Linux Ecosystem Expands with New Developments

Strategic Insights -

Linspire has offered to license every PC in South Korea with Linspire and basic software for $5 million, a saving of about a quarter of a billion dollars, following Microsoft's apparent threat to withdraw from the country. Meanwhile, the Open Invention Network, comprised of IBM, Novell, Philips, Red Hat, and Sony, has been established to acquire patents and offer them royalty-free to promote Linux and foster innovation. In addition, Novell has revised its stance on Linux desktops, ensuring both Gnome and KDE will be developed and supported, with Gnome as the default. Ubuntu has also achieved certification as "ready for DB2," marking a significant milestone for the distribution. Furthermore, Mozilla has released the second candidate of its Firefox 1.5 browser, intended for testing and debugging.

Key Takeaways:

  • Linspire has offered to license every PC in South Korea with Linspire and basic software for $5 million, a saving of about a quarter of a billion dollars.
  • The Open Invention Network (OIN) has been established to acquire patents and offer them royalty-free to promote Linux and foster innovation globally.
  • The OIN will make patents available on a royalty-free basis to companies, institutions, and individuals that agree not to assert their patents against Linux or related applications.
  • Novell has revised its stance on Linux desktops, ensuring both Gnome and KDE will be developed and supported, with Gnome as the default.
  • Ubuntu has achieved certification as "ready for DB2," marking a significant milestone for the distribution.
  • The second release candidate of Mozilla Firefox 1.5 is available for download, intended for testing and debugging.

Statistics:

  • Linspire's offer to license every PC in South Korea will save about $250 million.
  • The Open Invention Network aims to acquire patents and offer them royalty-free to promote Linux and innovation globally.
  • The second release candidate of Mozilla Firefox 1.5 is available for download.
  • Ubuntu has achieved certification as "ready for DB2," marking a significant milestone for the distribution.

Sources:

  • Linspire
  • Open Invention Network
  • Novell
  • Ubuntu
  • Mozilla