To:mswier@YAHOO.COM
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 14:47:11 -0500 (EST)
From:"Linux Pipeline Newsletter" <linuxed@techwire.com>
Subject: [LXP] Linux Pipeline - 01.18.2006 - Happy Linux Pipeline Newsletter | Happy | 01.18.2006
Linux Pipeline Newsletter
www.LinuxPipeline.com
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2006


In This Issue:
  • Editor's Note: Happy
  • Top Linux News
        - Mozilla Releases Thunderbird 1.5 Email Client
        - Wiki Offers Anonymous Blogging Tips
        - Microsoft Refutes Windows 'Back Door' Claim For WMF Bug
        - More News...
  • Editor's Picks
        - Proposed GPL Update Open For Business
        - Does Microsoft Patent Victory Bode Ill For Open Source?
        - Craigslist Founder Envisions New-Media Future For Journalists
        - More Picks...
  • Voting Booth: Is DRM DOA?
  • Get More Out Of Linux Pipeline
  • Manage Your Newsletter Subscription


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    Editor's Note: Happy

    A draft version of what will be the first update to the General Public License in nearly 15 years went public yesterday. From what I gather poking around the Web, most Open Source developers, users, and fellow travelers are mostly very happy with what they see so far.

    In fact, while I expect to find myself snowboarding in hell before our crowded house declares its unanimous support for anything, judging from the tenor of Paula Rooney's coverage of the GPL v. 3 draft release, this process could end up being easier and less contentious than any of us could have expected.

    Better yet, the draft also gave many of the business professionals with a stake in the GPL update a pleasant surprise: The sleepless nights they spent worrying that Richard Stallman would hand them a crudely relabeled copy of the Communist Manifesto, mumble something about "suckers," and wander away chuckling to himself proved to be unfounded.

    (Here's a link to a copy of the GPL v. 3 draft, available on a FSF-sponsored site that includes tools for viewing and making comments addressing the license draft.)

    Actually, I never really understood why anyone in the business community would conclude that Richard Stallman was contemplating any sort of dirty trick designed to screw up their business models. Stallman is, even to his opponents, a remarkably consistent, focused, and strong-willed person. And while one may certainly disagree with his intellectual and philosophical arguments supporting Free Software, I can't help but smile at the idea that Stallman's relentless pursuit of individual liberty could get him tarred as a "Communist."

    In any case, the rapid growth and innovation we've seen around open-source products lately, including many applications where GPL software plays a direct or indirect role, speaks volumes to me about its relevance and usefulness in the business world.

    Enjoy your week, and stay in touch!

    Matt McKenzie
    Editor, Linux Pipeline
    mattcmp@sonic.net
    www.LinuxPipeline.com


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    Top Linux News

    Mozilla Releases Thunderbird 1.5 Email Client
    Mozilla Corp. on Thursday released the version 1.5 of its open-source Thunderbird e-mail client, which includes major improvements in the product's automated anti-spam and security control features.

    Wiki Offers Anonymous Blogging Tips
    A new collaborative Web site offers tips on blogging more anonymously for people who live in countries that restrict free speech.

    Microsoft Refutes Windows 'Back Door' Claim For WMF Bug
    Microsoft has denied allegations that the Windows Meta File bug is actually a "back door" planted by the company's developers so they could secretly access users' PCs.

    iUpload Pitches Blogs As Enterprise Communication Tools
    Content management developer iUpload has integrated with NetSuite's on-demand business application and is working to provide access to Microsoft Corp.'s CRM and SharePoint products.

    iPod Lessons Lighten UK Newbies' Wallets
    A London department store is charging money for lessons on how to store and play music on the popular devices. Meanwhile, Apple provides instructions for free.

    Wiki Developer Debuts Net-Based Spreadsheet App
    JotSpot takes wikis, or collaborative Web sites, a step further by offering menu-driven page editing as an alternative to markup languages. The result with its new software is surprisingly simple spreadsheet collaboration.


    Editor's Picks

    Proposed GPL Update Open For Business
    The Free Software Foundation's first General Public License update in 14 years improves its compatibility with other open-source licenses, gives DRM and patent parasites the kiss-off, and even takes a more business-friendly tone than many executives feared it might.

    Does Microsoft Patent Victory Bode Ill For Open Source?
    Microsoft wins a key patent, covering the widely-used FAT file system. Critics say Redmond will have carte blanche to ride roughshod over the many Linux distros and Open Source products that use the technology -- but a Microsoft executive says a doomsday scenario just isn't on the company's to-do list.

    Craigslist Founder Envisions New-Media Future For Journalists
    Craig Newmark is still keeping most details of his next venture under wraps but in an interview says it will "promote the best of the press," prominently featuring people with the "best reputations."

    Will Corporate Spin Fit Blogs?
    Bloggers have become a sounding board for company spinners looking to build word-of-mouth campaigns or head off a public relations disaster. While hesitant to pay for endorsements in the blogosphere, businesses are willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for online media monitoring.

    Eclipse Casts Its Shadow On .NET
    This highly-regarded, open-source development environment is beginning to scare the bejesus out of Microsoft. We'll tell you why, and we'll explain what it could mean for application developers.


    Voting Booth: Is DRM DOA?

    Cast Your Vote Now!
    We have a new poll question this week, and it's another one that everyone is sure to have an opinion about: Will the Sony BMG court settlement discourage other music and digital media companies from expanding the use of DRM technology? (Vote early, vote often!)

    Poll Results:
    Last week's poll, on whether Firefox 1.5 is an improvement over previous versions, generally gave Mozilla's baby the thumbs-up -- but not without a fair number of unhappy campers:

    Question: What do you think of Firefox 1.5?

    1. It's a huge improvement: 15 percent (84 votes out of 579)
    2. It's noticeably better: 42 percent (245 votes out of 579)
    3. It's about as good as Firefox 1.0: 20 percent (118 votes out of 579)
    4. It's a step backwards for Mozilla: 6 percent (37 votes out of 579)
    5. I can't wait to try IE 7: 16 percent (95 votes out of 579)


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    Join InformationWeek for a FREE, live TechWebCast on Understanding and Improving IT. In this TechWebcast IT executives will learn how to align IT capabilities with business strategies, leveraging balanced scorecards to define their goals and critical success factors for the provision of IT to the business, and using measurement frameworks to ensure IT is improving. Tuesday, January 31, 2006 ? 11:00-12:00 PT / 2:00-3:00 ET
    "http://www.techweb.com/webcasts/improvingit013106"

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