See also: last week's Commerce page.

Linux and Business

CompTIA, LPI and SAIR collaborate on Linux+ certification . It was interesting to find both LPI and SAIR Linux, current competitors in the Linux certification arena, in the same press release. In this case, CompTIA, a not-for-profit trade association, has chosen to work with both of them to develop Linux+, a vendor-neutral Linux certification, to join its other certification programs. "Partnering with the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) and Sair, CompTIA will bring Caldera and other major industry vendors and customers together to create a globally accepted benchmark certification for Linux."

Open Source Projects. This week we saw several announcements pertaining to Open Source projects. There was Sun's announcement about releasing StarOffice under the GPL (see this week's front page).

LinuxDevices reported that Scyld Computing released a Linux driver for the CATC NetMate USB-to-Ethernet Link under the GPL.

10 weeks after the Jabber instant messaging system was released under the GPL, Jabber.com announced that over 5,000 Jabber servers have been installed.

Lutris Technologies has announced enterprise support for the Enhydra Java/XML applications server. Enhydra is an Open Source project. Lutris also sells Enhydra Professional 3.0.

The Free Standards Group released second test suite. A second test suite of the LSB test program has been announced by the Free Standards Group: LSB-VSX 1.0-1. "The LSB-VSX test suite is a version of The Open Group's VSX-PCTS, being used as part of the Linux Standard Base test program. This version of the VSX-PCTS has been setup to autoconfigure on Linux systems. A front end script install_wrapper.sh is used to auto install, setup and run the test suite."

Network Appliance Announces NFSv4 Grant. Network Appliance has announced the awarding of an (unspecified) grant to the University of Michigan to support the development of version 4 Network File System code for Linux.

TurboLinux releases EnFuzion clustering system. TurboLinux has announced the release of "EnFuzion", its new clustering system. Among other things, it claims to run most applications without modification, which would be a big improvement over standard Beowulf clusters. The price tag is $5000; more information on TurboLinux's EnFuzion page.

IDC on the client OS market. IDC has issued a pronouncement on the future of the client (desktop) operating system market; they think that Microsoft will continue to dominate there. "IDC believes Linux will continue to make inroads into the market, but not enough to alter the market segmentation significantly. COE revenues generated from Linux and other Open Source environments will increase from $36.9 million in 1999 to $93.3 million in 2004."

Press Releases:

Open Source Products.
Unless specified, license is unverified.

• Akopia Inc. (RESTON, Va.) announced that it has released a developers preview of the Akopia Interchange e-commerce platform.

• Invisible Worlds, Inc. (MONTEREY, Calif.) announced the launch of BXXP.org, a community web site for developers.

• OpenAvenue (SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.) announced the release of the Second Edition of OAsis(TM) (OpenAvenue Source Infrastructure System). OAsis is a collaborative development infrastructure delivered via the Web, using an "open-source process".

• OpenSourceCRM.org (SAN DIEGO) announced that its outbound email campaign system, KeyFactor, now supports hosting its datamart on PostGreSQL, the open source object-relational data base.

Commercial Products for Linux.

• Chilliware, Inc. (LOS ANGELES) announced five products designed to support the growing base of Linux users. The Mohawk Server Configurator is based on the Apache Server Application for Linux. The Nexxus Contact Manager enables the user, at home or office, to open the contact desktop and work from any application. There's also Sculptor Desktop Publisher, Xtreme Ice Operating System (a Linux distribution), and Mentor Developer's Tools.

• IDEAS International Pty Limited. (SYDNEY, Australia) researched a major new section for CPService that compares the Linux Support Services offerings for a broad spectrum of companies.

• PC-Doctor (EMERYVILLE, Calif.) announced PC-Doctor for Linux, a Linux-based hardware diagnostic tool supporting most CPUs including IA32, IA64, and RISC.

• Samco Software Inc. unveiled back-2-basics (b2b) the newest member of the Samco product family, designed to meet the basic sales and accounting needs of the small retailer using a Linux server based system.

Products Using Linux.

• InsynQ (TACOMA, Wash.) announced the availability of its Linux-based InterLynQ Internet Appliance Server for commercial distribution in conjunction with its Web-based computing services.

• LinuxWizardry Systems, Inc. (BOCA RATON, Fla.) announced Magic Passage, a new Virtual Private Network (VPN) Internet Appliance which uses the Apprentice Command Center interface to configure secure access through the Internet.

• Macmillan (INDIANAPOLIS) announced Windows 7.1, the latest update to their Linux for Windows product is currently available in stores.

• NetZero (WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.), a provider of advertising and commerce-supported Internet access, today that it will be packaged with the New Internet Computer, or NIC. The NIC uses NetZero's Linux-based Z3 software.

• Portal PC is a "bare bones" computer with Linux.

• Rebel.com has announced the release of NetWinder OfficeServer 2.0, which includes a new virtual private network (VPN) capability.

• Shuffle Master, Inc. (LAS VEGAS) announced that its newest video slot machine game, Press Your Luck, has been recommended for approval by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The game runs on a PC board using the Company's internally developed, Linux-based, slot machine operating system.

• VA Linux Systems, Inc. (SUNNYVALE, Calif.) announced the availability of the VA Linux 9008 2U (3.5") storage enclosure system.

Products with Linux Versions.

• Chemical Computing Group Inc. (CCG) (MONTREAL) announced that CCG's Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) has been ported to all HP platforms, including Linux workstations.

• Cobalt Networks, Inc. introduced the RaQ 4r, the fourth generation of the RaQ. The RaQ 4r offers a full suite of Internet and application services.

• DALiM Software will soon launch the Linux version of three of their products. TWiST is a workflow automation and management application and LiTHO is a prepress interactive software package. These will have PDF 1.3 and PDF/X support. SWiNG is its new Linux-based Plug-and-Play workflow solution.

• face2face (SUMMIT, N.J.), a Lucent Technologies Venture, announced that alterEGO is now available for immediate download on a limited introductory basis. The company's software is designed for the automated lip synchronization and facial animation of characters within television and film production, electronic game and advanced Internet animation applications.

• JNI Corporation and Brocade Communications, Inc. (SAN DIEGO and SAN JOSE, Calif.) will collaborate on product development, service and support, and marketing and sales initiatives to advance the adoption of open Storage Area Networks (SANs) in enterprise environments.

• Kaydara (MONTREAL, Quebec) announced that it has completed the port of FiLMBOX, its real-time character animation system, to Red Hat Linux V6.2.

• The PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG) (WAKEFIELD, Mass.) released its first software-focused specification, the CompactPCI(R) Hot Swap Infrastructure Interface Specification, denoted PICMG 2.12.

• Plesk (CHANTILLY, Va.) announced its release of Plesk Server Administrator 1.3 (PSA) software, a web-based server management tool for UNIX- and Linux- based servers.

• Tech Soft America (TSA) (ALAMEDA, Calif.) announced release 2.0 of the free ParaHOOPS 3D Part Viewer.

• Tracer Technologies, Inc. (BURLINGAME, Calif.) and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. announced that Tracer's Magna software for DVD-RAM stand-alone drives and MagnaVault software for DVD jukeboxes will support the forthcoming release of Panasonic's second-generation rewritable DVD drives.

Java Products.

• ErgoTech Systems, Inc. (LOS ALAMOS, N.M.) announced the release of its Java OPC (OLE for Process Control) Gateway.

• File Rogue is a new, free Distributed File Sharing Application.

Books.

• No Starch Press announced THE LINUX PROBLEM SOLVER by Brian Ward.

• O'Reilly announced that the Computer Press Association (CPA) has awarded top honors to "PalmPilot: The Ultimate Guide, 2nd Edition", by David Pogue, and "The Cathedral and the Bazaar: Musings on Linux and Open Source by an Accidental Revolutionary", by Eric S. Raymond.

• O'Reilly & Associates announced the release of "CGI Programming with Perl" by Scott Guelich, Shishir Gundavaram, and Gunther Birznieks.

• O'Reilly & Associates announced Safari: O'Reilly Books Online, a "knowledge interface" that provides search and navigation across O'Reilly titles.

• Sair, Inc. (OXFORD, Miss.) announced that global publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc. will publish a second series of test preparation guides for the Sair Linux and GNU Certification program.

Partnerships.

• Axis Communications (LUND, Sweden) announced that it has become an Associate Member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Axis released an open source Bluetooth driver for Linux, under the GPL (Gnu Public License).

• Caldera Systems Inc. and Tarantella Inc. (OREM, Utah & SANTA CRUZ, Calif.) announced the first bundling of Tarantella Web-enabling software with the Caldera OpenLinux Application Server.

• Crossport Systems (BELLEVUE, Wash.) and Lineo, Inc. announced a strategic partnership based on the Crossport Systems broadband security software and the Lineo NETtel family of VPN Internet routers. The resulting solutions will provide a simple, secure method of accessing the Internet over DSL and cable modem connections.

• Enlighten Software Solutions, Inc. (SAN MATEO, Calif.) announced an alliance with TeamLinux Corporation. The partnership features the integration of Enlighten's EnlightenDSM with the TeamLinux strategic suite of professional services.

• RSA Security Inc. (BEDFORD, Mass.) announced that Covalent Technologies, Inc., a provider of Apache Web server e-commerce solutions, has licensed RSA BSAFE(R) SSL-C software for inclusion in its Raven SSL security module for the open-source Apache Web server platform.

• SuSE Linux (NUREMBERG, GERMANY) announced it is expanding its Business Partner Program, offering worldwide co-marketing and support programs specifically targeting resellers and ISVs.

• VMware, Inc. (PALO ALTO, Calif.) announced that Wind River Systems, Inc. has deployed VMware software to its development teams worldwide, to facilitate the port of the Tornado development environment to Linux.

• Web Force Unlimited (HONG KONG, CHINA) announced an alliance with Linuxcare to provide consultancy services for Linix and other open source software.

Mergers and Acquisitions.

• Cobalt Networks, Inc. (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Progressive Systems, Inc., a privately held company that makes Linux-based network firewall solutions and appliances.

• Net2Phone Inc. (HACKENSACK, N.J.) announced that it has acquired Aplio, S.A., which uses embedded Linux as its technology platform.

• Omnis Technology Corporation (SAN CARLOS, Calif.) announced a preliminary agreement to merge with Irvine, Calif.-based PICK Systems, Inc., a private company and the owner of the PICK multi-dimensional database technology.

• PICK Systems, Inc. (IRVINE, Calif.) put out their own press release on the merger with Omnis.

Financial Results.

• Netgem (NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE) announced second quarter 2000 revenues of EU 24.4 million, a progression of 30.5% compared to first quarter revenues of EU 18.7 million. Netgem's technology operates on a Linux-based open software platform and a thin-client access device.

Personnel.

• "Linux Evangelist" Dave McAllister joins 3ware, Inc.

• Sair Linux, Inc. (MONTEREY, Calif.) introduced its newest Advisory Board members and charged the group with the responsibility of leading the continued growth of its training and certification program.

• Splash Technology, supplier of Linux-based color print servers, announced that [Red Hat CFO] Harold Covert has been appointed to the Company's board of directors.

Linux/Open Source At Work.

• Etnus (FRAMINGHAM, Mass.) announced the use of the TotalView Parallel Debugger by the Ohio state-wide network of computers, sponsored by OSC (Ohio Supercomputer Center). OSC had been a beta test site for TotalView 4.0 on Linux. After seeing the capabilities of the debugger and having received numerous requests for its use, they purchased TotalView for their state-wide network.

• OpenSales, purveyors of leading open source e-commerce applications, announced their gain of a contract with Nutripeak, Inc., to integrate their fulfillment, physical storefront and e-commerce offerings. "'We chose OpenSales because of the vendor's ability to implement a complete solution at a fraction of the cost and time of proprietary offerings," said Barry D. Blake, CEO of Nutripeak, Inc. "Plus, the open source approach allowed us to freely evaluate the OpenSales AllCommerce source code before we made our decision, something that Oracle and other vendors were unable to offer'".

• TurboLinux, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO) announced that the MIT Sloan School of Management's annual Sloan Challenge business contest is powered by TurboLinux on IBM Netfinity hardware.

• TurboLinux Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO) announced that J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated has deployed TurboLinux's EnFuzion software to help power the firm's worldwide risk management system for fixed income derivatives.

Other.

• CUseeMe Networks (NASHUA, N.H.) has been awarded an Innovation award from TMC labs, publisher of Internet Telephony magazine. "TMC recognized CUseeMe Networks' suite of technologies for voice and visual communications, with special attention to its MeetingPoint server software and its CUseeMe World Web site. As stated by TMC's editor's, 'MeetingPoint's large feature set is commendable, and it works with virtually any conferencing system. MeetingPoint's use of the Linux operating system makes the product that much more impressive. It is this type of ingenuity that is required in this industry, and we award CUseeMe Networks for that reason.'"

• ITsquare.com is an online B2B resource for custom software development solutions by providing clients with the means to connect and work with qualified software development firms (vendors) worldwide and offers more specialized software development in the following areas: Linux, Embedded, and Globalization software development.

• SuSE Linux is extending its support services 24/7 x 365.

Section Editor: Rebecca Sobol.

Next: Linux in the news