"When people say they don't have a choice, they often mean there is no other product that has all the benefits of Microsoft's products without having the drawbacks. Give it up. I would love to own a car that is as fast as a Corvette and gets the gas mileage of a Honda, but it isn't going to happen." Read the opinion piece at TechNewsWorld.

According to the Seattle Times Microsoft will make some changes to it's operating system and browser software due to patent infringements. The article also states that Microsoft will deliver Java support in its operating system a bit longer than previously announced.

SUSE today announced the expansion of the SUSE LINUX Server family with the release of SUSE LINUX Standard Server 8 – aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. Available for Intel and AMD 32-bit processors (x86) and supporting up to two CPUs, SUSE LINUX Standard Server 8 includes features such as Internet access, e-mail, file and print services, plus graphical configuration wizards – enabling Linux novices in small and medium-sized organizations to easily set up the server as a Windows domain controller, file and print server in Windows environments, Internet gateway, E-Mail server, application server, DNS server and DHCP server.

In light of the SCO allegations, SGI's code comparison was done during September using the Comparator software created by open source advocate Eric Raymond, as well as some other internally developed tools, according to SGI. It compared source code from the Unix System V release 4.1 software that SGI has licensed from SCO with a version of the Linux kernel released this June, SGI said.

It's an oft-repeated maxim that one of the reasons that Windows operating systems are plagued by so many viruses, worms, and security exploits is because they are so popular. Extrapolating on this, many have remarked that if Linux, MacOS, or other OSes become more popular, they will attract the attention of virus writers. That may be true, but the increased attention will not necessarily yield the same quantity of viruses and other exploits, says a Register article. Update: Rebuttal article.

"This is my review of Libranet 2.8.1, a Debian based GNU/Linux distribution. This was my first experience with Libranet, but I was impressed with what I saw. Read on for the details of my review, which will follow the same framework as my earlier reviews." Read the review at Linux-Universe.com.

The first release of the Syllable 0.5 development series has been released. The Changelog lists a huge number of changes, notably the inclusion of the new Media Framework, USB support and yet more new drivers. If you are upgrading from Syllable 0.4.5, then you must ensure that you read the upgrade notes.

A new job opening posted on Sun Microsystems' Web site confirms the company's growing aspirations to roll out servers based on AMD's Opteron processor. "Solaris is the world's premier 64-bit operating system," the post on Sun's job board reads. "Now Sun is taking the next step: to make Solaris the operating system of choice for the AMD64 architecture."

After OpenBeOS gets a preliminary version of Java, Dr. Richard Lipes is currently working on the MorphOS Java Virtual Machine. If you are interested in assisting him, you can contact him through the MorphOS Developer Connection.

OSNews often reports on small and hobby operating systems. Here is a list for you to vote for the one with the right amount of technical and wider success potential for a bright future.

Chris Lanfear and Steve Balacco of Venture Develpment Corporation (VDC) have published their perspective on Wind River's announcement of Linux tools support. VDC speculates that Wind's announcement signals a strategic shift for the largest embedded software company, but wonders how the embedded Linux developer community will react, given the company's historic anti-Linux stance.

ZetaNews carries a review of YellowTAB's Zeta 1.0-RC1 (earlier story). It discusses installation, networking, hardware support, media, office apps and development. Screenshots included.

Hewlett-Packard is offering users of rival Sun Microsystems' Solaris operating system $25,000 in free services and equipment as an incentive to switch to Linux-based HP systems. Our Take: It seems HP has decided to jump on the new hype marketing bandwagon, forsaking its own HP-UX, OpenVMS, and Tru64 UNIX in favor of Linux. This is in line with our editorial a few months ago.

A deal with BIOS maker Phoenix Technologies would allow the Windows operating system to directly control hardware. It also raises concerns over who controls the software in PCs, ZDNews claims. Elsewhere, a lawsuit faulting Microsoft for security defects in its products has added a new front in the software giant's battle against vulnerabilities in its software.