This article is the second in a series that explores the history, status, alternative architectures, and future developments of Linux on PDAs and handheld devices.

When Richard M. Stallman started his programmers career, world of programming was much different from what it looks like today: back then, ND-agreements and shrink-wrap licenses simply didn't exist, and sharing code was considered normal behavior.

Despite a lack of marketing resources, more businesses are discovering and deploying open-source software in their back offices. Support has improved, and capable tools quickly become the standard by which commercial products are measured.

What exactly is a cluster, and why would you want to set one up? What are the potential benefits and pitfalls of deploying a Linux cluster? This article will address those questions and also provide you with a background on clustering technology, how it works and discuss the tools that are available for building clusters on the Linux platform.

"For typical desktop use, however, such as surfing the Web, sending e-mail, checking stock prices, and so on, Linux has not made much of a dent. Fortunately, things are starting to change in this respect. This series of articles will talk about what is changing on the Linux desktop, starting with Helix GNOME."

A variety of systems management solutions are being developed by both large and small vendors. Three companies, Caldera Systems, Red Hat, and Acrylis Inc. have all taken very different approaches to systems management.

"I met some folks from the NSA and they told me about a really neat project that they've been working on, called Security-enhanced Linux. One of the cool things about it is that it separates enforcement and policy. So selinux can easily support many different security policies, from the old (some would say outdated/silly) Multi-Level Secure/Bell-LaPadula model, to Domain-Type enforcement and Rule-Based Access Control models."

"Unfortunately, the bottom line for Linux and Netware is not good. The Netware server support that is available has not been updated in quite a while. Only the Linux-based Netware client support from the likes of Caldera is being supported."

There's something weird yet pleasing about seeing a command-line interface on an iMac. It seems so wrong, and at the same time so right. And it's never been easier to get; all you have to do is install Darwin, the BSD derivative that underpins Apple's forthcoming MacOS X.

The Intel Pentium 4 is not getting along well with Linux these days. Unless you

run a patch on your distribution, or upgrade to the 2.2.18 kernel, Linux recognizes the Pentium 4 as an "unknown processor." The reason for this processor problem is an odd tale which has its roots in Microsoft Windows NT.