CeBIT: There's more to Linux than Linux Alley

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February 29, 2000
Web posted at: 8:17 a.m. EST (1317 GMT)

by Douglas F. Gray

HANOVER, Germany (IDG) -- Linux Alley is once again a crowded venue at the CeBIT trade show this year, but some of the most interesting Linux applications can be found far from the madding crowds at other locations on the show floor.

Attendees who want to see a handheld computer running Linux, for example, can seek out South Korean vendor Gmate to check out a device it calls Yopy. Yopy is expected to ship by mid-year, in both Korean and English-language versions.

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Linux was also a big theme this year at Lotus' stand over in hall two. Lotus recently launched a version of its Domino software on a Linux platform. To emphasize that, Lotus offered attendees the chance to pose with life-size stuffed penguin, the official mascot of the operating system, under the motto "I've been seen with the penguin."

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Meanwhile, over at SAP's mammoth exhibit, also in hall two, users could find a corner dedicated to Linux-based versions of the vendor's new Internet-based software, mySAP.com.

The scattered presence of Linux throughout the show floor is a sign that the operating system is gaining acceptance among corporations and users. The day when Linux is so widespread that a special pavilion won't be necessary, however, is more a wish of Linux advocates than a reality.

"A lot of people would like to see (a Linux pavilion) as not even needed, as Linux becomes more mainstream," said Jon "Maddog" Hall, executive director of Linux International, a non-profit association of Linux vendors.

Along Linux Alley vendors are mainly showing their versions of the operating system and accompanying utilities.

Finnish Linux distributor SOT Finnish Software Engineering took the opportunity to launch at CeBIT its English-language version of Linux geared to the home-user market.

California-based TurboLinux is showing its enFuzion clustering technology, which links an existing network of computers running Linux, Unix or Microsoft's Windows to create one supercomputer. EnFuzion will be available starting March 1, and prices start at $12,500 for the 32-node bundle. TurboLinux was also showing its most recent version of the operating system, TurboLinux Workstation and TurboLinux Server 6.0, which are currently available at $49.95 and $199.95, respectively.

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Handheld Linux device debuts

TurboLinux also announced here this week that it will be opening three European branches in Hamburg, Germany; Plymouth, U.K. and Kranj, Solvenia. The Hamburg office will be the headquarters for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

U.S.-based Linux services company Linuxcare announced that it would be opening its third European office, to be located in Hamburg. The office will focus on services for independent software vendors (ISVs), application vendors and "dot-com" companies. The California-based company currently offers support for nine hardware platforms and 21 different versions of Linux.

Enhanced Software Technologies demonstrated the latest version of its backup and restore utility (BRU) for Linux. BRU v.16 uses CRC algorithms to insure that no corrupt blocks of data are written in the process of backing up the system. The software is available now from vendors including TheLinuxStore.com for $245.

Vendor Lineo launched its Embedix browser designed for hardware running Intel's x86 family of processors. Lineo's software is designed for use in embedded devices such as set-top boxes, handheld computers or kiosks.

Embedix is available only to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and features 128-bit encryption. The browser requires 16MB of RAM and 8MB of storage space. Pricing depends on unit volume and support required.

Canadian Linux vendor Stormix Technologies made its European debut at CeBIT, showing its version of Linux, Storm Linux 2000. The operating system is based on Debian GNU/Linux, and features Storm Package Manager (SPM), which allows users to download and install applications with just a few mouse clicks. The full version of Storm Linux 2000 can be purchased from the company for $8, or the core components can be downloaded from the Web site.

Red Hat showed its current distribution, Red Hat Linux 6.1, and Caldera Systems showed its latest distribution. Caldera OpenLinux and Open Linux eServer 2.3 are both available now. German Linux Vendor SuSE Linux showed its current release as well.

Panasonic, BT to work on wireless music service
February 24, 2000
Nokia aims new WAP phones at corporate users
February 24, 2000
Red Hat program takes aim at corporate market
February 24, 2000
Intel stays ahead in megahertz race
March 22, 1999
Spotlight at CeBIT fair to shine on e-commerce, Y2K
March 15, 1999
CeBIT to focus on handhelds, Net connectivity
March 8, 1999

Gmate debuts palm-sized Linux device
(IDG.net)
SuSE, SGI to bring clustering software to Linux
(IDG.net)
Lineo buys Canadian company, signs deals in Korea
(IDG.net)
Red Hat unveils enterprise editions of Linux
(InfoWorld.com)
Wireless Net, Linux, Win2000 to take center stage
(IDG.net)
SAP delivers R/3 for Linux
(IDG.net)
Linuxcare plots aggressive global expansion
(IDG.net)

SOT
TurboLinux
Linuxcare
Enhanced Software Technologies
Lineo

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