MontaVista Software, developer of the Hard Hat Linux operating system for embedded applications, and Object Technology International, a wholly owned subsidiary

of IBM, announced an alliance to accelerate the delivery of optimized solutions

for embedded Linux.

IBM announced that ViaVoice Dictation for Linux was tested and will run on distributions from Caldera Systems, Mandrake Software, SuSE Linux and TurboLinux.

Sun Microsystems announced expanded distribution for the Java 2 platform on the

Linux operating system through agreements with SuSE and TurboLinux.

At the Linux World conference, VTech Information, a leading consumer-focused technology company, announced the selection of Transvirtual Technologies, developers of the PocketLinux Platform, as the provider of Linux and PocketLinux expertise for the Helio PDA product line.

The arrival of major corporate backing to boost the Gnome desktop user interface for Linux won't do much to unify support for a competing effort called KDE.

Adding thin-client computing to its growing list of open-source technologies, IBM introduced at LinuxWorld, a NetVista N2200L thin client for Linux and a software package for the client/server system.

Dell's chairman managed to walk a tightrope, keeping LinuxWorld conventioneers happy, without taking any potshots at good buddy Bill Gates.

IBM announced a series of prepackaged Linux cluster offerings that it claimed will allow users to tie up to 64, two-processor Intel servers into one massive Linux cluster.

LinuxPPC, provider of the most popular Linux distribution for us in the PowerPC computers, has sworn to radically improve its customer service. Specifically sales, technical support, and general handling of user problems will all be improved.

Michael Cowpland, the flamboyant founder of Corel , said he was leaving the helm of the struggling software developer to devote time to start-ups offering the revolutionary Linux program.