Bang!inux was held for the second time, thanks again to Wrox. It was last year’s favorable response to the event that prompted Wrox to reorganize it this year. This year’s event was targeted at programmers and so the beginner and professional’s tracks were replaced with System/OS programming track, Linux-focused tracks and associated tracks for the enterprise. The idea was to get more people into Linux and Open Source development and get the corporate sector more interested in using Linux-based solutions.

I am(was) a great Microsoft Windows fan. One of the best things of Microsoft Windows is the sheer ease with which it can be installed. Over the years I have had to do it many times, especially since I keep getting this blue screen and I have to press the power button to get things going again. That and installing software that came on any magazine CD would have me formatting the disk every few months.

"We are in the business of building communities," says Henri Poole, chief executive, Mandrakesoft, the French software company which publishes the Linux-Mandrake 'distribution', emphasising the essential difference between it and other distributions for the Linux open source operating system.

Analysts say, Microsoft's decision to show the Windows 2000 source code to its large corporate customers was influenced by the open-source movement and the success of the Linux operating system. It is also an effort to reassure customers that are putting their trust in Microsoft for critical business operations.

"It's not something that could be undertaken lightly, and it's not something that is likely to find distributional sponsorship--these guys can't agree on a standard base; there's no reason they'd agree to let their own little package management system get co-opted by a supersystem that wouldn't benefit anyone but users."

"Hardware giant Intel, which has thrown its considerable weight behind the Linux operating system in recent months, is looking at creating a European Linux research laboratory."

"With this acquisition, Lineo is enhancing its position as the first and only provider of Linux-based development tools for digital television products."

The PLDE allows users on a Linux PC or workstation to develop applications for any Concurrent PowerPC-based real-time computer system. It offers a convenient and economical way to utilize the extensive features of Concurrent compilers and real-time GUI tools.

"I am impressed by the setup ease of the LTSP. Getting a sound diskless system running doesn't have to consume the better part of an afternoon, and this server/client implementation can be fine tuned to meet various needs."

"When a problem crops up and no solution is offered, one tactic -- though dangerous if your boss doesn't like unauthorized servers -- is to go ahead and use Linux to solve it."