Many Linux distributions can run large Web sites, but are you prepared to bet your online business on a free Linux distribution? eWEEK IT expert Stephane Saux, IT director at the San Francisco Chronicle, has some answers.

Red Hat (NYSE: RHT - News), the world's leading provider of open source solutions, today announced that Red Hat's operations in Japan has been named the number one vendor that customers intend to conduct business with in the future by Nikkei Market Access' "Industry Trends in Intended Use of Products/Services of Major Vendors" study.

The business software distributor is considering its options in light of a judge's ruling denying its ownership claims on the Unix operating system.

"Linux is the launching pad you need to stand on to be productive," said Nokia's open source director, Ari Jaaksi, at LinuxWorld Wednesday. "We have never managed to bring out a product in such a short time, with so few resources," he added, referring to Nokia's Linux-based Internet tablets.

HP has burrowed deep into the data center for its package of LinuxWorld-related announcements. Software libraries, code testing and pay-per-use Linux? Sure, why not.

The company's annual report offers its perspective on who it competes with and where.

Novell's chief executive has justified his company's contentious Microsoft hook-up to open source devotees by claiming the deal is critical to the long-term success of their favorite operating system.

The title might be totally misleading but let me explain what I mean. Today Business Week has published an update on their list of Best Global Brands (there is a PDF with the top 100 ranking). There are many brands linked to software development in the top positions. Let's see how free software is doing there: