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Want to assess security vulnerabilities on your Linux system without lengthy installation and configuration efforts? We introduce four packages -- Auditor, Whoppix, Knoppix-STD, and PHLAK -- that bring you that ability through the magic of LiveCD.

One misconception often to be found is equating open source to Linux. Linux certainly is part of the open source community, but it is only the tip of the whole open source iceberg. Open source can be found at the operating system, applications as well as database levels in the software hierarchy.

The company, best known for its legal dispute with IBM over Linux, is addressing regulatory compliance problems.

Nero released version 2 of a Linux edition of its software for burning CDs and DVDs this week.

Most of us probably use regular expressions -- pattern that describes a set of characters -- every day without realizing it. Chances are, however, that you aren't really using them to their full potential.

The Inkscape project has released an update to Inkscape, an open source cross-platform Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) drawing tool. Inkscape 0.42 "is the most feature-filled release to date, with an exceptional number of major and minor new features, usability improvements, and bug fixes," according to the project team. "While some of the new features simply fill long-standing functionality gaps, others are truly revolutionary," says the team, adding that "Inkscape 0.42 is one step closer to full SVG compliance."

The popular Firefox Web browser has gained a kiosk extension, thanks to a contribution from Jevin K. Ramjattan, an intern at Symbio Technologies. The new kiosk function displays the browser in a locked-down mode that is useful for systems deployed in public locations like Internet cafes, libraries, and schools. Using the kiosk extension, administrators can limit end-user activities and reduce the threat of viruses and other security risks to local the network.

The MEPIS Linux project has begun formal testing of a new version of its operating system, known as MEPIS SoHoServer. The test01 release of SoHoServer, touted as "a general purpose SoHo solution," is now available for download from MEPIS's subscription ftp server.

Is this the week Microsoft finally got serious about fighting piracy -- and could its efforts cost Redmond business? Redmond's decision to mandate a piracy check for all customers who want to download add-ons for Windows XP -- excluding security patches -- is designed to check what the company regards as rampant illicit use of its software.

Linux surely is going places. Reports already claims that this Operating System is giving Microsoft Mobile OS a hard time in the small screen device market and now with the growing popularity of messaging on the move, the latest news would boost the user confidence in the Linux model for PDAs and mobiles. Linux-based messaging vendor Scalix Corp has reportedly extended its email and calendaring functionality to wireless devices.

SpikeSource, the Kim Polese-Kleiner Perkins open source start-up testing and certifying LAMP stacks, is branching out into free fully configured made-to-order stacks. Developers will be able to configure a stack from a virtual Chinese menu of the 73 open source components that SpikeSource currently supports. The list includes applications, libraries, web servers and tools.

Computer Weekly is reporting that Firefox has had more flaws found in it this year than Internet Explorer.

We've discovered a $150 Linux-based thin-client PC based on a 433MHz Via Eden processor. The Ntavo NTA 6010A comes equipped with 64MB of DIMM DRAM and 64MB of CompactFlash memory, and a display controller that supports up to 1280x1024 pixels in 24-bit color. Expansion ports include 3 USB, 2 serial, parallel, PS/2 keyboard/mouse, audio in/out, and 10/100 Mbps Ethernet. With DIMM-socketed DRAM, 3 USB ports, an available internal PCI slot, and a built-in CompactFlash socket, it sounds like a gloriously hackable platform. Bring on the projects!

Are you a Fedora Linux user that wants to contribute to the community but don't know how? You could start by "Zapping" bugs.

KDE announced - The KDE Project today announced the immediate availability of KDE 3.4.2, a maintenance release for the latest generation of the most advanced and powerful free desktop for GNU/Linux and other UNIXes. KDE 3.4.2 ships with a basic desktop and fifteen other packages (PIM, administration, network, edutainment, utilities, multimedia, games, artwork, web development and more). OSDir has the shots of this fresh KDE update.

Open Source adoption among developers is expected to grow at a faster pace in the Asia Pacific region (APAC) than in North America.

Creative Commons is described as a movement translating the Free and Open Source software movement model to other forms of creative works. This description misses some important differences between the projects. Unlike Free Software, Creative Commons has failed to set any standard of freedom. This article compares Free Software's "essential rights are unreservable," with Creative Common's comparitively hollow, "some rights reserved."

Devon IT Inc. has embedded an "optimized" version of Red Hat Linux in a line of low-cost thin-client terminals ranging from the entry-level NTA 6010A priced at $149, to the $599 NTA 6015L that boasts an integrated 15-inch, 1024x668 TFT LCD screen.

Linux and iSCSI are two technologies that are gaining ground in the storage space. And thanks to a reborn effort, the two may be poised to gain together.

A movement to deliver open processor designs is gathering momentum as an alternative to standard processor design methods, participants say.