Gaël Duval writes: According to recent Netcraft
surveys, the deployment & use of the web server shipped with Mandrake Linux
— The Advanced Extranet Server (http://www.advx.org) — has dramatically
grown during the past 12
months, confirming the increased adoption of Mandrake Linux as a server
platform.

The Netcraft Web Server Survey (http://www.netcraft.com/survey/) is a
well-known, independent survey of Web Server software usage on Internet
connected computers. The data is collected by systematically “polling” public
web sites; the results are then released each month as a report, table and
graphs. The May 2002 survey included data from over 37 million sites.

During the past 12 months, the presence of Mandrake’s Apache Advanced
Extranet Server has risen significantly, and is now the eleventh most widely
used web server in the world. Since January 2001, the number of Apache
Advanced Extranet Servers has increased 248%, moving from 19th place to 11th
place. Since only January of this year, the number of Apache Advanced
Extranet Servers has experienced 160% growth, making it more popular than
Lotus Domino(TM).

The Mandrake Linux “Advanced Extranet Server” is an enhanced/high-performance
version of the famous Apache web server. It is packaged by MandrakeSoft as a
turn-key solution — very easy to install and configure, including the most
popular modules such as mod_php, mod_perl, mod_mysql, mod_ssl, and many
others.

Initially created as “Linux for individuals”, MandrakeSoft now integrates
high-end professional server features to make Mandrake Linux a solid
alternative to Windows and UNIX environments. Mandrake Linux offers the power
and stability of Unix(TM)-like servers, offering both a traditional CLI
(Command Line Interface) and a friendly GUI (Graphical User Interface),
depending on the level of knowledge and preferences of the user.

This unique blend of applications means Mandrake Linux can be easily
configured as a full-featured office workstation, or as a powerful server.
The widespread use of Mandrake Linux is illustrated by many testimonials at
MandrakeBizcases.com (http://www.mandrakebizcases.com/), which details
hundreds of ways that Mandrake Linux is being used in business environments
throughout the world. A recent poll at Linux.com
(http://linux.com/pollBooth.pl?qid=819&aid=-1) ranks Mandrake Linux as the
second most popular Linux distribution for servers, with a 20% share.
Mandrake Linux was awarded “Best Linux distribution for Server” at LinuxWorld
’99, in San Jose, CA.

“Mandrake Linux has a strong reputation as the best Linux distribution for
the Desktop — now people are discovering the benefits of Mandrake Linux as a
server. The same features that make the distribution so widely accepted as a
workstation, such as a simplified graphical installation, easy-to-use
configuration wizards, etc., makes Mandrake Linux the distribution of choice
for the Desktop AND the Server” said Jacques Le Marois, CEO of MandrakeSoft.

MandrakeSoft offers a full range of services in Europe and the USA –
including consulting, support and training – to assist companies in the
deployment of Mandrake Linux in their business. Details are available at:
http://www.mandrakesoft.com/businesses/

About MandrakeSoft

MandrakeSoft provides a trusted interface between users of information
technology and open source developers. The company offers its enterprise,
government and educational customers a set of GNU Linux and Open-Source
software and related services, and user-friendly and highly competitive
information technologies. In addition, MandrakeSoft offers technologists
committed to open software and courseware a trusted channel to offer their
services.

The company has technologists in over 20 countries, and is traded on Paris
Euronext Marché Libre (Euroclear code: 4477.PA; Reuters code: MAKE.PA) and the
US OTC market (stock symbol MDKFF). “Born on the Internet” in late 1998,
MandrakeSoft established headquarters in the U.S.A., Montreal, and France.
Please visit the Web site, http://www.mandrakesoft.com for more information.

– By Ben Ostrowsky –
Fresh from a
victory against Internet filtering, many librarians are celebrating
and demonstrating Free Software that can automate a public library for
under $1,000, organize information into Web portals, and manipulate data in
arcane formats.
Librarians have always understood the value of sharing information. The
hacker librarians in Atlanta for the American Library Association‘s annual
convention, which continues through Tuesday, have been living out their
creed by developing freely distributable software and teaching others how
to use it. Their peers — human search engines at the public library,
scholarly bibliographers in academia, and the rarefied ranks of
competitive intelligence researchers — have arrived by the busload for
sessions on Linux, BSD, and Open Source tools.

The host of Friday’s hands-on tutorial, Emory University Library’s Martin
Halbert, says he encourages his staff to look first for Open Source
software because “it’s philosophically aligned with the values of
academia.” And it doesn’t merely save the library money; it
brings in more money. Grant funding to develop metaScholar, a toolkit for
describing scholarly information, was contingent upon sharing the results.
Halbert said the Andrew W. Mellon
Foundation insisted that “if you want one of these grants, you’d
better do Open Source.”

When public libraries need money from the city government for books, staff,
and software, they often have to compete with the dogcatcher. Linux
appeals to some librarians simply because they’d rather buy books than
licenses. “We were in desperate straits with our budget, and Open Source
bailed us out,” says John Brice, director of
the Meadville Public
Library in Pennsylvania. His library’s Web server runs FreeBSD, its
firewalls use OpenBSD, and his own desktop machine runs Mandrake.

“We’ve been acting as a money laundry for software vendors, and I’m
getting sick of it,” agrees Jeff Huestis of Washington University in St. Louis.
Most library software vendors offered a blank stare or a flat “no” when
asked if their products were Open Source, but some are beginning to
realize that Linux is cost-effective. When Haywood County Schools in North Carolina
insisted on a Linux-friendly version of the catalog used in the district’s 25
libraries, Follett Software Company
did something unusual: rather than lose a customer, Follett ported
its catalog to Linux. A competitor, Geac Library Systems, has made
sure its new Vubis system runs on Linux as well.

That’s not going far enough, according to the developers of Koha, a catalog created by Katipo Communications as a bespoke
library system for the Horowhenua
Library Trust. Horowhenua asked the Wellington, New
Zealand, company to write a library catalog when Y2K loomed over its
legacy system. Katipo convinced the library to make it Free Software, and
Koha (the name is Maori for “gift”) is now installed on four continents.
Pat Eyler, a Free Software devotee since he saw the GNU Manifesto in 1991,
acts as the Kaitiaki (“guardian”) of the project. He says he sees the
alliance as inevitable: “Librarians bring a level of activism and
commitment that rivals that of Free Software hackers. They also bring a
set of skills that we don’t do all that well at: classification,
information architecture, searching, and user interaction. I think a
blending of librarianship with hacking will be good for both communities.”

And blend they did. On Sunday afternoon, hacker librarians attended a
session called “How To Automate Your Library For Under $1000.” The star
of the show was Greenstone, a
digital library creation suite that turns a ragtag menagerie of documents
in various formats into an easy-to-use collection that can run on a
standalone laptop in a Ugandan village’s information center. UNESCO distributes Greenstone CDs with
information about farming, animal husbandry, economic development, and
other topics to help people in developing areas improve their lives.
Naturally, it handles Unicode gracefully, so material in Arabic, Chinese,
and other non-European languages work as well as English. It runs on
Linux, BSD, and MS Windows 3.1 or later. The software was developed under
the GPL at the University of
Waikato in New Zealand. When asked why Free Software for libraries
often has a Kiwi provenance, professor Ian Witten explained: “We do stuff
for fun, and this is a lot of fun.”

Library science departments are beginning to teach and use Linux and
Open Source tools. Proprietary software vendors often gladly give away their products
to hook young librarians on closed systems. But “we don’t want our
students to just be customers. We want them to influence the direction of
the technology they work with,” said Shawn Collins, an instructor at the
University of Tennessee‘s library
school. “Putting an Open Source catalog up for the school’s own library
would be the best example. It’s important to show them that there are
alternatives that work and are under budget.” The school, he hopes, will
soon teach novice librarians to use Koha.

Recommended reading: Other Open Source software librarians love

The Open Source Systems for
Libraries site keeps tabs on notable projects. Here are a few of the
most popular and powerful tools librarians use:

iVia helps librarians catalog
the best of the Internet cooperatively, building collections like InfoMine without all the junk a Google
search throws at you. iVia suggests author, title and subject headings
based on the content of a Web page, then lets a librarian make an expert
determination.

MARC.pm is a Perl module for
manipulating records in an arcane but perennial format designed in the
punch card era. The MARC
(Machine-Readable Cataloging) standard allows librarians to share
bibliographic records instead of recataloging every book they add to the
shelves.

MyLibrary
allows librarians to set up a portal to online databases, the library’s
catalog, lists of bestselling and recently purchased books, and anything
else they can get their hands on. Users can then change the portal to
suit their needs and access their creation from any browser.

Prospero sends
magazine articles from library to library in response to a patron’s
request. Instead of paying international telephone rates to fax the
latest findings on cancer treatments across the globe, librarians use
Prospero (or its proprietary cousin Ariel, with which it plays well) to
send the document online. The end user can then use a Web browser to pick
up the article she requested.

WIBS (Windsor Internet Booking
System) settles arguments over the ever-popular Internet PCs available in libraries by booking computers for specified time periods. Librarians can see at a glance which
computers are available and who has overstayed his time slot.

“With the arrival of e-Government, where important democratic institutions are increasingly being placed in cyberspace, it has become crucially important
to examine the software foundations of the emerging critical information infrastructure. One need only consider the implications of secret code running
e-voting machines in future elections, as an example, to realize that software is no longer just a technical or business issue, but rather has become a
larger public policy matter, too. … To this end, the Cyberspace Policy Institute accepts ADTI’s gracious offer for debate, and submits the paper by John Viega and Bob Fleck, “Dispelling
Myths about the GPL and Free Software,” to further the dialog.”

Maybe Hollywood is “getting the picture” that the cost of copy-protection is not worth it. Or maybe Time Warner just forgot this time. Or maybe they want to see if releasing a movie without piracy-preventing technology will diminish sales. Anyway you look at it, Harry Potter isn’t burdened with the typical Macrovision analog messer-uppers. Read more about this at New Scientist.

“Staroffice used to be free as in you can freely
download and install in as many computers as you like but Sun
Microsystems has recently decided to charge for Staroffice.
However, please do not fret as Openoffice.org will always be free
and we are going to show you in this article how and why
Openoffice.org instead of MS Office and StarOffice is for you. ” More at OSNews.com.

“Security is one of the highest profile issues in IT and there has been constant
baiting between the Microsoft and Linux camps over who has the more secure
operating system. At the start of the year we saw Bill Gates wake up to the fact that
security is a good thing and now there is news that the US National Security
Agency has been working on a security module that plugs straight into a Linux
distribution. ” More at The Register.

SAN DIEGO -June 17, 2002- Lindows.com, Inc., (http://www.lindows.com)
whose mantra has been “Bringing Choice to Your Computer,” is now
delivering on its promises of choice by partnering with Microtel
Computer Systems to ship Lindows.com’s Operating System, LindowsOS,
pre-installed on their personal computers. For less than $300,
computer-buyers can take advantage of LindowsOS and Microtel’s offering
at Walmart.com (NYSE and PCX: WMT) therefore bringing computer
ownership closer to those with limited resources.LindowsOS, a Linux®-based operating system, formerly only available to
Lindows.com Insiders (www.lindows.com/signup), is now publicly
available for the first time on Microtel PCs (www.buymicrotel.com).

“LindowsOS and Microtel Computer Systems are changing the landscape of
the computer industry,” said Michael Robertson, Chief Executive Officer
of Lindows.com, Inc. “Microtel and LindowsOS are bridging the
economical gap. Every family can have a viable computing solution in
their home for the cost of a video game console and every business now
has an affordable and easy-to-use option.”

Robertson added, “We think its time that computers and computer
software come down in price. When color televisions first hit the
market only a few could afford them – now, it’s commonplace for people
to have multiple televisions in their homes. That same phenomenon
should be taking place in the computer industry. Lindows.com’s pricing
and value will break down the high-price model -our pricing will
prevent the monopoly from continuing.” To read additional comments
from Robertson, visit www.lindows.com/mm.

LindowsOS will be available on eight different Microtel computers each
offering varying speeds and capabilities. The PCs come pre-installed
with LindowsOS which include: an e-mail program, word processor, web
browser/file manager, address book, calculator, CD player, MP3 player,
Microsoft® PowerPoint® Viewer, Microsoft® Word® Viewer, Microsoft®
Excel® Viewer and an image viewer. See www.lindows.com/walmart for all
product listings.

All purchasers of Microtel computers also get a free trial membership
that will allow them access to the hundreds of applications in the
Lindows.com Click-N-Run Warehouse (http://www.lindows.com/warehouse).
The beauty of the Click-N-Run Warehouse is that users do not pay for
each application they download. Instead, they enjoy unlimited access to
all applications for one $99 dollar price. The Click-N-Run Warehouse
Membership completely outfits a computer system for one-third the cost
of an Office Suite (which typically costs $400) for one flat fee.
Computer users at any skill level will find the programs to be diverse
and easy to use. Find out more about Click-N-Run Warehouse by visiting
http://www.lindows.com/warehouse.

“Working closely with Lindows.com, Inc., we’ve committed significant
resources to Linux-based products in direct response to an increase in
customer demand for Microsoft Windows alternatives,” said Rich Hindman,
Vice President of Microtel Computer Systems. “Microtel saw a need for
another choice on the desktop and Lindows.com, with their solid
business model and products, offered Microtel customers the most value
for their dollar.”

Hindman added, “Walmart.com is a perfect venue for Microtel machines
and the LindowsOS operating system. Both Walmart.com and Microtel have
identified a need for choice in the computer industry, hence the
introduction of a Linux-based operating system on a great, affordable
personal computer. This type of forward thinking puts the customers of
Wal-Mart, Microtel and LindowsOS first.

Computer builders (including OEM’s, System Builders, VAR’s, White Box
Manufacturers, System Integrators, Resellers) interested in shipping
LindowsOS should email builders@lindows.com

To read additional information about the Lindows.com, Microtel and
Walmart.com announcement, visit www.lindows.com/mm

To receive Lindows.com press releases or newsletters via email, visit
http://www.lindows.com/mailing.

About Lindows.com, Inc.

Lindows.com is a consumer company that brings choice to computer users.
Lindows.com, Inc. was started by Michael Robertson, founder and former
CEO of MP3.com. LindowsOS is a modern, affordable, easy-to-use
operating system that allows users access to hundreds of applications
via the Click-N-Run? Warehouse. All applications in the Click-N-Run
Warehouse are licensed on a per-person or family basis and can be
downloaded, installed and run with just one-mouse click.

About Microtel Computer Systems

Microtel Computer Systems through its built-to-order business model,
designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer
requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and
peripherals. Microtel desktop PCs are sold through U.S. retailers,
System Integrators, and VARS/VADS. Visit www.buymicrotel.com for more
information.

Currently, this offer is limited to Walmart.com online purchases and
not available through Wal-Mart stores.

Anonymous Reader writes: “I have come to the conclusion that the music industry must be ruled by organized crime because everything they do is a shakedown. Now the record industry is considering charging used CD retailers a royalty for every CD they resell claiming that used CD sales without additional fees are another form of intellectual piracy.

http://www.mp3newswire.net/stories/2002/usedcd.htm l“

The Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure (FFII) is now an
official associate organisation of the Free Software Foundation Europe
(FSFE).

This follows a decision of the last general assembly of FFII to
   cooperate more closely with FSF Europe and was greatly welcomed by FSF
   Europe. The FFII is the first associate organisation of the FSF Europe
   based in Germany which is a strong Free Software country.
   
   "The FFII has been the backbone of the resistance against fully
   introducing software patents in Europe", explains Georg Greve, 
   President of Free Software Foundation Europe. "This hard and tedious
   work is very important because patents on software restrict the
   freedom of knowledge and software significantly. Strengthening
   the FFII therefore furthers the cause for Free Software in Germany."
   
   "We have always promoted open information systems as an essential
   underpinning of an open society", says Hartmut Pilch, president of
   FFII. "Free software has done more to make our society free and
   productive than many standardisation efforts and political initiatives
   have ever achieved. No matter what worthy aim you may be pursuing, be
   it fair competition, secure infrastructures, innovation, productivity
   or civil liberty, you often end up writing Free Software."
   
       
About the Foundation for Free Information Infrastructure (FFII)

   The "Förderverein für eine Freie Informationelle Infrastruktur" (FFII)
   was founded in Munich 1999 and is non-profit association under german
   law that promotes a sustainable development of public information
   goods based on copyright, free competition and open standards. The
   FFII is a member of the EuroLinux Alliance and is well known for its
   activities for the protection of information innovation against the
   abuse of the patent system in Europe.

   www.ffii.org
   

About the Free Software Foundation Europe

   The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSF Europe) is a charitable
   non-governmental organization dedicated to all aspects of Free
   Software in Europe. Access to software determines who may participate
   in a digital society. Therefore the freedoms to use, copy, modify and
   redistribute software - as described in the Free Software definition -
   allow equal participation in the information age. Creating awareness
   for these issues, securing Free Software politically and legally, and
   giving people freedom by supporting development of Free Software are
   central issues of the FSF Europe, which was founded in 2001 as the
   European sister organization of the Free Software Foundation in the
   United States.

   www.fsfeurope.org

   
Contact

   FSF Europe:
        Georg C. F. Greve   
        phone: +49-40-23809080
        fax:   +49-40-23809081
                
   FFII:
        Hartmut Pilch 
        phone: +49-89-12789608
        fax:   +49-89-1278960

“This paper argues that the long run total cost of operations (TCO) for a suite of proprietary software must necessarily be greater than that for an
equivalent suite of free source software. The total cost of operation of a free source suite of software is the price determined by a competitive market for
a bundle of goods and services associated with that suite. Because the source code is open and not subject to limitations on development or distribution,
the market for services relating to that code will be perfectly competitive.” Read the rest at Brendan Scott’s website.