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This month and next, we'll look at the most significant addition to MySQL 4.1: native clustering. This month, let's start with an overview of the new clustering technology, see how it's been integrated into MySQL, and understand the benefits it provides. Next month, we'll cover the steps necessary to get a cluster up and running.

Backing up data isn't exactly exciting, but like washing laundry, everyone needs to do it. On Linux, you can back up your files using an almost-bewildering array of choices, from self-composed shell scripts, to expensive software packages. But how about a simple, open source, easy-to-use, set-up-and-fuggedaboutit tool?Konserve is a small backup utility that lives in the KDE 3.x system tray, and it makes backups so easy, so automatic, that you'll probably forget all about it... until you desperately need that file you accidentally deleted.

Managing packages can be a tricky undertaking, even with package tools like the RPM Package Manager (RPM), the package management tool used by Conectiva, Fedora, Mandrake, Red Hat, SuSE, Yellow Dog, and many other distributions. With RPM, you may try to install a package, only to find that it depends on others you don't have. Or, you might discover that your packages are several versions out of date and then have to track down and install potentially dozens of updates to fix security and other problems with the old packages.

Believe it or not, IT departments shudder at the words "Let's deploy Exchange." Although Microsoft's email server is virtually ubiquitous, that doesn't mean it's popular with those that have to manage it. So before your boss writes a hefty check for Exchange and sentences you to countless hours of hard labor, speak up and suggest one of the many open source substitutes that are just as robust as Exchange -- and are free!The Horde Project is one of those alternatives. It's constantly refined, is widely deployed within small organizations and Fortune 500 companies alike, and has an active support network via mailing lists and support archives.

In the previous three articles, I introduced my templating system of choice, the Template Toolkit (TT). Since those articles were intended as overviews, I didn't have much space to go into meaty examples. So, in this article, I'll look at how I'm using TT every day to help me manage the Stonehenge Consulting web site (http://www.stonehenge.com).

Last month, I talked a bit about mod_perl, and how I used it extensively on my web server. But I was reminded by a few of my reviewers that I've yet to provide a good overview of mod_perl in any of my columns! Time to fix that.

One of the classic indicators of the maturity of any software platform is the existence of enterprise-caliber administrative software. Companies such as Tivoli, now an IBM subsidiary, Computer Associates, and many others have made this space their bread and butter. Xandros, purveyors of fine Xandros Linux distributions for home and business use, recently introduced their Xandros Desktop Management Server (xDMS) software to fill exactly this need for Xandros Linux users and administrators.

The race is on at sqlite.org where they conduct a series of speed tests for Linux databses using SQLite 2.7.6, PostgreSQL 7.1.3, and MySQL 3.23.41. SQLite finish[es] first, MySQL is the runner up, with PostgreSQL trailing the pack.

Cafe au Lait reports that "Sun has unilaterally revoked the FreeBSD Foundation's Java license, and now can't seem to be bothered to negotiate a new license with them."

Attorney Paul Arne writes the Open Source Law Blog, designed to make visitors aware of developments in the law and business of open source software. Arne is a rare bird: an attorney who can actually string together a few sentences that don't induce sound sleep in the reader. In fact, Arne has taken some issues regarding the GPL, copyright, and software patents, and made these sometimes complex topics engaging, fun, and easier to understand, all while bringing out important nuances.

Norway's Opera Software has released the beta for its next-generation Web browser to Linux, Solaris and FreeBSD.

The embedded-systems specialist Wind River has published the embedded Linux distribution Wind River Platform for Network Equipment, which among other areas of application is designed for use in telephone exchanges or with network equipment. It implements the Carrier-Grade-Linux specifications of the OSDL and is based on a Linux Kernel of the 2.6 series. Whilst taking the Enterprise Linux of Wind-River's partner Red Hat as its foundation the development platform comes with the Eclipse-based Wind-River IDE (Integrated Development Environment).

You might think of Gentoo as a bleeding-edge distribution for development workstations, but the simple packaging system can make it a good choice for any production system that needs to stay up to date.

The Aethera project and the Citadel project have joined forces to create the world's first cross platform, end-to-end, open source groupware system.

Makau Releases Linux Professional Institute Certification Training

Cost-of-ownership studies show that software licensing fees are only the tip of the iceberg. "Hardware and software, when taken together, typically make up less than 30 percent of a five-year cost structure," says IDC's Dan Kusnetzky.

RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser to Keynote at San Diego Desktop Summit in February

Managed desktops aren't only for big companies. Time you spend babysitting a misconfigured computer is time you aren't pursuing a real business goal.

Sun is trumpeting the demise of commercial Linux with the release of their software free of charge. In doing so, they've totally missed what people have been paying them for these past 20 years or so. Which is support.

Last week OSDir.com surpassed their 100th Linux and open source screenshot tour, which has become an invaluable resource to the open source community.