Linux, the Next Generation
Sun Review April 21, 2001

Red Hat (www.redhat.com) has introduced a new version of its Linux operating system that it hopes will improve multiprocessor performance and keep out the bugs. Red Hat Linux 7.1, released for downloading Monday, is based on the latest kernel, or essential core, of the Linux operating system. Kernel 2.4 came out in January and is just now being adopted for commercial use. "The release of Red Hat Linux 7.1 and the first in a series of Red Hat Network subscription services makes it easy for organizations to quickly realize the benefits of open-source computing," Red Hat CEO Matthew Szulik said in a statement. The new operating system will offer better protection against virus attacks such as the Ramen worm provided that users sign up for Red Hat's Software Manager subscription service. Software Manager automatically notifies customers of updates, patches or software bugs and can install any necessary fixes. Although many of the improvements are aimed at the server market, Red Hat 7.1 also contains improvements for the desktop such as an improved graphical interface and support for hot-plugging through USB ports.

Piracy is not just for music fans. Movie buffs have flocked to the Web, trading pirated copies of the latest copyrighted movies through Gnutella. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA - www.mpaa.org) has sent hundreds of letters to major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and universities, warning them that some people on their networks are violating the Digital Millenium Copyright Act.

"What we're trying to do is educate the population about what is appropriate, both from an ethical standpoint and from a legal standpoint," said Ken Jacobson, MPAA senior vice president of worldwide anti-piracy.

The MPAA has already sued several companies including Scout, iCraveTV.com and RecordTV.com, accusing them of aiding copyright infringement by allowing people to record and trade copyrighted content. However, Gnutella (gnutella.wego.com) presents a unique challenge because unlike similar file-swapping services such as Napster, it does not use a central server to distribute copyrighted material. Instead, Gnutella allows individual users to connect directly to each others' hard drives, creating a virtual giant daisy chain of individual computers. That means the MPAA must rely on ISPs to help it hunt alleged infringers.

And finally, "you can dance if you want to" at www.dancingpaul.com.

Questions or comments? E-mail inge@ingenius.bc.ca or visit www.ingenius.bc.ca/webwoman