To:"Mike Swier" <mswier@YAHOO.COM>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 15:04:15 -0400 (EDT) From:"Linux Pipeline Newsletter" <linuxed@techwire.com>
Subject: [LXP] Linux Pipeline - 10.12.2004 - Enterprise Open Source: Big Names, Bigger Money Linux Pipeline Newsletter | Enterprise Open Source: Big Names, Bigger Money | 10.12.2004
Linux Pipeline Newsletter
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/
Tuesday, October 12, 2004


In This Issue:
  • Editor's Note: Enterprise Open Source: Big Names, Bigger Money
  • Top Linux News
        - Former Sun, Oracle Execs Launch Open-Source Startup
        - Kodak, Sun Settle Java-Related Court Case
        - Novell Announces SUSE Linux Update
        - More News...
  • Editor's Picks
        - Feature: Open-Source Java Brewing In Brazil
        - Special: TechWeb's 'Best Independent Tech Blog' Readers Choice Award
        - How-To: MYSQL: Understanding The Basics
        - More Picks...
  • Voting Booth: What Do You Think Of The GPL?
  • Get More Out Of Linux Pipeline
  • Manage Your Newsletter Subscription


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    Editor's Note: Enterprise Open Source: Big Names, Bigger Money

    There's a new game in town for unemployed software executives looking for their next gig: enterprise open-source software services. Judging from the money and management talent moving into this market, it's less likely to be a gold rush than a no-holds-barred cage match. And that's great news for firms that need a clear technology roadmap before they venture into open-source territory.

    Over the past week, we've seen two new startups break into the enterprise open-source market. First, three former BEA executives, working with a couple of high-powered VC backers, launched SourceSafe. The company's goal: to be the "Dell of open-source software," assembling, configuring and certifying a variety of third-party open-source products for specific enterprise scenarios.

    Then late last week, former Sun and Marimba executive Kim Polese, along with ex-Oracle president Ray Lane, announced SpikeSource. Their firm, which is also getting strong VC support through Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (where Lane is a general partner), aims to do pretty much the same thing: provide "validated and certified open-source stacks" for enterprise customers. SpikeSource has already introduced an alpha version of its certified LAMPJ stack, and the company plans to expand its offerings to include more than 50 open-source products, all tested and certified for various enterprise usage scenarios.

    This isn't a completely novel business model. JBoss, like both SourceSafe and SpikeSource, sells maintenance and support services for an open-source enterprise software stack, although unlike its new competitors JBoss also builds the software it supports. In addition, both Novell and more recently Red Hat have invested heavily in their ability to build (or buy), integrate and support IT infrastructure solutions based on their enterprise Linux offerings. Now that the last pieces of an open-source enterprise software stack are falling into place, however, there's an even bigger opportunity for companies that can help customers make the right technology choices.

    All of this adds up to bad news for Microsoft, whose image of "enterprise Linux" as an activity involving the comic-book-store guy on "The Simpsons" looks more absurd by the day. In fact, enterprise open-source integration and certification services could become the single most important weapon against Redmond's continuing FUD campaigns. As these firms--and others like them still to come--build, certify, install and document hard ROI data on their open-source implementations, we'll see who ends up with a more convincing story to tell their enterprise customers.

    Matthew McKenzie
    Editor, Linux Pipeline
    mattcmp@sonic.net
    http://www.linuxpipeline.com/


    Top Linux News

    Former Sun, Oracle Execs Launch Open-Source Startup
    Two former executives from Sun and Oracle plan to launch a startup designed to provide end-to-end Linux integration services.

    Kodak, Sun Settle Java-Related Court Case
    With Kodak poised to request $1 billion in damages, the two companies settle without disclosing the terms of their agreement.

    Novell Announces SUSE Linux Update
    Novell says it will release its SUSE Linux Professional 9.2 update in November.

    Gluecode Contributes Open-Source BPM Engine
    Gluecode Software is contributing what it says is the first open-source business process management engine to the Apache Software Foundation.

    IBM App Server 6.0 Open To Standards
    IBM's updated WebSphere Application Server should address longtime criticisms of the firm's commitment to open standards.

    New Standard Reins In Linux Distros
    Linux vendors get behind the Linux Standards Base 2.0 standard.

    Netline To Post OpenXchange Code
    The company says it will post the code for its open-source messaging server, including fixes and contributed code, on Friday.

    MySQL To Use Open-Source Microsoft Toolset
    The next release of the MyQSL database server will include a Windows installer based on an open-source toolset released by Microsoft.

    SGI Launches Linux-Based Workstations
    Silicon Graphics launches a line of Linux-based high-end graphics computers running on Intel's Itanium 2 processors.

    AT&T Takes The Linux Challenge
    AT&T has set up a program to evaluate alternatives to Microsoft Windows, including Linux, for the company's internal desktop computers.


    Editor's Picks

    Feature: Open-Source Java Brewing In Brazil
    A Brazilian government-supported group is working to create an open-source version of the Java language.

    Special: TechWeb's 'Best Independent Tech Blog' Readers Choice Award
    Do you have a favorite tech blog? Which tech bloggers keep you coming back for more? Help us find the best tech blogs and spread the word by nominating up to five of your favorites. We'll pick ten finalists for a head-to-head showdown starting November 1.

    The rules are simple: To qualify, a blog must cover technology, and it must be an independent publication (in other words, no blogs associated with online publishing companies like CMP Media). Nominations are open through October 29 at
    http://www.techweb.com/blogawards/nominate.html.

    How-To: MYSQL: Understanding The Basics
    A hands-on introduction to the world's most popular open source relational database.

    Feature: Red Hat Boosts Enterprise Linux Services
    Red Hat joins Novell in a high-stakes race to build enterprise-class, open-source applications.

    Feature: Solaris Rising
    Sun's plan to position Solaris as a Linux alternative will play a critical role as the company works to reinvent itself.

    Analysis: The Cost Of Ideas
    Sun and Kodak settled a billion-dollar intellectual-property dispute last week. It's far from the last such clash we'll see.


    Voting Booth: What Do You Think Of The GPL?

    Cast Your Vote Now!
    This week, we'd like to know what you think of the GPL as a license for your open-source software projects. Does it work? It is a problem? Do you even worry about it?
    The polls are still open and every vote counts. Vote today!


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