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Linux and Business


MandrakeSoft up, Red Hat ... up too?. Here in the land of fuzzy math, we've noticed that both MandrakeSoft and Red Hat grew their respective market shares this week, albeit in different parts of the planet.

According to a BCN Market View survey of 316 outlets for computer retail sales companies in Japan, Red Hat Linux 7 sales represented 40% of all Linux sales in that country. The BCN survey is conducted yearly, but Red Hat Linux 7 has only been available in Japan since October. Does this mean, at this rate, that Red Hat would have nearly total market penetration after a full year of sales? Or is this representative of only a spike in sales for a specific product and that, over the year, that spike would level out and more realistic figures would show some other distribution (TurboLinux, perhaps) as the market leader in Japan?

In the US, according to a press release from MandrakeSoft, Linux-Mandrake has edged ahead of Red Hat in retail sales from January through September 2000:

  • Linux-Mandrake 28.8%
  • Red Hat (RHAT) 28.7%
  • Corel (CORL) 14.4%
  • SuSe 9%
  • Turbo Linux 6%
  • Caldera (CALD) 5.8%
  • Others 6.3%
The figures listed are attributed to PC Data, though it's not specified how the numbers were acquired.

While numbers like this are great for businesses, they do little for the consumer. Any set of numbers can be cooked to look just right, especially if taken out of context or applied without sufficient supporting information. Despite this apparent lack of meaning, these numbers do show us the one thing we really care about - no one distribution is in control of the Linux market place.

Sun releases Solaris 8 source. Sun Microsystems has released the source code for Solaris 8 for download. The license, of course, is not free software, and Sun will not let you near the source until you have faxed in a signed agreement. It is available free of charge, though, for those who agree to the terms.

It would be well to keep in mind the possible troubles that could arise from access to the Solaris source, since it can not be integrated into Linux. See The Solaris Trap for LWN's thoughts on that issue back in 1999.

Announcement of Eazel/Dell partnership. Here is the press release confirming the deal between Dell and Eazel. As expected, Dell will be shipping Eazel's environment on its desktop and notebook systems. Dell will also be including Eazel's software update ("Software Catalog") and "Online Storage" services. There is also an (undisclosed) equity investment in Eazel from Dell Ventures.

SuSE Linux Announces Strategic Partnership With SGI. SGI and SuSE have announced a strategic partnership. As part of the agreement, SGI has taken an equity investment in SuSE.

Lutris, Motorola in development deal for Java phones (ZDNet). ZDnet is reporting that Lutis and Motorola will sign a deal on Monday relating to Java-based phones. "The deal will integrate Lutris' Enhydra application server, which is open source, with Motorola's iDEN handsets, expected to be the first phones compliant with Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java 2 Micro Edition."

Telia goes for Linux on the S/390. According to Reuters, Telia, the Swedish telecom and Internet service provider, is replacing 70 Sun Microsystems servers with one IBM mainframe computer running Linux.

Mountain View Data launches Intermezzo file system. Mountain View Data, the company started by Peter Braam and Turbolinux founders Cliff and Iris Miller, has announced the availability of the beta 1.0 release of the InterMezzo high availability filesystem.

VA Linux launches 'SourceForge OnSite'. VA Linux Systems has come up with a way of making money off SourceForge. Essentially, for an ongoing fee, the company will deploy a small SourceForge-like system at a customer's site, to be used for internal collaborative development. It's essentially a software development environment appliance. Agilent Technologies is an initial customer.

Terra Soft Ships Portable PowerPC Linux Cluster. Terra Soft has announced the availability of the "iDitarod," a portable, PowerPC-based cluster system. At 150 pounds, it's not quite in the laptop class, but a dedicated group of people could indeed move it around. We also have a picture of this cluster; it is a cute package.

CodeWeavers Launches Developer Web Site For Wine Project. CodeWeavers, a Windows-to-Linux software company, has introduced a new web site for Wine developers. This site is a development site providing tools, information, and other resources for programmers involved with the commercial-quality version of Wine.

VMware Announces Preferred Hardware Partner Program. VMWare announced its Preferred Hardware Partner Program this week. Founding partners in the program include Compaq, Dell, IBM and VA Linux.

VMWare also announced its Professional Services Organization (PSO), which includes customer support, education and consulting services.

Letter from the Chairman and the CEO of EBIZ. EBIZ has released a letter to its shareholders telling them about how things are going to be better in the future. It covers the LinuxMall and Jones Business Systems acquisitions, investments from Caldera, and more. "With the recent purchase of SCO UNIX by Caldera Systems Inc., a major Linux software company, many of those UNIX VARs see Linux as the natural migration path for their business. The EBIZ acquisition of JBSi turns that migration path into a superhighway and will dramatically increase the number of VARs providing Linux solutions."

China Netcom Makes Long Term Commitment to Adopt Bluepoint Linux. Bluepoint Linux Software Corp. announced the signing of an agreement with China Netcom, one of the largest telecommunications companies in China. China Netcom is owned by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the State Administration of Radio, Film & TV, the China Ministry of Railroad, and the Shanghai City Government. According to the agreement, China Netcom will use Bluepoint Linux Operating System on its servers nationwide.

Sun Microsystems Announces Early Access To Java Technologies for XML. Sun Microsystems announced the early access availability of two Java technology API's for the Extensible Markup Language (XML): the Java API for XML Messaging (JAXM) and the Java API for XML Parsing (JAXP). Both APIs are downloadable free of charge through Sun's Java Developer Connection Connection at http://java.sun.com/jdc/.

Wing IDE For Python. Archaeopteryx Software, Inc. announced the release of version 1.0 of its integrated development environment, Wing IDE, for Python. The proprietary package includes a graphical debugger, code browser, source code editor, and a project manager.

Multicast Technologies Releases Multicast Player. Multicast Technologies, Inc., has released the MCT Player, a multicast MP3 player. The MCT Player is available for Linux as a free download from the company's audio station.

Press Releases:

Open Source Products

Unless specified, license is unverified.

  • IBM (ARMONK, N.Y.) and its subsidiary Tivoli announced a new technology initiative, code-named Storage Tank(TM), designed as a universal storage system capable of sharing data across any storage hardware, platform or operating system. Tivoli plans to provide an open source Linux version of the Storage Tank client technology.

  • Imperial Software Technology (PALO ALTO, Calif.) announced the launch of a new Web site, http://www.motifdeveloper.com, a free resource for programmers building graphical applications using the Motif(R) toolkit on the X Window System.

  • OpenNMS.org released version 0.4.0, the first public release of its network open source management softare. Features include a graphical "Drag and Drop" administration interface, event Management, TCP/IP-based discovery and monitoring, and a graphical rule builder.

  • Turbolinux, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO) announced the release of UNICON 3.0 to the Open Source community.

Commercial Products for Linux

  • 3Com Corporation (SANTA CLARA, Calif.) announced the 3Com(R) EtherLink Server 10/100 PCI dual port network interface card. Linux 32 and 64 bit drivers are available.

  • AbriaSoft (FREMONT, CA) announced its release of Abria SQL Standard 2.1 for Redhat Linux and Microsoft Windows platforms. The product integrates a secure 'SSL' flavor of Apache, the world's leading web server with MySQL, the most popular open source database.

  • Dell (NEW YORK) announced the PowerEdge 1550, which comes with the option of factory installed with Red Hat 7.

  • Interphase Corporation (DALLAS) announced the availability of its 2 Gigabit Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter (HBA) with advanced clustering capabilities, which includes Linux driver support.

  • Micromuse Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO) announced the availability of its Netcool/Internet Service Monitors (Netcool/ISMs) version 2.0 software suite for the RedHat Linux(R) operating system platforms.

Products and Services Using Linux

  • BakBone Software (TOKYO) announced that its NetVault software supports Miracle(TM) Linux.

  • Maxspeed (PALO ALTO, CA) announced the latest generation of its MaxStation ultra-thin client, the PGX 2000.

  • NetMAX, (ANN ARBOR, Mich.) a division of Cybernet Systems, announced the general availability of the NetMAX VPN Server Suite.

  • Strategic Concepts, Inc. (BENTONVILLE, Ark.) released its advanced vehicle monitoring system interface. This new interface allows Strategy5 users to download state line crossing odometer readings, driver and vehicle performance statistics and vehicle fault codes from tracking system providers including MOTIENT and QUALCOMM.

  • Turbolinux, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO) announced that Mega Co., Ltd., an independent Internet service provider (ISP) based in Tokyo, has adopted Turbolinux Cluster Server for its clustered server system featuring total disk storage capacity of 1.5 terabytes and serving more than 100,000 corporate customers. The new clustered server system was designed and implemented by Hitachi Engineering Co., Ltd., a Turbolinux partner in clustering technology.

Products with Linux Versions

  • eVault, Inc. (WALNUT CREEK, Calif.) announced the release of VytalVault 3.1, the newest version of its Internet-based server backup solution. Support for Red Hat 6.2 is provided in this release.

  • InstallShield Software Corp. (SCHAUMBURG, Ill.) announced the availability of three new InstallShield(R) Multi-Platform Edition products: InstallShield Express(TM) -- Multi-Platform Edition, InstallShield Professional(TM) -- Multi-Platform Edition, and InstallShield Enterprise(TM) -- Multi-Platform Edition. Versions are available for Red Hat, Caldera OpenLinux, SuSE Linux, TurboLinux.

  • JetForm(R) Corporation (OTTAWA) introduced JetForm Output Pak(TM) for SAP(TM) R/3(TM) 5.3. Support for Linux has been added to this version.

  • Kinecta Corporation (WASHINGTON) announced plans to deliver its free content distribution tool, Kinecta Syndicator Lite. Kinecta Syndicator Lite, based on the ICE (Information and Content Exchange) standard, allows for automating ongoing business-to-business content delivery instead of relying on e-mail or FTP.

  • Novadigm, Inc. (EMERYVILLE, Calif.) announced the release and availability of Internet-based Radia(R) Inventory Manager. Versions are available for Red Hat and Debian Linux distributions.

  • Omegon Ltd. (LEBANON, N.J.) announced the addition of new web server and dial-up tests to its flagship product, the NetAlly(R) solution. The tests are currently available for NetAlly Traffic Agents running on a Linux platform.

  • Progress Software Corporation (BEDFORD, Mass.) announced it has begun shipping Progress SonicMQ(TM) Version 3.0, the next generation of its E-Business Messaging Server for scalable and secure transport of business-critical data over the Internet.

  • VMware, Inc. (PALO ALTO, Calif.) announced two new software products: VMware GSX Server and VMware ESX Server. VMware will ship a version of the GSX Server that runs on servers with Linux operating systems in January 2001. ESX Server does not require a host operating system.

Java Products

  • The Apache Software Foundation has released a beta version of Batik, the Scalable Vector Graphics toolkit for Java.

  • ParaSoft (MONROVIA, Calif.) announced the release of Jtest for Linux, a unit testing tool for Java.

Books and Training

  • Red Hat, Inc. (RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. & SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) announced the availability of a complete e-learning curriculum for the Red Hat Certified Engineer certification (RHCE). The curriculum was built according to Red Hat specifications in partnership with DigitalThink.

  • Wave Technologies (ST. LOUIS) announced that the Japanese translation of its Linux Career Pack has been completed as part of a master distribution agreement with Information Quarry Systems (IQS), a custom software solution provider in Tokyo. In addition, translation of SAIR's instructor-led training and testing curricula is also nearing completion. Under terms of the agreement, IQS will deliver the vendor-neutral programs to a worldwide network of Japanese-speaking IT professionals.

Partnerships

  • Ariel Corp. (CRANBURY, N.J.) announced that it has signed a reseller agreement with RLM Group, a provider of build-to-order white box systems, computer components and peripherals.

  • MontaVista Software, Inc. (SUNNYVALE, Calif.) developer of the Hard Hat(TM) Linux operating system for embedded applications, announced the start of subscriptions and professional services for Hard Hat Linux in Korea. These subscriptions and services are being offered through Adelinux, Inc.

  • Lineo, Inc. (LINDON, Utah) announced they will form a strategic partnership and will sign a global distribution agreement. Under terms of the agreement, Lineo will be a preferred embedded Linux vendor for Espial TotalIA.

  • PartnerAxis (OREM, Utah) , a wholly owned subsidiary of EBIZ Enterprises Inc., announced its partnership with NeTraverse. In the newly created alliance, PartnerAxis will consult with NeTraverse on its recently released Win4Lin 2.0 Desktop solution to build awareness in the Linux channel.

  • V-ONE Corporation (GERMANTOWN, Md.) announced a distribution agreement with Tech Data Corporation, a provider of IT products and logistic management services.

  • Xybernaut Corporation (FAIRFAX, Va., and RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil) announced the first of twelve foreign educational seminars on wearable computing.

Investments and Acquisitions

  • BSDi announced that the company has received an investment totaling $4 million from several Japanese strategic partners, including GLQ Entrepia Inc., the venture capital arm of Nissho Iwai American Corporation.

Financial Results, Stock News

  • Caldera Systems, Inc. finacial results for the year are in. The reported revenue of $1.2 million for the three months ended October 31, 2000, a 34% increase over the comparable three months of the previous fiscal year. For the year ended October 31, 2000, revenue was $4.3 million compared to $3.1 million for the previous year, an increase of 40%.

  • Eon Communications Corp. lost 9 cents a share the quarter ended Oct. 31, compared with net revenue of 4 cents a share in the same quarter of 1999. eOn also announced on Wednesday the addition of E-mail queuing capabilities to its Linux-based communications systems for remote customer contact agents.

  • LinuxWizardry Systems, Inc. (VANCOUVER, British Columbia) announced that the Board of Directors has approved a share dividend of its wholly owned subsidiary, LinuxWizardry, Inc.

  • Quintalinux Limited (KOWLOON BAY, Hong Kong) reported receiving favorable comments about the company's outlook from Stockprowler at www.stockprowler.com.

  • SSH Communications has filed for a listing on the Helsinki Exchanges in preparation for their IPO.

Personnel

  • Caldera Systems, Inc. (OREM, Utah) named Edgie E. Donakey to the position of vice president and chief of staff.

  • DevelopOnline Corp. (TEMPE, Ariz.) announced the appointments of additional executives. Joining the staff as chief technology officer (CTO) is David Mandala, who most recently was senior engineering director of Linuxcare.

  • Red Hat, Inc. (RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.) named Dr. James Neiser chief marketing officer.

  • VMware, Inc. (PALO ALTO, Calif.) announced that three new executives have joined the company in key management positions. Mike Everett is the company's new Chief Financial Officer, Bill Rudiak assumes the newly created position of Vice President, Professional Services, and Susan Thomas is the new Vice President of Marketing.

Linux At Work

  • Dirig Software (NASHUA, N.H.) announced that Cass Information Systems, Inc. has selected the Dirig Linux SMART Plug-in (SPI) for OpenView Express to manage their Linux systems used in the company's infrastructure. Dirig also announced the official certification by Hewlett Packard of the Dirig developed Linux SPI.

  • NetNation Communications, Inc. (VANCOUVER, B.C.) a web hosting, domain name registrar (DNR) and application service provider (ASP), and Stormix Technologies Inc. have been chosen by Tribal DDB Canada, a member of DDB Worldwide for its Intranet for internal and client communications.

Other

  • BSDi announced the release of BSD/OS 4.2.

  • Lineo, Inc. (LINDON, Utah) announced the shipment of the Lineo Embedix software development kit (SDK) for Windows(R), the software that allows Windows developers to develop embedded Linux solutions in their familiar Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 hosted environments.

  • Linuxcare, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO) added the following 10 companies to its customer base: Adaptec, Digital Island, Ecrix Corporation, Ivenue.com, Maxtor, SGI, Espial, 3ware, VERITAS Software and WSE/Honeywell.

  • LinuxWizardry Systems, Inc. (BOCA RATON, Fla.) announced that the company reached six million people during their activities at the Comdex Computer Expo in Las Vegas, NV during the week of November 13, 2000.

Section Editor: Michael J. Hammel.


December 7, 2000

 

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