SuSE widens scope for desktop Linux, Jun 09, 2003

SuSE hopes to accelerate Linux desktop growth with the new product, which focuses on corporate concerns such as support and compatibility with existing systems. SuSE Linux Desktop comes with a standard one-year maintenance plan and includes CodeWeavers CrossOver Office 2.0 to allow the operating system to work with Microsoft's Office software package.

One thing that isn't changing, even as Linux gains popularity, is Mr. Torvalds's remarkable lack of interest in translating his influence and importance into fame and fortune. He doesn't have a secretary, much less a PR person. He doesn't hobnob with the executives of the many big companies using his software. He'd rather be home with his wife and three daughters than out at conferences with the digerati A-list.

Eight people and a dozen laptops were crammed into a tiny windowless conference room at 5 p.m. last Monday. On the laptops: untested code. On the conference table: piles of silicon and metal. On the people's minds: escalating, deadline-induced panic.

But by 2:30 a.m., data was being transmitted wirelessly to what had become a laptop-based flight control center for a Linux-controlled rocket. The aircraft was a few steps closer to blasting off into the upper atmospher

The Free Software Foundation says that the copyright issue is "under investigation" but it would appear that any action on this would be contingent on goodwill from Linksys, rather than legal repercussions; FSF isn't wealthy, and has little clout apart from the mind-share amongst a section of the developer community.

After years of appearing to bully its competitors - and in some cases shutting them down - Microsoft's reputation has come back to bite it.

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