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What began as the ‘free software’ movement, thanks to Richard Stallings, has matured over the years. It is not just a posturing alternative to the commercial ‘closed’ software.

E-books are a disappointing flurry of vendor-specific formats. Get them converted to HTML to view on your choice of device.

Is Linux about to "make it big" on a lot more desktops worldwide? Executives from Novell and IBM expressed diametrically opposing opinions on this question, in a panel discussion at last week's "Linux on Wall Street" conference that also touched on the server and IP (intellectual property) sides of Linux. Jacqueline Emigh reports.

My previous article, Making Packager-Friendly Software, explains why software packaging is sometimes problematic due to real problems in the mainstream sources. It also discusses many issues that affect the distribution files and the configuration scripts (the most visible items when trying out a new program). This part explores the problems found in the build infrastructure and the code itself.

From server to handsets - the struggle continues

The UK subsidiary of security software firm Fortinet has settled an action brought against it because it was allegedly not complying with the terms of the General Public Licence (GPL), which underpins the distribution of most open source software.

A few weeks ago in these pages, my industry colleague and former Linux Australia president Pia Smith raised a number of issues which confront the open source space.

Peer production is only the beginning. Today, the best software maintenance is part salesmanship.

Oracle SA will stage a Linux and Java 'installfest' that will allow developers to install the Oracle JDeveloper development toolset on Linux onto their own PCs at no cost. Oracle's installfest, to be held at the LinuxWorld conference, forms part of its strategy to increase the awareness and use of Novell's SUSE Linux, the Oracle JDeveloper suite and its complementary tools, as well as Oracle's Database 10/g/ Standard Edition 1, for up to two processors.

Many readers commented on last week's report of a study by Evans Data, which said that in a poll of Linux developers, more coders who use Linux prefer to use non-commercial, or pre-packaged distributions of Linux, as opposed to shrink-wrapped Linux distributions from such vendors as Red Hat or SuSE. Of the 419 developers the research firm polled, 34% said they preferred to roll their own Linux, whereas 28% liked commercial Linux better. 

Linux and Microsoft's Pocket PC platform have different document formats. Since there is no automatic file synchronization program for Linux comparable to Windows' ActiveSync, Pocket PC users have problems not only with disparate file formats, but even file transfer between the two platforms. But there are ways to get them to talk to each other. I tested four of them and found that two worked well for me -- which doesn't mean the others won't work for you, just that I had trouble using them with my hardware and software.

Linux is engaged in a heated battle with Microsoft and other OSes to become the platform that powers billions of next-generation gadgets and devices. Find out what embedded Linux is and how it differs from traditional operating systems.

First Ximian, then SuSE Linux, Evolution Connector and Hula. Now Allison and JEMS. eWEEK.com's Darryl K. Taft explains how Novell Inc continues to increase its commitment to Open Source.

Red Hat India Pvt Ltd has launched the Gujarati version of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 (RHEL), a Linux-based operating system. Red Hat aims at a wider reach in the country through a strategy that involves providing software at affordable prices. The company also is in talks with several state governments to implement its softwares in different departments.

Peter Anvin announced that an official git web interface is now available on kernel.org, using gitweb. Through the new interface, one can easily browse through Linus' official 2.6 git tree, along with several others. Following this announcement there was a brief discussion about the logical ordering of commits, complicated by the nature of distributed development.

The German city of Munich has opted to use the Debian version of Linux for a high-profile, 14,000-computer installation, passing over Novell's Suse Linux despite its regional popularity. Debian is a non-commercial version of Linux, though some companies such as Canonical and Progeny have based products on it. Two regional companies, Gonicus and Softcon, will help Munich with the project, called LiMux.

Ecutel Systems has used Linux to create its first hardware products, a line of VPN servers with a unique "roaming" feature. The NxG Linux Appliances run the company's Viatores Server Software, said to enable mobile users to roam seamlessly between networks, while preserving network security and enterprise application sessions.

One of the most prevalent Internet threats currently is, no doubt, phishing. This consists of tricking a user to believe they are going to a trusted site like a bank, eBay, PayPal and or some other popular site. The trick is usually done using a web address very similar in appearance to the original (like paypa1.com). At the fake site (which would have the appearance of the authentic web site) the user is asked for personal information like social security number, account number, username, password or birth date, which can then be used to impersonate the user and access their account, money or credit.

Turbolinux will supply open-source operating systems and software for all operations at a major Chinese bank.

Manufacturers are getting sophisticated in their RFID projects. In other findings: They won't do Linux just because it's Linux.