LinuxWorld: Approaching a standard

By CNET News.com Staff January 31, 2002, 3:25 p.m. PST The spotlight is on the Linux operating system as the LinuxWorld Conference and Expo kicks into gear. Companies large and small are flocking to New York to tout their latest products, services and successes. Big Blue is on a mission to convince others that the operating system is worthy of real-world use, though it acknowledges that its own interests are a motivation. Bridging Linux language barriers The first results of an effort to ensure that different versions of the operating system will work similarly are released. Gadgets draw a crowd at Linux show Crowds are down at LinuxWorld Conference and Expo, but there has still been a mob surrounding the booth with Sharp's Linux-powered Zaurus handheld. Several telecommunications companies have begun an effort to improve Linux for their own market, an offshoot of a project geared toward grooming Linux for high-end servers. Egenera, betting that financial services companies and other customers will like its expensive Linux servers, has found its first customer in Credit Suisse First Boston. Is Linux founder Linus Torvalds stuck in a bottleneck? A debate is growing over whether he needs help with patching the operating system core. Still deep in the Compaq merger battle, HP CEO Carly Fiorina says Linux embodies the same spirit of innovation demonstrated by HP's founders. Sony says it will start selling Linux kits for programmers in coming months to allow Linux applications to run on the PlayStation 2. After promising to invest more than $1 billion in Linux, Big Blue says software and system sales have proved more than lucrative. Linux has infiltrated the brains of the DreamWorks digital animation studios, with Hewlett-Packard machines displacing SGI workstations. The company announces its most significant foray yet into the Linux market, saying its Foundation Suite now runs on Red Hat's version of the Unix clone. The company signs deals under which Hewlett-Packard and Compaq Computer will promote and sell its Linux server management software. Quick trip around LinuxWorldMelissa Francis, correspondent Red Hat CTO dodges AOL merger rumorsMichael Tiemann, CTO, Red Hat Linux bets on interactive TVMike Mathews, senior product manager, MontaVista Software Lineo software revs up ZaurusGarnet Brown, senior product manager, Lineo PlayStation 2 offers up LinuxDominic Mallinson, director of technology research, Sony Ximian links Linux and MicrosoftDavid Patrick, CEO, Ximian Fiorina: HP-Compaq merger will advance LinuxCarly Fiorina, CEO, HP Big Blue opens up to open sourceScott Handy, director, IBM

LinuxWorld: Approaching a standard

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