DebinaPlanet featuresDebianUser.org, which appears to have launched earlier this month.

It’s at Winterspeak.com. Among the issues addressed: How to make money with the GPL? How to promote and spread Free Software? How Open source’s experience advantage with developers gives
companies a competitive edge.

Advogato points to the VA Linux proposed name change and a decision for VA division (and NewsForge parent) OSDN to drop its cooperative ties with Kuro5shin as evidence of “problems” at OSDN/VA. “We still don’t know how the two incidents will affect the community at large, but I think we should
consider a world without K5 and Slashdot and maybe discuss how the advocacy for free software will
function in such a design. Maybe the Linux community is so strong today that K5 and Slashdot and the
other OSDN web sites are not crucial for the survival and expansion of the community, but I am
pessimistic.” This from the same site that questioned SourceForge.net’s future last week. Even more on the VA name change at NWfusion.com.

– By Grant Gross –

The CEO of Lutris Technologies says changes to a critic’s Web site — which distributes a database program based on Lutris’ InstantDB — aren’t enough to make Lutris back off its claims that the site is violating its trademark and intellectual property.

Lutris CEO Yancy Lind maintains that InstantDB has never been released as an Open Source program, and as such, company critic George C. Hawkins doesn’t have a right to distribute SimpleDB from his SimpleDB.org Web site. Hawkins asserts that Lutris released InstantDB 3.26 under a Mozilla-like Open Source license, and as such, he has the right to create his own software based on InstantDB.

Hawkins said he’s made changes to the SimpleDB site in response Lind’s trademark complaint last week. Hawkins has made the distribution of InstantDB 3.26 — a freeware but not Open Source program, according to Lind — more prominent at the site, and he’s produced a “SimpleDB distribution that doesn’t include either the source for InstantDB or SimpleDB, instead an application that will produce the source for SimpleDB given the InstantDB 3.26 binary distro as input.”

Lind, through a PR representative, counters that neither of these changes satisfy his concerns about the trademark violation.

He says, “The binary version of InstantDB 3.25 and 3.26 were released by Lutris
for free redistribution. The primary requirements of redistribution of the
binaries are:

“1) A statement that Lutris is the owner and copyright owner of the
code.

” 2) Acknowledgement of the fact that InstantDB is a trademark of Lutris.

“3) Passing along the terms of the license as part of the
redistribution.

“There are thousands of copies of InstantDB 3.25 and 3.26 being
redistributed around the world under these terms.”

As for Hawkins saying he’s not including the source for InstantDB in a SimpleDB version, Lind says that still doesn’t matter.

“No version of InstantDB has ever been released as open source,” Lind adds. “Lutris
never provided the source code for InstantDB. Reverse engineering InstantDB
is no more legal than reverse engineering any other piece of software.
Providing and promoting a simple mechanism to reverse engineer a company’s closed
source software is also in violation of legal principles governing
software. Changing the name of InstantDB and failing to honor trademarks and
copyrights is also in violation of accepted legal norms. We would hope
that governing legal norms would be honored by anyone using any of our
software products.”

So far, Lind hasn’t threatened legal action, saying his company doesn’t have the resources. Instead, he’s asking Hawkins to close the SimpleDB project.

Cox writes, “Final pieces. This tree will become 2.2.20 at the weekend unless something absolutely critical comes up.” Changelog follows.

2.2.20pre12
o Update davicom driver to fix oopses (Sten Wang)
o Updated PC300 driver – fix SCA-II DMA bugs
(Daniela P. R. Magri Squassoni)
o Make syn cookies per socket (Andi Kleen)
o Computone driver fixes for fast PC’s (Michael Warfield)
| Follow on devfs patches didnt apply so dropped
o DAC960 update (Leonard Zubkoff)

2.2.20pre11
o Security fixes
| Details censored in accordance with the US DMCA
o Sparc updates (Dave Miller)
o Add escaped usb hot plug config item (Ryan Maple)
o Fix eepro10 driver problems (Aris)
o Make request_module return match 2.4 (David Woodhouse)
o Update SiS900 driver (Hui-Fen Hsu)
o Update ver_linux to match 2.4 (Steven Cole)
o Final isdn fixups for 2.2 (Kai Germaschewski)
o scsi tape fixes from 2.4 (Kai Mäkisara)
o Update credits entry (Henrik Storner)
o Fix scc driver hang case (Jeroen)
o Update credits entry (Dave Jones)
o Update FAT documentation (Hirokazu Nomoto)
o Small net tweaks (Dave Miller)
o Fix cs89xx abuse of skb->len (Kapr Johnik)

2.2.20pre10
o Update the gdth driver (Achim Leubner)
o Fix prelink elf loading in 2.2 (Jakub Jelinek)
o 2.2 lockd fixes when talking to HP/UX (Trond Myklebust)
o 3ware driver update (Adam Radford)
o hysdn driver update (Kai Germaschewski)
o Backport via rhine fixes (Dennis Bjorklund)
o NFS client fixes (Trond Myklebust, Ion Badulescu,
Jim Castleberry, Crag I Hagan.
Adrian Drzewiecki)
o Blacklist TEAC PD-1 to single lun (Wojtek Pilorz)
o Fix null request_mode return (David Woodhouse)
o Update credits entry (Fernando Fuganti)
o Fix sparc build with newer binutils (Andreas Jaeger)
o Starfire update (Ion Badulescu)
o Remove dead USB files (Greg Kroah-Hartmann)
o Fix isdn mppp crash case (Kai Germaschewski)
o Fix eicon driver (Kai Germaschewski)
o More pci idents (Andreas Tobler)
o Typo fix (Eli Carter)
o Remove ^M’s from some data files (Greg Kroah-Hartmann)
o 64bit cleanups for isdn (Kai Germaschewski)
o Update isdn certificates (Kai Germaschewski)
o Mac update for sysrq (Ben Herrenschmidt)

LinuxSecurity: “Updated webalizer packages are available which fix a security problem and
some minor bugs.”

Wired: “An executive at Linux company Red Hat blasts Microsoft’s new operating system: it is “certain to further degrade customer choice, cost/performance and in some cases, even civil liberties.”

The Register: “I anticipated a
sweet time getting 7.2 running, but unfortunately that was not to be.

The new CD boots properly, as I said, but I’m still unable to finish an installation. Only once did I get
the crashdump prompt, but when I clicked on the ‘save to floppy’ button, the system crashed again.

I’ve tried partitioning/formatting with Disk Druid, by using the auto partition feature, and by using both
DOS fdisk and Linux fdisk to delete all partitions and rebuild from scratch. I even partitioned using
L-fdisk according to starting/ending cylinders instead of volume sizes, but even that failed.”

CBSNews: “Internet connections at the
New York Times Co were interrupted for
at least several hours on Tuesday after
the paper’s computers were flooded
with information in an apparent attack.

“We don’t know that it was malicious,
but there seems to be no innocent
explanation,” wrote company network
administrator Terry Schwadron in an
e-mail to newsroom employees.”

“This Week’s Summary: Mandrake Linux 8.1 boxes soon in a Store near you;
The release candidate of Mandrake Linux 8.1 for Itanium architecture;
Mandrake in the News; What’s cooking at MandrakeSoft?; Business case of
the week; This Week’s Online Poll; Security-related Software Updates;
Headlines from MandrakeForum.”

Mandrake Linux 8.1 boxes soon in a store near you
-------------------------------------------------

This week Mandrake Linux boxes started shipping to wholesalers.
Simultaneously, MandrakeStore started shipping pre-ordered boxes.
One way or another, in a few days you should have one of
Mandrake Linux 8.1 boxes in your hands.
Just a quick reminder, Mandrake Linux 8.1 comes is available in 3
editions:

- Standard Edition (Basic product, mainly for Desktop users)
- PowerPack (Additional applications and development tools)
- ProSuite  (Special server-oriented package)

A full description of different Mandrake Linux packages is available on
MandrakeSoft products pages:
http://www.mandrakesoft.com/products/range

In addition to the above mentioned packages, MandrakeStore
(http://www.MandrakeStore.com) also sells cheap 3-CD "Download Edition"
version, as well as a DVD version.

These two offers are intended for users who are familiar with Linux as
they include neither support nor manuals.


The Release Candidate of Mandrake Linux 8.1 for Itanium
-------------------------------------------------------

Constantly in the shadow of the "mainstream" Mandrake Linux version
for Pentium and compatible processors, development of Mandrake Linux
for Itanium has received very little attention so far. Obviously,
first-generation i64 architecture from Intel still offers too little
for too high a price, but sooner or later Itanium will end up in your
server room, and eventually power your desktop too.
It's good to know that Itanium-optimized Mandrake Linux will be there
when you need it!

http://www.Linux-mandrake.com/en/ia64-rc.php3

Mandrake in the News
----------------------------------------

This week, a rumor about "Mandrake Linux 8.1 Gamers Edition" leaked
out on "BluesNews"
(http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=viewthread&threadid=29767)
first, and Slashdot
(http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=01/10/20/1755210) quickly picked up
the story.

Judging from comments on Slashdot, plenty of people out there have been
eagerly waiting for a gaming-oriented Linux distribution for a very long
time, and we are happy to confirm the story:
there will be a "Gamers Edition" of Mandrake Linux 8.1 in a near future,
and it will contain "The Sims".
(http://www.MandrakeSoft.com/company/press/pr?n=/pr/products/1318)


What's cooking at MandrakeSoft?
----------------------------------------

If You have problems with installing or running Mandrake Linux 8.1, take
a look at Mandrake Linux 8.1 errata page
(http://www.Linux-mandrake.com/en/81errata.php3), and related
discussions on Mandrake Forum (search for "errata"). These pages list
solutions to most important problems encountered so far, and reading
them can save you a lot of time.

Btw, 8.1 erratas are slowing down, i.e. we have reached the phase where
most of the problems with distribution are known, and workarounds or
bug-fixes have already been published.

Our developers are asking your help:

No laboratory is big enough to do complete tests on some types of
software (kernel, Internet connection tools, hardware detection...)
Therefore, Mandrake developers occasionally make "calls for help" on
cooker mailing list and on MandrakeForum.
This week there have been two calls for help on MandrakeForum:

First call concerns those of you who connect to Internet with (A)DSL,
especially TDSL in Germany. Support for (A)DSL in
Mandrake Linux distribution is almost legendary good, but some users
have nevertheless reported problems with this type of connection.
An updated version of the script has been provided, and you are kindly
asked to test it and report what happened.

Second call is for testing a future kernel update which solves several
security problems, and fixes Supermount.
(see: http://www.MandrakeForum.org/article.php?sid=1327?=en) Unless
some grave problems are found, this kernel
may already be in 8.1 updates directory on ftp servers, if not you are
kindly asked to join the testers.

Business Case of the Week;
----------------------------------------

The Southern Illinois Power Cooperative is a 272 MW power
generating station. Recently, they have updated their internal
IT infrastructure - including 24x7 data monitoring and
network core  services - to a robust information system
based on Mandrake Linux. The story is on Platts.com, and it's
worth a read.

http://www.MandrakeBizcases.com/article.php?sid=160

Read many more examples of Mandrake Linux in the workplace at:
http://www.MandrakeBizcases.com/

If you use MandrakeSoft products in your business, please share your
story by submitting your own personal "Bizcase".

This Week's Online Poll
----------------------------------------

Is Mandrake Linux used in Your company?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Not Yet

Cast your vote in the Voting Booth and check the results:
http://www.MandrakeForum.com/pollBooth.php?pollID=16?=en

Software Updates
----------------------------------------

Following updates have been reported since October 15-th:

Bug fixes: initscripts, locales-it, xcin,
Security:  open ssh, Zope

A complete list of all official security and bugfix updates for
all Mandrake Linux distributions is available in the "security" section
of Linux-Mandrake.com (http://www.Linux-mandrake.com/en/security/)


Top Stories of the Week from MandrakeForum
------------------------------------------

Rescue your LinuxCounter entry before it's too late!
Linux Counter is going to freeze almost 100.000 inactive accounts on
November the 1-st. Check if yours is one of them, and save it before
it is too late!
http://MandrakeForum.com/article.php?sid=1283?=en

Mandrake/PPC related discussion on Mandrake Forum?
Mandrake Linux 8.0 version for PPC processors has been neglected
on MandrakeForum so far, but you can change this. If you are
a lucky owner of an iBook, or a "cube", and want to discuss
about PPC-specific issues on MandrakeForum, go for it now:
http://MandrakeForum.com/article.php?sid=1310?=en

How Many Hits Can A Mandrake Server Take?
Ever wondered how much traffic could your web server take? Comments
attached to this article will help you find out what are the limiting
factory in your case, and how to benchmark your web-site.
http://MandrakeForum.com/article.php?sid=1309?=en

Online update trough HTTP proxies
Software Manager (rpmdrake) is coming of age. One of the missing
features which have been added to a newest rpmdrake version is
"updating trough HTTP proxies". Read what other users have to say
about the latest rpmdrake here:
http://MandrakeForum.com/article.php?sid=1313?=en

Urpm in Mandrake Linux 8.1
As you know, rpmdrake is just a graphical interface to urpm tools.
In Mandrake Linux 8.1, these tools have been updated. In particular,
search facilities have been greatly improved since Mandrake Linux 8.0
distribution.
http://www.MandrakeForum.com/article.php?sid=1277?=en