This book is probably the first serious attempt at answering the most fundamental question affecting Unix/Linux users: Why do most people seem to prefer an expensive and largely disfunctional desktop, and even server, environment to one that works cheaply and effectively?

For his new Ricochet setup, Jerry Pournelle goes with Linux, maintaining that it's the more secure alternative and that support from the developer community is good: "The advantage of Windows 2000 is that it's easy to set up. The disadvantage is security. There are several advantages to Linux. Stability, security and flexibility. The only disadvantage is difficulty in getting the system set up and running in the first place, starting with USB support. Given the alternatives I chose Linux."

Developed by the Simputer Trust - a non-profit organization comprising individuals from the software industry in Bangalore, the Simputer runs on an Intel processor, has 32 MB RAM, 24 MB Flash memory and a 320x240 LCD screen. The operating system is of course Linux!

The big question is how to make sure you can survive market downturns until the good times come back again. In this Linux in the Enterprise column, David HM Spector presents some ideas on how to make sure that you're still around, and how you can do this by leveraging your Linux skills.

"It was early '99 when I made the jump. I installed SuSE 6.1 and started to poke around. It was like I was a kid in a candy store with no spending limit. Oh sure, there were some things I didn't quite figure out right away, but I had time, lots of time. We got the source code too. It was like walkin' into a room and findin' a safe on the table, with the combination written on the door. I had Linux workin' for me and I had everything I needed, and more.

A WIRED reporter says open source advocates don't like to hear people who disagree with them, and uses an example from the O'Reilly Open Source Convention to make his point. Regular reader Anthony Awtrey provided us with the link and a brief response.

Michael Stutz, the author of the forthcoming book, THE LINUX COOKBOOK No Starch Press, has developed a copyleft-style license that brings the enormous benefits of Open Source software to books and other works. The author of the license says "The future is in openness and freedom, and in every individual's right to cut and paste and copy and modify any work they like, for any reason they like."

After seeing how well-received Linux partitioning was in its flagship eServer z900 mainframe, IBM is expanding the functionality beyond its enterprise-level customers to its midsize customer base. Starting next month, Linux partitioning modules will be available for all iSeries servers, from 1-way to 24-way servers.

IBM partnered with SuSE Linux and Turbo Linux to develop the offering. Now in public beta, the applications are expeto be generally available in August. Pricing for these modules has not yet been set.

Stirred, at last, by the assault of Code Red and SirCam, Dennis Powell says enough is enough: "Even if Linux users aren't pushing these malicious bits of code across the Internet, we still suffer from their effects. It's time to politely demand our Microsoft-using friends and acquaintances either change their operating system, or take their machines off the 'net." A polite sample letter is included.

If you're new (or even not so new) to Linux, there are hundreds of questions, problems, and concerns that arise during the learning process, especially when you're coming from the world of Microsoft Windows. This article addresses a number of miscellaneous questions, both the frequently- and rarely-asked questions, and groups them by topic. The focus is on helping Windows users make the transition to Linux, but those converting from other operating systems should find useful information here as well.