ZDnet in an article entitled ‘Customers Shun Microsoft Licensing’ reports: ‘…Financially, the low number of customers signing up for the plan shouldn’t hurt Microsoft…But dissatisfaction with Microsoft’s licensing terms could lead customers to consider options such as Linux and rivals to Microsoft’s Office business software.

Hi, I am a newcomer to this site. I am thinking to do a thesis on OSS for my Master degree. I am from the background of Computer Science / Business Administration. So my topic will be more inclined towards these perspectives. But now I haven’t got a clue about the specific topic, nor what kind of research to do (survey, case study, etc). So any hint or suggestion from the community will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Citing irreconcilable differences in philosophy the developer of FreePM resigned his positions as President and CTO, in mid June, from the company he co-founded in 2000 to market services and support for the software.

It is expected that the company will be issuing a news release on it’s website at http://www.freepm.com in the near future.

Tim Cook
twcook@iswt.com
731.884.4126

Loads of Linux Links (LoLL)–Version 1.0.1 Released.

WHAT: GPLed Database and software to generate a website with 3000+
subject-classified and searchable Linux links for all levels of Linux users.

WHERE: Loads of Linux Links (LoLL) home page (http://loll.sourceforge.net);
project page (http://sourceforge.net/projects/loll); file release area
(http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=42381); CVS
repository (http://sourceforge.net/cvs/?group_id=42381), mailing list
(http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/loll-general), and the
generated website (http://loll.sourceforge.net/linux/links) which is the
place to do your Linux searching!

WHY: Provides convenient access to information needed by all levels of Linux
users.

HOW: LoLL GPLed software and data (scripts,
configuration files, and a bookmark file that contains the basic link
information), are used in combination with bk2site
(http://bk2site.sourceforge.net) to generate the Loads of Linux Links
website (http://loll.sourceforge.net/linux/links).

WHO: Andrew Willard (willychilly@users.sourceforge.net) and Barbara E. Irwin
(beirwin@users.sourceforge.net).

For additional information about this project, including what’s new for version 1.0.1 see:

http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_id=840785&forum_id=9920.

Linux NetworX announced today that the first genomics ASP (application service provider) is powered by a Linux NetworX cluster supercomputer to provide users with online genetic research access. SEQUENOM, Inc. (Nasdaq: SQNM), a discovery genetics company, is providing the ASP, known as RealSNP.com(TM), to include its database of millions of gene sequences to offer the most comprehensive online genomics research tool available today.

SALT LAKE CITY, May 7, 2002�Linux NetworX announced today that the first genomics ASP (application service provider) is powered by a Linux NetworX cluster supercomputer to provide users with online genetic research access. SEQUENOM, Inc. (Nasdaq: SQNM), a discovery genetics company, is providing the ASP, known as RealSNP.comTM, to include its database of millions of gene sequences to offer the most comprehensive online genomics research tool available today.

With the click of a mouse, researchers from small and large organizations that otherwise would not have access to gene sequences and supercomputing technology, can access SEQUENOM�s online database, RealSNP.com, to search for genetic codes and to design and test their own genetic sequences. In the past, researchers in academic and commercial organizations were often restricted in the amount of research they could conduct because of the large cost associated with sophisticated computers and licensing fees for genomic databases. With the combined efforts of SEQUENOM and Linux NetworX, the computing power and genomics data are available online, providing researchers with affordable and convenient access to necessary research tools.

�Genetic information that was previously expensive or time consuming to generate is now readily available for researchers for a variety of uses including detecting the medical impact of genes and genetic variations,� said Rick Lapp, computational biologist for SEQUENOM. �With the cluster from Linux NetworX, we are able to provide our customers with quick access to genomics information and supercomputing power to further enhance research endeavors in the life sciences.�

Cluster technology is a method of linking multiple computers, or computer nodes, together to form a powerful, unified system. Linux NetworX clusters can match the performance of traditional supercomputers for a fraction of the cost. The design of clusters also create a very reliable platform for ASP and ISP (internet service providers) models.

A major factor contributing to SEQUENOM�s decision to use a Linux cluster was their need for a computing system that could function as a web server, database provider and number cruncher all in one machine. With the use of a Linux NetworX cluster, SEQUENOM is able to provide all the functions the RealSNP.com online database needs to produce fast and accurate genomic information. SEQUENOM was also attracted to the expertise Linux NetworX demonstrated in its products and services.

�In today�s bioinformatics industry, access to accurate and validated information is vital, but not every research organization has the need for an in-house cluster system,� said Clark Roundy, vice president of marketing for Linux NetworX. �An ASP model using Linux cluster technology literally brings supercomputing power to the masses.�

About Linux NetworX

Linux NetworX (www.linuxnetworx.com) brings its powerful and easy-to-manage cluster technology to those demanding high performance and high availability systems. Linux NetworX provides solutions for organizations involved in oil and gas exploration, aeronautical and chemical modeling, biotechnology research, graphics rendering and visual effects, Web serving, ISPs, ASPs, and other technological research fields. Through its innovative Evolocity hardware, ICE(TM) cluster management tools and professional service and support, Linux NetworX provides end-to-end clustering solutions. To date, the company has built some of the largest cluster systems in the world, and boasts numerous Fortune 500 customers.

# # #
SEQUENOM(TM) and RealSNP.com(TM) are trademarks of, and all trade rights therein are owned by, SEQUENOM, Inc.

CONTACT:
Brad Rutledge
Linux NetworX
801-562-1010 ext. 218
brutledge@linuxnetworx.com

The UK Government published a RFC paper describing it’s Open Source Policy for government use, and asking for comments. It is accompanied by a report on the impact of Open Source software in government.