Hi Thought this little tidbit might cheer some folks up: For the past two years Linux has grown faster than any other server software, reported International Data. The open-source operating system now constitutes between 10 and 27 percent of server shipments, according to various estimates. "Linux is maturing faster than any other operating system in history," reported IBM's Steve Solazzo. IBM will invest more than $1 billion in Linux this year and has been joined by Intel, Hewlett-Packard, and Computer Associates in a $24 million effort to provide Linux developers with more powerful hardware on which to test new systems. Linux is also gaining a foothold in the academic sector, with several universities taking advantage of its open source nature to train computer-science students. Linux is frustrating efforts by Microsoft to gain a dominant edge in server software, and the software giant has responded in recent weeks by attacking the open-source program, claiming that it threatens intellectual property rights. (USA Today, 20 June 2001) Ed Hoeffner 1-271 BSBE 312 Church St. SE Mpls, MN 55455 hoeffner at dcmir.med.umn.edu 612-625-2115 612-625-2163 fax