Panix writes "Good news today from HP and SGI. Both have announced that they plan to offer Linux as one of their "core" operating systems. HP even stated that it would develop a special version of Linux for Merced!" It's crazy- 2 companies once known for their OSs have chosen another.

Joseph Pranevich has written up an excellent piece on Linux 2.2 where he practically sums up the major features of the new kernel. This will be quite useful to any of you who are curious, but haven't been reading LinuxHQ every patch for the last year. Related, 2.2.0ac1 is now out.

Kristin DeAngelis sent me some interesting mail covering some of the hoop-la surronding LinuxWorldExpo. One of the big things to note is that pre-reg time has been extended to Feb. 1-head over to LinuxWorldExpo for more information. And if you're coming head over to booth 1143 to see our smiling mugs, and we'd like to thank Kit Cosper of Linux-HW for sending Rob and I out there-buy stuff and make him happy.

Ladies and Gentleman its that time again. Grab the shot glasses, or the champagne or a beer or a can of jolt and drink to Linux v2.2. Take that drink when you type 'make zImage' (or bzImage if you are so moved) and remember all the hackers that made it happen.

Dr Dobbs Journal analyses the impact that Windows Programmers could have on Linux arguing that they could boost Linux' usability drastically. So what do you think Windows programmers could do to/for Linux? Do you think the ensuing culture struggle will be positive or negative? Link from LWN.

Infoworld has a feel-good article about Linux' recent growth, and things we can expect from Linux-friendly industry giants in the future. Link from LWN.

Linux Weekly News is reporting more trojan horse activity, this time hitting util-linux. Looks like someone read that Bruce Perens Article. Assume that win.tue.nl is not safe for the moment.

OldBen asks: "How do you handle email (or other services for that matter) for hundreds of thousands of users? Obviously, you can't just use a standard UNIX password file (or can you)?"

Students at Stanford organised a peaceful Linux demonstration at a local career fair handing out flyers. David Weekly did a write-up on how it went. Link courtesy of LT.

Steve Phillips sent us a link to the SGI Visual Workstation HOWTO. It is what it sounds like. Some notes about what makes the new machine different (and more expensive) than many x86 boxes. It's interesting, but probably more so if you actually have one of those boxes. Wish I did... if only for that screen. Yum yum.

Code Warrior writes "If you use Linux on a laptop then you'll want to head over to Mattshouse's interview with Dag Brattli, leader of the Linux IR Project. He has some neat insights about hardware vendor cooperation, and the IrDA Group's animosity."

Planetes writes "Here's a post from Linus straight off linux-kernel (I only got it on my e-mail a few minutes ago) (I've attached it below. "

Johnny Taporg writes " I came across this article in today's Washington post, where Robert Young talks about Linux's chance of being competitive with Microsoft. He says wait a decade or so. " It's interesting he's saying this, will Microsoft is arguing that Linux is a present day competitor. How trials can so change people's opinions.

Drew Bertola writes "HP World Conference is looking for paper submissions for their Linux Track. The Linux Track may be cancelled unless 4 more paper submissions are made by the end of the week. To submit your idea, go to the HP World Conference submissions page. For more information, e-mail Orly Larson or me. "

Querty wrote in to tell us that ZDNet's AnchorDesk page (home of everyone's favorite person: Jesse Berst) is doing a whole big Linux Thing today. Articles Include "Take the Linux Plunge", "Resellers Key to Linux Success", "Essential Linux Tips" and "Jon's Linux Toolkit", and a (ahem) poll. It looks like Linux is mainstream now.

Caballero writes " Not only is 2.2 pre 9 available. The version number in the Makefile is listed as 2.2.0-final! It also includes support for the new SGI visual workstation." We're almost there now kids. Chill the wine (or just get out the shot glasses)

haaz writes "Applix Inc. has formally announced Applixware Office for LinuxPPC, and a bundling deal with LinuxPPC Inc. The product was shown during the Macworld Expo in San Francisco, and met a very warm reception. Cheers! "

L2000 writes "Here is the draft of the press release for the upcoming linux kernel 2.2.0. It seems like we might get the offical 2.2 kernel before the end of this month." We're getting closer to the big day. And there shall be great rejoicing throughout the land.

AFUL, the french Free Software user group, held a half day conference touting the benefits of free software to a government panel in the French Prime-Minister's building. The government panel (MTIC) is responsible for introducing new technologies to different ministries. A french customs official described the easy introduction to their intranet of a Linux web server which has shown itself to be very reliable. Another presentation discussed the commercial need to force customers into an update cycle. It compared Windows 3.11's reliability to that of women's stockings which are designed to break quickly. The french city of Lille's computer department also enjoyed Linux' ease of use, scalability and efficiency on older hardware. Finally, Bernard Lang's presentation did not pull its punches. He discussed the dangers for the French economy of relying on foreign black-box software: proprietary software reduces local employment, tends to concentrate power monopolistically, while free software increases local employment (since most software jobs are in the service industry), guarantees originality, competition, conformity to open standards, and a free choice of service provider. The website referred to is the French Prime Minister's Governmental website, so we can be hopeful things will start happening. Links courtesy of Nouvelles Neuves Linux, and Translation services available from Babelfish.

Harris Vaegan-Lloyd writes "Cobalt networks have just released the Qube2, with a whole lot of new features to make everyone's lives easier, so why would you want a netwinder now huh? New features are modem control, scheduled backup to remote servers, DHCP server, better email alias handling & better mailing lists and too much to type here.. Hardware is now 2 ethernet ports, a serial card and a new 250Mhz mips chip (Qunatum Effects Dynamic.). And a new power connector to replace the old one that kept falling out! Yay! ;). " An anonymous reader also sent us a link to a review of this new toy.