A number of people have submitted the Silicon.Com Linux week. They're doing an excellent coverage, with RealPlayer interviews with ESR, and other folks as well. This is a great story for your PHBs to look at-answering the perennial question of whether Linux is ready for wide-spread use.

So we're here, we're intact, and we've got our tickets to see Star Wars tonight. With the important business out of the way, I can finally give my first report from LinuxExpo- brace yourself for my quick summary.

Thomas Leineweber writes "Stardivision has just released the new version 5.1 of its StarOffice. You can download it as usual for free for non-commercial use. "

JariK writes "Linus Torvalds will recieve an honorary doctorate from the University of Stockholm Mathematical Department. The information can be found, regrettably in Swedish only. " Well, my Swedish is rusty - anyone post a translation below?

Chip Stillmore writes "Just read this news.com. Apparently Linux.com is supposed to be going live today. " The page simply says tonight. I've seen what they're doing over there. It isn't at all what I really expected when they announced that they had bought the domain, but it ain't bad. As long as it covers the newbie stuff though, I'm happy. As of 2300 Eastern, it's live!

An anonymous reader wrote in to tell us about a new expanded distribution for the SuSE distribution- it will now appear in places like CompUSA, Fry's, Microcenter, Waldenbooks, Borders, and Best Buy. Always nice to see those shrink wrapped boxes up on the shelves.

BTT writes "Parametric Technology is taking a poll on whether or not they should port Pro/E to Linux. Check out www.ptc.com and cast a vote. " For those of who aren't familar with Parametric, they make one of the premier CAD applications.

webslacker writes "According to ZDNet, Linux Systems will open up the much-coveted Linux.com website on Tuesday. Pretty good timing too... I can give it a visit before I get in line for you-know-what. " Hmm. I thought they were going to wait until Expotime, but I guess not. OctobrX, Linux.com webmaster and former themes.org head, will be in the Slashdot booth during the Expo. CmdrTaco is also one of the linux.com board members. I can't wait to see the site. Update: 05/17 11:39 by J : A news.com article about it.

fusion94 writes "CPU Review evaluates Redhat 6.0 and gives it an overall grade of "A". The full article can be found at CPU Review. " Check it out, if you like that sort of thing.

sledge writes "eiT, a small German company, recently released easyLinux, a distribution targeted at beginners. Could be an interesting competitor for the 'big' boys. " We've mentioned this before, but it's actually been released now (in German - the English version should be out RSN). It looks impressive - a GUI based install, nice setup tools, etc. Does anyone know how the new stuff is licensed?
Also, Gael from Linux-Mandrake writes "We have release Mandrake6.0beta (Mariner) a few days ago and we need many many many people to test it!! :) It's available for download Thanx!!! " So, it seems as if all the news in Linux distributions for the day comes from Europe.

SkyHigH wrote in, along with quite a few others, to alert everyone to the fact, that yes, VM Ware v1.0 has been released-and it's Saturday, so the congestion should be lower.

adraken writes "It just seems like minutes ago that 2.3.1 was out, but 2.3.2 is out... " Remember folks: use a mirror. Standard "don't use unless you know what you're doing" disclaimer applies.Update: 05/15 02:43 by J : There seems to be a ChangeLog available.

ZenMaster writes "There will be a Linux broadcasting company attending Linux Expo '99 and broadcasting all throughout next week! They are also going to have a camera setup for people not attending the expo to watch what's going on. Go to their website for more info: www.linux-radio.com " Rob's already down there (on vacation. Bah-after two years of working everyday, he thinks he can take time off. Bah. :) ), but for all of you coming down, visit us in the non-profit...alley.

30 bazillion readers wrote to say that kernel 2.3.1 is out: a ChangeLog is available here. Standad warnings, everyone-don't play with what you don't know, and expect to have everyone bail you out. In related news, Linus will be appearing at the Lotus DevCon 99' - more information is availible.

netstat sent us the story about the big networking companies and Linux. Much the same story as elsewhere, they already support NT and Solaris, and don't see the user base for Linux there yet. Much of the comments are candids taken from Networld Interop. As you would expect, most of them want to see more users before rolling out support.

rohirrim was the first to let us know that the hit hot single 2.2.9 has made its debut on the usual FTP sites. So if you're the type that desires a newer stable kernel, get to it.

kelvin asks: "How do I get a digitizer tablet, specifically the Calcomp Ultraslate, to work in Linux?" What is the overall digitizer support like under Linux? I would expect this kind of support is crucial if Linux wants to eventually break into the professional graphics markets.

db asks: "I am looking for clear and up to date information on Linux firewalls for the suits at my job. I am looking for performances, advanced feature, and third party support information. I have reviewed a number of HOWTOs, but what I need is something my CIO will believe. "

Peter Hernberg writes "Linuxtoday has a interesting little tidbit from Linus about 2.3. " Talks about the last fixes in the 2.2.8 patch as well as what is happening first in the 2.3.0 series. And just a note to help curb future flamage directed towards me and my mediocre website from appearing on the kernel mailing lists: 2.3.x is the devel series kernels. Don't touch them unless you are a kernel developer, a mental patient (or both)

wiggles asks: "I have a 486 100MHz running Red Hat 5.2, acting as an internet gateway running IPMasquerade. What I want to be able to do is to allow someone to dial in to the box, then talk IPX to the rest of the machines on the network. The reason I want to do this is so I can have people inside the network playing Starcraft with someone from outside the network by way of the outsider dialing in to play over the network. Any suggestions?"