OStatic

SGI relicenses OpenGL--the heart of 3D acceleration: A huge gift to the free software community .....

VMware takes on Microsoft, Cisco with VDC-OS--see our previous analysis here, and a help wanted ad from VMware for an open source/Linux expert......

Zarafa has open sourced its respected Exchange server replacement--works with major Linux distros, and native syncing reportedly works well with the iPhone.....

Mandriva unveils Linux for netbooks.....

Firefox 3.1 beta release schedule delayed.....

This week, Canonical opened sales of legal multimedia codecs and DVD playback software to all Ubuntu users, regardless of whether the distribution was pre-installed on a purchased system or downloaded gratis from an Ubuntu mirror.

Fluendo handles the bulk of the codecs using the GStreamer framework. CyberLink offers DVD playback through a Linux version of its PowerDVD software.

It feels the most positive word that can be applied to this announcement is bittersweet. There are many more colorfully negative words that are applicable, as well.

Neuros has taken another stab at the open-source set-top box market.....

Microsoft continued to make its case this week that it is a friend to open source.....

Mozilla in hot water over use of EULA in Canonical Ubuntu Linux.....

Open source virtual classroom software released in Africa.....

Matt Hartley at Datamation recently suggested promoting open source adoption -- using a very different venue. He suggests mall kiosks as a potentially effective way to spread the word about open source software, and how it can work for the average computer user.

This is a fascinating idea. User groups could reach several different demographics, populations that might never have heard of Linux, never mind understand the joys (and trials) of using it.

It's an idea with real risks, Hartley admits. With realistic expectations, it could also be wildly successful -- even as a business model.

Adobe AIR launches on Linux.....

Is HP working on a proprietary Linux fork?.....

Google Chrome's open source ally: Microsoft.....

High-end developers choose commercial Linux.....

Panda: An open source video platform for web sites.....

On Monday, Michael DeHaan cast his net into Debian/Ubuntu waters, seeking out those who might be interested in packaging and maintaining the Red Hat-centric installation/provisioning server, Cobbler.

DeHaan states that recent additions and improvements added to Cobbler's development branch are shaping the project into a viable alternative to Debian's FAI (Fully Automatic Installation) package.

Mark Shuttleworth, the man at the helm of Canonical and Ubuntu, went into greater detail last week about his thoughts on making future Ubuntu releases more user-focused. In the past, Shuttleworth has made no pretense that he feels Apple has, historically, offered a superior user experience.

Shuttleworth's comments have elicited striking reactions, ranging from enthusiastic support to concern about what innovation really means.