CBSmarketwatch reports: A group of program writers in California’s Silicon Valley this week held a
first-ever convention dedicated to advancing open-source database
applications. The group met to forward free software that promises to do
some of the same functions as Oracle’s (ORCL: news, msgs) flagship
software, which can cost $750 per individual on a corporate network.

After failing to attract enough individual customers with its pay-for-privacy service, Zero Knowledge is turning to the consulting business. Wired.com’s Declan McCullagh reports from Washington.

Technology workers want freebies that set them free.

CNet reports that’s the conclusion of a new survey to be released Wednesday by Techies.com, which polled 1,000 technology professionals on
their preferred perks. The Minneapolis-based career Web site found that the most popular fringe benefits were telecommuting aids
such as subsidized home PCs and Internet access.

Techies also want their companies to spring for membership to local spas or health clubs. A free car and
wireless phone rounded out the survey’s top five perks. At the bottom of the list were game rooms and
free haircuts.

The computer maker is enhancing its products and services for businesses that use Unix servers, reports Infoworld.

Dallas News reports that Napster, the music-sharing company that has terrified the recording industry, agreed Tuesday to change course and charge a fee for its service and distribute part of the fee as royalties to copyright holders.

CNet reports that the reversal couldn’t come at a worse time for Transmeta, as the company is slated to hold its initial public offering on Nov. 6,
according to the Web site of principal underwriter Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.

From OSOpinion: “There has been much speculation in the past several days about the “Microsoft break-in.” Much of it revolves around who may have been responsible for it and/or what may possibly result from it. In much of the coverage there are various points that I have not seen covered so far. ” –Kelly McNeill

After five
years of writing online and three
years of covering the
free-software movement, I’ve grown accustomed to my share
of flames. I’ve even come to relish the fact that if I so much as
look cross-eyed at Linux I’ll get reamed as a “Bill Gates
propagandist.” It’s OK; as a reporter, I figure I’m doing
something wrong if everybody is happy with every word I
write. From Salon.com.

From OSOpinion.com: “Interesting that LinuxMall.com is not mentioned more frequently in the Linux related trade press, especially now! LinuxMall.com just went public via merging with an already public company that was converting to Linux, and are now providing the OpenSource community with an unprecedented opportunity.” –Kelly McNeill

CNet reports on MP3’s latest legal move. The company has hired a retired Justice to its director’s chair.