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Four years ago, OpenOffice.org didn't exist. Today, it is probably not only the largest free software project in the world, but also the most important. On a personal level, it's also become a major feature of my life - which explains this column.

In this issue we cover the launching of Fedora Core 2 test1, a new online-based forum, as well as tips on dealing with FC2 test1. Rolling your own Fedora-based ISOs, why Linux uses all its available resources, and lots of software pointers in this issue.

Infineon Technologies says it is now shipping a tri-core microcontroller (MCU) that can run Linux. The TC1130 MCU targets industrial and communications applications, such as programmable logic control (PLC) systems, high-performance motor drive systems, industrial communications devices such as switches, hubs and routers, and consumer applications such as set-top boxes.

In this month's column, Dr. Migration takes a look at the Linux desktop from an applications point of view. Although widespread adoption of desktop Linux isn't a reality yet, the prognosis is good. I recently wrote an article for LinuxWorld.com on a user-oriented Linux distribution coined UserLinux.

When people hear that open source software is often free and overall cheaper than proprietary solutions, they're intrigued. But how much cheaper is another question. What other costs are involved? This article examines the budgetary impact of migrating corporate desktops to open source solutions. This is one of many areas where open source can positively impact IT budgets.

I only started using Linux in November of last year and quickly became a huge fan. I generally learn by running into an issue and then finding an answer - which can often be a slow way to learn. Sometimes you just need a push to get the ball rolling. Sometimes you need a little structured learning, too. After learning of the Linux+ exam, I thought it might be a good way to learn more about my new fascination. So my journey began...

"Right now, EL is a disruptive force in the embedded software industry," said Rick Lehrbaum, founder and editor of LinuxDevices.com and former founder/CEO of embedded board maker Ampro Computers, Inc. Why? "Because of the upsurge in Linux in general, and because of the inherent advantages it contains."

One in four small companies are testing Linux, and half of them hope to use it as their core operating system in place of Windows, according to a survey published by IBM on Monday.

The new device, which will run MontaVista Linux, is targeted at corporate users and has been available in China since January.

If you want to maximize the powerful capabilities of Red Hat Enterprise and Fedora Linux, you'll want to check out Red Hat Enterprise Linux & Fedora Edition: The Complete Reference, by Richard Petersen and Ibrahim Haddad. In this Q&A, Kevin Bedell asks these experts a few questions about RHE and Fedora, and gets a preview of what to expect from the book.

Paul Starzetz discovered a flaw in return value checking in mremap() in the Linux kernel versions 2.4.24 and previous that may allow a local attacker to gain root privileges. No exploit is currently available; however this issue is exploitable. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CAN-2004-0077 to this issue.

We recently used Linux to orchestrate a network of more than 2,000 machines from more than 50 countries, in real time, to become the first distributed global network to play a chess game against a single human opponent, setting a world record in the process.

Paul Starzetz and Wojciech Purczynski of isec.pl discovered a critical security vulnerability in the memory management code of Linux inside the mremap(2) system call. Due to missing function return value check of internal functions a local attacker can gain root privileges.

Don't be naive enough to think that because you run Linux you won't be a target for hackers. If you rely on Linux for hosting or transmitting sensitive data, you should check out Security-Enhanced Linux, created by the US National Security Agency (NSA) and available for free.

Available now, the new 32-bit chip is the first high-volume TriCore derivative capable of running the full-featured Linux operating system for industrial and communications applications.

Several local root exploits have been discovered recently in the Linux kernel. This security advisory updates the PowerPC/Apus kernel for Debian GNU/Linux. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project identifies the following problems that are fixed with this update:

There were some minimal changes relative to the last -rc4, mostly some configuration and build fixes, but a few important one-liners too. Changelog within.

Several local root exploits have been discovered recently in the Linux kernel. This security advisory updates the PowerPC/Apus kernel for Debian GNU/Linux. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project identifies the following problems that are fixed with this update:

A medial software group hopes to prevent commercial "hijacking" of its healthcare messaging product, Argus, by vesting ownership in a new not-for-profit body, the Argus Foundation.

Red Hat Professional Workstation was designed to allow former users of the company's consumer product line to continue to use a supported platform without having to migrate to Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Unfortunately, it fails to live up to its predecessors in key areas, and is considerably more expensive in some usage scenarios. Home users should look to the Fedora Project if they wish to continue using Red Hat technology, or consider migrating to another Linux distribution. Small businesses should analyse their current expenditure and consider migrating to another vendor.