Microsoft's recent verbal attacks on Linux are likely just the beginning. The best thing it can do is open up its technologies, remove the `free pair of handcuffs' and stop the strategy of `vendor lock-in'. Then it can try to compete with Linux instead of attacking it.

Visara, Inc., a host connectivity solutions and thin-client desktops provider, has introduced two Linux desktops - the 1883 Network Computing Terminal (NCT) and the eTerm 450Plus Linux-based Terminal. These desktops provide customers a choice in operating system, functionality, connectivity, and application.

Linux operating system will likely drive much of IBM's new business. IBM is hoping to attract users through the ability of mainframes to run virtually thousands of Linux server applications within a single box. It also plans to attract users with the increasing availability of Linux-enabled mainframe tools and software.

"So, NT is proving a difficult one to shift, as you might expect, and Linux was the top server OS in 2000, with NT second and Win2k third. It's quite plausible that Linux shipped twice as many copies as Win2k server. Is it meaningful that Linux clearly outsold Win2k server? If it happens again in 2001 it certainly will be."

This article covers all the new features and kernel security improvements in the 2.4 kernel. Significant improvements including cryptography and access control make 2.4 a serious contender for secure corporate environments as well as private virtual networking. All these and others make Linux one of the most secure operating systems available.

According to Ziff Davis, Torvalds' employer is getting set to release source code for its shaved-down, memory- and energy-efficient version of Linux. Transmeta should be posting the source code for its Mobile Linux operating system to its Web site before they set up the display booth at Germany's CeBIT in mid-March.

Linux is poised to storm the once-closed world of embedded applications. Its next victory will be in devices ranging from vending machines to Internet appliances. "Now that silicon is cheaper, embedded hardware has come up to meet Linux," says Bill Weinberg, director, marketing for MontaVista Software.

"I met with Jim Allchin because I wanted to ask him face to face what he meant, to see if this was a calculated course of FUD on the part of Microsoft, as many people have concluded, or a misunderstanding of a few remarks taken out of context. Here are a couple of comments I sent to Richard after reviewing a draft of his response."

Caldera has announced its quarterly financial results. According to the company, net losses for the quarter totalled less than this time last year, and were only higher than last quarter because of the expenses associated with its acquisition of SCO.

Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, has acknowledged that Linux has become its No. 1 threat. The IDC numbers underscore that position. Although the figures show that Windows shipments increased 20 percent, Linux outpaced it with a 24 percent increase. Linux grabbed 27 percent market share in 2000, up from 25 percent the previous year.