Ubuntu Hits Launch Target for 7.10 Linux Release
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

It is not often that you hear about software projects coming out on time. And it is even rarer still when you hear about the feat being done again and again by any software development organization. But Canonical, the software support organization behind the Ubuntu variant of Debian Linux, has managed to put seven releases into the field more or less exactly as planned, now that it launched Ubuntu 7.10 for desktops and servers last week. READ MORE >

Novell Delivers Workgroup Software Bundle for SMBs
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

Commercial Linux distributor Novell last week completed the revamping of its server operating systems with the delivery of a bundle of its operating systems for servers and desktops plus groupware and office automation software. The bundle, called Open Workgroup Suite Small Business Edition, is a kicker to a similar stack that was announced by Novell back in June 2006 and that has been one of the big reasons why Novell's NetWare sales have not slid as far as many--including Novell--had predicted. READ MORE >

Intel Is Back on Track in Q3, AMD Is Fighting to Get There
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

The two engines of the X64 processor market, Intel and its long-time upstart rival, Advanced Micro Devices, reported their financial results for the third quarter. Sales at both companies were up dramatically, which put Intel back on a profitable footing. But AMD is in a price war with Intel, and delays in its 'Barcelona' quad-core Opteron processors and costs associated with its acquisition of graphics chip maker ATI pushed the company to a loss in the quarter. READ MORE >

IBM Hit by Financial Services Slowdown in Q3
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

Financial services companies, particularly among large enterprises based in the United States, slammed the brakes on IT spending in the third quarter and nearly gave IBM a financial haircut. Thanks to very strong bookings in past quarters for services that were delivered between July and September and to the continually weakening U.S. dollar, IBM's financial cookies were saved despite the weakness in the financial services sector. IBM's sales were up 6.6 percent to $24.1 billion and net income rose by 6.3 percent to $2.4 billion; earnings per share, thanks to an accelerated share repurchasing funded by debt earlier this year, rose by 15.9 percent to $1.68 per share. READ MORE >