See also: last week's Commerce page.

Linux and business

Rackspace claims particular expertise in deploying and operating Linux systems; apparently some 80% of their customers are hosted on Linux. "We believe that many small- to medium-sized enterprises prefer Linux-based hosting services due to Linux's reputation for stability and high performance, ease of remote administration and cost advantages." As part of their use of Linux, they have entered a "strategic relationship" with Red Hat, and have received a $2 million equity investment from them as well (see this press release).

The relationship with Red Hat is based around joint marketing - each can place information on the other's web site. Rackspace will also have "prominent placement" in the "Open Source Marketplace" that Red Hat is evidently planning to roll out later this year. Rackspace's marketing materials will also be packaged up with Red Hat 7.0.

As is considered proper for an IPO company, Rackspace loses money. In 1999, they brought in $1.7 million, but turned in a loss of $1.65 million. Their 1998 revenues were much smaller.

The usual list of scary risk factors has been provided; theirs includes the risk that acceptance of Linux might not continue to grow. Their use of (unspecified) licensed software is cited as a risk - the licensing could change on them.

The filing mentions a directed share program, but says nothing about Linux developers. The company is happy to throw the "Linux" name around, but apparently feels little need to deal in the developers that made Linux possible.

IBM dumps more Red Hat stock. According to this Newstraders article, IBM has put in another registration to sell 250,000 shares of Red Hat stock. This is the third such registration; the total number of shares registered to be sold by IBM is now 750,000.

Linuxcare IPO the week of April 24. According to the latest information on the Ostman site, Linuxcare's IPO is now scheduled for the week of April 24. More information as we receive it.

New Corel stock registration filing. Corel Corp. has filed a new stock registration as part of its merger with Inprise. It contains a good deal of information about that merger, for those who are interested.

EBIZ acquires InfoMagic. EBIZ, operator of TheLinuxStore.com, has announced the acquisition of InfoMagic, a long-time distributor of Linux (and other) software.

Atipa Linux Solutions acquires DCG Computer Corp. Atipa Linux Solutions has announced the acquisition of DCG Computer Corp. DCG is to enhance Atipa's line with the addition of high-performance and clustered systems. Details of the deal, of course, are not forthcoming.

'The Linux Problem Solver' published. No Starch Press has announced the publication of "The Linux Problem Solver." It's written by Brian Ward, author of the Linux Kernel HOWTO.

Apple releases Darwin 1.0. Apple has announced the release of Darwin 1.0. This release also includes an open source version of its QuickTime streaming server software.

Seagate announces Linux server appliance line. Seagate has announced the development of a line of Linux-based server appliance products, to be done in partnership with Cobalt Networks.

TurboLinux signs distribution agreement with Ingram Micro. TurboLinux has announced the signing of a distribution agreement with Ingram Micro. The first customer getting TurboLinux from Ingram is Staples, a large office supply chain.

Goldman Sachs takes stake in Linux One, Inc. Linux One, Inc., described as a "South Korean developer of services and software for the Linux operating system", announced a $5.4 million investment from Goldman Sachs into the company. Note that this company ("Linux One") is different from the one currently in the IPO process in the US ("LinuxOne"). (Thanks to Baiju Thakkar.)

Ateon Networks receives patent on remote storage for internet appliances. Ateon Networks, which makes Linux-based internet appliances, has announced the receipt of a patent on "remote storage for internet appliances." The patent is not written in the most clear manner, but it would appear to cover serving files from a protected internal network.

Miguel de Icaza on the Microsoft ruling. We were sent this statement from Miguel de Icaza on the Microsoft ruling. "Microsoft has held a proprietary grip on the software industry both economically and developmentally. As a result every 18 months hardware doubles in speed and drops in price while the complete opposite is true of the software that runs on top of it. Very simply, consumers will always lose with proprietary software."

Section Editor: Jon Corbet.

Press Releases:

Open Souce Products
• Axis Communications (LUND, Sweden) has opened up the source code for its Bluetooth drivers and its applications using Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a technology for wireless communications between mobile phones and other portable devices.

• netLibrary (BOULDER, Colo.) announced that it will frontlist and backlist bestsellers from O'Reilly & Associates.

  Commercial Products for Linux

• Agate Technologies, Inc. (FREMONT, Calif.) announced the release of its HotData Shuttle hot swap IDE Plug & Play solution, designed to support the Linux operating system on Intel based workstations and Internet Server Appliances.

• Aladdin Systems, Inc. (Watsonville, CA) announced a public beta test of its Aladdin Expander, a free Expansion access utility for Red Hat Linux.

• Ciprico Inc. (MINNEAPOLIS) announced that its 6500 Series RAID disk array is now SGI-approved as Linux-compatible.

• Computer Associates International, Inc. (ISLANDIA, N.Y.) announced the ARCserveIT 6.61, a native storage management solution for Linux.

• Coollogic Inc. announced the launch of www.rtkernel.org, a free commercial site for embedded, real-time Linux downloads.

• The Duke of URL has provided a link to a mirror site carrying the Linux version of the new BeOS v5.0.

• IDG Books Worldwide (FOSTER CITY, Calif.) announced that it is expanding its Linux product lines and promotions.

• iGS Technologies (iGST) (SAN JOSE, Calif.) announced plans to offer enhanced Linux support for its CyberPro family of streaming media gateway chips.

• InterVideo, Inc. (FREMONT, Calif) announced LinDVD, a software DVD player/decoder for the Linux operating system, to be released soon.

• Linux Journal (SEATTLE) announced the 2000 Buyer's Guide, available July 17, 2000.

• Panda Computers is now offering 1U rackmount Linux boxes "at a reasonable price".

• Rebel.com has announced a new release of its NetWinder software.

• Spatial Inc. (BOULDER, Colo) announced the launch of "the world's first" ACIS-enabled design products on the Linux operating system.

• Vela L.P. (CLEARWATER, Fla.) announced that it is now shipping its MPEG-2 video decoding solutions with Linux drivers.

• ViewCast.com, Inc. announced that it will bring its streaming video technology to Linux.

• YARC Systems Corporation (CAMARILLO, Calif) announced that it has enhanced the YARC XP LINUX Color Server which is connected to the Internet for customer and investor evaluation.

  Products Using Linux

• Alta Technology has announced the founding of LinuxNetworX, a new company specializing in high performance, Linux-based systems.

• Coollogic Inc. (DALLAS) announced the launch of its e-Pilot 7000 Series, Internet access appliances.

• Extended Systems (GENEVA, Switzerland) announced that it has begun shipping XTNDAccess Blue SDK, a multi-purpose software development kit (SDK) for implementing Bluetooth in handheld devices.

• MTX, Inc. (RALEIGH, N.C.) has new Linux-based desktops and appliance servers. The new desktops, the eTerm 450 and 450Plus models, offer support for Java Virtual Machine and use a resident Netscape browser. MTX also introduced the Firepower 2000, based on the Linux operating system.

• Neoware Systems (KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.) announced Eon - The Anything Box, a customizable Linux information appliance using NeoLinux. See this week's Distributions page for more about NeoLinux.

  Java Products

• ILOG (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif) unveiled its new ILOG JRules 3.0 business rule engine, with a customizable language designed for ease of use.

• Inprise/Borland (SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.) announced that two of its Java development tools, JBuilder and JBuilder JIT, have won multiple awards over the past weeks.

• Ubiquity Software Corporation (SAN JOSE, California) announced a software addition to it's Helmsman Application Services Platform, providing services for Packet Telephony.

  Training

• AQ (Johannesburg) announced a Linux Training Centre in Pretoria. AQ will also be providing the Linux Professional Institute's (LPI) qualification for these courses on completion.

• Maxspeed Corporation (PALO ALTO, Calif.) and OpenClassroom, which offers a complete package of Open Source software specifically designed for schools, announced the formation of a strategic alliance that will offer a complete client and server solution in the classroom. The companies bring together the advantages of the Linux operating system and the adaptable open source educational software.

• New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, Inc. (SANTA ANA, Calif) has been selected by Compaq Computer Corporation to provide corporate computer training for its 50,000 employees worldwide. Linux is included in the curriculum.

• Paragon Solutions Inc. (CHICAGO) has reached a reseller agreement with IBM to tailor its O'Reilly & Associates-branded IT courseware for IBM.

  Products with Linux Versions

• Ariel Corp. (CRANBURY, N.J.) announced availability of the RSA400, a new PCI-based, eight-port, V.90-compatible 56K remote access solution for small- and medium-sized offices.

• ARM (CAMBRIDGE, UK) announced availability of the Prospector P-Series, a fully-integrated portable reference platform.

• Asante Technologies, Inc. (SAN JOSE, Calif.) announced the Asante FriendlyNET PCI 595 Fast Ethernet adapter, a 10/100 adapter.

• Comuniq, Inc. (LOS ANGELES) introduced The UltimateIP Streaming Media Application Server (SMAS) H.323 subsystem.

• Continuus Software Corporation (IRVINE, Calif.) announced the launch of Continuus ChangeSynergy 3.0, which provides a task-based platform for managing change requests across the enterprise development environment.

• DataDirect Networks, Inc. (LOS ANGELES) released the SAN DataDirector, a storage area network (SAN) appliance.

• dtSearch Corp. (BETHESDA,Md.) announced the Version 6.0 release of dtSearch Web and the dtSearch Text Retrieval Engine which feature strong and comprehensive support for XML.

• IBM (RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.) announced the worldwide availability of IBM WebSphere Transcoding Publisher, software that dynamically translates Web information to a format readable on a variety of Internet appliances.

• IBM (SOMERS, N.Y.) announced SNAPP, a Web-based application that allows customers to configure and manage an RS/6000 B50 server with hand-held computers based on the Palm Computing platform.

• LAND-5 Corporation (SAN DIEGO) introduced the iCEbox UltraPod, a 2U network attached storage solution.

• Legato Systems Inc. (PALO ALTO, Calif.) announced that the eCluster solution and Legato Cluster Enterprise, heterogeneous, high-availability software solutions, now support the Linux operating system.

• Mapletree Networks (NORWOOD, Mass.) announced the MTN5000, a CompactPCI remote access card. The MTN5000 comes with a development kit that includes sample Linux and other drivers, as well as generic source code.

• Omnis Software announced the release of Omnis Studio 2.4, the latest version of their 4GL rapid application development program.

• REALVIZ S.A. (SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France) announced ReTimer V2.0 software application for animation and special effects professionals.

• Smith Micro Software, Inc. (ALISO VIEJO, Calif.) unveiled WebCatalog 4.0, the latest version of its eCommerce and Web publishing platform.

• SSH Communications Security (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and ESPOO, Finland) announced that they are now selling SSH Secure Shell 2.1 products on its Web site at www.ssh.com.

• Syntegra (MINNEAPOLIS) announced the release of Web Personal Assistant, a Web-based e-mail client.

• UniBar Inc. (ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich.) announced an e-commerce version of e-BARCODE 2000, server-based label printing software.

• WebTrends Corporation announced the availability of WebTrends Security Analyzer version 3.5.

  Partnerships

• 1mage Software Inc. (ENGLEWOOD, Colo.) provider of electronic document imaging systems with Linux versions, announced a business partnership with APTRON Corporation, a software supplier of administrative systems for colleges and universities.

• Andover.net has announced a partnership with ibooks.com to create "the first Linux/Open Source online digital bookstore."

• AXENT Technologies, Inc. (ROCKVILLE, Md.) announced its intent to develop (with Cobalt Networks) a network appliance specialized for intrusion detection tasks. The product will be available in the third quarter of 2000.

• AXENT Technologies, Inc. (ROCKVILLE, Md.) announced that it has joined the Red Hat, Inc. ISV Developer Partner Program to deliver e-security solutions.

• Belkin Components announced that it will offer a full version of the TurboLinux Server 6.0 Operating System, free with the purchase of its OmniView KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switching products.

• Corel Corporation (OTTAWA, ONTARIO) announced a partnership with Zkey.com that will offer CorelCity.com and CreativeAnywhere! users some of "the most unique and powerful Web tools available".

• Cydoor Technologies Inc. (NEW YORK) and TUCOWS Network Inc. announced that they will be co-marketing a full technological solution and promotion package to shareware, freeware and service tools companies.

• Geek Teknologies, Inc. (LOS ANGELES) announced a new business relationship with the Echo Digital Audio Corporation, makers of high-end digital audio products. This arrangement allows GeekTek to bundle Echo's products with their BeOS and Linux based systems.

• I-Logix Inc. announced that it has become a founding member of the Embedded Linux Consortium.

• Lineo has announced a deal with MIPS to make Lineo's Embedix distribution work optimally on MIPS processors.

• Progressive Systems (COLUMBUS, Ohio and SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) and TheLinuxStore.com announced an alliance which makes the entire Progressive Systems family of Linux-based firewall and VPN solutions immediately available at TheLinuxStore.com.

• Red Hat, Inc. (RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.) announced an OEM agreement with Compaq Computer Corp. to provide Red Hat Linux 6.2 on Compaq servers, AlphaStations, and select Deskpro PC models.

• YouthStream Media Networks (NEW YORK) announced a comprehensive business-to-business agreement to partner with Red Hat. YouthStream will provide colleges and universities as well as individuals with the opportunity to order Red Hat's Linux 6.1, Linux 6.2, and the Linux System Builder via YouthStream's Web sites.

  Investments and Acquisitions

• Kurant Corporation (SAN FRANCISCO) announced the completion of an $8.2 million round of financing, led by Deep River Ventures. Cobalt Networks, Garage.com, Group One, TransAtlantic Partners, Iter Occidentale, Capital Resource Management, Loftus Capital and Empire Ventures are also participating. Kurant's products are available for Linux.

• OTC America, Inc. (DENVER) announced that it has signed a "Letter of Intent" to acquire AyrNet, a development stage, Linux-based, broadband wireless Internet service provider ("ISP").

• Piranha, Inc. (DALLAS) announced that HIH Insurance Limited has completed a US $ 3 Million equity investment the company. Piranha creates data compression technology, created on the Linux operating system.

• Sendmail, Inc. (EMERYVILLE, Calif.) announced the completion of its $35 million Series D funding.

• TeamLinux Corporation announced its acquisition of Edge Technology Solutions of Irvine, California.

  Linux at Work

• Epoch Internet (LOS ANGELES) and IBM teamed up to provide the Incubator program to offer dot-coms in the entertainment industry with an end-to-end e-business technology infrastructure at no cost for six months. The Incubator is deployed on Linux.

• eurodata GmbH and Co. KG (FREMONT, Calif. and SAARBRUECKEN, Germany) combined Versant's Object Database Management System (ODBMS) with the Linux operating system, creating a distributed system capable of handling very large amounts of data.

• Lutris Technologies Inc. (SANTA CRUZ, Calif.) announced that its Enhydra Open Source Java/XML application server (running on Linux) is powering AnywhereYouGo.com.

• matchupsingles.com (Johannesburg) uses a Red Hat system to run its South African dating service.

  Personnel

• Atipa Linux Solutions (KANSAS CITY, Mo.) announced the appointment of Francine Segars to lead the company's business development and strategic alliance activities. Francine is a former Dell veteran.

  Other

• 1mage Software Inc. (ENGLEWOOD, Colo.) reported financial results.

• Bluepoint Linux Software Corp. (LOS ANGELES) announced that it has established retail sales channels in Beijing, Nanjing and Shenzhen, covering northern, central and southern China.

• Corel was very happy to announce recent market information from PC Data on Corel's market share increase since November.

Section Editor: Rebecca Sobol.

Next: Linux in the news