LinuxWorld revs up
special coverage The San Francisco conference spotlights trends in open source, from servers to cell phones and Windows media support.
LinuxWorld revs up
The confab for fans of the open-source operating system kicks off Tuesday, when Linux and open-source diehards will head to San Francisco to hear what's new. On the cards: Advanced Micro Devices to launch "Rev F" versions of its Opteron chips, Sun to provide more details on moving Java into open-source development, and all the latest Linux trends.
Sparc-on-Intel translator due in weeks
Start-up Transitive plans to release software to run Sparc-on-Solaris software on Linux-on-Xeon.August 17, 2006
XenSource set to launch first product
Start-up's XenSource Enterprise is designed to put a pretty face on open-source virtualization.August 17, 2006
Intel shows off new 'Tulsa' Xeon
Chipmaker demonstrates models of its upcoming high-end server processor at Linux show.August 16, 2006
IBM takes potshots at OpenSolaris
Big Blue, a major Linux fan, bashes top rival Sun's effort to make its Unix an open-source operating system.August 16, 2006
Sun to coders: Open-source Java won't change your life
Having access to the source code of the Java platform won't affect how developers work, the company says.August 16, 2006
IBM discovers free-as-in-beer software
blog To hear Big Blue tell it, the company isn't just promoting its products by giving them away for free, it's pioneering an innovative adaptation of the open-source software movement.
August 16, 2006
Sun releases new UltraSparc design details
blog Sun Microsystems releases new details about its UltraSparc T1 "Niagara" processor.August 16, 2006
Sun harmony with Harmony? Not yet clear
blog It's not yet clear whether the release of Java Standard Edition as open-source software will mean a unification with the Apache Software Foundation project. August 16, 2006
FiveRuns taps open-source for management service
short take Calling it a Web 2.0 management service, the company launches hosted management for small and midsize businesses.August 16, 2006
RealNetworks to plug Windows media support into Linux
Will release open-source software that lets Windows video and audio format files play on a Linux computer.August 15, 2006
Adaptive Planning debuts open-source business tools
short take The start-up adds an open-source "Express" version to complement its high-end commercial tools.August 16, 2006
Motorola dialing up mainstream Linux phones
The open-source operating system is poised to move beyond high-end handsets and into a more wallet-friendly realm.August 15, 2006
IBM deal to expand Linux software for Power
Partnership to increase the software available for customers running Linux on servers using Big Blue's Power processors.August 15, 2006
An end run round copyright laws?
Legal activist Lawrence Lessig urges LinuxWorld attendees to use Creative Commons as route to "free culture."August 15, 2006
Trolltech offers fully reprogrammable mobile phone
Supplier of Linux software for cell phones hopes new handset will help phone designers innovate faster.August 15, 2006
NEC certifies Red Hat on fault-tolerant servers
short take It's the first time the software has been certified on Express5800/320Ma servers, NEC says.August 15, 2006
ThinkPad now with Suse Linux
Novell and Lenovo are teaming up on a new ThinkPad laptop with Novell's Suse Linux operating system preinstalled.August 14, 2006
AMD unleashes next-generation Opteron chips
Chipmaker's response to Intel's new Xeons speeds memory and paves way to quad-core.August 14, 2006
Sun expands open-source Java plan
The server and software company will begin releasing open-source components this year and also will open up Java for gadgets.August 14, 2006
Scalix readies Linux messaging server
short take An early version of Scalix 11, pitched as an alternative to Microsoft Exchange, is released with final release set for November.August 14, 2006
Ingres and rPath create 'database appliance'
short take Project Icebreaker is a combination of the Ingres open-source database with a stripped-down Linux operating system.August 15, 2006
Four million dollars and an open-source Mule
Start-up MuleSource convinces two VCs that there's money to be made in bringing open-source methods to integration software.August 14, 2006
Open source grows beyond its roots
Start-up Zimbra shows its wiki at LinuxWorld as its cohort pushes into new areas and competes on features, not just price.August 14, 2006
Key Linux programmer moves to Google
blog Key deputy to Linux leader Linus Torvalds has taken a job at the search engine powerhouse.
August 14, 2006
IBM brings Sametime IM to Linux
short take With Sametime 7.5 due later this summer, IBM will release a Linux client. Sametime Linux server due first half 2007.August 14, 2006
HP offers Debian Linux support
Hewlett-Packard will offer support, but not marketing, for the noncommercial Linux version.August 13, 2006
Linux powers unusual multicore machine
Start-up Movidis uses 16-core MIPS processor originally designed for networking gear to take a crack at Linux server market.
August 11, 2006
Windows, Solaris get Zmanda open-source backup
blog Tool expands its support from just Linux to Microsoft and Sun Microsystems' operating systems.
August 11, 2006
DejaVu font wins its way into Fedora Linux
blog The open-source font will be the default used in Red Hat's upcoming Fedora Core 6 version of Linux.
August 11, 2006
Intel aims for open-source graphics advantage
Chipmaker releases open-source software in an attempt to lure customers away from ATI, Nvidia.
August 9, 2006
Sun to offer open-source Java details
blog Will offer further information about the plan at a meeting on the eve of LinuxWorld.
August 8, 2006
IBM announces full AMD Opteron server line
Three years after chip's debut, Big Blue wholeheartedly embraces Opteron with five new servers.
August 1, 2006
Novell bans proprietary Linux modules
Linux seller evicts closed-source modules from open-source Linux, but provides customers a download option.
August 1, 2006
Photos
XenSource makes a debut
Announces first product based on open-source virtualization.
August 17, 2006
Apple's new server
Xserve addition uses two dual-core Xeons.
August 17, 2006
Intel on the IT layer cake
Software exec Richard Wirt presents his view of the future of corporate computing.
August 16, 2006
Motorola calls on Linux
Greg Besio shows off new Rokr E2, Ming phones.
August 15, 2006
Lawrence Lessig at LinuxWorld
Law activist gives the keynote speech.
August 15, 2006
Servers ride on new Opterons
Server makers back AMD's new Rev F chips.
August 14, 2006
Multicore MIPS in Linux server
Movidis machine has 16-core MIPS processor.
August 11, 2006
Linux lineup
There's more than one spin to put on Linux. Companies shopping for the operating system have an expanding and ever more advanced selection to choose from. Here's a sampling of some of the latest products:
Novell Suse Linux Enterprise Server 10
SLES 10, released in July, is the first major version of the Linux to incorporate Xen hypervisor software, which allows computers to run multiple operating systems simultaneously. The same month saw a new Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) 10, which got glitzy new graphics interface software called Xgl.
Ubuntu's Edgy Eft
The high-quality Linux version has an advantage over rivals: The free version is as full-featured as any that come with paid support. Updates switch between the tried-and-true, such as the current
Red Hat Fedora Core 5
This product has graphics covered--developers get Accelerated Indirect GL X support, so they can add 3D effects to the interface. It also includes Xorg 7.0, which breaks up software components into independent modules. The Core 6 update is tentatively expected in October this year. Fedora has included Xen for some time, but Core 6 is likely to include a version that resembles that of the upcoming Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5. However, Red Hat recently said that the Xen virtualization technology was not stable enough yet for enterprise environments.
The first beta version of the 2007 update was sent out at the end of July. Current versions are notable for their inclusion of support for wireless networking, as well as for features in Intel's Centrino technology and Skype's Internet phone software. The versions also include software acquired when Mandriva bought the assets of Lycoris.
Debian, one of the oldest major versions of Linux, is a noncommercial project run chiefly by volunteers, with occasional corporate help. The upcoming 4.0 version, called "Etch," is due in December and will include support for 64-bit x86 chips, the X.org graphics software instead of the older XFree86, and version 4.1 of the GCC programming tools. Debian also is used as a foundation for Ubuntu, Xandros, Freespire and other variants.
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