Brazilian IT site UnderLinux interviews Bugtraq moderator Elias Levy. It’s a short interview with questions (naturally) covering computer security and related topics.

A Gartner Viewpoint at CNet: “‘Hacktivism’ can hurt the United States as it tries to develop allies.
For example, hacktivists may attack Islamic-related sites in
Pakistan, a country that is helping the United States to address
terrorism. The attacks could jeopardize Pakistani relations by
promoting bad feeling against the United States in that country.”

From InternetWire.com: Visualware Inc.
announced today a new major
release of its popular VisualPulse
product, which now provides automated monitoring of the availability and performance of
specific Web site pages, application servers and network devices anywhere on the Internet,
as well as on corporate intranets and extranets. VisualPulse 2.0 is now available for the
Windows, Linux, Solaris and FreeBSD platforms.

It’s from fsg.org and a few days old, but worth looking at. From the FSF’s lawyer: “Microsoft’s anti-GPL offensive this summer has sparked renewed speculation about whether the GPL is ‘enforceable.’ This
particular example of ‘FUD’ (fear, uncertainty and doubt) is always a little amusing to me. I’m the only lawyer on earth who can say
this, I suppose, but it makes me wonder what everyone’s wondering about: Enforcing the GPL is something that I do all the time.”

IT Analysis (via The Register) has a Q&A with Marc Dupaquier, IBM’s worldwide VP for data management solutions sales about IBM’s database marketing plans. Among the questions: “So do you sell many DB2 installations on Linux?”

CNet reports on a computer worm that spreads to both servers and PCs running Microsoft software hitting the Internet today. More from Wired.com.

– by Tina Gasperson –
The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) is soliciting beta testers for its new Level 2 certification, which is constructed in part using a psychological testing procedure known as psychometrics. LPI uses statistics gathered from hundreds of working Linux systems administrators to determine exactly what a test-taker needs to know to succeed in a Linux network environment.”We ask systems administrators to complete a lengthy questionnaire,” says Julie Thornton of LPI, in order to get plenty of raw data to manipulate. Of course, if you ask 10 different sys admins what 50 skills it takes to do the job, you’ll get dozens of different responses. But at least some of them will match up, and those agreed upon answers are what LPI extracts and builds its tests upon.

The Level 2 certification is aimed at Linux systems administrators with three to four years of experience. There are two exams included in the certification, and during the beta period, the tests are available at a reduced price of $84 each. Successful test-takers will receive Level 2 certification, provided they have already received LPI Level 1 certification.

Thornton says that beta testers are still needed, but LPI has had help from WowLinux, a training center in Seoul, Korea. Wowlinux, along with Bradford Learning, is offering the LPI Level 2 beta to about 50 systems administrators this week, she says. Additionally, users groups across the country are taking advantage of LPI’s offer for proctored exams. Thornton says that interested LUGs can contact her at julie@lpi.org any time before the October 12 deadline. “The cost to groups of 20 or more Linux systems administrators with three to four years of experience is only $15 during the beta period, with results available by November 2,” she says.

LPI is a non-profit organization that exists solely to ensure that vendor-neutral testing standards are established and maintained. LPI is one of two testing organizations that employ psychometrics in test design. The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) also provides a psychometrically-designed certification.

The CompTIA complements LPI certification, says Thornton, because while LPI targets systems administrators, CompTIA’s testing is for “any individual interested in demonstrating fundamental Linux knowledge and skills.” Like LPI, CompTIA builds its tests using psychometric data compiled from extensive surveys of working professionals.

CompTIA calls its Linux testing program Linux+, and on its Web site says that those passing its certification should potentially qualify for jobs such as entry-level help desk, technical sales and marketing, entry-level service technician, technical writers, resellers, developers, and customer service representatives.

CompTIA is currently looking for input from what it calls Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), which are working professionals with at least one and a half years of experience in any of the positions listed above. SMEs will participate in extensive surveys and workshops to help develop new certification exams, and should be prepared to serve in mentorship positions for entry-level Linux professionals. Those who are chosen to participate will receive a $250 stipend, a voucher for a free Linux+ exam, and other benefits. If you’re qualified, you can fill out an online application or contact CompTIAs certification program manager, Eva Chen.

Thornton says that the community-based LPI certification is working on several upcoming projects and needs volunteers. LPI is looking for multi-lingual web developers to help with updating sites with the new Level 2 information. Any people who would like to contribute on these or other LPI projects is encouraged to visit the LPI site to find out where their talents could best be used.

IDG News Service reports that someone has cracked a German Islamist Web site, publishing on the Web hundreds of e-mail addresses of subscribers to its mailing list. The cracker is using the alias “Anonyme Feigling
(“Anonymous Coward”).

Reuters has more information on Caldera’s layoffs. The company is also
consolidating unused facilities in Utah and in Santa Cruz, Calif., streamlining product lines and
reducing budgets to immediately reduce its overall expenses.

FSMLabs, Inc. announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Free Software Foundation regarding its RTLinux Open Patent License.On Friday, September 14, 2001, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) issued a spirited press release on the RTLinux Open Patent License that permits use of the GPL version of FSMLabs RTLinux. Discussions over the weekend showed that the FSF was reacting to an unpublished, preliminary draft of the license, not the license published by FSMLabs in January 2001. The FSF has withdrawn its statement and requested a few small additional changes to the current version.

“On Monday, both sides agreed, in principle, to a settlement of the dispute and a cessation to ‘hostilities’,” said Victor Yodaiken, FSMLabs CEO. “We’re happy to be able to put this matter aside and to continue publishing GPL/RTLinux as a service to the open source community.”

Yodaiken pointed out that FSMLabs commercial business was not affected by the dispute.

“I particularly want to thank Red Hat for helping us resolve this problem,” said Yodaiken. He also thanked the numerous members of the open source community to who came to FSMLab’s defense.

“We’ve always balanced our sustainable software business with development work for the open source community,” said Cort Dougan, FSMLabs Director of Engineering. “There were those who were upset with us and we appreciate their idealism and enthusiasm. But we’re also ready to move on to more productive activities.”

An official statement from the FSF is expected soon.

###

About FSMLabs, Inc.
FSMLabs’ main product is RTLinux/Pro, a small POSIX compliant hard real time operating system that can run either BSD Unix or Linux as an application. FSMLabs, Inc. was founded by the creators of RTLinux with the goal of extending speed and accuracy in the development of realtime and embedded systems. By developing systems that reduce complexity and unpredictability, we advance realtime state-of-the-art. By endorsing and promoting internationally recognized POSIX realtime standards, we help ensure ease of development and application portability. With engineering staff and technology partners worldwide, FSMLabs pursues solutions characterized by simplicity, robustness and precise design. For more information, email business@fsmlabs.com and visit www.rtlinux.com.

For more information contact:

Monica Ortiz

FSMLabs, Inc. PR Contact

415-990-5513

monica@mktgevents.com