As virtualization continues to permeate IT shops, many independent software vendors (ISVs) are distributing software as Linux virtual appliances: preconfigured virtual machines that include the application's entire stack, including the operating system. But industry experts say that end users need to understand the design of these virtual appliances before bringing them into an environment.

Two years after acquiring the company that developed the AppArmor security software for Linux, Novell has laid off team members behind the project.

When last surveying open source Web content management systems (CMS) I provided some common-sense advice. For example, it's important to look for not just functionality but also frequent updates, a healthy user community, and the availability of professional support. Some points are still true today, but new offerings may get you rethinking the role of these products in your enterprise.

Google appears determined to eliminate its weakness in social networking, an Achilles' heel that detracts from its dominance in Web search and online ads. The next big step, expected in November, will be to open Orkut's software code to outside programmers.

Novell's long journey from NetWare to Linux is finally complete. On Oct. 8, Novell released Open Enterprise Server 2 to its customers worldwide.

2007 is shaping up to be a banner year for open source companies. SourceForge, which hosts almost 160,000 projects, just posted fiscal year 2007 revenues that showed a hefty 35 percent increase over 2006. Red Hat posted a 28 percent revenue increase on the year. And Novell's Suse is valued at approximately $210 million.

"Most software entrepreneurs' ambition is to sell out for a huge wad of cash, or maybe go public for an even bigger pile. Not so Nicholas Reville: He wants to overthrow the television industry, and he doesn't care if he gets rich. In fact, as executive director and co-founder of the Participatory Culture Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Reville is unlikely to make much money at all..."