Linux

["Jonathan Beard" jbeard@xxxxxxxx]

There have been some discussions of Linux and UNIX on this list
lately. Those with easy access to Science magazine might want to
look at the interesting article on Linux in the 11 December issue,
the latest I have received. Subhead says "poised to compete with
Microsoft's Windows" and in general the article makes this OS sound
like the best thing since sliced bread. It includes phrases pulled
from leaked Microsoft memos which praise Linux and make it sound as
if the Seattle-born giant is perhaps even worried. Will Torvalds and
his army of volunteers start forcing manufacturers to install Linux
on every unit they sell?

It is a good look at the background of the OS's development and how
Open Source works, but the piece does not say much about what will
run under Linux, other than saying that Win 98 programs will not. It
includes a typical shot of a Los Alamos researcher with green skin
standing in front of a supercomputer which has not crashed in several
months because it is running Linux, and a hideous desktop with the
OS's new "GNOME" front end.

JB
Jonathan D. Beard
Science Writer-Photo Researcher
 820 West End Ave 3B
NY, NY 10025-5328 tel: (212) 280-2798
jbeard@xxxxxxxx