Kernel release: 2.4.25-pre4, Jan 06, 2004

2.4.25-pre4 has been released today.
See changelog for full details.

Files added: 303
Files changed: 1316
Files removed: 39

Scacchi and fellow researchers have found a significant failure rate among open-source projects. But among those that get off the ground, research has shown not only that the open-source approach can yield better software more quickly and for less money than traditional methods but also that volunteering for an open-source project can be an effective way to get a job.

Microsoft Corp. on Monday launched a new advertising campaign designed to extend its "fact based" assault on the Linux operating system.

The campaign consists of a two-page advertisement, which was featured in six computer industry trade publications this week, that cites a 2002 IDC study that found that Windows 2000 costs organizations less to operate for a variety of server tasks including networking, security, and file and print serving. "Reams have been written about Windows and Linux," the ad reads, "Let's skip to the bottom line."

Here's a recommendation for getting things off to a good start: Novell should set the Ximian Connector free. Ximian Connector for Microsoft Exchange is a piece of software that enables Evolution, Ximian's popular Linux and Unix groupware application, to function as a client for Microsoft Exchange 2000 and 2003. Alone among Ximian's product offerings, the Connector is distributed under a proprietary license. The software costs $69 per machine, it may not be modified and its source code is not publicly available.

The discovery of two vulnerabilities in the Linux kernel has led the maintainer of the 2.4 series to issue a new version.

Both the vulnerabilities are local root exploits, with one bearing some resemblance to the flaw that was used to compromise several servers belonging to the Debian GNU/Linux project last year after initial entry was gained with a sniffed password.

A recent report by US-based SG Cowen gives an upbeat glimpse of enterprise Linux spending plans in the New Year.

The financial services firm surveyed 500 IT professionals from 527 North American companies and found that 80% of the respondents polled were using Linux in some fashion in their respective networks.

The survey also found that two thirds of the users had plans to bring more Linux software into the mix over the next two years.

Bill Gates has never met Chen Yongguang, but the Microsoft Corp. founder's future may be more dependent on the Chinese information-technology manager -- and thousands like him -- than he'd like. Chen is in charge of IT for the city of Xiaolan, in China's Guangdong province, and recently has become a convert to Linux, the free alternative to Microsoft's flagship Windows computer operating system. Chen recently turned to the software to run the Xiaolan government's 18 servers. It's cheaper than Windows, though saving money "is not a big consideration," he insists. More important, Chen says, is that Linux is less vulnerable to viruses and other rogue programs. He's also pleased that he can get the source code for the software, which allows him to adapt it more easily to his needs. "Windows is not open," he says. "You can't change it."

Norwegian programmer Jon Lech Johansen, who broke the DVD encryption scheme, has opened iTunes locked music a tad further, by allowing people to play songs they've purchased on iTunes Music Store on their GNU/Linux computers.

"We're about to find out what Apple really thinks about Fair Use," Johansen told The Register via email.

2.6.1-rc2 has been released today.
See changelog for full details.

Files added: 64
Files changed: 930
Files removed: 9

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