red Hat Linux.

• Gateway Guardian Enterprise (VANCOUVER, BC) announced an advanced version of Gateway Guardian, Linux-based technology that protects computer networks from unwanted intruders.

• IBM (ARMONK N.Y.) announced its new line of eServer appliances. Many Linux distributions are well supported.

• IBM (MILPITAS, Calif.) will be using Adaptec's Compatibility Test Lab to ensure system compatibility between Adaptec's host bus adapters and IBM's eServer xSeries servers.

• InterVideo, Inc. announced its LinDVD Linux DVD player/decoder will be used for the DVD video/audio playback in the ZapMedia ZapStation.

• Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. (ISELIN, N.J.) introduced CATHCOR LX Desktop, the newest member of the CATHCOR LX family of cath lab information and recording systems. It's based on the Linux operating system.

Products with Linux Versions

• Akamba Corporation (LOS GATOS, Calif.) announced the release of its first product, the Velobahn Accelerator, an accelerator specifically designed to enhance the performance of Web servers.

• Coyote Point Systems (Santa Clara, CA) announced the release of Equalizer 5.0, a UDP-enabled version of its load balancing appliance that will work with WAP devices and serverless storage devices. Equalizer is based on FreeBSD.

• Dell (ROUND ROCK, Texas) introduced the PowerEdge 300, a new workgroup server. The PowerEdge 300 can be ordered with Red Hat Linux 7.

• Espial (OTTAWA) announced a new integrated business model to enable the rapid growth of the Pervasive Internet.

• FOCUS Enhancements, Inc. (WILMINGTON, Mass.) announced that the Cocom Group has released a new addition to their set-top box lineup, the Voyager 7.

• IBM (RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC) announced enhancements to WebSphere Transcoding Publisher Version 3.5, its software designed to translate Web content to a variety of handheld devices.

• ichat, inc. announced that the next generation of ROOMS, a chat room tool, is now in beta. ROOMS 5.0 will support Linux servers.

• Information Management Research, Inc. (Denver) unveiled AlchemyXML (AXML), a set of self-describing XML-based components that acquire, index, store, retrieve and present unstructured data for a complete e-business infrastructure.

• Integrated Research Ltd (SYDNEY, Australia) announced PROGNOSIS IP Telephony Manager, the latest addition to its systems and application management solution, PROGNOSIS.

• Macromedia, Inc. (NEW YORK) announced Macromedia Flash 5 Generator Studio, a complete solution for designing and automating high-impact Web sites. It is available for Red Hat Linux.

• MGI (NEW YORK, NY) introduced MGI ZOOM Image Server 4.0, a new imaging server platform.

• NEON Systems, Inc. (SUGAR LAND, Texas) announced that the NEON iCopy product, a next generation IMS database management tool, is now generally available.

• NETWORK HARMONi Inc. (SAN DIEGO) announced the HARMONi Suite, an all-in-one performance monitoring agent for instrumenting enterprise IT infrastructures.

• Professo (NEW YORK) introduced AppStreamer, an application service management platform. It is available initially for Red Hat Linux and Solaris.

• Strategic Concepts, Inc. (BENTONVILLE, Ark.) released Strategy5, its new street-level mapping interface. It is available for Red Hat servers with Windows clients.

• webwasher.com AG announced the launch of a new server-based enterprise version of its WebWasher intelligent Internet management software. It will support Linux clients.

Java Products

• NetDIVE (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) announced the release of WeMessage Portal 5.0, an instant messaging software based on a Java client/server architecture.

• worldweb.net, Inc. (NEW YORK) announced the launch of the beta version of its next-generation content management software, Expressroom I/O v2.0.

Books and Training

• Caldera Systems Inc. (OREM, Utah) announced that the first three courses for their OpenLinux Solution Series are complete. "Linux Essentials," "NDS on OpenLinux," and "Samba on OpenLinux" will be available by the end of October. Three additional courses will be available before the end of the year.

• Computer Associates International, Inc. (ISLANDIA, N.Y.) and Caldera Systems, Inc. announced an agreement to create and deliver instructor-led courses and computer-based and Web-enabled content as part of Caldera's OpenLinux Solutions Series.

• IDC (FRAMINGHAM, Mass.) says "Linux training in the United States alone could be a $311 million market by 2004".

• O'Reilly announced the release of both Java Performance Tuning, by Jack Shirazi, and Network Printing, by Matthew Gast & Todd Radermacher.

• Sams Publishing (Indianapolis, IN) announced several new Linux titles, including Red Hat Linux 7 Unleashed, Linux Programming Unleashed, Second Edition, as well as the release of Sams Teach Yourself Java 2 in 21 Days, Second Edition.

Partnerships

• AOL Europe, S.A. (LONDON & MADRID, Spain) and Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. announced a new joint venture to launch AOL-branded interactive services in Spain, including AOL Avant. AOL Avant is an appliance with 64 MB of RAM, 4Gb hard drive and a wireless keyboard with five "smart keys" to take the user directly to the web or content partners. The appliance will operate on a customized version of the Linux operating system.

• Baymountain, Inc. (RICHMOND, Va.) announced that eGrail, a next-generation content management software provider, has selected Baymountain as its first preferred hosting partner.

• Dialtone Internet, Inc. and Chili!Soft, Inc. (FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., and BELLEVUE, Wash.) announced that henceforth, all new dedicated Linux servers and Cobalt RaQ server appliances will include Chili!Soft ASP as an integral part of Dialtone Internet's bundled hosting solutions.

• EdgeMatrix (HONG KONG) announced their partnership with Sun Wah Linux (SW Linux) to bundle their mobile Internet solutions in Hong Kong.

• Experts Exchange Inc. (SAN MATEO, Calif.) announced a new partnership with Zend Technologies, the leader in PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor) technology.

• NEC Electronics Inc. (SANTA CLARA, Calif.) and Luxxon Corporation have signed a strategic alliance agreement to develop streaming multimedia solutions for wireless internet devices. Support for Linux is planned.

• NeTraverse (AUSTIN, Texas) announced an authorized reseller program as part of the rollout of Win4Lin Desktop Version 2.0. The CD box set will be available in November, followed by a planned release of a server version in early 2001.

Investments and Acquisitions

• IBM (SOMERS, N.Y.) announced that it has acquired OpenOrders Inc., a provider of enterprise-scale order management and fulfillment software for e-commerce. OpenOrders' software is available in Linux versions. IBM will incorporate OpenOrders' technology into its' WebSphere Commerce Suite software.

• International Mercantile Corp. (BALTIMORE) has signed a Stock Exchange/Merger agreement with LinuxOne, Inc.

Financial Results

Applix, Inc. reported third quarter growth over last year due in part to increased customers and strategic partners, but still showed a larger loss from the same period.
• Ariel Corp. (CRANBURY, N.J.) reported net sales of $2,180,597 for the third quarter ended September 30.

• SCO (SANTA CRUZ, Calif.) announced the net loss for the fourth fiscal quarter was $10,162,000.

• Webb Interactive Services Inc. (DENVER) developers of Jabber.com, announced record financial results for the third quarter.

New Offices/Personnel

• Caldera Systems Inc. (OREM, Utah) announced the appointment of David Acheson as director of education. Acheson will be responsible for the globalization of Caldera OpenLearning.

• Covalent Technologies, Inc. (LONDON) announced three new additions to its management team; Mark Losh, Jim Zemlin and Scott Albro.

• Coventive Technologies (TAIPEI, Taiwan) a software company focused on custom Linux solutions for systems and embedded information appliance use, announced the appointment of Randy Tan to the position of chief executive officer.

• Eazel has hired Brian Croll, veteran Sun marketing directory, as their new vice president of marketing.

• PalmPalm Technology (Seoul, KOREA) opened an office in Japan. Key activities of PalmPalm Japan include providing Embedded Linux support services, and to deliver Embedded Linux solutions based on PalmPalm's Tynux OS to Japanese Internet appliance manufacturers.

• SuSE Linux amplified its presence in the French market by opening a sales and services office in the Greater Paris area.

• Tim O'Reilly, has joined the Board of Directors of Webb Interactive Services, Inc., owners of open source instant messaging provider Jabber.com.

Linux At Work

• Red Hat announced it was being used on the server side of 3Com's new Kerbango Internet Radio service. "'Our Web servers running on Red Hat Linux are currently experiencing an uptime of 308 days with roughly 99.9 percent availability worldwide,' said John Bryant, director of Internet development for 3Com's Internet Audio Division. 'We selected Red Hat because of its reliability and position in the Linux space. Its pre-made Linux packages and overall support of Linux development made it the obvious choice for us'."

• SimpleDeal Inc. (BOZEMAN, Mont.) announced the roll-out of the SimpleDeal Network, the automobile industry's first and only full-service, dealer-to-dealer auction host operating totally online. And its all on a Linux-based cluster system.

• TurboLinux, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO) announced that Worldlingo, Inc., a company doing foreign-language e-mail translation, is using TurboLinux Cluster Server 6 and Dell Poweredge Servers as the clustering infrastructure for its new Web business.

• The World Bank (CAMBRIDGE, Mass.) has selected ArsDigita Corporation's open-source ArsDigita Community System (ACS) suite of applications to power its new Global Development Gateway Web service.

Other

• While it doesn't state the extent to which their Linux products will be covered, Corel has announced it is working to extend access to their products for the disabled.

Section Editor: Rebecca Sobol.

Next: Linux in the news