Linux users may want to take a look at the recent report of a "major" attack based on a Linux kernel vulnerability, apparently quite similar to some recent attacks on Windows based systems. Whether there is immediate cause for concern, for isolated users, is still open – but the AV groups have been worrying that Linux may be vulnerable, if the vermin get tired of picking just on Mickey$oft.

eWeek on Linux vulnerability

Another mildly interesting article on the SCO/IBM thing appeared as:

Court Order on SCO/IBM battle over Linux

SCO is attempting to make all Linux users pay them royalties, and there is reason for concern; but at least this decision seems to favor IBM.

For ordinary mortals who use the "herd systems," it may be of interest to look at:

eWeek on Microsoft Orphans

Microsoft has been dropping support for quite a few "old" systems. Win95 and Win98 have been officially "unsupported" for at least two years now, although you could still get them. Officially, Win98 will be "NOT AVAILABLE" from any Microsoft authorized source, as of December 23, 2003.

A "mildly humorous" article on inhouse jargon at Mickey'$ place may be of more general interest:

Microspeak pdf

This last one is a pdf, so it's easy to save for later reference. I was disappointed that they included the classic Brit "kludge" (rhymes with "fudge"), a mildly derogatory term describing something put together from junk; but they omitted the common US variant "kluge" (rhymes with "huge"), a (usually) complimentary term that describes the clever solution of a problem using unconventional methods. Given the abuse of language, especially in corporate worlds, they may no longer know the distiction.

Anyone with experience with corporate sytems will recognize "Blamestorming," and I suspect some might want to look at the "official" definition for a "Shatner Moment."

John