The Register: IBM rolls out unified Linux strategy Posted January 12, 2000 by linux-2000 staff
By: Graham Lea

IBM is increasing its bet on Linux by adopting software's counter-culture as a primary operating system for the Internet. This turns a series of initiatives within IBM into a strategic, company-wide embrace.

The reason appears to be to make IBM big iron more attractive for running networks, and to provide some tougher competition for Sun. IBM has Linux for the RS/6000 and S/390, as well as Netfinity, and is evaluating whether its NUMA-Q servers will run Linux. Despite IBM's avowed seriousness about supporting NT, few thought that this was more than a commercial decision to give customers what they wanted, rather
than an expression of IBM's whole-hearted admiration for Windows.

In making the announcement, Sam Palmisano, senior VP of IBM's enterprise group, made it clear that IBM intends to work closely with the Linux community as well as to make its own technology available to the Linux and open software communities, stressing it is not confining its efforts to Linux, but to open source software generally. The collaborations with Caldera, Red Hat, SuSE and TurboLinux will continue. To this end, Irving Wladawsky-Berger is heading a new IBM unit within the enterprise group. IBM says it is not abandoning its AIX efforts or Project Monterey, but believes that the markets are different. IBM hastens to point out that although Linux is open and free, "open source does not mean free. IBM will continue to deliver its value-added middleware as priced packages." ®

Source Forge: Repository for Open Source Projects Posted January 11, 2000 by linux-2000 staff

VA Linux, fresh from a record-setting IPO, has officially launched its Source Forge Web site. They've built an infrastructure where software authors can cache their source code, run discussions, track bugs, and collaborate on projects. It's all free, supported by ads, and at last count hosts over 900 projects and 4800 members. Some of the more popular projects hosted here include Licq, an ICQ clone written fully in C++, the Unreal Tournament open-source project to port the game to Linux, and RipperX, a program to rip CD audio and encode MP3s. While many of the projects here are Linux specific, the site is not restricted to Linux code and serves as a good resource for anybody who needs a collaborative home for their pet programming project. http://sourceforge.com/

silicon.com: IBM reveals large-scale Linux push Posted January 10, 2000 by linux-2000 staff

IBM has announced its intention to integrate all of its hardware products with the Linux open source software platform.

Linux will become the common operating system on the S/390, AS/400, RS/6000 and Netfinity servers.

According to Tony Occleshaw, a manager within IBM's European software business, the company is looking to open platforms to tap a wider development community. "Not many people develop for OS/390," he commented.

The move makes IBM one of the first companies to make this scale of commitment to Linux. And it's a commitment beyond the actual capabilities of Linux, according to Kirsten Ludvigsen, EC director at IDC.

"It gives Linux access to more computing power than it has access to at present," she said, adding that it will be another one and a half years until Linux is truly useful at the mainframe level. At the moment, the OS is in use mainly on PCs.

"Linux does extremely well in Web servicing, and print and mail servers," Ludvigsen commented, but said Linux currently does not pose a direct threat to IBM's own brand of Unix, AIX. Complete story

currents.net: Free Linux E-Commerce Pkg Posted January 10, 2000 by linux-2000 staff
By Edmond Chow, ITdaily

Hong Kong Linux applications developer Web Force Unlimited http://www.webforce.com.hk announced the rollout of its free Linux-based e-commerce system for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Partnering with local e-commerce developer TradeCity.com http://www.tradecity.com and Hewlett Packard Hong Kong http://www.hp.com.hk , Web Force aims to provide SMEs with free packages to help them develop and launch their own Web stores by themselves.

This DIY software integrates Web Force's iTLink Internet communication server as the Linux operating platform and distribution channel, HP's LPr high-density powerhouse server and TradeCity.com's e-commerce software suite, StoreMaker.

Web Force also offers a free Web hosting service, iTHome.

Charles Choy, the marketing manager for Web Force Unlimited said the investment on the purchase of servers amounted to US$1 million. The firm has set itself a target of 100,000 SMEs registered for the service.

Web Force Unlimited is a member of the Business Incubation Program at the Hong Kong Industrial Technology Centre (Tech Centre) http://www.techcentre.org .

theregister: Intel-AMD speed war megahurts too much Posted January 09, 2000 by linux-2000 staff
By: Mike Magee

x.86 companies AMD and Intel will play hop,skip and jump for the whole of this year, with the object of desire apparently to have the highest clock speed emblazoned on their, and their customers' products.

But there is a danger that if you don't work for Intel and AMD, you're likely to be deluded not only by the "my chip is faster than yours" claims, column inches in the press, and the patriotic fervour of some folk who seem to think microprocessor companies are soccer teams.

Most of the obfuscation has actually been caused by the microprocessor companies themselves, keen to persuade consumers that 800MHz is intrinsically a "better thing" than 750MHz.

Some people docare...witness the plethora of overclocking sites on the WWW, and the lengths people will go to get that extra bit of speed out of their machines. The "gaming nutters" as one distributor who will remain unnamed in this piece, dubs them, will always go for the 800MHz and the 900MHz and the 1GHz chip when it arrives, as well as overclocking the hell out of them.

But when Intel introduced its infamous Inside campaign back in 1991, many in the industry -- not least firms like Compaq -- felt that persuading the world they had to have a Chipzilla processor inside the box was, shall we say, somewhat unnecessary. Intel's very cunning plan, which is still running, was to help persuade to not only use its
microprocessors, but in return give them a bit of marketing dosh for displaying the Chipzilla logo on the adverts and on the outside of the machines. Some, perhaps with justice, felt this was a little bit like a hidden Intel tax... Complete story

WideOpen.com: TurboLinux Outsells Windows in China Posted January 09, 2000 by linux-2000 staff
By: John Lettice

As Microsoft sniffily denies suggestions that the Chinese government is poised to ban Windows 2000, TurboLinux has opportunistically leapt into the fray by claiming it's been outselling Windows in China for the past four months.

The good news: TurboLinux is basing its claims on what seems to be a pretty substantial data set. The bad news: as piracy in China is estimated as being up around the 90 per cent level, what you sell there doesn't necessarily make a dent on the actual installed base.

TurboLinux's numbers come from what it claims to be the largest retail software chain in China, 256 outlet Federal Software Store. TurboLinux 4.0 at around $49 has been shifting more copies than the upgrade version of Windows 98 ($245 in China) and according to the company, the Win2k upgrade. Given that Win2k can't be available there yet, we're a little puzzled by this. But on reflection, it's got to be true - TurboLinux is obviously outshipping Millennium and Neptune as well.

Although the piracy situation does make Chinese sales figures somewhat artificial, retail success will certainly be helpful to TurboLinux in the long run, as China cleans up its act on intellectual property. The company also claims to have been making strides in bundling, recently clinching three deals with Chinese hardware vendors, has been donating copies of Linux to schools, and is funding the GNU/Linux Research Center at Tsinghua University.

mpog.com: Red Hat and iEN to Launch Co-Branded Gaming Site Posted January 08, 2000 by linux-2000 staff
by John F. Graham

(Research Triangle Park, NC - January 7, 2000) - iEntertainment Network (Nasdaq: IENT) http://www.iencentral.com, a leading provider and operator of worldwide Internet entertainment communities, announced today it will launch a co-branded gaming site with Red Hat, Inc. Red Hat (Nasdaq: RHAT) http://www.redhat.com is a leader in open-source operating system software, services and information and distributes the popular Red Hat Linux OS.

"This groundbreaking agreement provides iEntertainment Network with the opportunity to access the Red Hat Linux revolution and to provide our award-winning content to the open-source community," said Dave Murray, iEN's V.P. of Marketing. "Red Hat is the clear leader in the open-source movement and we are eager to enter this phenomenal market."

Under the agreement, the Red Hat Homepage will feature the "Geek Games" http://www.gamesforgeeks.com site which contains a wide variety of computer games as well as Linux gaming news updates. iEntertainment Network will also begin developing games using Red Hat Linux.

In recent months, iEntertainment Network has signed contracts to provide entertainment content for Time Warner Entertainment's ENTERTAINDOMâ http://www.entertaindom.com site and EarthLink's Games Arena http://www.thegamesarena.com. In addition, iEntertainment Network has increased their Internet customer base by releasing new versions of their award-winning WarBirds and Dawn of Aces Internet flight simulation games, launching Hearts, Spades, Pinochle, Bridge, Rummy, Bingo eXtreme, completing their acquisition of the TheGamers.Net entertainment service, and establishing independent Bingo servers in both Germany and the UK.

Linux-Mandrake Gold Pack 2000 available Posted January 07, 2000 by linux-2000 staff
Submitted by: Alix Guillard of http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/

Linux-Mandrake Gold Pack 2000 offers new users an easy and convenient way to enter the Linux world

The latest MandrakeSoft package, Gold Pack 2000, is now available at local resellers throughout the USA and UK. The Linux-Mandrake Gold Pack 2000 is a complete solution to newcomers to the Linux world. It is packed with the latest enhancements to to out current distribution (Linux-Mandrake 6.1) and provides 60 days free phone support, an easy hard disk partitioning with System Commander, our new Graphical installer, DrakX and a free update to the next release of Linux-Mandrake.

currents.net: SuSE Linux On PowerPC Posted January 07, 2000 by linux-2000 staff
By Staff, ITdaily

Linux specialist SuSE ( http://www.suse.com ) has released the beta version of SuSE Linux 6.3 for the Macintosh PowerPC.

The sales release of SuSE Linux for Power PC is planned for this spring. A free test CD with the Linux operating system and a selection of free application programs can be obtained by contacting SuSE. A version will also be available on SuSE's ftp server (ftp.suse.com).

Like the currently available SuSE Linux 6.3 for Intel-compatible and Compaq Alpha platforms, the version for Power PC also works with the SuSE-specific administration tool YaST (Yet another Setup Tool) and SaX (SuSE advanced X Configuration). YaST provides integrated user and group administration and simplifies system administration. SaX sets up the graphical interface. The package, including the handbook and 60-day installation support, has an anticipated suggested retail price of US$49.95.

Source : ITDAILY.COM

CNET.com: LinuxToday cofounder launches new site Posted January 06, 2000 by linux-2000 staff
By Stephen Shankland

Dave Whitinger helped start Linux Today in 1998, and Internet.com bought the publication in October 1999, one of a series of acquisitions. Now Whitinger has launched Linsight, which currently features a searchable schedule of Linux-related events and a summary of what Linux training and certification programs are available.

"I really wanted to fill out the other things that I know the community needs," a plan he had since well before Linux Today was acquired, Whitinger said in an email interview. "I wanted to create a complete Linux information resource that covered all aspects of Linux."

The creation of a Linux jobs site at Linux Today was intended to be "the beginning of our spreading outside of the realm of just reporting the news," but he and cofounder Dwight Johnson agreed such an expansion would spread the resources of the publication too thin.

Linux Web sites are all the rage as companies try to attract as much attention as possible for the newly popular, open-source operating system. Some companies, such as Andover.Net, hope to generate advertising revenue from the sites. VA Linux Systems, a Linux computer seller, hopes its sites will increase goodwill among Linux customers and make Linux a better product overall.

For its part, Red Hat hopes its site will drive sales of its Linux software and, to win more advertising revenue as well, has set up its own news site, WideOpen. Complete story

betanews: Corel’s Linux to Access and Run Windows Apps Posted January 06, 2000 by linux-2000 staff
By Justin Jenkins, eFront

Corel Corp. announced today that it will be the first Linux distribution to offer "seamless connectivity" between the Linux operating system and applications designed for Microsoft's Windows.

Using technology similar to Citrix’s client, which enables Windows applications to be accessed over a network, Corel will use GraphOn software to give Linux the ability to use Windows applications via a network.

By using a centralized Windows-based server, Linux clients could run a number of Windows-based applications such as Microsoft Office or graphic programs like Adobe Photoshop.

A version of Corel’s Linux OS containing licenses for both Windows NT server, and Linux client versions of "GraphOn Bridges" software is set for mid-2000 shipment.

Michael Cowpland, president and chief executive officer of Corel Corporation said in a press release, "With the integration of GraphOn Bridges into the Corel LINUX OS it will be easy to enjoy the benefits and high reliability of Linux while having access to the most widely used Windows applications, this will enable organizations to mix Linux and Windows desktops seamlessly which is a prime goal of Corel in our Linux development."

Corel Corp.’s stock led the Toronto Stock Exchange in gains today on the announcement; the Ottawa-based Corel saw 32.5 percent gains, while being the third most active stock on the Nasdaq.