Computer gaming is making inroads into the Linux realm, indicating the advances the operating system is making into mainstream use.

The Santa Cruz Operation will announce on Thursday that it has invested an undisclosed sum in LinuxMall.com along with investment banker Hambrecht & Quist.

Use of the Linux operating system in TV set-top boxes, cars, and other non-PC devices is becoming a more serious possibility with the backing of some established companies.

Gateway has entered into an agreement to sell Cobalt Networks' line of special-purpose servers. Cobalt makes Linux-based "server appliances".

Hummingbird Communications Ltd. announced it has partnered with SuSE to participate in joint marketing and development activities.

Though Linux has been the talk of the technology industry, investing in the free operating system still is a big risk.

If you've wanted to try Linux but have had cold feet because it's fairly untested in the enterprise network arena, take heart: IBM is putting some of its considerable muscle behind the technology.

In many ways, Linux, the open source alternative OS, has a lot in common with The X-Files. Instead of a government conspiracy, the Linux community opposes all-powerful Microsoft.

Loki Entertainment Software, the premier company bringing best-selling PC and Macintosh games to the Linux` environment, today releases their fourth Open-Source project, the Loki Game Installer.

HP's most recent Linux workstations, targeted to the electronic design automation (EDA) market, will come preconfigured with and ready to run Linux.