From ZDNet: “So why isn’t LaTeX right up there with all the other
word processors? Well, if you think that Linux has
a problem with user-friendliness, wait until you try
LaTeX. Calling LaTeX “esoteric” is a bit of
understatement.”

“Occasionally the question of who is in charge of Linux comes up. This is usually in the context of ‘who would take over’ if Linux-creator Linus Torvalds ever steps down. What if Linus were to lose interest or became unable or unwilling to perform the tasks he has done so well over the years? Of course, Linus already has a group of people working on the Linux source code. Each and every one of the major subsystems in Linux has designated ‘maintainers.’ ” Check out the commentary at OS Opinion. –Kelly McNeill

New York, USA – Rauch Medien announces the release of their DB-Box product. The DB-Box when connected to network offers a platform independent database solution designed for small and medium sized businesses.

DB-Box Capabilities
DB-Box simply plugs into your existing network. Then from any of the workstation the DB-Box appears as a regular web-site. Using a web-browser you can construct a database that fits any task. Any device on your network that has a web browser can then access this database. This offers complete platform independent capability, and stability with proven technology used on major web-sites. The database software is constructed completely in PHP and MySQL running on Linux, and can handle up to 500 users. In addition, The DB-Box comes complete with RAID level 0 data protection, and includes an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) that will safely shutdown the computer during a power outage for added reliability.

Cost effective & easy to use
DB-Box is a complete database solution that does not require any additional items. On average most companies spend a couple of thousand dollars on database software alone that does not cover the cost of the server or server OS software. Typical installation requires hefty licensing fees. The DB-Box features an unlimited user license. In addition, The DB-Box does not require an IT department to maintain. Once set-up it does not require any user intervention. A DB-Box will save you money in both respects with a price of only $1,275 (Tower).

Availability & System Requirements
The DB-Box will ship in February (2001), but can be ordered in advance via our web-site at link It will be available in both a Tower and 1U Rack-Mount chassis. It requires a TCP/IP Protocol network, Ethernet RJ-45 10/100 Twisted Pair Cable, a hub or switch, and the clients must have a web browser (4.0 and up recommended).

About Rauch Medien
Rauch Medien is based out of New York, USA, and produces various business and consumer applications. Rauch Medien also maintains a computer tech site called OSFAQ.com link –Cory Rauch

32BitsOnline reviews the Cobalt Qube, a new Linux network appliance that combines a variety of network services into a single plug and play box.

Alan Cox posts the latest changes to version 2.2.19pre6 of the Linux kernel at LWN.net.

“In the opinion of the GTK+ team, the only correct way to write a
setuid program with a graphical user interface is to have a setuid
backend that communicates with the non-setuid graphical user interface
via a mechanism such as a pipe and that considers the input it
receives to be untrusted.” More at LWN.net.

CNET News.com reports: “Gaming sites have posted what they claim are the first pictures of Microsoft’s future game console, the Xbox, much to the
annoyance of the Redmond giant.”

Signal Ground takes a look at AOpen’s AK73 Pro and Soyo’s 7VTA-B motherboards, evaluating their use for the Linux market.

“Sendmail, Inc. and the Sendmail Consortium are proud to announce the
release of sendmail 8.11.2. This is a maintenance release which contains
bug fixes for problems found after 8.11.1 was released.” Full details at LWN.net.

In a press release at Linux PR, SGI announced that its digital media software development kit (dmSDK) is now available to the Open Source community.