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iTWire: The very heart of the Linux operating system is the kernel, the piece of software which makes programs run and work with hardware. It’s possibly the largest and most geographical spread open source project in the world. With software projects failing daily how can such a task actually work?

iTWire: The much-hyped “year of the Linux desktop” may still not be with us but there’s no doubting the free open-source operating system has gained significant traction in the last year. One reason for this is, with equal certainty, the mess that is Windows Vista. Here’s how it’s actively driving new interest in Linux.

iTWire: What’s the big deal about Linux? Isn’t it at heart just a PC-based version of UNIX – the ‘70’s hit operating system which has outlived the predictions of its demise throughout the ‘90’s? If you’ve come from a Solaris or HP/UX or AIX background isn’t a PC-based UNIX a bit, well, passé? Here’s my view …

iTWire: Open source software has long been accepted as a legitimate software license by tech-savvy crowds. It’s become recognised by business. And even the courts are taking seriously open source software authors rights despite the fact no money has changed hands. This month an Artistic License was tested in court in the case of Robert Jacobsen vs KAM Industries, and upheld as enforceable copyright conditions. It is a landmark decision ratifying the philosophical basis behind FOSS.

iTWire: When it comes to virtualising Linux, VMWare has always had the edge of Microsoft ’s Virtual PC which has limited video display support. Although these were the best two, there have been other lesser-known options like XENSource. Here’s Sun’s VirtualBox and why it is truly kick-ass.

iTWire: With virtualisation becoming a mainstream technology, it’s becoming reasonable that Linux distros like Ubuntu will not always require a dedicated computer but instead be contained within a virtualised environment, whether on a Windows desktop or as part of a consolidated server farm. It’s not always plain sailing though – here are some problems you might encounter as well as their solutions.

iTWire: I got an iPhone! Telstra relented on their original viewpoint that new contracts had to be taken out and they wouldn’t cater for the business and government market. Mind you, Telstra’s support line could stand to take training …. !

What started as wondering how to contribute to my 5 year old son’s pre-school lead to the discovery of some absolutely terrific open source software that really aids the educational process. Here’s why even in this Microsoft world Linux is the best platform for early childhood education.

iTWire: Virtualisation is on the brink of turning operating systems into a commodity item. It may be realistic to see software applications shipped as virtual computer images in the near future. Linux has much to benefit from this, with a repeat of the phenomenal adoption rate it has enjoyed since the ASUS Eee PC. Here’s the story.