Henrik Edlund writes "Yes, in their late broadcast today they talk about to seriously evaluate Linux. They want to see if you can "live outside the Windows village". They also ask Linux users to write in about product solutions. They make lots of funny jokes about Windows and say that Linux is a real contender. COOL! Listen to their RealAudio broadcast (20:00 minutes in) here."

Amos Shapira wrote in to tell us that those nutty Debian guys are planning a feature freeze on v2.0 of their very cool distribution. We should see the final 2.0 a few weeks later assuming nothing explodes.

Christopher Blizzard wrote in to tell us that RedHat has updated their Linux Marketshare page with new and improved 1998 numbers. There are a ton of interesting numbers in here ranging from Linux's share of Unix users, circulations of various magazines, FTP downloads, Mirror sites, CD sales.

Aspirin The Fox writes "As of July '98 a major training company, Learning Tree International, will be offering a course entitled 'Introduction to Linux'. Another cool sign of Linux's increasing mainstreamness. " You can read more here.

DJ Ierardi writes "I don't recall seeing this posted here: Ralph Nader encourages Michael Dell to pre-install Linux" here is the link. Sure, it won't happen, but it's still interesting.

Andy Tai writes "In this USA today artcle discussing the future of Microsoft Windows, Linux is mentioned as one potential competitor to overthrow Microsoft's monopoly." The article doesn't say anything that Slashdot readers don't know- but once again, it got mentioned in the 'Main Stream'.

Jens Bäckman writes "I just found this link. Hard to believe they finally found out that Linux is a serious operating system, not just for hackers and wizards." I'm still waiting for the big PC Magazine Cover Story where they compare Operating Systems and Linux wins. Maybe somebody at ZD reads this and gives it a shot.

Sam Ockman wrote in to tell us about some more tidbits about last nights SVLUG. It seems that RedHat, O'Reily and VA Research gave out the first Open Source Award to (surprise!) Linus! Valued at $5k, it included a decked out VA Research Workstation. Sam also mentioned that 480 people attended last night. Wish I lived in CA- would have loved to have been there. Very cool stuff.

Alan Bailward wrote in to send us an article posted to comp.os.announce.linux by Lou Rinaldi wrote ">If anyone else is interested, I am planning a small sort of "free unix rally" at a Microsoft seminar in Hartford on March 5th. From 9 AM till noon at the Sheraton on Trumbull Street, microsoft is having a briefing on win98 and exchange 5.5 (event code 15930). My plan is to get as many of us there as possible, wearing linux/BSD t-shirts and handing out CD-ROMs to increase awareness (and combat ignorance). If you're interested, email me. "

This is absolutely wonderful. It would be cool if when Microsoft sponsored events, Linux had representatives outside quietly wearing cool t-shirts and passing out CD's. Anyone want to coordinate a web site that tracks events and volunteers and accepts donations to pay for cd's?

Leif Hardison wrote in to tell us that he has a web form available now at Hardware.doa.org for tracking hardware and linux distributions. Numbers are necessary if we're going to convince the suits that Linux is viable. Sites like this need our support.

Dave Finton was the first to send in this link where you can read about Linus' plans for global domination through Linux. It's a pretty funny article really.

Paul Martin wrote in to tell us about another great story showing the positive stuff behind RedHat and Linux. The good press just keeps coming and coming. Linux is a machine gaining recognition at an amazing rate- hope everyone enjoys the ride.

Chris DiBona wrote in to say "Linus Torvalds will be appearing wednesday March 4th at the monthly meeting of the Silicon Valley Linux Users Group (http://www.svlug.org) See the web page for more details!"

James Hubbard wrote in to give us a link to 32 Bits Online where you can read an article about preinstalling Linux on hardware. Some companies have begun shipping computers with everyone's favorite OS already installed, hopefully this is a growing trend.

Zach "Gimp News" Beane writes "Network World has a columnist who wrote an interesting column about creating an alternative to Microsoft by investing effort in Linux. The web version of the article is at this link.

Both TurboLinux and Stampede have announced new versions. Proof positive that Linux is growing and thriving. If the 'Big 3' don't do it for ya, give one of these a shot. Thanks to maskatron and Ola Hakansson for the links.

Kevin Nunn writes " Reading my Sunday Morning Paper (the best part, the Best Buy Ad) I noticed they had RH5 Linux for $37.99. The price is good but it surprised me that RH5 actually made it into the ad! Linux is definitely getting a push in the mainstream it looks like. And this is in an area (Deep South Texas) that is normally 5 years behind the rest of the world." That amazes me guys- when I first installed Linux a few years back, I never would have dreamed that you could buy a CD at Best Buy with a distribution easy enough that a smart Best Buy customer can make unix happen on their own machine. I love linux.

I've been writing articles for Slashdot for an hour now, so forgive me for lumping these together guys- I need to do something else eventually. First, Kristian Köhntopp wrote in to tell us that Linux has claimed 2 of the top 10 books at many german book stores. Next, Alan wrote in to tell us about an InfoWorld letter praising Linux, written by the CEO of 4front. Finally This articleis from the UKs Computing Trade Magazine. Its good PR for Linux and Netscape, even if they did misspell Linus' name. Thanks to Mike Brodbelt for that one.

Colin Plumb sent in this link where you can read about Microsoft neglecting small business and Linux picking up the slack. Colin also commented about the sites Microsoft only Browser support- apparently it works under Netscape though. Maybe if everyone reads the article they will realize that Netscape & Linux are actually being used out there.

Christopher Smith writes "The article itself isn't a big deal, but this is the first time I've ever seen the GartnerGroup acknowledge Linux in any significant way. They aren't exactly overwhelmed by it, but hopefully it's a taste of things to come."