Slashdot reader Brice Ruth has this question:

Since installing RedHat 5.1, I've been trying to find any kind of help in running iBCS. I realize that a package for iBCS is preinstalled with RedHat 5.1 (kernel-ibcs...), however, all attempts at running SCO binaries have failed. I HAVE been able to figure out that the reason it is failing is because I don't have libraries for the binaries. Let me rephrase -- I DO have the libraries, since I have access to a perfectly legal copy of SCO OpenServer, however, I have no idea where to place them and what directory structure is necessary so that they are found, etc. Two things would be quite helpful in my quest:

1. a good page that tells me all these things that I need to do
   
2. someone who has successfully used iBCS and is relatively familiar with the process in both SCO and Solaris.

If you have a question you would like posted to Ask Slashdot, then please send them to me. I would like to start posting more questions on a regular basis since Ask Slashdot is now its own section.

TrippD writes "I bought a Digital AlphaStation 200 through onsale.com a few weeks ago. After much strugle I have finally got it to boot into the installation of Redhat 5.0. I have gotten to the point where it starts for format the root partiontion, but it freezes every time, about half way through. I have tryed 2 different SCSI-2 drives (it didn't include a harddrive or cdrom). The kernel always reports 29XXX bytes of memory, even though it shiped with 16, and I have added 32 (Any combo, it still says 29 megs). HELP! "

an anonymous reader wrote in to ask "I was wondering if anyone was able to get some of the popular PCI modems working under Linux, and if so how? "

Our erswhile admin Jesse Shrieve sent this story our way. Great article about the growth of Linux, and being a smart online paper, also lists some of the favorite places to get. The article features a great graphic, which Jesse has happily provided for us here (large) and here (small). Check it out.

Eric Green writes "Jesse Berst is at it again. He says "Linux will never go mainstream" and that NT will be the standard desktop within a few years." NT will be the standard desktop, but I guess it depends how you define mainstream. I have a hard time thinking linux is really 'alternative' when it has 8 million users, and is growing faster than MacOS.

tgd writes "This week (Septermber 7th) issue of Inter@ctive Week has a cover story about Dell being the first major PC supplier to offer Linux as on option on their systems. They've been doing it for about 18 months informally, but are now formally offering it."

Hetz Ben Amo sent us this link talking about how not only has Oracle decided to go work with Linux, but has setup parternships with Red Hat Software and VA Research, SuSE, and Japanese firm Pacific HiTech. Very cool-anyone know anything more about this?

colmconn writes "I've been waiting a long time for this and it's finally happened Linux has finally made it into an Irish newspaper, read all about it at here " I think at this point, nearly every developed nation has heard of Linux.

farrellj writes "I just noticed a device in the Slackware 3.5 distribution that is called "unix". That's right, there is a /dev/unix. I'm wondering what it for...unix correctness...do you link your console to it and everything comes out in "real" unix???"

Russ wrote in to send us a link to Oracle where you can register to get a prerelease copy of Oracle 8 for Linux. I'm sure a decent number of folks out there might be interested in such a thing.

Nils Lohner posted to debian-announce that Debian will be at the Atlanta Linux Showcase (which seems to be coming together nicely. Wish I could go). Anyway, Debian will be there showing off their distribution running on a Netwinder, as well as t-shirts, CDs, and a demo of the new package manager (I'm getting shivers waiting for that).

Freshmeat is carrying another LSB editorial. This one points out that if a standard does not come out soon, it may be superseded by a de-facto standard such as the much rumoured "IBM Linux". Instead of a cathedral like institution, a community effort led by a reasonable dictator would not only be more "linux-like", but also more effective.

Dominique Rousseau writes "Just to announce the launch of a new magazine in here in France entirely dedicated to Linux. They don't bother following the news since it's a 3-month period publication but they have a quite good content. Check it out."

Mark Spencer writes "While on a vacation in Turkey, I happened by a magazine stand and saw the Turkish magazine CHIP for August or September (couldn't tell, since it was dark) had the "HIT" Slackware 3.5 on CD with it. Turkey not only has its own users' group but even it's own distribution, Turkuaz. So, now in addition to delicious Turkish coffee, sensual Turkish baths, there is indeed Turkish linux. "

The submittor par excellence Hetz Ben Amo found a very thought provoking article over at Zdnet. Interesting stuff, and makes me right and properly paranoid.

Paul Dietz wrote in to inform the masses that Linus has posted yet another kernel in his very popular 2.1 series. It can be downloaded from the usual place. It probably can be downloaded from unusual places as well, but what do I know?

Alf Dagfinn Lynegard writes "On The University of Oslos (Norway) campus some Apple ppl put one iMac balloon over our math auditorium and last night some unknown linux-fans made up a Tux poster over the screen of the iMac balloon last night or this morning. (1998-09-04)." The shots are here and here. All I can say is hahahaha. We are definitley going to need mirrors for these shots.

Emperor Zog writes "After many moons, Electrogig's web site (www.gig.nl) is back online. They are offering their high-end 3DGO modeler/renderer and Gig Viz CAD software for Linux, for the bargain price of $995! 3DGO is simply the most powerful 3D package available on Linux today, and it's good to see that Electrogig's back. Unfortunately, they don't have the downloadable trial versions back online yet, but you can at least look at the pretty pictures or send them a congratulatory e-mail. Check out the benchmarks page; Linux-Intel kicks some SGI butt! " Looks like the demos are now online-go /. 'em...

India's Express Computer is carrying an article about preinstalled Linux for sub-$600 computers. They mention that "In the United States, many big systems vendors, as a part of their sub-$600 PC campaign are bundling Linux as the operating system."Does anybody know to whom he is referring? Thanks to Linux Reviews and Articles for the reference.

Red Hat Software has won another award. This time RedHat Linux 5.1 receives the Editor's Choice award from the Australian Computer Magazine. Check out the press release for further details.