Ximian, Inc., the leading open source desktop
company, today announced the immediate availability of Red Carpet Express,
a time-saving subscription service that provides customers with priority,
high-bandwidth Internet downloading and updating of Linux software from
Ximian, leading Linux distributions and third-party vendors. Red Carpet
Express provides subscribers with priority access to a dedicated network of
newly added Red Carpet Express server sites, providing significantly faster
updating of the latest software for Linux systems, even during peak demand
periods. Through February 28, 2002, customers may sign up for Red Carpet
Express at a special introductory price at the Ximian web site.

Red Carpet Express is a premium service that tightly integrates with the
Red Carpet client software used by hundreds of thousands of Ximian GNOME
users worldwide. Red Carpet is a software management solution that
efficiently and securely keeps Linux systems up-to-date. Its intuitive
software ?channels? and automatic dependency and conflict resolution let
users easily install, update and maintain software over the Internet from
Ximian, leading Linux distribution providers and a growing library of other
third-party independent software vendors (ISVs). Especially important for
mixed computing environments, Red Carpet uniquely provides multi-platform
support, updating systems running a broad range of Linux distributions,
including Red Hat, SuSE, Mandrake, Debian, TurboLinux and more.

With the premium Red Carpet Express service, subscribers receive priority
access to a network of high-bandwidth mirror sites that can deliver
dramatically faster performance than the free Red Carpet software
management service. After using a simple web-based sign up process at the
Ximian web site, Red Carpet Express customers may then experience software
downloads at speeds of up to 10 or more times faster for updating Ximian
and Linux software, depending on the type of Internet connection used and
geographic location. Subscribers can also use the “My Account” section of
the Ximian web site to maintain their own accounts, including login
information and billing data.

“Ximian is responding to overwhelming customer demand for a high-speed
subscription service for Linux software management and updating,” said
David Patrick, Ximian president and CEO. “The enormous popularity of Red
Carpet is demonstrated by over 700,000 updates in November alone. With Red
Carpet Express, users can now choose significantly faster access to what is
emerging as the de facto standard method for keeping Linux software
up-to-date.”

“As the local affiliate for NBC, KSL will be hosting NBC’s Winter Olympic
coverage and will serve as the primary Internet provider for the Olympics.
The high profile of this event reinforces our need for the latest security
updates,” said Kerry Cox, network engineer at KSL.com in Salt Lake
City. “Since its introduction in the spring, Red Carpet has become
essential to the daily maintenance of both my personal systems and the
30-plus web servers we use to host KSL.com. With the new Red Carpet Express
from Ximian, I can get the most recent Linux security and software updates
for our critical systems in a time-saving updating process that is both
simple and fast.”

Red Carpet Software Management Services
Red Carpet Express is one of the Ximian Red Carpet services that bring
software vendors, end users and corporate customers together to seamlessly
deliver and manage the Linux software they use. Red Carpet
CorporateConnect, announced this fall, is a unique hosted service that will
provide corporate customers with a web-based management console to
centrally manage, control and customize the Linux software they distribute
and update internally.

The Red Carpet Partner Program offers users access to a growing library of
software from a host of third-party developers, while providing the
software vendors with a unique cross-platform updating and distribution
mechanism to reach hundreds of thousands of users worldwide. CodeWeavers,
Loki Software, Opera Software ASA, VMware and Sun are among the vendors who
have joined the Red Carpet Partner Program and will now offer their
software and updates to Ximian Desktop users who run Red Carpet.

Pricing and Availability
Ximian is offering special introduction pricing for Red Carpet
Express. Customers who subscribe by February 28, 2002, will be billed only
$7.95 a month through June 30, 2002, a 20% savings off the regular monthly
price of $9.95. Customers may also choose an annual subscription with
introductory pricing of $99.95. Customers can sign up for the service
using a convenient web-based registration process at
http://store.ximian.com/redcarpet, and then simply enter an activation code
into the Red Carpet client software.

Red Carpet Express requires the new version 1.2 of the Red Carpet client
application included with Ximian Desktop, which is available for free
download or purchase on CD ($29.95 and $49.95 for the Standard and
Professional Editions, respectively) from the Ximian web site at
www.ximian.com. Red Carpet users will continue to have the option of using
the free public Ximian servers for software updating.

About Ximian, Inc.

Ximian is the established leader in providing open source desktop
technology, applications, support and services for the Linux and UNIX
marketplaces. Ximian products, in use by over 800,000 people worldwide, are
providing the ease of use, productivity and interoperability needed to
propel the adoption of the Linux desktop in corporate computing
environments. Its Ximian Desktop software starts with Ximian GNOME, a
productized end-user desktop based on the GNOME project, to provide a
complete graphical desktop environment and productivity application suite
for Linux and UNIX systems. Ximian Red Carpet and Ximian Evolution ?
deliver software and personal information management solutions for both end
users and corporate customers. Comprised of many of the original architects
of the GNOME system, Ximian is a founding member of the GNOME Foundation
and sits on the advisory board. The company has secured funding from
leading venture firms Charles River Ventures and Battery Ventures and can
be reached at www.ximian.com.

NewsFactor Network writes: “Brand-conscious buyers may be common in the fashion industry where products have few utility-based features of differentiation. Similarly, they play a part in soft drinks and consumer electronics. But in knowledge-based industries, most particularly the software industry, things are different — or at least they ought to be. KPresenter may be a better application than PowerPoint, but if an office worker says, “Send me this in PowerPoint,” a knowledgeable user must assume he or she means
“Microsoft-brand PowerPoint” and is not casually saying “an openly-readable digital slideshow format of your preference.” If the second scenario were the case, KPresenter
would have the chance to grow quickly in the normal (non-techie) business environment.”

Anonymous Reader writes: “The FBI is asking for access to a massive database that contains the private communications and passwords of the victims of the Badtrans Internet worm. Badtrans spreads through security flaws in Microsoft mail software and transmits everything the victim types. Since November 24, the worm has violated the privacy of millions of Internet users, and now the FBI wants to take part in the spying.
Full story in the Daily Rotten“

Here’s a .png file chart of GNOME 2.0 developer platform beta dependencies, at baddog’s site.

CNET: “In an effort to increase the number of programs available for its relatively unknown iSeries
line of special-purpose servers, IBM is courting Linux programmers by letting them tap into
an iSeries server over the Internet.”

“Former Controller For IBM Takes The Financial Helm, Positions Turbolinux For
Continued Growth.”
SAN FRANCISCO, December 11, 2001 — Turbolinux®, Inc a worldwide leader in
Linux operating environments and multi-platform software deployment and
management products, today announced that Ernest “Ernie” Cicogna has been
named chief financial officer. In this role, Cicogna will be responsible for all
aspects of worldwide finance for Turbolinux. This appointment completes
Turbolinux’s top management structure and positions the company for continued
growth in its leading Linux distribution business while pursuing adjacent markets
with its new software deployment and management product suite, called
PowerCockpit.

“Ernie provides us with a very high level of industry experience and critical
business insight,” said Ly-Huong Pham, CEO of Turbolinux. “His background,
working for a large institution as well as a smaller, high tech company, provides
Turbolinux with a unique combination of perspectives — the disciplined financial
processes required to run larger companies and the more flexible entrepreneurial
environment associated with smaller, creative companies.”

Cicogna, a 30 year computing industry veteran, comes to Turbolinux from
NetObjects, where he served first as vice president of finance and then as CFO.
Prior to NetObjects, Cicogna held positions at IBM for over 25 years, serving as
controller for their Internet division, as well as a financial manager for IBM in both
Tokyo and Hong Kong, Italy, and the United States.

“Turbolinux has a great track record for bringing in top talent and the addition of
Ernie to the team continues that tradition,” said Andy Rappaport, a member of the
Board for Turbolinux and a partner at venture capital firm, August Capital.

Commenting on the firm’s ongoing strategy, Cicogna said, “During a phenomenally
difficult time for the tech industry, Turbolinux has transformed itself both in the US
and Asia. I’m excited to be part of the company as it continues to grow and deliver
to customers solutions that enable flexible processing power.”

Cicogna has a master’s degree in Business Administration from Baruch School of
Business and a bachelor’s of science in Mathematics from City University of New
York.

About Turbolinux

Founded in 1992, Turbolinux® Inc. is a global software company providing Linux
operating environments and multi-platform software deployment and management
products that allow computing assets to be quickly redefined on demand —
enabling true flexible processing power. Backed by some of the world’s leading
technology companies, including Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu, Hitachi, IBM, Intel, NEC,
Novell, Oracle, SGI and Toshiba, Turbolinux is headquartered near San
Francisco with offices around the world. For more information, visit the Turbolinux
Web site at http://www.turbolinux.com.

OReillynet: “In this week’s Security Alerts, Noel Davis reports on a vulnerability that lets remote attackers access root through login, a problem in JRun Java app server software that exposes souce code of JavaServer pages, and a glitch in the script utility that lets users overwrite arbitrary files.”e

This is the GNOME Summary for 2001-12-08 – 2001-12-15.

==============================================================
Table of Contents
--------------------------------------------------------------

1. GNOME 2.0 Developer Platform Beta
2. Compiling FAQ
3. Dependency chart
4. Evolution 1.0 released
5. Ximian Setup Tools power forward
6. GStreamer Release
7. A gaggle of glade articles
8. Is GNOME ready for the desktop?
9. Translated GNOME summaries
10. Hacker Activity
11. New and Updated Software

==============================================================
1. GNOME 2.0 Developer Platform Beta
--------------------------------------------------------------

Jeff Waugh announced that the platform beta was out and ready to be used. For
those that don't know, GNOME is internally split into packages that are
defined as being part of the platform and those that are part of the desktop.
The platform are those packages that enable developers to code applications to
the GNOME standard, so GTK+ for example. Whereas, the desktop are those
packages that end-users see as part of their environment, such as the panel.
The platform beta means that all the APIs are frozen (well almost) and that
application developers should now start using them. This will root out the
remaining bugs in the platform as developers port the applications users
actually see. 
        
http://lists.gnome.org/archives/gnome-2-0-list/2001-December/msg00354.html

==============================================================
2. Compiling FAQ
--------------------------------------------------------------

Got a spare machine or drive, an afternoon to spare and an itch to compile
GNOME? The compiling FAQ put together by Chema Celoria might be just what
you've been looking to get started with. If you think there are some missing
areas or have a question send them to him!  

        http://www.gnome.org/~chema/gnome-love/compiling_faq.html

==============================================================
3. Dependency chart
--------------------------------------------------------------

This useful dependency chart should help anyone trying to compile GNOME 2.0 out 
of CVS or from the recent releases. Complex isn't it! The GNOME 2.0 dotplan 
site has information on how to use the vicious build scripts to build the 
platform. For those developers that would rather use RPM have a look at the 
GNOME 2.0 Developer Snapshots channel in Ximians red-carpet. The Ximian 
packages are built on top of Havoc Penningtons gnomehide packages. 

        http://cle.org.hk/~baddog/files/GNOME2/gnome2-dependency.png
        ftp://people.redhat.com/hp/gnomehide/

==============================================================
4. Evolution 1.0 released
--------------------------------------------------------------

After 2 years of hard work Evolution 1.0 finally hit the download sites. 
Congratulations to the team involved and thanks, not just for Evo but for all 
the support you've provided to GNOME. The hackers barely seem to have had a 
quick sleep before moving onto hacking on the 2.0 release - amazing! So don't 
walk, run! to their web store and buy it now, ... yes stop reading, I'll be 
here when you get back. 
        
http://www.ximian.com/about_us/press_center/press_releases/evolution1_0.html
        
http://lists.ximian.com/archives/public/evolution-hackers/2001-December/003902.h
tml

==============================================================
5. Ximian Setup Tools power forward
--------------------------------------------------------------

Tambet recently added a new font tool which enables you to install fonts for 
various backends such as gnome-print and X. The aim is to provide support for 
other backends such as ghostscript, TeX and staroffice. The tool previews fonts 
that you don't have and enables you to install them. Look for a release very 
soon now, in the meantime there are some screenshots. 

        http://primates.ximian.com/~chema/xst/index.html

==============================================================
6. GStreamer Release
--------------------------------------------------------------

The GStreamer team released 0.3.0 with substantial additions to the core 
capability being added. They've also added a dynamic dotplan page which is 
generated from FIXME's in the code - a great place for any new hacker to start. 

        http://www.gstreamer.net/releases/0.3.0/notice.php

==============================================================
7. A gaggle of glade articles
--------------------------------------------------------------

Eddy Ahmed and Ishan Chattopadhyaya proved that great minds think alike by 
releasing articles on using Glade almost together. As a GUI interface building 
tool Glade has to rate up there amongst developer favourites. These two 
articles give step by step instructions on how to get started - great work 
guys! 

        http://writelinux.com/glade/index.php
        http://www.geocities.com/ichattopadhyaya/linux/glade.htm

==============================================================
8. Is GNOME ready for the desktop?
--------------------------------------------------------------

James Ogley considers a question that vexes many Linux users. Restricting his 
analysis to examining the most common user needs of a Web Browser, Email 
program and Word Processor, his conclusion is we're "almost there". The main 
difficulty he identifies is that AbiWord has problems with some types of 
proprietary formats and tables. All the more reason we should try and avoid 
these in our daily lives! 

        http://www.rubberturnip.org.uk/gnomedesktop.html

==============================================================
9. Translated GNOME summaries
--------------------------------------------------------------

As always we have translations of the GNOME summaries available. So linked 
below are French translation, Spanish translation and Hungarian translation. If 
there are other translations available please let us know. 

        http://www.gynov.org/news/index.php4
        http://es.gnome.org/actualidad/
        http://cactus.rulez.org/projects/gnome/summary/

==============================================================
10. Hacker Activity
--------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for Paul Warren for these lists.

Most active modules:
 110 gnucash
 101 evolution
 67 gimp
 64 gnome-core
 57 gnome-applets
 51 gnumeric
 44 gtk+
 41 gnomemm
 41 gnome-i18n
 38 at-spi
 36 web-devel-2
 30 gtkmm-root
 28 galeon
 24 pan
 24 libgnomeui
 23 gedit
 23 gtkhtml
 21 gnome-control-center
 20 gnome-db
 20 ximian-setup-tools
[133 active modules omitted]

Most active hackers:
 74 stano
 60 menthos
 55 murrayc
 54 peticolas (gnucash)
 52 michael
 43 kmaraas
 39 kevinv
 38 billh
 37 rodrigo
 35 film
 32 fejj
 32 jberkman
 32 rlb (gnucash)
 28 seth
 26 hp
 25 jody
 23 adrighem
 21 andersca
 21 israel
 21 jirka
[144 active hackers omitted]


==============================================================
11. New and Updated Software
--------------------------------------------------------------

gtex-letter  - Easy interface for using the LaTeX letter classes.
gictrl  - ISDN interface controller applet.
Encompass  - Light weight Web browser.
Gfax  - Frontend to the various Linux fax programs.
GNOME EDMA IDFWizard  - Tool to build EDMA Classes.
GNOME EDMA IDFWizard  - Class browser for the GNU EDMA system.
Atomix  - A maze game about atoms and molecules.
Tenes Empanadas Graciela  - Multiplayer turn-based strategy game.
File Roller  - An archive manager for tar and zip.
WxWindows  - Cross platform GUI toolkit with GTK+ display.
Gnofract 4D  - Displays slices of a variety of 4D fractals.
Gnotide  - Tide analysis application.
gmmusic  - Database front-end to store music collections.
Rubrica  - Addressbook application.
Coriander  - Digital camera controller application.
ham-office  - Application for ham operators.
gnomezine  - Magazine article indexer and searcher.
GLosung  - Biblical words for the day.
gretl  - Package for statistical analysis of economic data.
Guikachu  - Resource file editor for PalmOS pocket computers.

For more information on these packages visit the GNOME Software map: 
http://www.gnome.org/applist/listrecent.php3


The GNOME 2.0 platform looks to be coming along fantastically well. There's 
plenty of news here and judging by the screenshots and diaries on Advogato it's 
in a runable state. So if you've got an existing GNOME 1.4.X application now is 
the time to start porting! 

Go Gnome! 

Steve 
gnome-summary@gnome.org 
_______________________________________________
gnome-announce-list mailing list
gnome-announce-list@gnome.org
http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/gnome-announce-list

“Dmitry Sklyarov is safe from the DMCA, but Americans are not. We must
not lose the impetus that his case provided.”

From:    Richard Stallman 
To:      dmitry-plan@eff.org, dmitry-boston@lesser-magoo.lcs.mit.edu
Subject: [DMITRY-BOSTON] Continuing the fight
Date:    Fri, 14 Dec 2001 23:36:46 -0700 (MST)
Cc:      poole@allseer.com, kmself@ix.netcom.com

Dmitry Sklyarov is safe from the DMCA, but Americans are not.  We must
not lose the impetus that his case provided.

The dropping of charges against Sklyarov is a good thing, but we must
not think of it as our victory, because we did not win it.  Rather, it
is largesse from powers that feel completely triumphant.  They believe
that their successes in court, together with the example presented by
Sklyarov's treatment so far, make their dominion so strong that
nothing can challenge it.

It is up to us to change this state of affairs.  In general, we should
focus on Adobe and the other corporations that paid for and use the
DMCA, not on the FBI and DOJ which are merely their servants.  The
DMCA is a weapon; those who choose to use it against the public should
be held morally responsible for their decision to do so.

Sklyarov must have large legal expenses, and expenses for his
unintended stay in the US.  These represent an injury that was done to
him by Adobe.  We should demand that Adobe compensate him for this
injury, and promise they will never do to anyone else what they did to
him.  Until they do, we should picket their offices and urge the
public to refuse to do business with them.

In cities where there is an active group of protestors but no
important Adobe presence, we can picket publishing companies that
issue Adobe ebooks.  Or other companies that in some way menace us
with the DMCA, such as movie companies or record companies.  Or
legislators such as Barney Frank who supported the DMCA.

It might be useful for someone to find a schedule of Pat Schroeder's
public appearances--or ask the public to be on the lookout for them.
She gave a speech in the Boston area in October, a campaign appearance
for a candidate, and I was mailed a letter about it; unfortunately I
was travelling and did not see the letter until too late.  If her
friends find that her support brings a protest, she may find herself a
less valued acquaintance.

proclus writes: “I
submitted this suggestion to Pat McGovern of SourceForge. He is a really busy guy, so don’t hold your breath, but I think that there are some ideas here that are worth discussing.
Here’s the text.

Have you considered starting a service like

PayPal, so
that free software developers could be compensated by
users who are unable to contribute to the code base?

PyMOL
recently recieved it’s first contributions, and

GNU-Darwin
recieved it’s first user contribution via
PayPal in the last few days.

I think that it would be appropriate for the
SourceForge to recoup some operational money from such
transactions. There are other efforts to help
free software projects with funding, such as

Free Developers
and others.
Perhaps these efforts could be merged or conjoined for
maximum impact. For those who would not contribute
money, perhaps they would buy their favorite project a
gift from

ThinkGeek (Merry Christmas!).

This effort would be particularly helpful to smaller
projects, which are often clumsy in their first
attempts to deal with user contributions. I think that
much good will and good press would be the result of
this maneuver, and it would also benefit free software
developers, who bring so many benefits to others.

Regards,
proclus

GNU-Darwin.org

P.S. At this time, the

proclus realm PayPal
is handling donations to The
GNU-Darwin Distribution.
To donate to the PyMOL project, visit their webpage.”