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Linux and Business


IBM has changed its attitude quite a bit over the last couple of years. An article from the 'The Star Online' in Malaysia was quoted in the May 28, 1998 edition of LWN. The link is gone now, but at the time they said "IBM has no plans for Linux."

Now, of course, IBM is embracing Linux and all things open source. Irving Wladawsky Berger, IBM's vice president of technology is quoted in this News.com story as saying that the company already has invested about $1 billion in Linux, "and you can expect that to grow in 2001." Its worthwhile to keep in mind at this point that IBM is not a philanthropic organization. What they invest now they expect to get back many times over. Clearly in May 1998 the company did not see how to make money in the open source arena. Just as clearly, now they do.

People have worried that VA Linux might suffer from competition by companies like Dell and Gateway. IBM is going after the sorts of Linux server sales that VA lives on. This makes IBM much more of a threat to companies like VA Linux. From the 1960's into the early 1980's IBM dominated the computing arena in the same way that Microsoft does today. It didn't always play nicely with others in the past, and although it is playing nice now, that could change in the future. For now, at least, Linux and the open source movement are basking the largesse of an enormous company with resources far beyond the dreams of most developers.

So far IBM is sticking to a multi-distribution approach. IBM used SuSE on the IBM S/390 for the the Telia installation (covered last week.) An informed source told us that the company will use Red Hat Linux for the Shell International Exploration & Production B.V. facility's new supercomputer. Will IBM decide to write its own distribution? Probably not. The company undoubtedly realizes that Linux is not a "one-size-fits-all" sort of operating system, and distribution's alone are not money makers. As long as IBM can pick and chose among distributions and find one that works for the company and its customers, there is little incentive for them to write a distribution of their own.

IBM's Linux offerings can be found at the Linux at IBM page. Here's another new announcement detailing the company's latest "e-infrastructure software for Linux." The most interesting part may be the announcement of a version of the DB2 database management system for Linux clusters. Also announced was DB2 and WebSphere for the S/390.

Keio University Network To Use Red Hat Linux, IBM's Netfinity Servers. For now at least, Red Hat, Inc. and IBM are working together on several fronts. We already mentioned the Shell project. This announcement from Red Hat about the Keio University project is another example. Red Hat is supplying the operating system and the support and service. IBM is suppying IBM Netfinity 4500R servers, from Japan IBM Corporation. The servers will run Red Hat Linux 7, each having minimum capacity of 5 terabytes.

Other Red Hat News. Red Hat has announced an expansion of its e-commerce offerings, centered around Apache and the Stronghold web server.

The US Army, through Rymic Systems, will be using Red Hat's uClinux for a prototype Internet devices that will diagnose ground vehicle performance for the US Army.

Kasenna MediaBase Available for SGI Linux Servers. SGI announced that Kasenna MediaBase is now available for Linux OS-based SGI servers. Kasenna MediaBase provides streaming, content management and content transfer supporting formats such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, RealVideo, RealAudio, QuickTime and MP3.

New Opera beta available for Linux. Opera Software has released a new beta version of their Web browser for the Linux operating system. It uses Qt for its interface, but statically linked versions are available so you won't need to download Qt itself if you don't have it or want to get it. The feature set for this release appears more complete than the last one, with far fewer listed annoying problems.

One annoying problem remains, however: the release is a timed beta. The package remains fully functional only for 30 days.

LPI certificates ship. [Certificate] It has taken far longer than anybody might have expected, but the Linux Professional Institute is finally sending out certificates to people who have passed both of the Level I exams. At this point, less than 100 certificates have gone out, but they are widely distributed: there are recipients in the USA, Germany, Austria, the UK, Belgium, Taiwan, Italy, and Ethiopia.

More Than 400,000 Linux Fans Choose Oracle. Oracle is reporting in a press release that over 400,000 users have downloaded Oracle products for Linux over the past three months.

Linux-based Browser Development Kit For Embedded, Non-PC Applications. ACCESS Co., Ltd. introduced the NetFront 2.6 Linux Software Development Kit (SDK) for the integration of ACCESS' NetFront browser into Linux-based Internet appliances and other non-PC applications.

Sun completes acquisition of Cobalt. According to a press announcement on the Cobalt web site, Sun's acquisition of the server maker has been completed. Cobalt shares were exchanged 1 to 1, adjusted for the upcoming 2 for 1 split of Sun shares. (Thanks to Steven C. Den Beste)

Press Releases:

Open Source Products

Unless specified, license is unverified.
  • Progress Software Corporation (BEDFORD, Mass.) announced plans to release the source code of its Application Development Environment (ADE) under an open source licensing model.

Proprietary Products for Linux

  • Fox on Linux is a graphical, accounting software package.

  • Macadamian Technologies Inc. (OTTAWA, ONTARIO) announced the availability of Syndeo Collaboration Suite version 2.2.

  • MSC.Software Corp. (COSTA MESA, Calif.) announced that MSC.Patran, part of the MSC.visualNastran enterprise family, is now available on the Linux platform.

  • MSC.Software Corp. and SGI (COSTA MESA and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) announced that MSC.Nastran on Linux will be available with SGI Itanium based servers.

  • Trend Micro Inc. (NEW ORLEANS) announced its InterScan VirusWall gateway virus protection and content filtering solution will be available soon, for Red Hat, SuSE, and Turbo Linux.

  • Xi Graphics Inc. (DENVER) announced the release of version 6 of its line of Accelerated-X Display Servers for laptop, desktop and multi-head use. Runs on Linux or Solaris 8.

Products and Services Using Linux

  • Extended Systems (BOISE, Idaho) announced that its XTNDConnect Server data synchronization and management solution now supports industry-standard Internet e-mail, calendar and directory access protocols; IMAP4 (Internet Message Access Protocol), SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), iCAL (Internet calendar), and LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol).

  • Lineo, Inc. (LINDON, Utah) announced the availability of Lineo Embedix UI, a simple HTML interface and micro Web browser that integrates with the Embedix SDK.

Products with Linux Versions

  • Computer Associates International, Inc. (ISLANDIA, N.Y.) announced the availability of the Service Level Management Option for Unicenter TNG and NetworkIT 2.0.

  • Enlighten Software Solutions, Inc. (SAN MATEO, Calif.) announced the general availability of EnlightenDSM 4.2, with versions for both Linux and FreeBSD.

  • Evoke Communications (ANAHEIM, Calif.) announced the launch of Evoke Collaboration 4.5, an interactive collaborative meeting tool.

  • Group 1 Software (LANHAM, Md.) announced the release of MailStream Plus 6.3, its Presort Accuracy, Validation and Evaluation (PAVE)-certified software solution.

  • Interstar Technologies Inc.(MONTREAL, Canada) announced the release of LightningFAX 7.0, an enterprise fax server solution.

  • MediaQ, Inc. (SANTA CLARA, Calif.) announced the MQ-1100, a device that combines a 64-bit 2D graphics engine, LCD display interface and USB device controller into a single device designed for handheld platforms that require long-battery life.

  • NEON Systems, Inc. (SUGAR LAND, Texas) announced the general availability of the J2EE compliant JDBC access for Shadow Direct, an iWave Solution data access and legacy application renewal software product, for use with IBM WebSphere.

  • Oracle Corp. (REDWOOD SHORES, Calif.) announced the general availability of Oracle9i Dynamic Services.

  • Paradigm3 Internet Software, Inc. (SAN JOSE, Calif.) announced an agreement wherein Paradigm3 is licensing and integrating IBM's WebSphere(1) Transcoding Publisher business-to-business integration software in Paradigm3's next-generation browser-based application for license management and e-commerce infrastructure.

  • PyBiz (SAN JOSE, Calif.) announced a change of policy that makes the use of XDisect, their high-speed XML indexing and search engine free during the development phase of customer projects.

  • Reef (NEW YORK) announced the launch of Internetware 2.1 at the E-Business Conference and Expo.

  • UniComp Inc. (MARIETTA, Ga.) announced the launch of its freeware version of UPSwin transaction processing software.

  • Verisity Ltd. (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) announced the latest release of SureLint, version 2.0, which features faster, more accurate race detection and finite state machine (FSM) analysis capabilities and a new category of built-in Reuse Methodology Manual (RMM) checks. The price is $15,000 U.S. for a floating LAN license.

  • Zero-Knowledge Systems Inc. (MONTREAL) unveiled its newest version of Freedom Internet Privacy Suite. Freedom 2.0 offers five standard privacy and security features as a free download in addition to enhanced paid premium services of untraceable private email and anonymous private browsing and chat.

Java Products

  • Inxight Software, Inc. (SANTA CLARA, Calif.) announced Table Lens Server, a Java version of its Table Lens technology, a new paradigm for graphical data analysis.

  • Sun Microsystems, Inc. (PALO ALTO, Calif.) announced Forte for Java, release 2.0, the latest version of its cross-platform development environment for building Internet services-based applications.

  • Tower Technology Corporation (NEW YORK) announced the availability of its TowerJ Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for Intel's family of Itanium processors for server-class computers.

Books and Training

  • O'Reilly (Sebastopol, CA) announced JavaServer Pages, by Hans Bergsten.

  • Turbolinux, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO) announced a partnership with innominate training gmbh to offer Linux seminars on Turbolinux enterprise products in Austria, Switzerland and seven education centers around Germany starting in January, 2001. The three-seminar series, (Linux Fundamentals, Linux Network Administration and Linux System Administration) is designed to prepare participants for the LPI (Linux Professional Institute) certification.

Partnerships

  • Forlink Software Corp. (BEIJING) announced the formation of an alliance to deliver solutions and Internet applications deployed on Intel Itanium architecture and Linux systems.

  • Highlander Technologies (ROCKLEDGE, Florida) and Eloquent Systems (Lamar, AR) have entered into an agreement under which Highlander will distribute Eloquent's software for boat manufacturers, which runs on Red Hat Linux.

  • Intrusion.com (RICHARDSON, Texas) announced it has entered into Premier and Authorized Partner Reseller agreements with eight major Latin American security product resellers to support sales of its security product line, including its Linux-based PDS 2100 appliance.

  • Linux2order.Com (PROVO, UT) announced a partnership with the U.K.-based open source services provider SlashTCO, Ltd.

  • PalmPalm Technology (SANTA CLARA, Calif.), SK Telecom Central R&D Laboratory, and Seoul National University announced plans to release a beta version of the IMT-2000, a CDMA smart phone based on the Embedded Linux operating system.

  • Rappore Technologies (SAN JOSE, Calif.) announced the formation of a strategic relationship with Lineo to port Bluetooth technology to Lineo's Embedix embedded Linux operating system.

  • Red Hat, Inc. (RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.) announced that Cradle Technologies, Inc. is leveraging a broad set of Red Hat's embedded technologies and services. The Cradle contract includes consulting services and porting of Red Hat's GNUPro embedded development tools, eCos and embedded Linux operating systems, to Cradle's Universal Microsystem platform (UMS).

  • RedWire Limited (LinuxUser Conference, Chelsea Village, London, UK), an International IT Systems Integrator with focus on Linux / Open Source Solutions, announced that MPT Data Products Limited, has appointed RedWire as official Cyclades E-Commerce Distributor for the UK and Ireland.

  • Streambox, Inc. and e-Appliance Corp. (SAN JOSE, Calif.) announced a Business Partnership to provide an integrated high speed video on demand solution based on the StreamboxTV ACT-L3 CODEC, Streambox Carrier delivery system and e-Appliance's Linux-based SuperScaler appliance server technologies.

  • TurboLinux Japan (BOSTON and TOKYO) and Infoteria Corporation, the XML Software Company, announced an agreement to bundle Infoteria's XML development platform, iPEX 2.0, with Turbolinux Developer Edition.

Personnel

  • Ariel Corp. (CRANBURY, N.J.) announced the appointment of Robert F. Burlinson as a member of the Board of Directors.

  • Linux NetworX, Inc. (SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH) named Robert Dunoskovic vice president of manufacturing.

  • Sendmail, Inc. (EMERYVILLE, Calif.) announced the appointment of John Stormer to vice president of marketing.

Linux At Work

  • Fastlane Software Systems (SAN JOSE, Calif.) announced they have won a Federal Procurement award to deploy realtime network monitoring systems at the Federal Aviation Administration. Fastlane's proposal featured a turnkey approach which integrates their Xni software, various (unspecified) open source elements, the Red Hat Linux Operating system and Intel based hardware from Compaq Computer Corporation.

  • Inpharmatica (London, U.K.) is using a 1,100 processor Linux cluster which is now involved in discovering the drugs of tomorrow and in analysing the enormous amounts of data now generated by the Human Genome Project.

  • RigSupplies.com (EDMONTON, ALBERTA) is a new website built by CSM Systems Inc. for Western Canada's oil industry. The MIRAWRE-LX, to be launched early in 2001, runs on Linux.

  • Turbolinux, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO) announced that Liderar Seguros, an insurance company in Argentina, has deployed a Turbolinux solution for secure business communications on the Internet linking its 40 branch offices nationwide.

Section Editor: Rebecca Sobol.


December 14, 2000

 

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