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Sun just announced a big quarterly financial loss. Wall Street is dumping Sun's stock. And Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz may come under fire. So why does The VAR Guy continue to believe in Schwartz's long-term strategy for open source, MySQL and Ubuntu Linux? Here are some thoughts from The VAR Guy

As thousands -- perhaps millions -- of users seek to avoid Windows Vista, a new myth about Windows XP is emerging. But the myth, much like Windows itself, is full of holes.

Five years from now, software historians will point to April 24, 2008, as the start of the Ubuntu Server revolution. Mainstream IT users don't know it yet, but the revolution has really begun. Here are five reasons why.

Sun on April 23 announced a Solaris software as a service (SaaS) push. But one blogger is wondering how soon Sun will add MySQL and potentially Ubuntu Linux to its SaaS strategy. Here are the details from MSPmentor.

Red Hat is taking a close look at the managed services and software as a service (SaaS) markets. In fact, Red Hat has been creating new positions within the company to focus on hosting partners and managed service providers. More details will likely emerge during the Red Hat Summit this June. Here are the early details from MSPmentor.

Novell SuSE Linux has reasonable momentum on desktops and servers. But the company's best shot at beating Microsoft is in an entirely different market.

Fonality is building an IP-PBX company that leverages Asterisk and embraces managed service providers. In other words, Fonality has converged three hot markets (unified communications, open source and managed services) into a single solution. And a new Fonality product release could help the company strengthen its international presence. Here are the details from MSPmentor.

Canonical, promoter of Ubuntu Linux, has plenty of momentum on the desktop. But as Canonical gears up for a server push, at least one major server vendor says it has no plans to make an Ubuntu server move. Here are the details, from The VAR Guy.

In its push to beat Microsoft to the unified communications punch, Cisco Systems is quietly embracing Linux and promoting a new software development kit for branch offices and unified communications. Here's some unique perspective from The VAR Guy.

The VAR Guy was guilty of hyping Windows-based Ultra-Portables from startups like OQO a year ago, but he has drastically changed his thinking about the Ultra-Portable computer market. He thinks current market dynamics greatly favor Linux over Windows in the Ultra-Portable industry. Here’s why.

At first glance, you might think the headline to this blog entry is an oxymoron. In reality, Microsoft certainly does have an open source chief (Sam Ramji). And in some cases, Microsoft is downright happy to support open source. Skeptical? Allow The VAR Guy to explain.

The VAR Guy is pretty bullish on Ubuntu Linux, the operating system that is quickly leaping from PCs onto servers and mobile Internet devices. But he's also starting to wonder if Google Android -- rather than Ubuntu -- will be the open source platform of choice for mobile Internet devices (MIDs). Here's some speculation.

Ubuntu, the fastest-growing version of Linux, is starting to attract interest from the managed services industry. One prime example: Untangle, which develops security solutions for managed service providers, is preparing to add support for Ubuntu within the next few months, MSPmentor has learned.

A tiny but strategic Silicon Valley company is helping Microsoft to certify open source applications for Windows Server 2008. It’s a super-smart move by Microsoft, The VAR Guy believes, as the software giant strives to compete effectively with Linux and ensure Windows Server remains popular in the age of open source. Here's the scoop.

In an interview with Reuters, Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth confirmed what The VAR Guy already knew: Sun Microsystems is increasing its bets on Ubuntu Linux.

Watch out, Cisco. Move over, Microsoft. Unified communications and the Asterisk open source platform are on a collision course. In fact, a startup called Worxbox hopes to accelerate that convergence. Here’s why anyone interested in the unified communications market should care.

Red Hat’s annual revenues now top $520 million, according to financial results released today, and the company is charting a course to $1 billion. Sounds wonderful. But there’s a bigger story here: Red Hat’s financial momentum will pave the way for more open source IPOs.

Managed services -- those IT tools that consultants use to remotely manage customer networks -- are increasingly built on open source and OpenBSD. Here's the scoop, from MSPmentor.

CostCo’s in-store promotional materials for the Eee PC from Asus barely mention that the sub-notebook runs Linux. That may be a smart move.

MySQL is the open source database to beat. But another option — EnterpriseDB — has caught the attention of several investors — including IBM. Here’s the scoop for potential partners.