Microsoft has decided to issue a special patch outside its usual patchday rhythm for all its Internet Explorer versions to close a severe vulnerability issue. Downloads of Firefox have accordingly skyrocketed.

In December the U.S. White House set guidelines for an open and transparent administration. The Open Source for America (OSFA) organization is now following up with tips for a governmental move to free software.

VIA Technologies out of Taiwan is building around its Nano processor the M'SERV S2100 minicomputer for system integrators and OEMs with three USB ports designed for the small office/home office (SOHO) and small to medium enterprise (SME) market.

The recent mail from Novell titled "Upcoming maintenance requirement to access patches and service packs for select Novell products" only adds confusion for Linux customers. As it turns out, nothing much has changed.

The project chair has appointed Red Hat employee Colin Walters to the board. John Poelstra begins the year with open feedback to the board's work.

After nearly 7 years at Novell and over 11 years in the Linux business, the newly-wed Nat Friedman will take a trip around the world before founding a startup in the U.S.A..