> So dot.communism has a
> bright future if Gates et al don't...
>
speaking of which: microsoft y'day released the product (non-beta) version of their web browser, internet explorer 6.0. a notable change is that the browser no longer includes a java virtual machine, a requirement for viewing and using web pages that include java applications ("applets"). as far as i can tell, the new browser will use an existing JVM, hence many end users might not notice this difference. another interesting change is that the new browser also drops the netscape plug-in model (to allow other software to integrate with the browser), and now supports only microsoft's own activeX technology for integrating applications (microsoft cites security as a reason for this move which is a bit humorous).
see: http://www.nandotimes.com/technology/story/68703p-975028c.html
w.r.t the IBM linux embrace story, someone pointed out that IBM has in general been quite supportive of open source and free software efforts, and i would agree. HP has a less illustrous record than IBM or sun and here's a bit of news about HP's linux:
HP Plans Linux Version With Enhanced Security http://www.internetwk.com/story/INW20010822S0002
--ravi
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- man is said to be a rational animal. i do not know why he has not been defined as an affective or feeling animal. more often i have seen a cat reason than laugh or weep. perhaps it weeps or laughs inwardly - but then perhaps, also inwardly, the crab resolves equations of the 2nd degree. -- alasdair macintyre.