ITinfo: IBM Supports Linux With New Motherboard

Big Blue Linux
Big support means Linux is mainstream

ITINFO Sponsor
Website Hosting by DGL Web Hosting

Fast, unlimited hits. Secure SSL servers.
100MB web & ftp storage.
4 Apache SSL-Stronghold webservers.
Unlimited email aliasing, redirection, and autoresponders.
4 multi-homed T3 & T1 lines on the primary backbone.
24/7 Monitoring
Daily access reports
Free, fast & accurate domain registration.

host@dgl.com
DGL Super-Fast Website Hosting

Internet Poll

Have you attended a seminar via e-learning?

	yes
	no
poll archive

IBM Supports Linux With New Motherboard
by Dave Murphy
ISSN 1535-3613

IBM's Microelectronics division is releasing a new motherboard design that's engineered to integrate the PowerPC microprocessor (CPU) and Linux, the upstart alternative operating system (OS) that Internet website hosts and technical hackers love. For example, I use Linux as a replacement for one of our office's Novell NetWare file servers and our website is served from one of our set of four Linux-based website hosting servers.

Linux, distributed through open-source development, involved millions of highly competent programmers who donate their personal time to make improvements to the OS. And some industry writers, including me, think that Linux is the one OS that has a credible chance of competing with Microsoft's Windows in the server and desktop marketplaces.

IBM's announcement that the motherboard design will be freely given to any hardware design firm is a very "Linux-like way" of releasing a new product design. Giving freely of time, talent, and treasures for the general welfare describes how Linux is developed, and IBM -- in this instance -- is following that altruistic calling.

Interestingly, IBM's motherboard is specifically designed to run the PowerPC CPU, which is currently used primarily by some top-line Macs from Apple Computer. By integrating the PowerPC chip and Linux, hardware designers other than Apple may be enticed to use the PowerPC chip in their system designs. IBM's free design could become a catalyst for a new market if specially-created Linux servers and workstations, using the PowerPC chip, but not made by Apple.

IBM will not charge license fees or royalties, nor will it manufacture its own motherboards based on the design. The company will provide schematics, component lists, and circuit board art to interested manufacturers.

IBM showed a prototype of the motherboards at LinuxWorld Conference and Expo this week in San Jose, and will also show them next week at HP World in San Francisco.

What do you think? Is IBM's new motherboard a sign of support for Linux from the big boys? Leave your comments on the Message Center.

P.S. Did you get in on the Red Hat IPO this week? For technical reasons, I love Red Hat Linux, and now I'm lovin' their stock, too.

IBM
Red Hat
Message Center

Damar Group, Ltd. helps business use technology.

ITINFO is again accepting sponsors. Sponsor messages are included in ITINFO's email newsletter and are permanently posted to DGL's website and online reference areas.

ITINFO is an electronic publication of Damar Group, Ltd., publisher of Training Express computer learning guides. Comments and submissions to info@dgl.com.

Previous issues are on our website at http://dgl.com/itinfo/.

updated August 14, 1999
http://dgl.com/itinfo/1999/it990814.html