See also: last week's Linux in the news page.

Linux in the news

Here is an introductory article in abcnews.com. It suffers from a low clue level ("The source code-the ones and zeros that make up every single bit of the software-is available for downloading over the Internet.") and a bit of support FUD, but seems overall positive anyway. A not all that bad article in a high-profile location. Thanks to Mike Leddy.

Your editor just got around to reading his copy of the October 3-9 issue of The Economist; it turns out that there is an article, entitled "Red Hat Trick," about, sure enough, Intel and Red Hat. There does not seem to be a freely-available copy of the article on their web site, so here's a quick summary.

For the most part, it is the usual summary of Red Hat's business model, and how the free software business differs from the proprietary software business. "Perhaps it is more accurate to see Red Hat and smaller competing Linux distributors, such as Caldera and S.u.S.E., as service rather than software companies."

This is where many articles have to say "...but it's no threat to Microsoft." The Economist, certainly not known for wide-eyed predictions, has a bit of a different take. "For the moment, however, the company from Redmond, Washington, seems almost grateful for the rising profile of Linux, seeing it as an easy way of demonstrating that Windows is not a monopoly, ahead of its antitrust trial, scheduled to begin on October 15th. That may be short-sighted. In the long run, Linux and other open-source programs could cause Mr Gates much grief."

We have a report that the November UK edition of Computer Shopper magazine has run an excellent feature article on Linux. Our contributor called it very long and extensive piece, thoroughly researched and largely free of FUD and misconceptions, and *extremely* positive in tone. Unfortunately, no on-line link is available as of yet. We'll certainly provide a pointer to it when it is, since we hear they've included a reference to the Linux Weekly News ...

MacKiDo ran a somewhat strange column suggesting that Apple should release its user interface libraries on top of Linux. The article suffers from an excess of exclamation points and a skewed view of Linux, but is worth a look anyway.

Linux sort de l'ombre (in French) in France-Ouest covers the nationwide installfest held last weekend, in a positive light. (Here's a Babelfish link for non French-capable readers). (Found in NNL).

According to this ZDNet UK story Lotus has no intention of supporting Linux anytime soon. They have a pretty discouraging point of view. "I just cannot say Linux offers a viable proposition. There are so many Unix variations.."

Didier Legein points out that a few entries in the InfoWorld 100 are Linux related. Check out numbers 12, 27, 44, ... (Expect obnoxious pop-up advertisements, though, if your browser inflicts those on you).

Here is a lengthy introductory article in the New York times. Pretty comprehensive and positive. There is the obligatory interesting Bob Young quote: "Fourteen-year-olds playing multiplayer Doom are upgrading to Linux to compete better". Thanks to Stuart Luppescu and Dan Ginsberg for telling us about this one. (Note that the NY Times is a registration-required site. As is usually the case, "cypherpunks" used as both account and password will get you in).

Sm@rt Reseller asks: Will NT sink you?. The column talks about the hard road that alternative OS's, Linux included, have in front of them, but concludes: "Admittedly, it's easier to make a buck with Microsoft. But in the long run, pursuing non-Microsoft alternatives, in operating systems and elsewhere, may prove a reseller's best move."

Here's The case for Linux in Internet World. "...Linux will fail if it is forced to serve the wrong goal. If, instead of being a better tool to solve developers' needs, Linux becomes the latest proxy for Microsoft's competitors, it will fade into obscurity."

Also in Internet World: Not Just NT That Linux Threatens. This author says that the company that should really be worried is Sun. "If Sun fails to come up with a strategy that embraces Linux more forthrightly, this free and open operating system could break its back."

Sun, however, seems unworried, judging from this TechWeb interview with Sun Solaris Division President John McFarlane. "...any Linux win is one less Microsoft desktop. That's good for the world. So we are very supportive of the Linux movement."

The Independent (UK) received a fair amount of feedback for their Linux article that they ran last week. It comes in two pieces; one is a column from the author acknowledging a couple of things he might have written better. "Before I wrote last week's piece about the Linux operating system, I was told that doing so is about as safe as putting your head into a hungry lion's mouth." We can attest to that...<smile>

They also ran a couple of the letters they received in response to the article.

(Here is the original article for those who missed it).

Computer Reseller News is running a reader poll on the question "Will implementations of Linux grow to seriously threaten Microsoft's operating-system dominance?" You can not answer on line - you need to call an 800 number. Thus folks outside of the US and Canada will probably want to pass on this one.

You can read about Elliot's Linux dilemma in EE Times. "From a vendor perspective, the cruel reality is that Linux users are inherently cheapskates. That is, the culture around Linux is that it should be free, and almost all of the tools running under Linux should also be free or cheap. That's why Linux is so popular. (If you disagree with that statement, consider this: Before Linux you could buy 'Coherent,' a full Unix OS for the PC for $100. Free Linux drove them away.)" It doesn't seem to occur to the author that Linux might offer advantages other than price.

Also in EE Times: a more positive article about how open source development works, written by Stan Shebs of Cygnus.

Another pretty face, for free in Internet Week talks about GNOME and KDE in an amazingly non-inflammatory way. (Found in Linux Net News).

This Mac Opinion column proclaims "Linux: The most important software in the world today." He says he's serious. "A less obvious paradigm shift in software that Linux has created is less a shift to a new way, but a return to an old way. Back in Wave One, programmers tended to be more interested in sharing their ideas." (Found in LinuxToday).

Web Review has put out a long case study of a busy web site's upgrading of their server. Need we say what they ended up using? "Our goal is to be able to support many years of high growth. I never would have guessed that I'd end up choosing a primarily freeware-based Linux system. I have no regrets!"

Here is a TechWeb story claiming that Microsoft is porting its "Media Player" product to Linux. "Microsoft said the port was driven by customer demand that its streaming media player work on all platforms."

Silicon also has an article on the Media Player thing. "...Microsoft doesn't see Linux as a direct competitor because no company owns it."

TechWeb interviews Richard Stallman.

Q: Intel and Netscape have invested in Red Hat, which is the leading commercial distributor of the Linux operating system. What does that mean for Linux and open source?

A: Well, it's actually not true. Linux isn't an operating system. They're a distributor of a version of the GNU operating system, which uses Linux as a kernel. Red Hat's been doing a pretty good thing with that. They're not sticking entirely to the principles of free software, but they're getting closer and closer.

This San Jose Mercury column asks various luminaries what they think of the Microsoft trial; one of those polled is Linus Torvalds. "...I think the case is not all that important for the market itself." (Thanks to Conrad Sanderson). They also have a long introductory article, but it's just a reprint of the New York Times article from last week.

Here is an analysis in The Register entitled "When Linux met Wintel." It is, as they admit, a worst-case scenario. "...it's going to be impossible to ignore the process of being taken seriously, and the phenomenon of everybody loving Linux isn't necessarily going to work out for the best." Thanks to Didier Legein and "Gabriella".

The kiss of death for Linux? asks a short editorial in Web Review. "But for Linux, being labeled a threat to Microsoft is not entirely good news. Bill Gates takes threats seriously.... Now the all-seeing eye has turned its fearsome gaze on Linux. I fear for it."

The Irish Times covers Linux again with this introductory article. This one appears in their finance section, rather than with the technology stuff. It gives a good overview of what Linux is, what open source is, and talks about Intel's investment. "It's certainly not business as usual, and all the better because of that."

The Irish Times likes Linux. It's only free Unix - but I like it is a highly positive piece on the virtues of free Unix systems in general. "I'd recommend test driving free Unix to anyone in the computer business."

Amos Shapira sent us a pointer to this TechWeb story about an open source project called SHADOW. SHADOW is a security monitoring system put together by the U. S. Navy. "...the program's open source birth and evolution has made it strong and extremely sensitive..."

Here's a very brief mention in ComputerWorld. From a talk given by Michael Dell: " Will Dell sell Linux? 'If we see an economic reason to sell it, we will. We've seen some limited interest.'"

A couple more articles in The Register: This one is about Lotus's "no Linux support" message, and doesn't add a whole lot. The second one is about Oracle seeing Linux as a weapon against Microsoft and NT. "Oracle is effectively grooming Linux as an alternative to NT that can be used to destabilise Microsoft in smaller businesses and at departmental level."

Thomas Leineweber pointed out this article in NZZ Folio (Switzerland). They seem to have blocked Babelfish access, so only those who can read German will find it worthwhile to go check it out.

CNet has Dan Schafer of Project Heresy fame reporting from Fall Internet World in N.Y.

If you want optimism, check out Dave Whitinger's LinuxToday editorial. "There have been, and will always be, media sceptics who resist change. ... I challenge them to provide to me a single and valid reason why Linux is not going to be the OS of the future. Back it up with facts, not speculation. And, please, don't tell me 'Microsoft will win because of their marketing power.'"

For cynicism, instead, check out the Linux press coverage drinking game on Segfault.org. Truly amusing.

``From a vendor perspective, the cruel reality is that Linux users are inherently cheapskates.'' John Cooley, EE Times

``...Linux will fail if it is forced to serve the wrong goal. If, instead of being a better tool to solve developers' needs, Linux becomes the latest proxy for Microsoft's competitors, it will fade into obscurity'' Nate Zelnick, Internet World

``In the long run, Linux and other open-source programs could cause Mr Gates much grief.'' The Economist

``Take two drinks if the author says...Could you get fired for choosing Linux?'' Segfault.org

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