See also: last week's Commerce page.

Linux and Business

We speak about free software. Here's a posting on the FSF Europe site defending the superiority of the term "free software." "Examining the development of the Open Source Initative after three years, it becomes apparent that the reasons to prefer the term Free Software have become even more true." It's endorsed by a number of European free software companies. (Thanks to Bernhard Reiter).

Red Hat's answer to the Microsoft settlement offer. Red Hat has issued a press release with its response to Microsoft's offer to donate computers and software to schools. Red Hat has offered to throw in its own software, allowing Microsoft to spend more money on hardware instead... "Unlike the Microsoft proposal, which has a five-year time limit at which point schools would have to pay Microsoft to renew their licenses and upgrade the software, the Red Hat proposal has no time limit."

Red Hat and IBM Deliver Linux Solutions for IBM Servers. Red Hat announced it will deliver packaged and customized solutions for the entire IBM eServer product line.

Opera 6.0tp1 released. The "Technology Preview 1" release of Opera 6.0 has been announced. There's a number of new features; see the announcement for details.

Draft pricing comparison from Cybersource. Cybersource has put together a draft pricing comparison between Linux/Open Source technologies and Windows/Microsoft's technologies for sample organizations of size 50, 100 and 250 staff. They feel that with the current belt-tightening within the IT industry, management should be spending more money on IT staff payroll (even hiring more staff) rather than ever-spiraling Microsoft licenses. Cybersource welcomes comments and feedback on this document. There is a bzipped image and a PDF document available here. You can also grab the PDF document from mirror1 or mirror2.

VA Linux Reports Results for First Fiscal Quarter, 2002. VA Linux Systems has announced its latest quarterly results. The company brought in $5.6 million, but it's really only $3.9 million after you take out the last bits of the discontinued hardware business. The company lost $8.7 million over the quarter (if you don't count things like restructuring costs), leaving it with $71 million in the bank. There are no great promises of profitability: "We see business conditions for us stabilizing, and expect to see continued declines in our cash usage combined with modest bottom line improvements over the remainder of this fiscal year" is as good as it gets.

Linux Stock Index for November 24 to November 28, 2001. LSI at closing on November 24, 2001 ... 29.15
LSI at closing on November 28, 2001 ... 30.18

The high for the week was 31.03
The low for the week was 29.15

Press Releases:

Open source products

• Adaptec, Inc. (MILPITAS, Calif.): Adaptec Raid Driver Embedded in Linux Kernel Brings Raid Card Family To Fast-Growing Linux Market.

Proprietary Products for Linux

• 3R Soft, Inc. (SAN JOSE, Calif.): 3R Soft, Inc. Launches Calendar Server Product with Group Scheduler Capabilities.

• Global Information Group (ROCK HILL, S.C.): Global Information Group (GIG) Launches Reseller Program With First Reseller Agreements.

• Network Appliance Inc. (SUNNYVALE, Calif.): Network Appliance Expands Enterprise Solutions Suite With New Approach to SAP Solutions On Linux.

• PentaSafe Security Technologies Inc. (HOUSTON): PentaSafe Security Technologies Announces New Product To Secure Linux Running on IBM e-Server iSeries.

Products and Services Using Linux

• Centillium Communications (FREMONT, Calif.): Tottori SANYO and Centillium Communications Partner to Deploy ADSL Routers to Japan.

• Century Embedded Technologies (SALT LAKE CITY, Utah): Nat Semi Selects Century Embedded Technologies to Power Next Generation Information Appliances.

• Century Embedded Technologies (SALT LAKE CITY, Utah): Century Embedded Technologies Upgrades Linux PDA Solution.

• Stream Machine (MILPITAS, Calif.): Stream Machine's New Home Media Center Extends the Advantages of Digital Networking to Analog TVs and Players. Linux Software Drivers and Reference Application

• SuSE Linux (Nuremberg): SuSE Linux Firewall Now Also for 'Virtual Private Networks'.

• TeleData Technology (NEW YORK): Linux Gains in Enterprise: Linux Messaging Solution from TeleData Technology Packaged with Vodavi PBX.

• ZNYX Networks (FREMONT, Calif.): ZNYX Networks Ships Major Update of Software Management Platform For Embedded Switches.

Products With Linux Versions

• DataDirect Technologies (ROCKVILLE, Md.): DataDirect Technologies Broadens Data Connectivity to Legacy Data Stores; SequeLink 5.2 Provides End-to-End Connectivity With No Additional Middleware or Gateways.

• EnReach Technology, Inc. and Kasenna, Inc. (ALVISO, Calif.): EnReach and Kasenna Deliver Cost-Effective, Open VOD Solution.

• Novas Software, Inc. (SAN JOSE, Calif.): Novas Adds Timing Debug to Debussy; Debussy 5.1 Includes Numerous User-Requested Refinements.

• Wipro (BANGALORE, India & SANTA CLARA, Calif. ): Wipro UWIN: Windows to the World of Unix.

• ZapMedia (Atlanta): Customized Audio/Video Jukebox Brings New Meaning To Home Entertainment.

Java Products

• Appeal Virtual Machines AB (San Mateo, CA): JRockit 3.0 JVM Available for Free Trial Download, Featuring Innovative Management Console and Record Scalability .

• Borland Software Corporation (SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.): Borland JBuilder 6 Now Shipping.

Books & Training

• IBM Learning Services (): IBM Learning Services has developed over 12 Linux courses, which have been translated into more than 6 languages and are taught in over 30 countries..

• LOOK Systems (Skipton, England): Linux training events.

• O'Reilly (Sebastopol, CA): "Beginning Perl for Bioinformatics" Released by O'Reilly.

Personnel & New Offices

• SuSE Linux (Nuremberg, GERMANY): "SuSE Linux AG Completes Executive Board".

Linux At Work

• Ace Hardware (LOS ALTOS, Calif.): Ace Hardware Chooses Talarian for Streamlining Communications With Nationwide Network of Independently Owned Stores.

• IBM and the University of Pennsylvania (ARMONK, NY): IBM BUILDS COMPUTER GRID FOR BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND SCREENING.

Other

• France Committee for e-Government (Paris, Munich, Amsterdam): France Towards Open e-Government -- Government Agency to Enforce Open Standards and Promote Open Source / Free software.

• Pace Micro Technology (ANAHEIM, Calif.): Pace First To Offer 'Open' Middleware and OS Solutions; Only STB Developer To Port All Major Middleware and Operating Systems Software.

Section Editor: Rebecca Sobol.

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