Opengear (www.Opengear.com), a leading provider of next-generation console server solutions, today announced that they had been named to the Open Source 50 and recognized as one of the top 25 open source companies in the channel.

Opengear has integrated uninterruptible power supply (UPS) monitoring tools in its uClinux-based remote access equipment. Opengear's console servers (pictured at left) now include tools derived from the open source Network UPS Tools (NUT) project, says the company.

TheVARGuy.com announced a list of the 50 top open source companies in the "channel." Alongside well-known picks like Red Hat, Sun, and Novell (ranked one through three), several smaller, embedded-related firms made the top-25, including Digium, Openmoko, and Opengear.

On Saturday I moved Tombuntu to a new virtual private server at Linode (the computer in my basement just wasn't enough anymore). I chose Linode (referral link) because they sell unmanaged Linux VPS systems, so I can continue to run whatever software I like.

Microsoft’s proposed $45 billion buy of Yahoo would give the Redmond, Wash company control over a top open source e-mail company, open source projects and an open source infrastructure. On September 17 of 2007, Yahoo bought Zimbra for $350 million. Yahoo’s infrastructure is built on BSD. Yahoo has released a myriad of software to the open source community and even sponsors some open source projects. So this deal would put Microsoft directly into the open source software business.

Do you still doubt the power of the emerging open source IT channel? Consider this: Axilom, a solutions provider based in France, has won a contract to deploy Compiere Inc.’s open source ERP (enterprise resource planning) system for La Poste, a global postal processing organization with 300,000 employees and 45 million customers. Here’s the scoop.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has started deploying Linux-based Opengear console servers to remotely monitor and manage its international locations, including Australian Embassies, Consulates, High Commissions and territories.

Managing power locally can be as simple as flipping a switch, but what happens when you've got hundreds of sites geographically dispersed?

After acquiring On2's video compression codecs in a deal valued at approximately $106.5 million in stock, will Google simply turn around and open source them? It certainly looks that way.