With numerous new drivers and functions and a whole bunch of improvements Linus Torvalds released the new 2.6.23 version of the Linux kernel in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Hewlett-Packard has now completed the acquisition of Neoware. The thin client computing and virtualization solution provider will add value to HP's Linux portfolio.

French Linux distributor Mandriva releases new downloadable Mandriva 2008 version.

Novell has just announced that Open Enterprise Server 2 is now available to customers worldwide. Open Enterprise Server 2 features 64-bit software service support, storage management enhancements and NetWare virtualisation. Novell Open Enterprise Server combines workgroup services from Novell with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, completing Novell's Open Enterprise Server shift to providing workgroup services entirely on Linux.

The Seamstress image manipulation library promises smaller images without compromising detail. Version 1.0.0 of the software, which was released recently, uses an "energy function" to analyze various areas of the image before compressing and does not change eye-catching areas.

The developers of Arch Linux and Zenwalk have just released the latest versions of their distributions. Both rely on kernel 2.6.22.9 and claim to be lean and fast.

Manufacturers of embedded systems are choosing Linux more often than any other operating system; and the trend looks likely to continue, according to a forecast by market researchers Venture Development Corporation (VDC).

Virtualization specialist VMware recently launched ESX Server 3.5, a management solution for virtual environments. ESX Server 3i is a 32MB light version.

Asus recently released the P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP@n, a mainboard for Intel CPUs that includes embedded Linux for Web access and Skype telephony and is capable of booting in a matter of seconds.

The Edgefort 300 system integrates Arkeia's backup software with a hardware appliance that automatically backs up data to disk and tape.