LWN: 2001 Linux timeline

February, 2001

Security problems in BIND demonstrate how dangerous it is to have the entire net dependent on a single software package. Alternatives to BIND are still scarce, however.

One reason free software is able to flourish is that most hackers are able to earn their livelihood relatively easily, with enough leisure time to hack for the public good.... Free software is built on the reality that programmers are an elite class of worker, both indispensable and relatively rare. The hacker ethic, then, is a luxury.
-- Andrew Leonard, Salon.

Ximian bought sponsored links on KDE searches on Google, leading to a substantial outcry. The links were withdrawn.

SuSE lays off most of its U.S. staff in a cost cutting move.

Lineo acquires Embedded Power Corporation (announcement). [HP]

HP adopts Ximian GNOME as the standard HP-UX desktop (announcement).

Brian Paul wins the Free Software Foundation Award for his work with the Mesa 3D library.

The RTLinux patent license is issued, stating the terms under which one may use real time Linux technology (license text).
It's been an era of belt-tightening as the evaporation of Linux hype forces Linux companies to adopt more down-to-earth plans for capitalizing from the software's popularity.
-- News.com.

SSH Communications asserts that "ssh" is a trademark, and that projects like OpenSSH should cease to use it.
We, therefore, the representatives of Free Software Developers, in FreeDevelopers.net assembled, do, in the name of Developers of GPL Software everywhere, solemnly publish and declare, that Free Software Developers of the world are, and of right ought to be, Independent Software Developers; and that all commercial connection between them and the projects of Proprietary Software is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent Developers, FreeDevelopers.net has full power to levy Philosophical War over the software development paradigm, develop Free and Independent GPL Software, contract commercial alliances, establish e-commerce and communications, and to do all other acts and things which Independent Software Developers may of right do to protect themselves and citizens everywhere from software predation and monopolization.
-- FreeDevelopers.net declares independence.

Computer Science (and economics) pioneer Herbert Simon dies.

Turbolinux lays off a third of its staff.

Microsoft's Jim Allchin says that free software is 'un-American'. Millions of free software users worldwide remain unconcerned.

The O'Reilly Peer-to-Peer conference is held; software freedom issues permeate the event.
After the 9th Circuit Court decision, I feel that the only way to deal with law in cyberspace is to ignore it, wildly, flagrantly. I want everyone in this room to consider themselves a revolutionary and go out and develop whatever you damn well please.
-- John Perry Barlow, at the P2P conference

Phil Zimmermann leaves NAI in response to the company's decision to close the PGP source code.

The first Open Media System release from LiViD is announced. DVDs can finally be watched on Linux systems. The project later goes dormant, surpassed by other free DVD players.

VA Linux loses even more money than expected, and states that things will not get better anytime soon. A 25% layoff is announced. Eric Raymond tells us not to panic.

Maximum Linux magazine shuts down.

Turbolinux states its plan to cancel its IPO, and announces a "definitive agreement" for the acquisition of Linuxcare.
So this number is,
once again, the player key:
(trade secret haiku?)

"Eighty-one; and then
one hundred three -- two times; then
two hundred (less three);

two hundred twenty
four; and last (of course not least)
the humble zero."

-- DeCSS haiku

KDE 2.1 is released (announcement).

The Ogg Vorbis libraries are changed to the BSD license and even Richard Stallman agrees.

Red Hat acquires Planning Technologies (announcement).

[ebiz] EBIZ Enterprises announces an almost $5 million loss (press release). "We are very secure with the rising and continued future of EBIZ and its significant role in the future of new generation solutions. Most importantly, for our shareholders and our customers, our expectation is that EBIZ will become cash flow positive by year-end June 30, 2001"

The first Free Software and Open Source Developers Meeting is held in Brussels (web site).

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