Anonymous Reader writes “The girls of TuxReports have just published snapshots of CodeWeavers CrossOver Office setup. It looks like they are preparing to publish a full review.”

Khiya Shinde writes “Now it is possible to connect to your MySQL server directly from your PDA applications. You can write programs on PocketPC or Palm or Nokia 9210 and use a API to directly fire queries on the MySQL. This API is called DALP. Using this powerful OPENSOURCE library you can now cross the barriers of connecting your PDA to the back end MySQL server. You have the information now in your hands. Whereever you are you can now have applications to view your database server on your PDA. To get more information on this library go to DALP HOME PAGE“

bryam writes “Bill Gates fell silent when he heard what he thought was the Canadian prime minister insulting his Windows operating system. the funny story“

– By Dan Berkes –
CodeWeavers, the company behind popular software products enabling Windows applications to run on Linux, has ended its business relationship with Lindows. It’s one more announcement that Lindows could probably do without as it tries to push its controversial Windows-friendly Linux distribution to market.

“I can confirm that we’re no longer working [with Lindows],” said CodeWeavers president Jeremy White. Citing confidentiality agreements, White would not provide any additional information regarding the reason for the separation.

Representatives at Lindows were equally tight-lipped about the breakup.

“I can’t really tell you, because I really don’t know,” said a woman who answered the call at Lindows, but declined to give her name. “I think it had something to do with a disagreement on licensing.” Calls requesting additional comment were not returned.

Based in San Diego and founded by former MP3.com head Michael Robertson, Lindows made its splash on the Linux scene in the fall of 2001 with a single press release. Lindows promised fans of Microsoft applications that they would have a choice of operating systems: The usual, and presumably more expensive, Windows, or the less expensive Lindows OS.

While initially less than enthusiastic about revealing the bits and pieces of code that make up Lindows OS, the company eventually lifted the curtain to reveal the goods. Lindows OS would be a Linux distribution intermingled with code from the Open Source WINE project that would allow certain Windows applications to run without the need for an operating system from Microsoft.

That’s where CodeWeavers entered the scene. The company, a major corporate sponsor of the WINE project, has also developed a number of its own proprietary applications to work with WINE, and a licensing agreement would have allowed Lindows to take advantage of some of those technologies. Codeweavers’ most recent commercial product offering is CrossOver Office, a software package that allows users to install Microsoft Office and Lotus Notes on Linux-only computers.

Whether or not the loss of its working relationship with CodeWeavers will affect Lindows remains to be seen. It’s likely that the Open Source implementation of WINE will continue to be a major part of Lindows OS. According to the WINE Application Database, versions of Microsoft Office will work on Linux with varying degrees of success.

CodeWeavers is far from the only issue affecting Lindows. Microsoft hauled the company into court for allegedly infringing on the trademarks of the Redmond software giant. Microsoft lawyers say the name Lindows is too close to Windows and would confuse consumers; Lindows disagrees. In March, a federal judge dismissed Microsoft’s request for an injunction; the company this week asked that judge to reconsider his ruling.

As for CodeWeavers, it hasn’t given up looking for a partner. Said White: “We’re still talking with many companies, about working with them to bring our products to their users, but nothing that’s even close to what I would call definite at this time.”

Bryan Richard writes
“El Segundo, CA 2002 March 04 Py, an independent technical zine for Python software developers, announced today the launch of its first issue.

I dont have a lot to say as Im still exhausted from the last-minute, whirlwind editing session and now only have the tedious task of shipping ahead of me. The shakes from the caffeine are making it a bit difficult to focus right now, but Im very happy with how the first issue turned out, said Bryan Richard, Editor and Publisher.

Preorders for the first issue, which started 2002 February 01, topped out at just over 300 copies.

The cover price for this landmark publication is $3.00 US and $5.00 Foreign and can be ordered at the website www.PyZine.com.

For more information visit the website http://www.PyZine.com or email cook@pyzine.com.

About Py (the zine)
Its a zine. About Python. Its not nearly as ambivalent as this release probably makes it sound.

About Py (the publishing empire)
Py is largely the work of its contributors and Bryan Richard — who is utterly disenchanted with the whole press release process and its oft-repeated verbiage. Bryan is just some guy from Southern California that wants to spread the good word about Python, drinks way too much coffee, and listens to a lot of indie rock when he isnt listening to a lot of jazz. With the launch of Py he is one step closer to owning Hearst Castle. He can be reached at cook@pyzine.com”

From Debian News:
“This is the sixth revision of Debian GNU/Linux 2.2 (codename `potato’) which mainly adds security updates to the stable release, along with a few
corrections of serious bugs. Those who frequently update from security.debian.org won’t have to update many packages. However, most updates from
security.debian.org are included in this point release.”

Ed Howland writes to tell us about the St. Louis LUG InstallFest:
Event Location: Advanced Technology Center
118 N. 2nd Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
Admission: Free

The St. Louis Linux Users Group announces their 4th Linux
InstallFest. At this event, experienced Linux users will assist those
who wish to install and learn about Linux. Anyone who wants to know more
about Linux is welcome to attend. Over 40 people attended the previous
InstallFest (October 2001).

Linux is an Operating System, which acts as a platform between the
hardware and software of a computer system. Linux is an
alternative to the Microsoft Windows line of products. It provides
a wide range of software, while giving users more flexibility
and freedom from proprietary lock-ins. Please see http://www.li.org
for more information about Linux.

In most cases, all you will need to bring is the computer itself.
We will provide the Super VGA monitors, PS/2 keyboards,
and PS/2 mice. If you have older or non-standard hardware, you should
bring it along. If you’re not sure, bring everything to be safe. Free
copies of popular Linux distributions will be provided on CD. If you
have a specific distribution that you want to install, you can bring
it along as well. Be sure to back up your system before you bring it
in, as the installation process may overwrite existing data.

The InstallFest is sponsored by the Economic Development Center of
St. Charles County. The EDC will be providing space for the installations,
food and beverages. They have a high-speed Internet connection that you
will be able to connect to if you have an Ethernet card.

Several members of the St. Louis Linux Users Group and other local groups
will be present to assist with installations and configuration.

For more information on the Linux InstallFest, please contact
Fred Smith (fsmith@showmelinux.net).

The St. Louis Linux Users Group (http://www.stllinux.org) is a special
interest group (SIG) of the St. Louis UNIX Users Group. We work to
promote the use of the GNU/Linux operating system and related Open
Source technologies. We also provide a forum to exchange ideas and
information with others in the local Linux community. Monthly meetings
are held on the third Thursday of every month at the Indian Trails St.
Louis County Library. The meetings include a question and answer
session and a presentation on a Linux topic.

Press Contact:
Tony Zafiropoulos
(314) 504-3974
tonyz@ctitek.com
http://www.stllinux.org

Gaël Duval writes “Did you become concerned after reading the “Future of MandrakeSoft” message that was released on March 11th? Do you feel that MandrakeClub is not an ideal solution for a “for-profit” company? Do you support the idea of the Club, but have been unable to pay? Would you prefer to become a shareholder? Here are the answers to many of these questions and more:

http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/club/club-answers.php3“

James at Seventh Art Releasing writes “REVOLUTION OS opens in Seattle at the Northwest Film Forums Little Theatre on April 4, 2002.

Daily Variety calls REVOLUTION OS a “cheery, puckish concoction targeted equally at the techno-illiterate and the savvy-hacker crowds.” Film Threat states that REVOLUTION OS is “Required Viewing.” TV Guide calls the film “surprisingly exciting unusually sharp looking and something that even non-techies can enjoy.” Hollywood.com calls the widescreen, 35mm photography of the film “striking.”

See for yourself what the critics are writing about. View the first eight minutes online at ifilm.com:

http://www.ifilm.com/ifilm/product/film_info/0,369 9,2419320,00.html

After a successful run in Austin, Texas, REVOLUTION OS now resumes its nationwide, theatrical tour. On April 4, the film opens in Seattle the Northwest Film Forum.

Shot in cinemascope on 35mm film in Silicon Valley, REVOLUTION OS depicts an unusual group of characters that are three-parts libertarian, two parts communist, and one-part bad garage band. REVOLUTION OS stars Linus Torvalds – the creator of Linux, and Richard Stallman – the ideological godfather of the movement, and features interviews with high-tech luminaries like Bruce Perens, Eric Raymond, Brian Behlendorf, Michael Tiemann, Larry Augustin, Frank Hecker, and Rob Malda.

REVOLUTION OS is available on 35 mm and runs 85 minutes. For more information go to the website http://revolution-os.com/ .

Revolution OS opens April 4, 2002, at the Northwest Film Forums Little Theatre located on Capitol Hill at 608 19th Ave. E. and Mercer. For showtimes call (206) 675-2055.

For more information about “Revolution OS” contact: James at Seventh Art Releasing, 323.845.1455, james@7thart.com.”

–
By Jacques Le Marois, CEO and co-founder of MandrakeSoft –

I would like to clarify some issues that were raised in your recent
article
“Mandrake 8.2: great software distributed poorly.” We’re extremely happy
that you are enjoying Mandrake Linux 8.2; much time, effort and testing went
into this latest version, and we, too, think it is our best release ever. But I
must disagree with your view of MandrakeClub. The Club is not a system of
“begging customers for money.” Let me briefly explain the logic behind enacting a
business model based on the MandrakeClub.

First of all, let me say that more than 5,600 people have subscribed to
the Mandrake Club, including 3,500 new subscriptions since March 11. The
Club has generated more than $390,000 since it was first created on November
28, 2001. The Corporate Club is also very promising, since we have yet only
recruited a small fraction of the companies who are currently using
Mandrake Linux in their businesses. So far, we have generated $30,000 from
corporate subscriptions.

Imagine if we had proceeded differently and built, for example, a
“premium download” service similar to the Red Hat Network. Do you think we would
have achieved the same success? I don’t believe so. In my opinion, the
overwhelming majority of users do not have an interest in paying for
such a service. I also think that if we had done something similar to the
Red Hat Network, it would have generated much negative feedback from people who
might think that MandrakeSoft was going proprietary.

So to me, the way we are proceeding is a smart and thoughtful decision.
The Club addresses the needs of two categories of users:

The first category joins the Club because they use Mandrake day to
day. They love Mandrake, and they appreciate the faithful manner in which we
follow the “Open Source way” (for example, putting the download version
on the mirrors as soon as it is ready, sometimes even a full month before
the commercial release). This group of users wants Mandrake to continue its
current policies, so this is why they subscribe. They understand that
the Club is not a donation or a charity system because we are providing
something very real in exchange. (Mandrake for download, multiple mirrors,
MandrakeUser.org, support for various Free Software projects, everything
in Open Source, etc.) These people understand that they are paying for the
future.

Let’s compare the Club with to well known “shareware” model. With
shareware, the user pays after using software for a certain period of time — let’s
say three months. Let’s call the Club “OpenSourceWare,” since users pay
because they want to maintain the same level of development. I guess it can also
be compared to a church.

The second category of Club members join for the benefits.
Recently, we began offering the final version of StarOffice 6.0, with an
OEM license, to Club members for download. Now that’s a real benefit! As far
as we know, MandrakeClub is still the only place in the world where it’s
possible to get StarOffice 6.0. Also, access to the commercial RPMs from
the retail packs, correctly tested and packaged for Mandrake, is a real
benefit. Direct download access of the Mandrake software and commercial packages is
available to Silver Corporate members — that’s a solid benefit!

I agree that, for the moment, there are few benefits compared to the
cost of membership, but we are constantly adding more and more privileges to
attract people who don’t necessarily understand the first category of users — yet.

I hope that at the end of this year when the financial results are
published you, too, will believe that we made the proper choice!

Everyone is invited to read the complete details of the Mandrake Club at:
http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/club/club-answers.php3.