The Linux Advocate

 

by Scott Dowdle
dowdle@icstech.net
ICQ UIN: 15509440

Linux Advocate
Column #49
June 4th, 1999

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Viruses, viruses, viruses. I was given the task of hunting down a virus scanner for Linux. After doing a few hours of web research I discovered there are actually two known Linux viruses although one is totally harmless and the other has not actually been discovered in the wild. Given the fact that Linux was born with the Unix security traditions, getting infected with a virus in Linux requires quite a bit of work by the root user. I personally  have never actually heard of someone getting infected with a Linux virus. On closer investigation of the McAfee VirusScan for Linux, it was noted that the product is for scanning DOS and Windows files rather than hunting for virtually non-existent Linux items. Anyone sick of viruses on those other OSes? I know I am.

NEWS:

Item #1: Open Season - Here's one of the more interesting articles I've read about Open Source. Yeah, that was a poor description. Just trust me and go read it at the following URL: http://www.upside.com/texis/mvm/open_season?id=375471260

Item #2: OpenLinux 2.2: A First Look - CPU Review, the guys that did the Red Hat 6.0 review I mentioned last column, have put together a review of  Caldera OpenLinux 2.2. If interested, read it at: http://www.cpureview.com/rev_col22_a.html

Item #3: Use the Source - An introductory story to Linux anyone? The Washington Post has one which can be found at the following URL: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-05/28/147l-052899-idx.html

Item #4: The Growing Linux Divide - Robin Miller defines two classes of Linux users and the growing gap between them. It isn't a bad gap... in fact, it is one that opens up vast opportunities for support service businesses. Mr. Miller is always a good read: http://www1.fatbrain.com/whatshot/sigs/linux/guestcolumn.asp

Item #5: Guest Interview with Linus Torvalds - How does Linus find time for interviews with all of the 2.3.x kernels he has been cranking over the last week (now up to 2.2.4 I believe)? It seems that every Linus interview I've read points out some new points I've not heard before... so that means one must read them all, right? Lots of question marks for this description. Are you going to read it or not?: http://www1.fatbrain.com/whatshot/sigs/linux/linusinterview.asp

Item #6: Compaq stands firm on Linux - The following brief article talks about an alleged pressing from Microsoft towards Compaq with regards to their selling Linux pre-installed on some of their product line. If this story were true, I'm sure it would have been picked up by other news agencies... but you never know. Read if you dare: http://www.silicon.com/public/door?REQUNIQ=928196017&6004REQEVENT=&REQINT1=30580&REQSTR1=newsnow

Item #7: What backlash? Linux acceptance strong - In columns past, from some time ago, I took issue with the conflicts within the Linux community with regards to commercial software for our favorite free OS. The following ZDNet article points out that there has been no noticeable backlash towards the commercial software providers. I'm glad to see it and you can see it to if you visit: http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,1014877,00.html

Item #8: Lotus Chooses Linux Over NetWare - IBM, the parent company for Lotus Development, has been pushing out one Linux announcement after another for some time. Was it really a big surprise when Lotus announced that they were going to diss Netware for Linux? It was announced some time ago that Domino (the server side of Lotus Notes) was going to be made available for Linux so I'm not sure why the need for another article... but it does put in perspective how seriously Linux is being taken these days. Following one more link won't kill you: http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB19990601S0023

Item #9: IBM releases ServeRAID driver as GPL - Speaking of IBM and announcements, how about the GPL (not some bastardized form of GPL, but  the real GPL) release of Raid drivers for IBM RAID systems?!? Go Linux Go! Considering IBM used to be the 800 pound gorilla in the computer jungle, maybe there is hope for Microsoft a decade from now. Hmmm, how did I get off topic? Get back on topic by clicking on the following URL: http://linuxtoday.com/stories/6426.html

Item #10: Alan Cox releases patch to correct DoS hole in 2.2.x - As more proof of the timely release of bug fixes to the Linux kernel, Alan Cox (a  name you've heard many, many times in this column) released a fix to a recently discovered Denial of Service bug. It took a couple of hours for  the fix to be posted after the bug's discovery/publication. Where else can one find such speedy support? Nowhere, that's where. Read more at: http://linuxtoday.com/stories/6423.html

Item #11: IBM turns true Blue for Linux, Big Blue isn't just courting Linux, it's looking to get married - Anyone getting sick of hearing about IBM? No!? Well, ok. Here's yet another story from this week about IBM making an agreement with a Linux distro maker. I'm being intentionally vague to peak your interest so you'll click on: http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2267514,00.html


SPOTLIGHT: Linux Magazine, The Chronicle of the Revolution

The second issue of Linux Magazine hit the newstands. I'm not sure when it came out but I just noticed it at my local Barnes and Noble this week. Run, don't walk to go pick up your own copy. I'm not being paid to say that either. :) Not to diss Linux Journal or anything but Linux Magazine sure puts out an enjoyable magazine.

The new issue has a fantastic three part article by members of the Apache Web Server development team. What I found most interesting was the  information provided about the dealings with IBM and how classy and respectful the IBM people were... and how the Apache/IBM deal came about. IBM sure seems to know what they are doing lately. For anyone not knowing what I'm talking about, last summer IBM dropped their inhouse web server product for Apache. Who hasn't seen an IBM e-business commercial? Those ads are actually helping the spread of the web server that has approx. 56% of the market - Apache.

Having said all of that, I hope Linux Magazine will get a clue about duplicating their print content online - http://www.linux-mag.com. So far the Linux Magazine site is a little out dated... still showing the cover for the first issue. "We are updating our online presence," is the explanation given. Being so impressed by their print edition makes me hopeful for the future of their web site.

For the record, I did renew my subscription to Linux Journal. I have a lot of respect for LJ publisher, Phil Hughes. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Phil some time ago at a presentation he gave at a University of Washington Computer Faire. I have also lost count of the number of times I've visited the LJ offices during visits to Seattle. Hmmm, maybe I should quit saying I so much in this column.

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Thanks for reading again! Comments and suggestions... what do I have to do... start twisting some arms? I will you know!

Scott Dowdle

 

 

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