PC Magazine’s Bill Machrone comments on WebQL: The idea is sheer simplicity: An interface that understands Web objects so that any site or group of sites can be queried like an SQL database. The implementation is a little harder, of course, which is why this product costs $499. But if you have data extraction or data analysis needs that go beyond the (usually lame) search or retrieval capabilities of most sites, this is the package you’ve been waiting for.

In a press release at PR Newswire, SCO announced two new supplemental features for UnixWare 7. The Data Center Feature Supplement provides improved support and reliability for large database systems. The Universal Development Kit is an improved one-stop resource for developers who wish to port applications to UnixWare 7 and other associated operating platforms.

“All told, IBM has a team of about 200 open source developers at
work in its hardware, software, services, and research divisions.
Company officials claim that IBM currently employs more
developers dedicated to open source than any corporation
anywhere. On Nov. 28 and 29, that core group, plus another 100
IBM developers and executives, will drill down on subjects such
as Windows 2000-Linux compatibility and just-in-time Java
compilers.” From ZDCOUK.

Bob Young: “Linux delivers what customers have wanted for 30 some-odd years: a continuous stream of
innovation without the annual cost and implementation to go with it.” Upside Today has the full interview with the CEO of Red Hat.

From ZDCOUK: “Enterprises grappling with rocketing end-user storage
requirements could soon benefit from 100GB DVD-sized optical
disks and 10GB credit card-sized drives, thanks to pioneering
fluorescent multi-layer disk (FMD) technology from Constellation
3D (C3D).”

Newsforge reader Michel Morelli submitted this link (destination is in the Italian language): “In this article the ZioBudda’s “Pensiero” (a thought) (ZioBudda is an Italian Linux Portal) about the controversy” between Germany and HP.

Fairfax IT reviews the new Toshiba. “This model takes over the mantle as our fastest notebook computer on office applications. Its
combination of performance and low weight plus a good list of features adds to the value. It’s also
$2,000 cheaper than IBM’s comparable ThinkPad T21.”

Rarely has a technology had greater effect on the spread of the global marketplace than the
emergence of the Internet. From CNETnews.com.

Fairfax IT reports that, “with Palm offering Net connectivity at last, a whole new world has opened up for hand-held PCs.”