See also: last week's Commerce page.

Linux and business

LSB and LI18NUX join to become Free Standards Group. The Linux Standard Base (LSB) and Linux Internationalization Initiative (LI18NUX) announced that they have incorporated as the Free Standards Group.

Why does Linux need standards? Anyone who has ported applications from one type of system to another knows that it can be painful. Even supporting an application across several different Unix platforms is not seamless. Linux will fragment in that Beowulf clusters are very different from the small embedded devices. It should not fragment in such a way that an application written for one distribution will not run on any other distribution, given a similar hardware configuration.

The Linux Standard Base has been working to increase compatibility among Linux distributions since 1998. The Linux Internationalization Initiative has focused on software and application portability and interoperability in the International context. Together they can help to ensure that that application that you love will run on any Linux distribution anywhere in the world.

Members of the Free Standards Group's list of supporters include:
Atipa Linux Solutions, Caldera Systems, Corel Corporation, The Debian Project, Delix Computer, Enhanced Software Technologies, Inc., IBM, Linuxcare, Linux for PowerPC, Linuxmall.com, Linux Professional Institute, Metro Link, Open Group, Red Hat, Inc., SAP AG, SCO, SGI, Software in the Public Interest, Inc., Sun Microsystems, SuSE Linux AG, TurboLinux, and VA Linux Systems.

SCO put out this press release announcing their participation.

New Contracts for Linuxcare. Linuxcare may be reeling from their recent woes, but then again, maybe not all that much. They announced a couple of new contracts, this one with PFU Ltd. to provide in-depth Linux technical support for PFU engineers and expand PFU's suite of multi-vendor support and service offerings, and this one with Hitachi to jointly provide in-depth technical support in the development of Hitachi's Linux solutions.

VA Linux Professional Services Expands. VA Linux has announced the addition of over 40 engineers and managers to their professional services team. Part of the expansion appears to be from last week's acquisition of Precision Insight.

LinuxOne in Spain. LinuxOne has been awfully quiet lately...but they have just turned up in Spain. They are offering pretty much the same products and services - but in Spanish. (Found in BarraPunto).

New alliances this week.

• Corel and EBIZ have announced that they are going into the Internet service provider business together.

• Mission Critical Linux announced an agreement with TurboLinux to combine their high availability products and services to provide turn-key cluster solutions.

• VistaSource (the new company spun off from Applix) and Digital Creations have announced the launch of the VistaSource web site, which is powered by Zope.

DSP development under Linux. Hunt Engineering in the U.K. has unveiled its Linux for DSPs package, which supports Linux-based DSP code development for several boards. "The new package is expected to result in extensive deployment of Linux-hosted DSP systems." (Thanks to Lalith Panditharatne).

IA-64 Details On the Internet. Intel Corporation has released the Itanium Processor Microarchitecture Reference.

Press Releases:

Commercial Products for Linux
• Co-Design Automation, Inc. (SAN JOSE, Calif.) unveiled a new design and verification product line. There's a system simulator called SYSTEMSIM, which is complemented by SYSTEMEX, designed to transform abstract system descriptions to HDL code.

• Eicon Technology (LAS VEGAS, NEVADA) announced the forthcoming release of its EiconCardConnections for Linux software.

• Hewlett-Packard Company (CANNES, France) announced OpenMail Anywhere/WAP, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) interface for OpenMail 6.

• LynuxWorks, Inc. (SAN JOSE, Calif.) announced support for TimeSys Corporation's TimeTrace tool for the LynxOS real-time operating system.

• Neoware Systems, Inc. (KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.) announced that its Eon Linux-based information appliance has received the highest rating by PC World Magazine in Denmark in a head-to-head comparison of Linux-based platforms from four leading vendors.

• Network ICE (LAS VEGAS) announced BlackICE Agent for Linux, a commercial intrusion detection system for the Linux platform.

• Spider Software (EDINBURGH, Scotland) announced that it has ported SpiderSTREAMS to Linux to provide a platform for the deployment of wide area communications protocols.

• VMware, Inc. (PALO ALTO, Calif.) announced the release of its latest desktop product, VMware Express for Linux.

  Products Using Linux

• Axis Communications (LAS VEGAS) announced the Bluetooth Access Point from Axis, which supports both data and voice services. The product platform is based on Axis' integrated system-on-a-chip technology and embedded Linux, which includes a Bluetooth stack for Linux developed by Axis and recently released under GNU General Public License (GPL).

• Bluepoint Linux Software Corp. (LOS ANGELES) announced that Downing Information Industry Corp. will preinstall Bluepoint Linux in the Downing server series.

• Cybernet Systems Corporation (ANN ARBOR, Mich.) announced two new product releases with enhanced features for its Linux-based NetMAX Internet appliance software line, the NetMAX Internet Server Suite and the NetMAX FireWall Suite.

• Digital Technology, Inc. (BEDFORD, Mass.) announced the latest addition to its family of script-based automated protocol validation test suites - development community. The test setup requires: A PC from DTI running Linux OS with a modified kernel.

• Einux Inc. (LAS VEGAS) announced the launch of the SLinux 1/2U High Density Cluster Server Array.

• FirstStar Networks, Inc. (CONCORD, Mass.) introduced the Policy Test System (PTS), a policy test system for Voice over IP (VoIP) call setup. The PST System is powered by a Linux system and comes in a 1U rack-mount configuration. The unit will be available in the 3rd quarter of 2000.

• LinuxSolve, Inc. (LAS VEGAS) showed its line of "immunized" secure Linux server appliances at Networld+Interop 2000.

• Loran Technologies, Inc. (OTTAWA, ONTARIO) announced the Linux and Java-based Kinnetics Management Appliance has been named a finalist in the category of Network Management for the NetWorld+Interop Conference Best of Show Award.

• Netcom Systems (CALABASAS, Calif.) announced new SmartBits network and Internet test systems, the TeraMetrics systems. Every TeraMetrics module features full wire rate data plane testing, an on-board Linux/Pentium-based platform providing an open architecture for control plane and application layer testing.

• Showstar Online.com, Inc. (NEW YORK) and its partner Worldlingo.com have joined forces to create a web-based e-mail system that offers extensive multi-lingual translation abilities.

• Technauts Inc. (CARY, N.C.) announced eServer.group, the newest eServer technology, featuring application-level clustering and load balancing for mail and Web servers on a Linux platform.

• VideoPropulsion, Inc. (NEW ORLEANS) showed its Linux Broadcast Server with DVP-5464, Zapex Encoder at the National Cable and Television Association's (NCTA) Cable 2K show.

  Products with Linux Versions

• AMD (SUNNYVALE, Calif.) introduced the PCnet-PRO Fast Ethernet controller.

• Apogee Networks, Inc. (LAS VEGAS) announced the availability of NetCountant/SP, a Network IP Billing and Account Management Solution for Content, Application, and Network Service Providers.

• Basis Technology (CAMBRIDGE, Mass.) announced the release of its Chinese Morphological Analyzer (CMA), a segmentation engine for search and retrieval of Chinese text. Source code is available.

• Belkin Components (LOS ANGELES) announced the OmniView Universal Serial Bus (USB) KVM Switch (F1D104-USB).

• Belkin Components (COMPTON, Calif.) announced the OmniView 2-Port Dual Access KVM switch (F1D201).

• BoostWorks (LAS VEGAS) announced the BoostWeb Optimizer.

• Broadcom Corporation (LAS VEGAS) introduced its integrated Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) processor chip for broadband networks.

• Computone Corporation (ATLANTA) introduced its IntelliServer RAS 2000 "Out of Band" Console Management Solution.

• Ecrix Corporation (BOULDER, Colo.) announced the VXA RakPak, a rack-mountable tape subsystem.

• EndRun Technologies (SANTA ROSA, Calif.) announced the completion of the development phase of their Praecis family of time and frequency products. They expect production quantities of the products to be available in the late third quarter time frame.

• Entera, Inc. (FREMONT, Calif.) announced TeraEDGE, standards-based caching software. For a limited time starting on July 1, 2000, a Linux beta version of the TeraEDGE software will be available for free download from www.entera.com.

• Entera, Inc. (FREMONT, Calif.) announced TeraCAST Pro, the most recent addition to the TeraCAST Server Product Family.

• GraphOn Corporation (READING, UK and MORGAN HILL, Calif.) announced its Bridges web-enabling software has been named as a finalist for Remote Access Product of the Year in the Networking Industry Awards 2000.

• Hewlett-Packard Company (PALO ALTO, Calif.) announced a program to deliver complete HP NetServer systems solutions to Internet and Application Service Providers (ISPs and ASPs).

• Manage.Com (LAS VEGAS) announced FrontLine e.M version 2 software, which allows service providers to replicate managed services and deliver them simultaneously to a virtually unlimited number of eBusiness subscribers.

• Netcom Systems (CALABASAS, Calif.) announced ScriptCenter, a platform-independent scripting tool.

• Perceptronics, Inc. (WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.) announced that it has expanded the IC3D Framework product line to provide real-time, multi-user online collaborative interaction with animation media.

• PowerCerv Corporation (TAMPA, Fla.) announced it completed validation of its ERP Plus software suite and officially became a member of the IBM Netfinity ServerProven program.

• Rainfinity announced Rainfront which consolidates multiple layers of firewalls, load balancing traffic management devices and other dedicated point solutions into one highly scalable Internet front-end platform.

• Storagenow.com (IRVINE Calif.) announced new promotional pricing for the MAST 9500 LVD/Fibre channel RAID solutions through the end of June 2000.

• Strategic Concepts, Inc. (BENTONVILLE, Ark.) released version 4 of Strategy5, which incorporates multiple enhancements for trucking, brokerage and logistics companies.

• UniComp, Inc. (MARIETTA, Ga.) announced the availability of its UNIBOL400 Version 2.07. UNIBOL400 reengineers IBM AS/400 applications to run on other platforms.

  Java Products

• IBM (SOMERS, N.Y.) promises a Java Virtual Machine that supports Java Standard Edition version 1.3 in a Linux version, by June.

  Training

• LPI is extending the 102 exam discount until May 31, 2000.

• ProsoftTraining.com (DALLAS) and GTSlearning announced a partnership that will allow GTSlearning to provide Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) curriculum to GTS Partner companies throughout the world.

• RHCE2B.COM (O'Fallon, I.L.) unveiled the RHCE2B.COM web site, to help people learn about and study for the Red Hat Certified Engineer exam.

  Partnerships

• 3D Microcomputers Wholesale and Distribution (MARKHAM, ONTARIO) announced a strategic relationship with Newlix Corporation to distribute its Linux-based Newlix OfficeServer.

• Alpha Processor, Inc. (CONCORD, Mass.) announced separate collaborations with Object Computing, Inc. and Scientific Computing Associates to develop improved Alpha Linux products.

• Internet Appliance Inc. (FREMONT, Calif.) has been named a charter member of the Embedded Linux Consortium (ELC).

• Jabber.com, Inc. (DENVER) announced its participation in Lineo's Certified Embedix Partner program and that they have joined the Embedded Linux Consortium as a Corporate Executive member.

• LASAT Networks (COPENHAGEN, Denmark) entered into a three-way agreement with SONOFON and WM-data, under which LASAT's Linux-based Masquerade Internet Thin Server and SafePipe VPN Router products will be marketed by SONOFON and serviced by WM-data.

• Lineo, Inc. (LINDON, Utah) announced Lineo Partner Connect, a partnership program that tests and certifies third-party software applications on Embedix products.

• Pervasive Software Inc. (AUSTIN, Texas and OREM, Utah) and Caldera Systems, Inc. announced that Pervasive's Tango 2000 Application Server for Linux is bundled with Caldera's new OpenLinux eServer 2.3 server platform.

• Quadratec Software and Exabyte Corporation (RESTON, Va., and BOULDER, Colo.) announced a strategic alliance to provide Linux users with fully-certified, automated backup solutions.

• Rebel.com Inc. (OTTAWA, ONTARIO) announced an agreement in which Ingram Micro Canada will distribute Rebel.com's NetWinder OfficeServer product line.

• SolutionInc Limited and NeuroNet (HALIFAX, Canada & KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) formed a marketing partnership in which NeuroNet will act as a reseller for the SolutionIP Linux-based suite of server products.

• Tripp Lite (CHICAGO) announced its UPS line and PowerAlert UPS Management Software has been tested and certified by TurboLinux to install and run flawlessly using TurboLinux version 6.0 for both workstations and servers.

• TurboLinux, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO) announced that it has joined the Developer's Interface Guide (DIG64) Working Group.

• UserLand Software (BURLINGAME, Calif.) Ariba, Commerce One, Compaq Computer Corporation, Developmentor, Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM, IONA Technologies, Lotus Development Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, and SAP AG jointly proposed to the Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C) a new protocol called the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) that will allow new applications connecting graphic user interface desktop applications to Internet servers using the standards of the Internet, HTTP and XML.

  Investments and Acquisitions

• Silicon Motion, Inc. (SAN JOSE, Calif.) announced that it has closed a mezzanine round of private financing with GE Equity leading the round. The capital will be used for advanced research and development of LynxEM+, an integrated graphics subsystem designed for the Linux platform.

  Linux At Work

• Computalog Ltd. (CALGARY), a subsidiary of Precision Drilling Corporation, announced it is in the field testing stage of its new integrated data acquisition, processing and delivery system. An integral part of this system is the Wireline Communication System (WCS) which includes downhole tools transmitting data via high speed wire line telemetry to a Linux box on the surface.

• Insu Innovations Inc. (MONTREAL) is working with Pinkerton's of Canada Ltd. for the joint development and maintenance of Cyber-Surveillance Services. Insu will use Linux.

• The Franklin Institute Science Museum has chosen LinuxForce.net to provide a variety of computer services, according to this press release.

• SGI (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) announced that the National Foundation for Functional Brain Imaging (NFFBI) has invested in a 32-processor computer cluster based on the SGI 1400L server running the Linux operating system.

• VA Linux Systems, Inc. (SUNNYVALE, Calif.) announced that Promotions.com is powering its Web and application server infrastructure with over one hundred servers from VA Linux Systems.

  Other

• In a more-than-usually hyped press release, a company called "dLoo" announced that it's holding a party for the launch of its "BlueBox" product. BlueBox is apparently a package which enables the porting of Linux applications to Windows and MacOS systems.

• Open source company Eazel announced the company's appointment to the Red Herring's 'Ten to Watch.'

• Extended Systems (BOISE, Idaho) announced that CMP Media Inc. selected its ExtendNet 4000 as Best Network Appliance. The ExtendNet 4000 comes with Red Hat Linux.

• Gartner's Dataquest (REDWOOD SHORES, Calif.) reported that Oracle is the No. 1 vendor of database software, and of the 500,000+ copies of Oracle8i downloaded, 200,000 have been for the Linux operating system.

• Lutris Technologies, Inc. (Santa Cruz, Calif.) announced the opening of a new office in Watford, England, and added new board members and executive staff. "'The Open Source movement presents a unique opportunity for software companies and their customers to completely change the way they do business,' said [new VP] Mr. Kouvelas. 'Lutris has developed a sound strategy based on a belief that Open Source is a superior way to develop software and I'm excited to be a part of its execution.'"

• LynuxWorks, Inc. (SAN JOSE, Calif.) announced a name change. The company was formerly Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc.

• MontaVista Software Inc. (SUNNYVALE, Calif.) announced the inauguration of the company's European headquarters in Paris, France.

• Rackspace.com (SAN ANTONIO) announced the opening of its office in Hong Kong.

• Red Hat, Inc. (RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.) announced its recognition as one of the Top 50 Public Companies in the Red Herring 100, an annual profile of leading public and private companies.

• Sm@rt Reseller announced it will change its name to Sm@rt Partner on June 5.

Section Editor: Rebecca Sobol.

Next: Linux in the news