See also: last week's Commerce page.

Linux and Business

Red Hat second quarter results. Red Hat has announced its second-quarter results (fiscal 2001). Revenue was $18.5 million, up from $10.5 million a year ago. The adjusted net loss was reported to be $1.9 million, compared to an adjusted net loss of $4.3 million at this time last year. The company seems well on its way to becoming profitable sometime in 2001.

In other news, Red Hat and NetSilicon have announced a partnership to deliver products and services oriented toward Internet appliance systems. The first product is "NET+Lx," an Internet appliance development platform, running a version of uClinux which was ported by Red Hat to NetSilicon's NET+ARM(TM) processor.

Intel delivers an open source language research platform. Intel has announced the release of its "Open Runtime Platform" under an open source license. The ORP is an optimized Java runtime environment, which initially interoperates with GNU Classpath. GNU Classpath is an open source library for Java. The basic system incorporates a fast code generating Just-In-Time compiler (JIT) as well as an optimizing JIT. It also includes several Garbage Collection (GC) algorithms, ranging from a simple mark-sweep algorithm to an advanced train algorithm.

MontaVista joins Intel ACPP. The Intel Applied Computing Platform Provider (ACPP) program consists of third-party board and software vendors who meet Intel's strict criteria for quality assurance, design capability, tools, support and in the case of the hardware vendors, manufacturing capacity.

MontaVista Software has announced that it has joined Intel's "Applied Computer Program Provider" program. Intel, too, has issued a press release on this event.

RadiSys and LynuxWorks to develop high-availability Linux system. RadiSys and LynuxWorks have announced their intent to create a new, high-availability Linux system targeted for telecom and embedded system applications which require "five-nines" or better availability.

RadiSys and LynuxWorks are both active members of the ACPP as well as charter members of the High Availability on Intel Architecture Forum sponsored by Intel Corporation.

Recent Surveys. VA Linux Systems has issued a press release on the latest IDC results, which show VA in the number two position for Linux server shipments in the U.S. and third worldwide.

A company called Evans Data has announced the results of a new survey: evidently they found a large increase (50% in 6 months) in the number of developers who are working on Linux wireless applications.

InterVideo launches Linux DVD player. InterVideo has announced the availability of a Linux-based software DVD player "with integrated CSS copy protection."

Yggdrasil ships Linux DVD9-ROM. Yggdrasil has announced the availability of what it claims is the first Linux DVD9-ROM. The DVD9-ROM format allows them to put 8GB worth of Linux stuff (from Metalab and ftp.gnu.org) onto a single disk.

MandrakeSoft issues response to Bill Gates. MandrakeSoft has issued a response to recent comments by Bill Gates about Linux. "What Mr. Gates calls 'hype' is actually a worldwide, grass-roots, fundamental change in how computing is performed."

It's fragtime for the Dust Puppy. UserFriendly.org is sponsoring the Loki Software Quake III Arena Contest. Contestants will create and modify "skins" and levels based on the cast of characters from the UserFriendly.org episodic comic strip for use with Quake III Arena.

Lineo provides services for Embedded OEMs. Lineo has announced that its Professional Services Group will be expanding into providing services for embedded Linux original equipment manufacturers.

Press Releases:

Commercial Products for Linux

• eSoftBank.com Inc. (SHENZHEN, China) announced the launch of one of its newly conceived products: Strategy E*Linux, including Linux Configuration Center (Linux CC) and Powermail.

• Solsoft, Inc. (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) announced Solsoft NP-Lite 4.0, its security management solution, now available for free download.

• Linux NetworX, Inc. introduced its RapidFlow line of switches, which are fully managed, wire-speed, non-blocking, stackable Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet switches that are incorporated into every Linux NetworX cluster system.

• Linux NetworX has also announced the availability of its Evolocity 1240s cluster, which is oriented toward high availability web serving applications.

• Motorola Computer Group (TEMPE, Ariz.) announced a plan to expand its Advanced High Availability Software offerings, providing "out-of-the-box" software solutions that support the high-availability (HA) features and functions of Motorola's carrier-grade, Intel and PowerPC processor-based platforms. HA Linux is scheduled for March 2001, with other platforms to follow.

• SGI (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) announced that it will soon release the source code for its SGI digital media software development kit (dmSDK) for the Linux operating environment.

Products Using Linux

• Axis Communications (CHELMSFORD, Mass.) introduced the AXIS 2120 Network Camera, the intelligent tool for remote monitoring and web attraction based on live video.

• Check Point Software Technologies (REDWOOD CITY, Calif.) announced the VPN-1/FireWall-1 SmallOffice software. The Intrusion.com SecureCom PDS 2100 is an Ethernet-connectable security appliance that comes pre-installed with Check Point's VPN-1/FireWall-1 SmallOffice software running on a hardened version of Red Hat's Linux.

• DevelopOnline (TEMPE, Ariz.) will soon launch a website DevelopOnline.com, a collaborative, online development center for programmers, innovators and engineers to design new products or improve upon existing products over the Web. The site is built on Linux and several embedded Linux companies (such as Lineo, MontaVista and Red Hat) are collaborating.

• Intershop Communications, Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO) announced that Intel has incorporated its e-commerce hosting software into the Intel NetStructure Storefront Appliances, which operate on RedHat Linux 6.2.

• V-ONE Corporation (GERMANTOWN, Md.) released the latest version of its SmartGuard Security Appliance, which now includes Secure Multiple Unit Management over the Internet and IPSec for Site-to-Site using IKE. SmartGuard is a pre-configured appliance, which uses a security hardened Linux operating system joined with Intel's high-speed computing platform.

Products with Linux Versions

• American Megatrends Inc. (ATLANTA) announced the addition of AMIEnterprise64 Firmware, a 64-bit server firmware solution, to its line of products.

• Dell (ROUND ROCK, Texas) is now offering its Dell PowerEdge 1400 server at prices starting under $1,700. These can be ordered with Red Hat Linux 6.2 factory installed.

• InfoValue Computing, Inc. (BOSTON) introduced the QuickVideo Carrier Suite for DSL, a video streaming software solution for video-on-demand, video multicast, and video distributed caching services over a DSL network.

• Kasenna, Inc. (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) announced that its Kasenna MediaBase software is available for shipment on multiple platforms, including Linux.

• Microware Systems Corporation (DES MOINES, Iowa) offered the Microcode Solutions Library for the Intel IXP1200 network processor.

• Multi-User Solutions (ATLANTA) introduced Call Status, a new service which allows its customers access to their account information via the Internet.

• Sanctum, Inc. (SANTA CLARA, Calif.) introduced AppScan 1.5, the latest version of the company's web application audit tool, which now features SSL encryption support.

• TASKING (DEDHAM, Mass.) announced its latest release of the C166 Tool Suite V7.0, introducing a higher-performance EDE, complete with enhanced error checking for SAFER C and a faster, more efficient C/C++ compiler.

• Trilogic Systems (BOSTON) has a CompactPCI Communications Platform, a rack mount CompactPCI development platform which can be ordered with Red Hat Linux.

• Wicom Communications (ESPOO, Finland) announced a software version of its Wicom Enterprise/Wicom CSS (Communication Service Solution) that uses Brooktrout Technology's TRxStream Series TR2001 IP Telephony platform.

• Wright Technologies (TORONTO, ONTARIO) announced that they are porting Wright's next generation visual communication software to Intel's new IA-64 processor platform.

• Young Minds, Inc. (REDLANDS, Calif.) announced that it is shipping PowerDVD Studio, an automated DVD-Recording system.

• Zero G (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) announced the immediate availability of version 3.5 of the InstallAnywhere product line.

Java Products

• Continuus Software Corp. (IRVINE, Calif.) announced the release of ChangeSynergy 3.5, an automated and integrated Java-based change request management system.

Books and Training

• AbriaSoft (FREMONT, CA) announced its release of the Abria MySQL Admin Training CD-ROM, its first in a series of MySQL education products. AbriaSoft commercially distributes MySQL into a boxed package for online database solutions.

• ArsDigita Corporation (CAMBRIDGE, Mass.) announced that the open-source ArsDigita Community System (ACS) suite of e-business applications powers the online community for iDevelop2000, Oracle's two-day event which provides hands-on training on the Oracle Internet Platform, including Oracle8i.

• Digital Creations and Kaivo (DENVER) announced that Kaivo will be developing and delivering Zope training worldwide.

• eWEEK (MEDFORD, Mass.) announced eSEMINARS, an online and interactive seminar series. "Realistic Options for Deploying Linux in the Enterprise" on Oct. 27 will probably be of most interest to LWN readers.

• No Starch Press has announced (finally) the availability of its new book: Linux Music & Sound by Dave Phillips. "Phillips covers general Linux audio set-up, describes basic and advanced use of the system, and profiles and evaluates the broad range of Linux sound and music applications."

• Novell Users International (OREM, Utah) continues their North American Hands On Technical (HOT) Labs tour. There's a lab on NDS for Linux with Caldera's e-Server and Novell's eDirectory.

Partnerships

• 3Dlabs, Inc. (SUNNYVALE, Calif.) announced that it has become a permanent member of the OpenGL Architecture Review Board (ARB).

• Dialtone Internet, Inc. (FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla.) announced that effective immediately, its "Wholesale 4 Success" program partners will be able to add the Cobalt RaQ server line to their product offerings. At this time, this offer includes the Cobalt RaQ 3 and the Cobalt RaQ 4i, with Chili!soft ASP technology.

• GraphOn Corporation (MORGAN HILL, Calif.) announced that TIDAL Software Inc. will sell a packaged, GraphOn-branded version of Bridges.

• IBM (SOMERS, N.Y. & BELLEVUE, Wash.) announced an expanded agreement with Chili!Soft, Inc., a subsidiary of Cobalt Networks, Inc., to deliver complete web hosting solutions to the UNIX/Linux environment.

• Macadamian Technologies Inc. (OTTAWA, ON) announced that the Syndeo Collaboration Suite 2.1 is now IBM Netfinity ServerProven, and now fully supports IBM's WebSphere Application Server and DB2 Universal Database on the RS/6000 platform.

• VeriSign, Inc. (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) has announced three separate deals to integrate VeriSign's website digital certificates into other products. This one with CyberIQ Systems to integrate them into CyberIQ's HyperCommerce system. This one with Nuron LLC, and Penguin Computing Inc. to integrate into Penguin Computing's Linux-based servers with Nuron's adaptive computing boards (AcB) and this one with Covalent Technologies, Inc. to integrate them with Covalent's Apache server products.

• Web.de and Tucows Inc. (Karlsruhe, Germany and NEW YORK) announced a content syndication agreement that will bring co-branded, localized versions of the Tucows software libraries to German users.

Investments and Acquisitions

• IBM (WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.) announced that it will aggressively expand the company's Web Integrator Initiative to Europe's major Web Consulting firms by year-end. IBM plans to invest up to $65 million over the next 18 months.

• Sun Microsystems, Inc. (PALO ALTO, Calif.) and Cobalt Networks, Inc. announced that Sun will acquire Cobalt in a stock-for-stock merger.

Financial Results

• Netgem (PARIS) reported revenues of 43 million euros.

Personnel

• e-smith, inc. (BOSTON) announced the appointment of Ross Laver as Director of Online Community Development. In this new role, Laver is responsible for developing content that creates value for e-smith's three principal online communities: customers, systems integrators, and open-source software developers.

Linux At Work

• DashCenter, Inc. (CLARKSVILLE, Md.) announced that it has selected network-attached storage (NAS) appliances from VA Linux Systems, Inc. as the basis for DashCenter's new storage-for-rent offering.

• HostNYC, Inc. (NEW YORK) announced the integration and launch of new Linux-powered hosting platforms featuring the Cobalt RaQ 4.

• Olivesystems, Inc. (FREMONT, Calif.) is delivering a complete end-to-end Operations Support System (OSS) to Koyote Communications, Inc., in Commerce, TX. This specific implementation of RAPID7, running on Linux, includes RAPID7 Billing Engine, RAPID7 Order Management & Care, RAPID7 Partner Gateways to Southwestern Bell and GTE, and RAPID7 Hardware Gateway to CopperCom/DTI. RAPID7 is 100% based on open, proven foundations, such as Java/J2EE, Oracle, XML. All applications are built in-house by Olivesystems.

• TurboLinux, Inc. announced that China's largest sports Web site, Shawei.com, hosts the Sydney 2000 Olympics webcast and all of its other content on a high availability Internet site built around TurboLinux clustering, caching, and load balancing software solutions powered by an Oracle database on Compaq Proliant servers.

Other

• Akopia Inc. (RESTON, Va.) welcomes the recommendations of a report into open source software published yesterday by the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC).

• Penguin Computing Inc. wants us to know that they are a platinum sponsor of the Linux Business Expo in Atlanta.

• Stalker Software (MILL VALLEY, Calif.) and VA Linux Systems, Inc. announced that Stalker Software's CommuniGate Pro was awarded first place in Network Computing magazine's recent "RFP: No-Fail Email" challenge, based on the email solution that Stalker submitted on a VA Linux 2200 2U server.

• Synopsys, Inc. (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) announced that its Verilog Compiled Simulation (VCS) tool has enabled AMD to achieve a major milestone in regression throughput. This performance was attained by running Synopsys' VCS Verilog simulator on a Linux-based server farm using the new AMD Athlon processors.

• Topica Inc. (SAN FRANCISCO) announced the launch of Topica Direct, an email newsletter delivery solution for businesses. IBM developerWorks has signed an agreement with Topica, for a newsletter which will provide information on Java, Linux, XML, Open Source, Startup and other web technologies.

Section Editor: Rebecca Sobol.

Next: Linux in the news