Introduction

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Over the past few years,
commodity computing solutions — the Linux operating system, Intel
x86 and compatible processors, and open and de facto standards-based networking,
storage, and peripheral hardware — have become capable enough that
they now rival or surpass the equivalent proprietary products.

Today, businesses can mix and match components from
different vendors, can adopt and extend infrastructure using free and
open source software, and, in general, can exert much greater control
over complex and costly issues like upgrades and customization. As a result,
enterprise computing centers in all industries continue to aggressively
replace and expand aging systems with commodity technology.

Of course, technology of any kind is only valuable
if it’s reliable, responsive, suitable, and effective in generating results.
As with all significant purchases, making informed decisions is key. Yet,
if
there’s one issue impeding even more rapid adoption of Linux and commodity
information technology, it’s the dearth of practical and pragmatic information
about how to apply Linux to business problems. Indeed, vertical industries,
such as Government, Retail & Telecom, have no source of information
focused solely on deploying and tuning Linux to meet their unique requirements.

UNTIL NOW.

Linux Magazine is pleased to announce Linux Solutions.
Linux Solutions is an integrated educational & marketing program delivering
critical Linux information to IT executives in the Government, Retail
& Telecom industries.

In conjunction with FOSE, Retail Systems and SuperComm,
Linux Solutions will provide best practice recommendations and comparative
analyses from industry experts, plus end-user case studies, through the
following media properties:

• Linux Solutions Conferences
  at each industry tradeshow
• Linux Pavilions at each industry
  tradeshow
• Linux Solutions Guides in
  the April (Government), May (Retail) & June (Telecom) issues of
  Linux Magazine

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