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COMPUTING

Linux creator speaks about secret new project

by Jack McCarthy

From...
IDG.net
graphic

LAS VEGAS (IDG) -- Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux open source operating system, pointed to the increased popularity of the open-source movement Monday night here at Comdex, and for the first time spoke publicly about the new, secretive company he is working for.

Torvalds spoke to more than 5,000 enthusiastic open-source supporters, telling jokes and giving updates on the progress of Linux.

"I was going to start with a lawyer joke, but I'm told it was already done yesterday," said Torvalds, referring to Gates' speech Sunday night.

 VIDEO
VideoCNN's Anne McDermott reports on the gee whiz items available at this year's Comdex.
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• Linux creator speaks about secret new project


More COMDEX 1999 stories
 
  MESSAGE BOARD
Linux

Comdex
 

Torvalds prodded Gates another time in his speech, using a David Letterman-like Top 10 list for using the open-source development method. The number one reason for its use, he said, was "You won't get sued for anticompetitive behavior."

In the wireless communications arena, he said, Windows CE "didn't cut it ... especially when you cram into a small space, you need flexibility."

For the first time, Torvalds spoke publicly about Transmeta Corp., the secretive start-up he has been working with. The company, he said, will give "full disclosure" January 19. He said that at Transmeta, "We are doing a smart CPU, which will be the first microprocessor using software to do a lot of stuff."

The Linux source code is being used for more and more complex tasks, he said. "We are going for high-end hardware," he said.

"I've been promoting the open-source method and I've been working for a company that is closed," he said.

The industry rumor about Transmeta is that it is working on a cheaper and easier-to-manufacture microprocessor that can run any operating system.

Linux 2.4, the next kernel version, which will be released next year, will be able to support a high-end architecture. It will go from supporting machines with dual or quad Pentium IIs and 1G byte of RAM as of one year ago to machines incorporating 8-way Pentium IIIs with 8G bytes or more of RAM.

Torvalds also said that users are setting higher and higher bars for technology. "Take Apple's iMac," he said. "The fact that it has five colors -- who cares from a technology standpoint, but they are selling like crazy."

"Technology is not driving the market, but what's driving it is what people want."

In keeping with his Huck Finn personality, Torvalds said the most important thing was to have fun. "It's not really about Linux vs. Microsoft, it's about something you really, really have fun with and lets others have fun as well."

Although Torvalds did not reveal much about Transmeta, a new message on the company's Web site confirmed that the company would release the information regarding its Crusoe processor on Jan. 19, 2000, but it would remain silent on details until then.

A "secret message" embedded in the source code of the Web page stated that Transmeta would announce and demonstrate the processor on that date. "Crusoe will be cool hardware and software for mobile applications," the message said. "Crusoe will be unconventional."


RELATED STORIES:
Richard Stallman on freedom and the GNU GPL
November 8, 1999
Finnish vendor enters English-language Linux fray
November 3, 1999
Where's Linux going?
October 28, 1999
Java, Linux to link arms
October 20, 1999

RELATED IDG.net STORIES:
Linux's Torvalds debates open source
(InfoWorld.com)
Torvalds awarded honorary doctorate
(IDG.net)
Linux founder predicts progress
(PC World Online)
Linus Torvalds: Is that real silicon?
(IDG.net)
Linus on the Linux kernel
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Torvalds on Linux directions, open source
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Linux progress on the desktop eyed by OS founder
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Everyone wants to see Linus
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