Buried in a Canada Newswire press release about Avaya Inc.’s quarterly results is a little update about Libsafe for Linux: Avaya Labs introduced Libsafe 2.0, an enhanced version of its free
security software for the popular Linux operating system. Libsafe
version 2.0 adds the ability to protect against security attacks that
exploit “format string” vulnerabilities in software, including
programs that are widely deployed as part of the Internet
infrastructure. Libsafe extends its protection to all application
programs running on a system, and will even help to protect programs
that have vulnerabilities yet to be discovered.

From net-security.org: This is an addition to DSA 043-1 which fixes several vulnerabilities in Zope. Something went
wrong so it has to be corrected. The previous security release 2.1.6-7 has two severe
problems: 1. zope 2.1.6-7 erronously included Hotfix 2000-10-02 (a fix for a vulnerability,
which does only affect Zope 2.2.0 and later). The inclusion of this Hotfix completely broke
the authentification, which rendered zope 2.1.6-7 practically unusable.

A column at Interactive Week attempts to address the RIAA vs. the Princeton professor in the dispute over publishing a SDMI hack. “But, while I doubt that ‘code’ is speech, trying to quash academic research about code to
protect property rights is of the same questionable order as piracy. It’s a violation of fundamental
rights, and a very dangerous precedent for private citizens to be getting into, one that reinforces
false stereotypes of power.”

InfoWorld reports that Princeton computer science professor Edward Felten has backed off plans to present a paper on how his team “hacked” the Secure Digital Music Initiative. The RIAA had threatened a lawsuit. More from Wired.com and from The Associated Press.

ZDNet reports that AOL is “quietly testing software that could end exclusive support for
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer Web browser in future versions of its online services,
signaling a growing fissure in an already strained relationship.”

The software would allow America Online and
CompuServe to support multiple Web browsers, including AOL Time Warner’s Netscape
products. Gee, use your own browser in your online services? How revolutionary!

From ZDNet’s AnchorDesk: “This column is a response to my detractors — amply represented in the TalkBack forum — who
take the position that anything bad for Microsoft is good for computing. My responsibility,
according to them, is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable–beat up on Microsoft
and laud competitors, whether their products are better or not.

That is a lofty journalistic idea, but I also give Microsoft credit when I feel it’s due, and that
upsets some people. I’m not pro-Microsoft nearly as much as I’m pro-user. And Microsoft — if
only by its sheer size and dominance — has made life easier for users.”

Steve Mallett sends this along: “The Nethack license is the latest OSI approved license we’ve had a hand in,” states Steve Mallett, co-founder of Open-Source Directory (OSD).

OSD was also involved in getting the Sleepycat license added to the OSI list of approved licenses. “We’ve been in public operation for only two and half weeks. It’s very exciting for us to have had this kind of impact in the community. Licenses aren’t the sexiest thing in the world, but if it creates a viable option to go open vs. closed we’re all better for it,” he added.

Both the Sleepycat and Nethack licenses were sent to OSI for approval by their authors after discovering that these licenses were not on Open-Source Directory’s list of OSI approved licenses when registering their products on OSD.

OSD is currently in its first stage of growth: reaching developers to list their stable, open-source code on the site.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

To learn more about Open-Source Directory please visit: www.opensourcedirectory.org.

Contact:
Steve Mallett | www.opensourcedirectory.org.

Anonymous Reader writes, “According to a study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, downloading MP3 files is the fastest growing Internet activity over the past half-year. Between July-August 2000 and February 2001, over 30 million Americans have gathered their music this way.” The story’s at mp3newswire.net.

ZDNET.co.uk: “Cobalt clarifies comments made at its developer conference
last year over plans to sue Apple for infringement of the Cube
trademark.”

Tridia Corporation today announced that its “Alien” mascot now goes by the name of “Remo”. During the Name the “Alien” Contest, thousands of remote control users downloaded TridiaVNC the latest open-source, remote control, eSupport solution, from Tridia Corporation. More than 30,624 TridiaVNC software downloads took place since the contest launch at NetWorld+Interop’s LI UX Business Expo Atlanta 2000.Ms. Carrie Alderfer of ITC^DeltaCom was the first to submit the winning name, “Remo”. Alderfer received her grand prize of $5,000 from Vince Frese, Tridia Corporation’s chief executive officer and Paul Frese, vice president of sales. Alderfer said she had no immediate plans for the prize money, however, after lunch she was last seen approaching a local mall.

“Our Name the TridiaVNC Alien Contest has been a great success,” says Vince Frese, chief executive officer at Tridia Corporation. “Throughout NetWorld+Interop in Atlanta, we had long lines of contestants waiting to enter the contest. This enthusiasm spilled over to substantial downloads of our TridiaVNC remote-control eSupport software. We are confident that “Remo” will serve as an excellent remote control ambassador for our eSupport products.” In the future, “Remo” will represent Tridia Corporation’s leadership role in producing value priced, open-source hybrid software products that improve and make eSupport possible.

Tridia’s Name the “Alien” Contest provided a single grand prize of $5000, plus thousands of “Alien” t-shirts were randomly awarded throughout the contest. Many thanks go out to all who participated.

About Tridia Corporation

Tridia Corporation has long been a leading developer of Unix-based eSupport technologies. Tridia brings this experience to the Open Source and Microsoft Windows communities where it provides value priced eSupport solutions for live support, remote system administration, collaboration, and training. Founded in 1987, Tridia Corporation is a privately owned, Atlanta-based software development company.

For more information on TridiaVNC telephone Charlotte Canup at (770) 428-5000 ext. 105 or visit the Tridia Web site at http://www.tridiavnc.com. For TridiaVNC developer information please visit http://www.developvnc.org.

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Tridia and TridiaVNC are trademarks of Tridia Corporation. All other referenced product names are trademarks of their respective companies.