Linux and business

On a related note: Embedded Planet announced its new embedded Linux development platform, based on HardHat Linux from MontaVista.

Also Red Hat announced its "Red Hat Tools for Embedded Developers". This appears to be a repackaging of existing Cygnus tools, with a few Red Hat staples thrown in: EL/IX, the Intuitive graphical IDE, "priority access" to Red Hat's embedded software repository, and an unmodified version of the same x86 2.2.12 Linux kernel that ships with Red Hat 6.1.

Support and Linux Certification showed up in this week's news:

The Linux Professional Institute announced that an incentive program is in place to reward the first 300 people to take LPI certification exams.

Netizen, a Melbourne-based IT consultancy specialising in Open Source software, announced that it will be offering system support contracts for Linux, FreeBSD, and other Open Source systems for Australian clients.

Linuxcare came out with several announcements:

• This one about a deal where it will provide support and training materials to "Compaq Solution Alliance" members.

• Then this one about how they are strenghtening their global support infrastructure.

• This announcement is about their Custom Solution Service, with their own branded, optimized Linux solutions.

• And finally this press release is about their advertising campaign supporting the Open Source Revolution.

• Also Maxspeed's MaxStation is the first Linux desktop device certified by Linuxcare, according to this press release.

Speaking of Maxspeed, they entered into this agreement with Wave Technologies, parent company of Sair. Wave Tech. will provide Maxspeed with a full Linux curriculum education package.

Compaq also announced they will be offering call center support for SuSE on Compaq's Alpha and Intel products.

Web Site announcements were hot this week:

Ecrix Corporation and the Linux Fund announced the launch of OpenTape.org, a new nonprofit web site supporting the open source software movement.

O'Reilly Network announced the launch of two new sites, including a new technical portal, http://www.oreillynet.com and a new LinuxDev center, http://oreilly.linux.com.

Ebiz Enterprises, owners of the TheLinuxStore.com, has announced the launch of LinuxWired.net.

Andover.Net announced that it is branching out into the corporate services world with offerings like "on-line technical documentation, on-line expert support, application updates and project consulting." These services are to be based around the Freshmeat site.

A sample of this is shown in this announcement about a new developer site, server51.freshmeat.net. It appears to be a competitor to SourceForge, with the additional twist that it offers the option of sharing advertising revenue with the hosted projects.

Andover has also announced the acquisition of QuestionExchange.

Fred N. van Kempen sent us a note saying that he has sold the linux.net domain. No word yet on who bought it - an announcement is planned at LinuxWorld - but Fred says: "It's *definitely not* Microsoft, and they're planning some cool & useful things for the site."

And oh yeah,
eLinux.com put out this launch announcement. Welcome to another "single source for Linux harware [sic], software, news, discussion groups, services, support and information."

eLinux also announced a broad agreement with Linuxcare.

Press Releases:

Open Souce Products:
• OpenAvenue announced the beta launch of OpenAvenue.com, an open-source hosting site, and OAsis (OpenAvenue Source Infrastructure System), its global collaborative infrastructure.

• Sun Microsystems Inc. made three announcements: it is releasing the source code for a key component of the Network File System (NFS) protocol under the new Sun Industry Standards Source License; it will double the level of funding it began last year for a University of Michigan project to develop a Linux implementation of NFS version 4; and, finally, it will release its rights to the NFS trademark.

  Tape Drives:

  Between this week's Linuxworld in New York and the Linux Expo Paris, the press releases are now coming out hot and heavy. Here's a selection of them announcing linux certification for various tape drives. Our conclusion? Most tape drives can be used with Linux ... but you already knew that, right?

  • OnStream
  • Sony Advanced Intelligent Tape Drives
  • Benchmark Tape Systems
  • Tandberg Data's SLR Series of Tape Drives
  • Exabyte Mammoth-2 Tape Drives

  Commercial Products for Linux:

• 3ware Inc. announced Escalade, a family of storage controllers that use advanced RAID techniques, specifically designed for Internet servers running on the Linux operating environment.

• A Linux version of Anarchy Online, a "Massive Multi-player Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG)", was announced.

• Applix, Inc. announced that they have established a pre-release program to provide early access to the next version of their office suite for Linux.

• Artificial Life, Inc. announced support for the Linux platform across Artificial Life's complete eCRM (Internet based customer relationship management) product line and other upcoming products.

• ConSyGen announced the debut of its new E-Commerce division with its first E-Commerce service offering, PrecisionCommerce. This software works well in Linux environments and features custom XML-based plugins.

• CyberSource Corporation announced the CyberSource Commerce Component for Linux, support for leading Linux platforms, as well as integration with Cobalt Network's new INTERSHOP Commerce RaQ. The company also introduced a CyberSource Development Kit (CDK) for Linux.

• Dialtone Internet announced that it will begin offering set up of Linux Dedicated Systems in 30 minutes or less. Simultaneously, Dialtone Internet is also announcing that it has implemented $0 setup fees across all of its servers, including Cobalt RaQ 3's webserver appliances.

• Dot Hill Systems Corp. announced that its SANnet storage solution, a Fibre Channel RAID system, now supports the University of Minnesota's Linux-based Global File System (GFS) device locks (dlocks) within its RAID controller firmware.

• eSoft Inc. announced the availability of its redphish software on Compaq's Alpha platform.

• Evans & Sutherland announced the E&S Lightning 1200LXa, one of the first fully hardware-accelerated 3D solutions for the desktop Linux market.

• IndyBox Systems announced its entrance into the embedded devices market.

• iPlanet E-Commerce Solutions announced the immediate availability of iPlanet Messaging Server and iPlanet Web Server, Enterprise Edition software, with support for Red Hat Linux.

• Kx Systems announced that it is releasing Kdb for Linux. Kdb is a relational database management system extended for time series.

• Macmillan has announced its "Linux for Windows" product - seemingly a UMSDOS-based version of the Mandrake distribution which can run under Windows.

• Oracle Corp. announced the immediate availability of Oracle's dot-com Suite for Linux.

• PolyServe, Inc. announced support for the RaQ 3 server appliance from Cobalt Networks, Inc.

• Progressive Systems, Inc. announced that Progressive's Phoenix Adaptive Firewall appliance based on the Cobalt RaQ2 was network security audited and certified "LinuxReady" by Linuxcare Labs.

• Secant Technologies, Inc. announced the availability of its complete line of application server and object-to-RDBMS integration products on Linux.

• Take-Two Interactive Software has announced the release of "100 Great Linux Games, Volume I."

• Tech Soft America announced a program to promote the development of advanced 3D desktop and web-based applications for the Linux platform. The "Free 3D for Linux" program is designed to promote the development of advanced 3D applications on Linux, and the royalty-free proliferation of non-commercial applications. Commercial applications based on the HOOPS framework, as well as applications ported and distributed on platforms other than Linux will be subject to HOOPS' standard license and royalty terms.

• Tech Soft America, a global reseller of the Parasolid Kernel Modeler, announced the demonstration of the new Linux port at Linux World Expo.

• TUCOWS.com Inc. announced the "Feed the Penguin" campaign to make Linux more accessible and understandable to end users worldwide.

• Xi Graphics Inc. announced a new Web-based product line of graphics hardware drivers for Linux. The 3D Linux drivers are OpenGL 1.1.1 compliant, support libGLU and libGL, and are available for download from Xi Graphics' Web site (www.xig.com) starting at $29 each. A limited number of drivers are currently available, but more are being added weekly.

• zap business communication systems announced support for Linux on Cobalt Network's RaQ 3.

  Products Using Linux:

• Automation Control Products announced the introduction of an office-grade Linux-based thin client computer, known as the "ThinTerm TC- 100".

• BASCOM Global Internet Services, Inc., developers of Linux-based thin server productivity solutions for small business, announced the IQ2 Family of Connectivity Solutions which use Caldera's OpenLinux OS.

• ImaginOn, Inc. announced its ImOn.comTV Internet television "station in a box" product line will include two additional turnkey packages that incorporate Intel Pentium III and Xeon microprocessors running Linux.

• Sun Microsystems, Inc. announced that TradeMark Computer Products has selected Sun to supply SPARC based platforms for building their Linux solutions.

  Java Products:

• Fiorano Software, Inc. announced its interoperability with Linux servers for the deployment of high-speed distributed applications.

• Sun Microsystems Inc. claims more than 100,000 copies of its free Forte for Java, Community Edition beta, have been downloaded by developers using Java technology in the first 90 days of availability.

  Products with Linux Versions:

• Actiontec Electronics, Inc. announced that consumers who purchase any of Actiontec's Call Waiting Modems through Actiontec's on-line store have the additional option of purchasing a Caller ID Box for only $19.95.

• BiTMICRO NETWORKS, Inc. introduced the E-Disk SNX25, a high capacity 2.5" solid state SCSI flash disk.

• Chili!Soft Inc. announced Chili!Soft ASP for Linux, a solution that enables developers using Microsoft FrontPage to build and deploy database-driven Web applications on Linux servers.

• Computone Corporation announced IntelliPort Plus ISA 4 RJ, a multiport board.

• Corel announced that the first beta version of Word Perfect Office 2000 has gone to the beta test sites.

• CSV Technologies Inc. announced EZHTML v1.3, a completely searchable Hyper Text Mark up Language (HTML).

• DesignConNovas Software, Inc. announced Debussy 4.4 now has Linux support.

• Eltrax Systems, Inc. announced that it will expand its current Customer Care Group offerings to include a full suite of support services for the Linux operating systems. The Eltrax Customer Care Group services for Linux will include 24 by 7 technical support, installation, training and programming support.

• Hewlett-Packard Company announced the HP SureStore DAT40x6 DDS-4 automated tape backup system, featuring HP's One-Button Disaster Recovery.

• Hewlett-Packard Company announced that it is releasing its first Enhancement Pack for OpenMail 6.

• iChargeit, Inc. announced it is now manufacturing a line of Dual-Boot Linux/Windows PC Computer Systems for $499. The computers are marketed though their web site, www.shoppingplanet.com, as well as through their Bay Micro reseller network.

• Inprise made several announcements at Linuxworld, including:
  • a new Linux community on the Inprise/Borland Web site
  • a new on-line Linux Market Research survey for 2000
  • a new Linux track at the company's annual developers' conference
  • a Linux version of Borland C++Builder 5.
  • a Linux version of its Inprise Application Server 4.0
  • and VisiBroker 4.0.

• JDH Technologies announced Web-4M v2.7, a "Net-Meeting" with advanced security.

• LizardTech Inc. announced that it has begun shipping its MrSID Image Server 2.2, an image-serving toolkit for Web servers.

• Natural MicroSystems announced broad support for the Linux operating system.

• Object Design, Inc. announced that its ObjectStore object data-management system will soon be available on Linux.

• Rackspace.com announced the company's Instant SetUp service offering, allowing customers with an immediate need for Internet servers to be up-and-running in one hour by selecting from a choice of six server configurations available online through www.rackspace.com.

• RadiSys Corp. upgraded its EPC-204 CompactPCI CPU card with the EPC-304.

• RightNow Technologies announced RightNow Web 3.1, a major upgrade to the its product suite.

• SBE, Inc. announced that it has added support for the Linux operating system to its wanXL family of communication controllers.

• Showstar Online.com, Inc. announced a strategic decision to develop its existing Internet products and many of the Company's new innovations on the Linux operating system.

• Sigma Designs, Inc. announced that it will add Linux support to its new REALmagic NetStream 2000 card and EM8400 progressive MPEG-2/DVD decoder chip.

• Stalker Software, Inc. announced the Super-Symmetric Dynamic Cluster version of CommuniGate Pro.

• Sun Microsystems, Inc. announced broad support by the Linux community for StarOffice.

• TeleKnowledge, Inc. announced Total-e v2.0, a customer care and billing solution.

• TurboLinux announced the release of its new enFuzion clustering technology that transforms a company's existing network of Linux, Unix and Microsoft Windows servers and workstations into a supercomputer.

• Versant Corporation announced support for it's Java Interface on Linux platforms. In addition, Versant's ODBMS 5.2.2 has been enhanced to support Red Hat Linux servers.

• Vertigo Software Corp. announced plans to adapt the Vertigo Unix based 3D code to the Linux platform. Beta testing is scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2000.

• VirtualSellers.com Inc. announced that it has launched a Web site to introduce its Web development software, TAME, to developers and other Web professionals.

  Partnerships, Investments and Acquisitions:

• AbsoluteValue Software, Inc. has collaborated with Intersil to develop Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) driver software that enables Linux operating systems to communicate with Intersil's PRISM-based WLAN cards.

• Akamai and IBM have announced an alliance that, among other things, involves Akamai deploying a bunch of Linux-installed Netfinity servers as part of its global web server infrastructure.

• Alpha Processor Inc. has announced the addition of five new strategic partners: Dirig Software, Inc., Linuxcare, Inc., MandrakeSoft, Inc., PolyServe, Inc. and Stalker Software, Inc.

• Alpha Processor, Inc. and Red Hat, Inc. announced a technical partnership to create a center for the development of Linux clustering technology.

• AXENT Technologies, Inc. announced a partnership with Cobalt Networks, Inc. with the intent to develop a Linux firewall and VPN appliance.

• Caldera and Sun announced a joint agreement for the commercial distribution of Java 2 SDK, Standard Edition in OpenLinux 2.3+ and future versions.

• Computer Technology Associates, Inc. announced a strategic alliance with QVPL. The alliance will enable CTA to apply QVPL's extensive skill base in Linux development and Oracle implementations to CTA's 120 day-to-solution, Oracle-based "iSolutions" offering.

• LinuxIT announced that it will be marketing Corel Linux in the UK.

• Cybernet Systems Corporation announced an agreement with LinuxIT to distribute NetMAX and FreeBSD software products in the United Kingdom.

• EBIZ Enterprises, Inc. announced that TheLinuxStore.com will offer it's full line of Linux products on iDEAL's business-to-person online auction, DealDeal.com.

• Enlighten Software Solutions, Inc. signed an agreement to become a Red Hat ISV Partner. The company also announced the immediate availability of EnlightenDSM Free for Red Hat.

• eSoft Inc. announced a distribution agreement and product development partnership with TriGem InfoComm Corporation, a leading Korean distributor and Internet product developer.

• Internet.com announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Linuxnewbie.org. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2000.

• Lutris Technologies, a provider of Open Source Java/XML application server software, announced the successful completion of its Series B round of financing.

• Medicore, Inc. announced that it is forming a new division with the intended purpose of incubating and investing in new technology, including Internet technology companies. Medicore has loaned $1.5 million to The Linux Fund, Inc., and may provide it with an additional $500,000 loan.

• Merlin Software Technologies Inc. announced an agreement with Koch Distribution, a leading UK and Ireland software distributor, to sell Merlin's PerfectBACKUP+ Linux backup and crash recovery software.

• Mission Critical Linux LLC and SGI announced that the companies will enter into an alliance agreement to launch enterprise-class Linux solutions on a global scale.

• OpenAvenue, Inc. announced that the company has acquired CodeCatalog and Cyclic.com from SourceGear Corporation.

• Rebel.com Inc. announced that it has completed a private round of financing raising proceeds totaling CAN $9 million.

• Red Hat, Inc. debuted Wide Open News, another Linux news site, and announced a content partnership with TheStreet.com.

• Sair Linux, Inc. a subsidiary of Wave Technologies International, Inc., announced an agreement with Compaq Computer Corporation to provide corporate training to Compaq Solution Alliance.

• TurboLinux announced a new channel program to support TurbLoinux Authorized Reseller partners in North America.

• Wave Technologies International, Inc. announced it has entered into a licensing agreement with Sparling Capital Corporation to provide its comprehensive Linux training courseware.

  Financial Results:

• Andover.Net has reported that it lost $15.7 million on $2.1 million in revenue for the previous quarter.

• OMNIS Technology Corp. announced financial results for its third fiscal quarter and nine months ended Dec. 31, 1999. Jim Dorst, COO/CFO, commented, "We are the only profitable rapid application software tool provider in the Linux open-source marketplace."

• PC-Tel announced record results in both revenues and net income for 1999. Listed among its successful products is a soft modem solution for Linux.

  Other:

• Atipa announced that Marc Torres, former director of SuSE's U.S. operation, has accepted the position of Chief Technology Officer.

• Business Leader magazine will be awarding its Entrepreneur of the Year award to Bob Young of Red Hat Software at this Saturday's 16th Conference on Entrepreneurship, where he will be one of the keynote speakers.

• eHOLA.com announced a dedicated Linux division of commercial class web integration products, support, and services targeted at the Latin American business community.

• friendlyway futurelab will present its Linux/Java strategy to the general public at CeBIT 2000.

• Metro Link announced that Jon "maddog" Hall has accepted a position on Metro Link's Board of Directors.

• A subsidiary of M&A West, Inc. put out this announcement. It seems they are forming a company specifically to look at Linux investments.

• Neoware Systems, Inc. announced that it is now trading on the Nasdaq Small Cap market, and it also demonstrated new Linux-based software products at LinuxWorld Expo.

• OpenSales announced Bonnie Crater has been named president and CEO of OpenSales, Inc.

• Red Hat, Inc. announced that it has expanded its Kernel Development Group, continuing to fuel the rapid advancement of the Linux OS for solutions ranging from powerful Internet servers to the next-generation Internet appliances and devices.

Section Editor: Rebecca Sobol.