It’s posted at LWN.net. “An input validation error in the debugging functionality of all currently
released versions of sendmail can enable a local user to gain root
access. New packages that fix this problem are available for Red Hat Linux
5.2, 6.2, 7.0, and 7.1.”

It-director.com reviews the new SourceForge release. “I wish VA Linux luck but I do not see what it has to offer that you
cannot get by other means.” (VA Linux owns NewsForge.)

Alexandre Torres writes, “A nice article about new 2.4 mainteiner Marcelo Tosatti. Talks about the choice, politcs and personal facts. Well writen non technical article.”
It’s at no.com.br/. (It’s also in Portuguese.)

Anonymous Reader tells us about this press release at ZumaNetworks.com. Zumix is the Zuma Networks implementation of Debian Linux for LightReef Application Processors (APs). The list
price of Zumix, which includes both the Linux executables and the Zumix SDK, is $995 per LightReef chassis. The
hardware pre-requisite for Zumix is a LightReef blade that includes an AP or APx module.

Brian DeSpain writes, XAO Inc., a Pasadena, CA-based software company, formerly a division of VA Linux Systems, today announced the availability of XAO 1.0, a web-services software solution based on the Apache web server. XAO 1.0 allows companies to integrate data quickly from disparate sources such as relational databases, legacy applications, ERP systems, and other application servers and make them available in a standardized fashion. The resulting information or system can then be made available as a web service or in whatever data format is needed for the customer. XAO 1.0 is the company’s first product release since being spun off from VA Linux Systems.

The XAO 1.0 Foundation Server (the bedrock of XAO 1.0) provides an API on top of any relational database making the information in the database available in the Foundation Server. The Foundation Server provides an object level view of information while retaining the speed of relational database queries. This allows web services developers and software developers all the benefits of an object-oriented database with all the speed of a relational database.

The XAO 1.0 Foundation Server also serves as storage and a highly-optimized deep search mechanism for all other XAO 1.0 modules and web applications such as electronic commerce.

“I’m excited about the release of the Foundation Server,” notes Brian DeSpain, CEO of XAO. “With this release we’re providing a solid base for web services on the world’s leading web server, Apache. We will be adding additional modules regularly over the next six months.”

XAO has made the Foundation Server available under the XAO Open License, based on the Sleepycat License, making it compatible with the GPL. XAO offers a separate license for companies wishing to embed or use XAO 1.0 without the constraints of the GPL. “Web services by their very nature should be open source, based on open standards,” states DeSpain.

XAO ships the Foundation Server with a complete set of unit tests, enabling developers to customize the application to their specific needs without having to worry about moving off the established code tree. As long as the modifications pass the unit tests provided with the software, they will be compatible with future upgrades to the software.

About XAO Inc.
XAO Inc. is a privately held software company, formerly a division of VA Linux Systems. XAO offers software and services to the Fortune 5000 based on the XAO Server, an object oriented XML database and the Apache Web Server. Information about XAO Inc. and the XAO Foundation Server can be found at www.xao.com or by calling XAO toll-free at (877) 796-7437.

Reuters (at CNN.com) reports that although technology
companies promote the idea of a national
identification card, the president’s special adviser on
cybersecurity says the idea has little
support within the Bush administration.

ZDNet AnchorDesk predicts what will be big at this year’s fall Comdex. Among the hot technologies: Security, mobility, Internet appliances.

The November issue of TPM is all about the potential danger to Linux and all Free Software, because of the SSSCA. Read about it at Troubleshooters.com.

– by Robin “Roblimo” Miller –
This is a draft directory structure for the “new” Linux.com. It is based on the five most-requested elements: Introduction to Linux; News; Software Listings; Documentation and Tutorials; and Community. These were chosen after reading about 300 emails from members of three good-sized LUGs who responded to the basic question, “What information should (and should not) be on Linux.com?” We’re publishing this here so that you can add comments and suggestions. The subcategories are far from firm; they can and will evolve based on reader input as the site grows.

------------------------

Home Page
|
|-Introduction to Linux
|  | 
|  |-Linux is an operating system
|  |  |-Compare to other OSes
|  |  |-History
|     |-Licensing 
|  |  |-Screenshots
|  |  
|  |-Where to get Linux
|  |  |-links to distro home pages
|  |  |-downloads and other sources
|  |  
|  |-Where to get Linux help
|  |  |-online; IRC and forums
|  |  |-books and magazines
|  |  |-in person -- LUGs*
|  |
|  |-Linux migration guide
|     |-Equivalent software
|     |-Linux command summary**
|     |-Window managers
|     |  |-KDE (with screenshots)
|     |  |-Gnome (with screenshots)
|     |  |-Others (with screenshots)
|     |-Migration "HOWTOs"       
|     |  |-home/small office 
|        |-Enterprise level    
|       
|-News
|  |-Our reporting (NewsForge)
|  |-Published elsewhere (NewsVac)
|  |-Hardware/Software reviews
|  |  |-Home/small office
|  |  |-Enterprise level
|  |-Corporate/PR/announcements
|  
|-Software
|  |-Linux.com listings
|  |-other sources (freshmeat, etc.)
|  |-reviews (ours and others')
|
|-Tutorials/Documentation
|  |-indexed by topic
|  |-indexed by user skill level
|  |-rated by site users
|
|-Linux/Open Source Community
|  |-User Groups
|  |-Events
|  |-Business/Consultant listings

*Suggested by Jeff Covey of freshmeat

**Chart format summary of basic Linux commands, i.e. saving or moving files, to help people perform basic, everyday tasks in Linux right away; something they can print out and keep next to their keyboards while they learn their new OS, perhaps with cross-reference to Windows and Mac equivalents. Suggested by Bill Preece of Suncoast LUG in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Kelly McNeill writes: “Industry watchers say the settlement might block many of the tactics used by Microsoft to seize control of the Internet browser market. But that struggle ended years ago, when exhausted browser rival Netscape Communications Corp. was bought up by America Online Inc. These days, Microsoft can easily afford to change some of these sharp-elbowed practices, because its browser monopoly now appears unshakable.”