Major update for Linux

Version 2.6.0 of the Linux kernel has finally been released, but commercial use of the new kernel is still expected to be some months away, with the top two Linux distributions only planning to use 2.6.0 in releases scheduled for mid-2004 and early 2005.

CNet reports the changes, which are expected to make Linux better suited to powerful computers with multiple processors, should give the open source operating system access to new markets.

Linux founder Linus Torvalds says he is satisfied that most problems were eliminated before the final update was released, and any remaining problems are 'obscure`.

Several publishing houses are participating in a pilot program to test Google`s new Print Beta service. This enables users to view text from new books, reviews by critics, author`s notes and links to sites where the books may be purchased.

Google`s pilot comes just two months after Amazon.com launched its searchable index of millions of pages of books. ZDNet says the trial is part of Google`s continual quest to make it indispensable to Web surfers. It has also unveiled technology to collect package-tracking information, calculate maths equations, find telephone numbers, and block pop-up ads.

ZDNet reports that software publisher Adobe Systems has opened its own online e-book store.

The Adobe Digital Media Store offers books from major publishers as well as links to electronic versions of publications such as The New York Times. All are published in Adobe`s Portable Document Format (PDF).

Reports say digitised books have yet to gain a significant share of the market. In a recent interview with CNET News.com, Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen blamed ill-fitting hardware choices for the slow adoption of e-books.

The Copyright Board of Canada (CBC) has imposed a sliding tax on digital music players of between two and 25 Canadian dollars per unit, prompting angry responses from companies such as AMD, Apple, Creative, Intel, Dell and Hewlett-Packard.

A Motley Fool report says the proceeds of the tax have been earmarked to compensate the record industry for the presumed piracy associated with MP3 players. The new tax is in line with Canada`s long-standing tax on blank tapes and discs. The report says Canada is only one of many countries that impose such taxes.