Intel Quits One Laptop Per Child Program, Jan 07, 2008

Intel said it left the OLPC program because the organization had asked it to stop selling a competing low-cost computer.

In another example of the creeping acceptance of the Linux operating system, the Micro Center chain of computer stores said it will devote floor space and staff to Linspire open source software in its 19 computer superstores.

The issue of software patents for Europe heated up as some 250 demonstrators descended on members of the European Parliament to argue in favor of strong software patent laws.

A Massachusetts state senator who had complained about the state government's effort to promote open-source software at the expense of proprietary software has hailed the state's effort to reach a compromise over future software purchases by the state.

"I think IBM is trying to kill two birds with one stone," said Florian Mueller, campaign manager of NoSoftwarePatents.com, a Munich-based association. "IBM wants to appease the open-source people in the U.S. and simultaneously influence the political debate over patents in Europe."

Open source software will influence the VoIP market in a big way next year, according to VoIP pioneer Jeff Pulver, who released his predictions this week.