Linux News for Nov 26, 2001

• Mandrake Linux Security Update Advisory: kernel (Nov 26, 2001, 23:35)
  "Alexander Viro discovered a vulnerability in the devfs implementation that is shipped with Mandrake Linux 8.1. We are aware of the problem and are currently working on a solution. As a workaround, until an update becomes available, please boot with the devfs=nomount option."


• KernelTrap: Interview With OpenBSD Creator: Theo de Raadt (Nov 26, 2001, 23:12)
  "[Compared to Linux] I feel that OpenBSD development is evolutionary instead of revolutionary, and suspect that since our development methodology is so radically different at a fundamental level, that it will result in many obvious differences for the user community -- a long list full of contentious things which I prefer not to write up."


• SiliconValley.com: After 'hot' start, Linux now is 'realistic' about China inroads (Nov 26, 2001, 21:29)
  "I'd love to tell you that Linux, as the open-source operating system is more commonly known, is sweeping through the world's most populous nation and creating a major counter-force to Microsoft's Windows monopoly on desktop computers. I'd love to tell you that, but I'd be exaggerating."


• Kernel Cousin Wine #109 by Brian Vincent (Nov 26, 2001, 21:17)
  KDE is a powerful Open Source graphical desktop environment for Unix workstations. It combines ease of use, contemporary functionality, and outstanding graphical design with the technological superiority of the Unix operating system.


• Kernel Traffic #143 by Zack Brown (Nov 26, 2001, 20:10)
  Mailing list threads from the Linux Kernel Development Team.


• The Register: Galeon zips while Mozilla slips (Nov 26, 2001, 18:30)
  "We've found Galeon to be horribly addictive for a while now, and it's the only Linux application we truly miss when away from the OS. (There are lots of UI features we miss away from a non-*nix box, but this is probably the only app)."


• Candidate Stallman Responds to GNOME Foundation Board Questions (Nov 26, 2001, 17:44)
  Richard Stallman has answered the questions presented to GNOME Foundation Board candidates (voting deadline is tomorrow), explaining his perspective on the relationship between GNOME and the broader GNU project.


• LinuxProgramming: This week in DotGNU - no 6 (November 24, 2001) (Nov 26, 2001, 17:15)
  This week: phpGroupware becomes part of DotGNU, PNetMark benchmark application for Portable.NET released, Version 1.9.1 of GNU Common C++ released, and Disability Impact Statements.


• Opera 6.0 for Linux Technology Preview Released (Nov 26, 2001, 16:52)
  Opera has released a technology preview of Opera 6.0 for Linux. The announcement with a list of what's new is within.


• Kernel Cousin GNUe #4 by Peter Sullivan (Nov 26, 2001, 16:42)
  Weekly summary of the GNU Enterprise Project, "Putting the 'Free' back in 'free enterprise'."


• Linux 2.4.16 Released (Nov 26, 2001, 16:18)
  Changelog, link within.


• CNN.com: Linux inches toward acceptance on PDAs (Nov 26, 2001, 16:01)
  "Over the past few years, advocates of the Linux operating system have mounted several failed offensives to try and conquer the desktop, but at the same time a less visible battle has been going on in the PDA (personal digital assistant) market. The difference between them? Linux may actually have a chance on PDAs."


• Network Computing: Locked Down Out of the Box [Overview of Secure Distributions] (Nov 26, 2001, 15:02)
  "Although these efforts have gone a long way toward improving the security of Linux, most mainstream vendors still don't address the needs of those who require a high level of security or need a bulletproof server at installation time. Enter security-enhanced distributions. Of the many vendors offering this type of secure solution, two offerings, Engarde Secure Linux and Immunix, caught our favor as the most polished and ready for prime time."


• osOpinion: Open-Source Activism in Need of Repair (Nov 26, 2001, 13:50)
  "A great deal of this whining is directed at Microsoft. While I personally am not a fan of the giant in Redmond, it is my belief that if only a small percentage of this energy were directed in more productive areas, the community could get a lot more accomplished."


• SiliconValley.com: Cash-strapped companies embrace Linux (Nov 26, 2001, 13:49)
  "While the flightless bird may have been booted off Wall Street, it is being welcomed on Main Street as a dependable substitute for more expensive software sold by competitors such as Microsoft and Sun Microsystems. From auto dealers in Florida to grocery stores in the Arctic Circle, companies are using Linux to run Web sites, power databases, track inventory and balance the books." [ The link's fixed. -ed. ]


• LinuxPower.org: Interview with GNOME hacker Rodney Dawes (Nov 26, 2001, 12:36)
  "One of the people working extremely hard at realizing his own dream for the Linux desktop is Rodney Dawes. At daytime he is a faithful employee at Ximian working on making sure that the packages in Red Carpet are up to date. At night he is working hard to make his GNU/Elysium Linux distribution a reality."


• Linus Torvalds: Comments on Kernel Releases (Nov 26, 2001, 10:03)
  Linus Torvalds provides some commentary regarding the perceived quality of kernel releases, the pace of development, and problems with bug-hunting: "The problem with any big release is that the people you really want to test it won't test it until it is stable, and you cannot make it stable before you have lots of testers. A basic chicken-and-egg problem, in short."


• AbiWord 0.9.5 Released (Nov 26, 2001, 05:13)
  The last release of AbiWord before 1.0 is out: "Highlights include: Command Line Printing, Normal Mode, Thesaurus ,Dictionary support, All image type support (these last three via plugins) , Header/Footers for first/last/facing pages, Dynamic Toolbars (drag and drop toolbar icons) for Unix/Gnome. Plus lots of other stuff and bugfixes."