Novell has just announced that Open Enterprise Server 2 is now available to customers worldwide. Open Enterprise Server 2 features 64-bit software service support, storage management enhancements and NetWare virtualisation. Novell Open Enterprise Server combines workgroup services from Novell with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, completing Novell's Open Enterprise Server shift to providing workgroup services entirely on Linux.

The Seamstress image manipulation library promises smaller images without compromising detail. Version 1.0.0 of the software, which was released recently, uses an "energy function" to analyze various areas of the image before compressing and does not change eye-catching areas.

The developers of Arch Linux and Zenwalk have just released the latest versions of their distributions. Both rely on kernel 2.6.22.9 and claim to be lean and fast.

Manufacturers of embedded systems are choosing Linux more often than any other operating system; and the trend looks likely to continue, according to a forecast by market researchers Venture Development Corporation (VDC).

Virtualization specialist VMware recently launched ESX Server 3.5, a management solution for virtual environments. ESX Server 3i is a 32MB light version.

Asus recently released the P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP@n, a mainboard for Intel CPUs that includes embedded Linux for Web access and Skype telephony and is capable of booting in a matter of seconds.

The Edgefort 300 system integrates Arkeia's backup software with a hardware appliance that automatically backs up data to disk and tape.

The developers of the free Madwifi WLAN driver for Atheros chipset-based devices are discussing the foundation of a non-profit organization.

In the current bankruptcy proceedings, Novell has filed a claim against SCO for payment of outstanding license fees and is seeking to have the proceedings moved to Utah.

Spanish security researchers have discovered several vulnerabilities in the "Firewall-1" security solution by software vendor Checkpoint, and are now questioning its Common Criteria EAL4+ certification.