No one can fault Linux's stability, speed, or configurability. Nevertheless, its weaknesses are also formidable. What do you do when most of the population can't even install your OS?

In a few months, Screen Media will begin shipping a sleekly designed, easy-to-use wireless web-pad device called the FreePad offering web browsing and cordless telephone functions. The device uses Embedded Linux as the internal operating system software platform.

Linux seems to be the ideal to scale down and become the embedded OS in portable devices, video game consoles, microwaves, smart refrigerators and more.

Major Unix vendors concerned about the growing popularity of Linux are seeking some unique solutions, rallying behind the platform to help promote their own -- while keeping one key competitor on the outside.

Face it. If you work with Linux, and IBM hasn't tried to partner up with you yet, you're just not working hard enough.

IBM has announced that it will be investing more than US$200 million in the Asia-Pacific region over the next four years. The investment will see Linux-focused centres opened throughout the region, Linux-savvy service personnel deployed, and an increased focus on the operating system as a business platform.

Red Hat has more of the Linux market than its next five competitors combined, but those competitors all are increasing their share faster, a study has found.

Publicly, the new Open Source Development Lab hopes to promote Linux in the enterprise. But privately, the OSDL-funded by HP, IBM, Intel and NEC USA-may be plotting against Sun Microsystems.

IBM furthered its commitment to the open-source movement by announcing that it will contribute its AFS Enterprise File System as well as supporting programming talent, to the open-source community.

HP, Intel, IBM and NEC announced the Open Source Development Lab, the industry's first independent, non-profit lab for developers who are adding enterprise capabilities to Linux.