Open season at Linux show

Over the past several years, Linux has become a staple of the computing industry diet. The Linux server market grew 44 percent to $4.2 billion in 2005 and should grow to $9.3 billion in 2009, analyst firm IDC estimates. It hasn't been an easy path to acceptance. Two years ago, Linux allies were grappling with a legal challenge from the SCO Group, a Unix seller that asserted that open-source Linux components had been copied from proprietary Unix. That legal case has made little headway, however, and customers haven't been fazed. Likewise, a Microsoft campaign seeking to undermine the open-source underpinnings of Linux also didn't slow the momentum. Linux is popular, but it remains a challenging foundation to build a software business on. The top Linux seller, Red Hat, makes a tidy profit selling Linux--technically just the crucial core of the operating system, but in conventional speech also the constellation of higher-level software that surrounds it. But the company is striving to grow in new directions such as into Java server software. At the same time, No. 2 Linux vendor Novell is planning to launch a project called OpenSuse to try to lure more developers into its camp and increase its own popularity. Intel CIO has wireless, Linux on the brain March 2, 2005 Sybase CEO champions open source April 21, 2005 The annual conference is drawing more than just Linux fans and sellers these days. It's now a venue for all sorts of open-source wannabes and rubberneckers. Open-source allies go on patent offensive Red Hat and OSDL's new patent efforts take a different tack in trying to deter some intellectual-property attacks. August 11, 2005 Database start-ups bet on open source Growing interest in open-source databases fuels an industry of add-ons and support services vital to winning corporate customers. August 10, 2005 Execs tout penguin, open source photos Confab draws representatives of Google, Hewlett-Packard and Oracle, as well as start-up Splunk. August 10, 2005 GPL3 first public draft due early 2006 Release should lead to debate of near-religious fervor over future of license that governs much free and open-source software. August 9, 2005 AMD seeks to jump-start software changes Chipmaker releases a simulator designed to prod development of software for upcoming processor features. August 9, 2005 HP works to bring Linux to NonStop serversCompany will collaborate with universities to move its high-end but rarely used product line closer to the mainstream. August 9, 2005 IBM adds support for Firefox to its Workplace desktop Workplace previously supported only Mozilla and Internet Explorer, but now the Firefox browser has been added to the list. August 9, 2005 Linux on the desktop--almost there again? The buzz over breaking the Windows stronghold has died down considerably, but it hasn't been silenced. August 9, 2005 Oracle looking to Linux Within next five years, half Oracle's customers may be running Linux, says Oracle President Charles Phillips. August 9, 2005 Server software gets tailored to Red Hat Open-Xchange's product, long tightly tied to Novell's Suse Linux, adds a version for rival Red Hat's OS. August 9, 2005 IBM lends heft to Apache Geronimo As the market for open-source Java application servers heats up, Big Blue offers support services and code to the Apache project. August 8, 2005 LinuxWorld outgrows original outfit The confab's not just for Linux anymore. The show draws a desirable audience, and the agenda now includes many related products. August 8, 2005 Splunk delves into log-search automation Start-up looks to automate important but mundane task: retrieving data from the numerous log files kept by a computer's software. August 8, 2005 VMware moves to deflect Xen, Microsoft Company agrees to share code with partners such as IBM and HP to try to maintain its leadership in virtual machine software. August 8, 2005 Virtual Iron expands management to others' turf Start-up is expanding its management software to control a rival software foundation, Xen. August 7, 2005 Open-source gambits Start-ups and others are looking to make their name and fortune in the open-source world, in areas from databases to services. August 4, 2005 Key bugs in core Linux code squashed Serious bugs in the latest Linux kernel have been fixed, a sign that the open-source OS is maturing. August 3, 2005 Novell seeks outside help with Linux In strategy similar to that taken by rival Red Hat, Novell plans OpenSuse effort to let outsiders contribute to development of OS. August 2, 2005 EU plan could put open sourcers in court A proposed European law on IP infringement could allow SCO to sue Linux users in a criminal court, experts say. August 2, 2005