wozz (a frequent contributor of BSD news) writes "There's nice summary of FreeBSD Con in this LinuxWorld article." This is not the first FreeBSD-friendly article LinuxWorld have run, and I'm sure it won't be the last.

wozz writes "Kurt Seifried, author of the Linux Administrator's Security Guide, has written good article which discusses OpenBSD and demonstrates how to set up a simple NAT/IPF gateway box."

Poodle Fang asks: "After using Linux for a few years, I am now interested in trying out the free x86 BSDs. I have been reading that OpenBSD is focused on security and FreeBSD on performance, but is there really much of a difference in security and performance among the BSDs? Do any of the BSDs have any features that sets it apart from the others (for example, does one work better on laptops than the others?) How well do the Linux emulation libraries work? I am more concerned in the performance, stability and security than packaging or an easy install process. Any insights would be appreciated! "

Pedro Vazquez wrote in point out that Compaq's test drive programme now supports FreeBSD on Alpha and x86 platforms. The Alpha server is a 500MHz EV5.6 (21164) system, the x86 server is a Dual 450MHz box (no mention of processor, probably a PII). You have to register for an account, and then you can go and play. Compaq x86 boxes used to be particularly hostile when installing FreeBSD, so this is a very welcome development.

Mr. Mot writes (from LWN) "OpenSSH: an Open Source Secure Shell program has been integrated into the OpenBSD operating system."

phatlipmojo writes "'The FreeBSD Driver Database, a resource to encourage driver development, has been expanded to encompass all open-source BSD operating systems. The site has been renamed to the BSD Driver Database to reflect this change. The BSD Driver Database is designed to help device driver developers who need hardware or volunteers to test their drivers, find people willing to donate equipment and/or their time. The goal being to increase the base of supported hardware for all of the BSD-derived open source operating systems.'

Tim Behrendsen writes "TechWeb is running an article claiming that Hotmail is not filtering all known viruses. Microsoft claims in return that the problem lies with running under FreeBSD. Bad publicity for Free Software? IMO, it's a bit unfair to call it a MS security problem, since normal ISP e-mail servers don't filter viruses, either."

bifrost writes "OpenBSD Explained article Four is now out. This is a new e-zine dedicated to OpenBSD and happenings within that. This issue covers routing, running a Lan on $0 a day, and using CVSup. "

EDmaster wrote in mentioning a new review of FreeBSD at ServerWatch. It's very positive (if a little non-technical). (Nik: Moved to the BSD section, where it should have been. Mea culpa)

Kelly Yancey writes "A new resource encouraging device driver development for FreeBSD just came on-line: the FreeBSD Driver Database. The idea of the database is to assist driver developers who may need hardware, documentation, or volunteer testers just find just that. Developers can list the drivers they are currently hacking together and anything they may need to help them to their goal. Similarly, sysadmins (or anyone else) with hardware they can lend to developers can post their hardware and it's availability.

The hope is to broaden the base of supported hardware for FreeBSD by providing a central point around which development can focus. People with hardware they would like to see supported can find developers to lend it to. And developers who need hardware (or volunteers) to test their drivers can indicate their needs on-line. "

There've been a bunch of FreeBSD Con submissions since the Conference started. kken notes that sendmail.net have an early report from the conference. Upside also talk about the conference, concentrating on FreeBSD's position re: Linux (thanks to wozz for that). On the pictures front, we have pics from Bill Fumerola and Gianmarco Giovannelli (here's a much faster mirror for those). Enjoy.

Yet Another Anonymous Coward asks: "I'm looking for some means of physical user authentication for a web based or java application that will let me run the server on FreeBSD (or any Linux distribution if not available for FreeBSD). SecurID is adequate in theory, but buying non Intel based machines just for it is not an acceptable option, nor is relying on NT for security. Requiring a smart card reader on each potential machine is acceptable if needed. "

Jim Wise writes "Hayakawa Koichi has integrated code to support CardBus devices into NetBSD. This provides support for various Yenta-based Cardbus bridges and associated device drivers. So far, device drivers are available for Cardbus modems and OHCI USB controllers, and cardbus ethernet cards from 3Com and Intel. "

softweyr writes "Pat Rietz at Walnut Creek CD-ROM has confirmed that there will be general admission (ie, free) at the FreeBSD Conference for the vendors booths." This is good to have confirmed, as some posters to an earlier story mentioned the cost as a definite disincentive to turning up. I'm looking forward to being able to put faces to very many names next week.

One of the many Anonymous Cowards let me know that OpenBSD has received a donation of equipment worth $10,000 from Network Security Technologies and Network Security Wizards. This is obviously excellent news for the OpenBSD team, and is yet more evidence of the seriousness with which the wider commercial world is treating free software.

Many people wrote in with this, but Mephistopholies was first. Daemon News, the monthly magazine for all things BSD, now boasts a daily news service, called, unsurprisingly, Daily Daemon News. Read on for some personal opinion.

Dan Rieder writes "There is an article in the NYTimes about OpenBSD and Cryptography. The article deals with issues surrounding the export of cryptography and the fact that many 3 letter US government agencies are now using OpenBSD. Free subscription required to read."

Bill Swingle writes "The final speaker schedule for the upcoming FreeBSDCon has been announced. Highlights include, Kirk McKusick's BSD Internals tutorial, and keynotes from both Brian Behlendorf of the Apache Project and Jeremey Allison from the Samba Project. There are all kinds of fun events planned for the conference, including a free (for attendees) beer bash. This should be one killer conference! " Read on for more. CT : This is the first article in our new BSD Section maintained by Nik. Enjoy.

Dave Brooks writes "It looks like a company called Network Security Technologies, Inc. will be providing commercial support for OpenBSD Integration. This is a huge step for the OpenBSD community." Good to see. Theo, in an impromptu interview, said that he is happy others believe in OpenBSD, and that the project has a much better financial situation these days, though it is still supported entirely by CD and shirt sales.

Marcos Lopez writes "Good article on Theo de Raadt and his developement of the OpenBSD system and why he is based in Canada due to crypto laws in the US. Well written article/interview, was printed todays in the Calgary Herald, Theo's home town. " A generalist overview of OpenBSD and its security-conscious direction.