CNet interviews Michael Tiemann, who says he wants to make running Linux less of a chore. “We feel that the technology industry is at this point where the technology has exceeded a lot of people’s capacity to take
advantage of it,” he says.

At LWN.net: ” Linux.conf.au (Sydney, 17-20 Jan 2001) will be the first free software
conference since the release of kernel 2.4.0. Alan Cox will be presenting
the opening keynote, entitled “World Domination: Classified Progress Report
and Briefing”, which covers the scope and history of the new series of
kernels. The kernel track covers many of the most interesting new features
in Linux 2.4.x and plans for 2.5.x developments …”

From Techweb: Resembling the infamous “I
Love You” virus, this app spread through Microsoft Outlook e-mail
program, crashing computers in dozens of organizations. The virus
altered file extensions by adding text that read: “change at least now
to LINUX.” In addition, each attack ended with a message signed by
“the penguin” — the de facto Linux mascot.

CRN.com reports: “Microsoft’s President and CEO this week named Linux as the company’s
biggest problem going into 2001.

Speaking at an Internet conference hosted by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter,
Steve Ballmer said that both Unix and Linux threaten Windows’ stronghold
in the marketplace, but that the latter is the bigger headache.”

Using the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) isn’t for the faint of heart or those used to
the friendlier Windows IDEs. There are a huge number of command line options
available for GCC. This article, at FreeOS.com, brings you the most commonly used and most useful
options.

LinuxToday has posted news about the latest ‘post-update’ to the kernel.

From Wired:
A teen-oriented website says it has the sticky application for wireless devices — former Playboy bunny and Baywatch Speedo girl Pamela Anderson.

Eruptor Entertainment of Marina Del Rey, California — which creates interactive content for teenagers — recently hooked up with Anderson to release a
game for handheld devices running on the Palm operating system.

Users play the game, called “PortaPam,” by “managing” Anderson’s career. This includes karate-chopping reporters, feeding her pizzas and smoothies and
every once in a while awarding her with flowers and chocolate.

MSNBC tells us that, after the Intuit Quicken 2001 Release 2 update is downloaded to a Microsoft
Windows 2000-based system, this error may pop up: “QW.EXE has generated
errors and will be closed by Windows. You will need to restart the program.
An error log is being created”.

Florida Today reports that Lego has signed an agreement to develop games for Microsoft
Corp.’s new Xbox video game console and to create online activities for the children’s section
of the software giant’s Web sites.

IDG.net reports that, not only did a market report come out confirming the chip’s lethargic retail sales, but
a handful of top Linux operating systems distributors said their products do not
install cleanly because they are unable to identify the chip upon installation.