Network World Fusion reports that Toshiba is shipping sample models of their new 30GB 2.5-inch drives, the highest capacity drives available of that physical size.

Linux Planet suggests that 2001 could be an important year for the progress of Linux, calling Linux a component, rather than a shrink-wrapped product.

Slashdot discusses the issue of using GPL or BSD source code in closed source projects.

ZDNet points out a workaround to Microsoft’s latest copy protection scheme. Under the new system, Microsoft requires Microsoft Office users to register each copy they install before that copy will work. Under their license agreement, only two copies can be installed. By lying, according to the article, you can get a third copy installed.

Computer World reports that the fastest undersea cable line to date will be laid by London-based Cable and Wireless PLC, at 3.2 Terabits per second. The new wiring will have one line going to each of France and the UK.

ZDNet reports that IBM has launched a new weapon in the online music arms race. It would allow music swapping sites to require payment for songs exchanged.

From PR Newswire: Borland Software Corporation (Nasdaq: BORL), formerly known as Inprise
Corporation, will announce its fourth quarter earnings and year-end 2000
financial results on the morning of January 25, 2001. Borland will conduct a
conference call on Thursday, January 25th, at 7:30 a.m., Pacific Time, to
discuss the details of its fourth quarter earnings and year-end 2000 financial
results.

Kelly McNeill writes: “Considering the fact that many companies do not support Linux, it’s ironic that the same companies use Linux to their advantage. Take a look at the active role that Linux plays in AOL Time Warner. AOL uses Linux as well as open source software in some of its embedded devices, and serves AOL.com.au under Apache. For its part, Time Warner uses Linux to render special effects in some of its movies while also incorporating many of the advantages of freeBSD. Coincidentally, another OS the company does not allow.” The column is at OS Opinion.

From LinuxPR: Andamooka has added four more books to its community-annotated online
collection of open content.

“The Cathedral & The Bazaar” is a well-known collection of essays on Open
Source by Eric S. Raymond.

“Underground,” by Suelette Dreyfus, is a novel based on the true stories of the
“hacker” (perhaps “cracker” is the right word) underground. It has recently been
released online under an open-content style license to Project Gutenberg and
Andamooka.

“Linux Newbie Administrator’s Guide,” by Stan and Peter Klimas, is an
introduction to Linux written by authors who have recently learned the OS
themselves, so they understand what newbies are going through.

“Squid: A User’s Guide by Oskar Pearson, is the manual and guide for the Squid
Internet proxy-cache.

ZDNet reports that the Ramen virus, which has hit versions of Red Hat 6.2 and 7.0 in the United States, has now moved overseas. The story says the vandals themselves are switching to Red Hat.