PacketProtector is an embedded Linux distribution based on OpenWRT, the first popular distribution designed to run on a number of wireless routers commonly found in SOHO settings. Like X-Wrt, which we reviewed earlier this year, PacketProtector extends OpenWrt by offering additional functionality to enhance network security right out of the box.

With IT budgets getting tighter, managers need to trim costs. Service contracts are expensive for any technology; firewalls are no exception. Netfilter, the project that provides the packet filtering program iptables, is a free firewall alternative. While it lacks the service contract of commercial solutions and a pretty interfaces to make firewall modification easy, it has solid performance, performs effectively at firewalling, and allows for add-on functionality to enhance its reporting and response functions.

I’ve been using and advocating free software for around six years. When studying and then working as a freelance writer, migrating an office seemed so simple — draw up a list of comparable programs and, over a reasonable period, move your staff across. But over the past few weeks I’ve been trying to use Ubuntu Gutsy on my desktop PC in a Windows-based office, and whilst most things work just fine, it’s far from the seamless integration I was hoping for.

Palamida, the San Francisco company that helps companies to audit their use of open source software, has released a list of what it calls "the top five most overlooked open source vulnerabilities." To this list, Palamida has added an additional five vulnerabilities exclusively for Linux.com.

Pardus developers describe the Linux distribution as advanced yet easy to install and use. Let’s see how well it lives up to the hype.

What has happened in the year since Sun Microsystems released the source code for Java? While end users might be starting to wonder, those most involved in the building of the free Java community describe a thriving community that, after one year, is still working hard to reinvent itself. Free Java projects that existed prior to Sun’s announcement on November 13, 2006, are either integrating into the OpenJDK community or continuing to provide alternatives — but with greater resources in code. Meanwhile, within Sun, Java engineers are overhauling their processes as they learn to interact with a larger community. Problems exist — specifically, the governance of OpenJDK and the need to replace encumbranced code — but, although criticisms can be found online if you search, the mood of those involved in Java development seems optimistic.

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About three years ago we had a look at how Gambas speeds database development. Now that Gambas 2.0 is being prepared for release, it’s time to see what the new version can do now. One cool feature is its ability to create a chart.

Mandriva is the only Linux maker that offers a version of its distribution packaged with and designed to run off a USB stick. True, you can install virtually any Linux distro onto an external USB device, but Mandriva Flash 2008 offers you a complete solution, including a USB stick with pre-installed version of Mandriva Linux and a CD containing a few useful tools. It’s a worthwhile package, though not without room for improvement.

Although China’s Linux market as a whole doubled from 2003 to 2006 to $20 million per year, sales of Linux desktop software grew more slowly. In fact, the market share of Linux desktop software in China dropped from 16% to 12% in the same period. But according to CCID Consulting, sales of Linux desktop software increased 25.1% in the third quarter of this year, catching up with the quick growth of China’s Linux industry as a whole. Several new developments have added fuel to the growth.

Paldo Linux is a cross between a source-based and binary distribution. It installs as a binary system to provide a quick and easy desktop. Once it’s running, users can either build packages from source as they would with Gentoo, or install binary packages, as is common with Debian, openSUSE, or Mandriva. Paldo’s main features are an easy hard drive installer, GNOME desktop environment, and Upkg package management system. Stable version 1.12 was released last month. I found it to be one of the more interesting and promising distros to come along in a long time.