2002.10_Changing Times.pdf

Welcome

COMMENT

Changing Times

Dear Linux Magazine Reader,

We pride ourselves on the origins

of our publication, which come

from the early days of the Linux

revolution.

Our sister publication in Germany,

founded in 1994, was the first

Linux magazine in Europe. Since

then, our network and expertise

has grown and expanded with the

Linux community around the

world.

As a reader of Linux Magazine,

you are joining an information

network that is dedicated to

distributing knowledge and

technical expertise. We’re not

simply reporting on the Linux

and Open Source movement,

we’re part of it.

As Autumn is now upon us, the IT world slowly shakes off its summer

lethargy. New projects are starting to appear and some are designed for our

business needs.

Kroupware should be ready by the end of the year. This is a large open

source groupware product that has been commissioned by one of the German

governmental IT agencies. The project aims to produce a server with all the

functionality of MS Exchange servers and MS Outlook 2000 clients.

Why is this a good thing? Well, it is good for the IT agency as they will get

an open source alternative based on standard components. If these sources

are then released we will all gain for what would be seen a small expenditure

for one large IT department. Other governments could then use this project

and gain all the benefits for no cost.

Does this harm anyone? Other countries benefiting does not harm the

original commissioning agency so everyone benefits all around. Governments helping one

another – this could be a good thing. As much as I distrust governments this might be something

I applaud. Now if only governments had video game departments…

A new political platform has been created by Bruce Perens after his departure from Hewlett

Packard. The Sincere Choice initiative, is in response to the Microsoft-backed Software Choice

Initiative. The difference is one aims at giving people the choice of being able to use proprietary

software, while the other aims for the choice of proprietary software OR Free software.

The main principle of the Sincere Choice is for a fair, competitive market for computer

software, both proprietary and Open Source. Bruce will have no complaints here. Software should

live or die based on its merits, not on whether you are locked in to a proprietary monopoly.

Microsoft seem determined to stop any form of

competition. First we had C# and .NET then reading

DVD’s without proprietary decoders. Next was Software

patents and just as we are beginning to make politicians

understand how wrong this is along comes the

Palladium project. This is where a new security chip will

be built onto all future motherboards. Access to, say a

secure website, will be allowed only if you are using a

registered proprietary software.

This Trusted Computing Platform will stop any evil

terrorist from buying the latest Amazon blockbuster but

what about us free world people? Content you receive

may be limited because you are not trusted or it is

deemed bad for you, such

as the opposition’s political

information. Will this be the way

MS finally gets to control the

Internet?

Survey Results

Here are some of the results from the

Linux Magazine reader survey:

98% of our readers are male

62%

use Linux at work

43%

of our readers hold Technical

Specialist positions

27%

share their copy with others

24%

buy just for the Community pages

76%

use Linux on the desktop

are still living with their parents :-)

Subscription Winners

The winners from the survey draw are:

•Mr M.C. Bishop, Chirnside, UK

•Mr L. J. Kroker, Hong Kong

•Mr A. Mc Donald, Dublin, Ireland

•Ms L. Staal, Alkmaar,

The Netherlands

•Mr M. Thompson, Cambus, UK

Enjoy your free subscription!

Happy Hacking,

John Southern

Editor

www.linux-magazine.com

October 2002

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