The stake Intel took in special-purpose computer maker eSoft was worth $3 million, the companies disclosed today. The investment is one of several Intel has made in companies using the open-source Linux software. Intel also has invested in Red Hat, SuSE, TurboLinux and VA Linux Systems.

A Linux software company is hoping a $3 million investment will help it gain a foothold in the spicy but increasingly crowded server appliance market. SoundView Technology Group has placed an investment in Realm Information Technology, which until now has been running off $5 million in private funding that got the company started in 1996. The new funding will be used to expand Realm's software and West Coast operations.

If you were starting up today, or could start over as an ISP, would you use Unix, Linux or NT servers, and why? Which RAS servers have the fewest 'issues' with user modems and require the least customer support?

The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) announced the immediate availability of the first exam in its Linux certification program. The exam, which covers Linux basics as part of the program's first level, is now available worldwide at testing centers affiliated with Virtual University Enterprises (VUE).

In an effort to make sure you can deploy Domino on any platform of your choosing, Lotus recently released a version of Domino for Linux. Sharing all of the same features as those found on the other operating system platforms, Domino for Linux provides a low-cost, high-value platform for application servers.

Four of the main Linux distributors have joined Trillian, the industry initiative led by VA Linux to port the Linux operating system to Intel's 64bit Itanium processor.

IBM (IBM) announced Monday a major new push into the Linux server market, appointing its well-regarded former Internet manager to head up a new Linux division that will spearhead the company's e-commerce efforts. With a market cap of $213 billion, IBM is a behemoth compared to the clutch of Linux-focused companies that have gone public in the last six month, such as VA Linux, with its $7 billion market cap, or Red Hat, which is valued at $19 billion.

Linux continues its upward mobility as major computing companies throw their weight behind the operating system with investments and deals.

I think Corel has realized that sooner or later most apps, especially the ones most crucial to Microsoft will be rented on the web. When I speak of crucial applications, I'm talking about Microsoft Office, what many consider to be Microsoft's only worthwhile application. Though users would still have to follow Microsoft's rental scheme, at least the applications would be available to those using Linux, or any other "Bridges" equipped operating system.

LINUX users worldwide plan to gatecrash Microsoft's 17 February release of its most eagerly anticipated product in five years, Windows 2000. The founder of last year's Linux Demo Day, Intel employee Deepak Saxena, plans to use the publicity surrounding Windows' release to generate interest in the alternative operating system, Linux.