The CRN 1999 Top Executives includes The Dark Horse Linus Torvalds and Red Hat Executives.

Recompiling your Linux kernel may sound about as fun as a root canal, but it's a relatively simple process that leaves you with a leaner, faster Linux system.

If you're not wedded to NT, or if your servers are old enough that you can't get much of a break from Compaq, you're not dead yet. You can get freeware UNIX for most Alpha systems. Compaq will sell you new ones with Linux pre-loaded, if you like; Compaq and Alpha Processor both recognized that this strategy is the best volume play they have for the chip.

It is now beginning to look rather apparent that Red Hat will suffer the same problems that Microsoft has, unless they can perfect their development systems to the point of not allowing significant quality problems to head out the door.

Cisco's move to Linux began three years ago when the company began expanding its branch offices and added a data center in Research Triangle Park, N.C. The company needed more print servers to support the growing number of PC desktops that now had begun replacing its old Macs.

Red Hat, the leading distributor of Linux, said that besides including a journaling file system to shorten the recovery time following a crash, it will add larger memory and file system capacities, as well as support for Intel's 64-bit processors.

The popular Linuxfool.com portal has become somewhat of a support gateway for many Linux users. In the first few weeks of its existence, the site's own administrators as well as visitors have helped answer at least three hundred questions, with over 1000 total posts.

Maxspeed Corporation and LinuxOne, Inc., Mountain View, CA, announced a joint development project for the first wireless thin-client using Bluetooth communications technology.

It's not just passing threats from Linux or further inroads by Sun Microsystems or even tempting alternative gizmos from companies such as Apple Computer that are giving Microsoft a reality check. It's the massive explosion of the Internet that's causing everyone in the market to pause and think -- particularly Mr. Gates.

For those of you who aren't aware, Bill Parish wrote a tantalizing article in which he advanced the startling conjecture that Microsoft is suffering massive losses of revenue.