Tag: Open Source

Nikto – Open Source web server security scanner

Nikto – Open Source web server security scanner

Nikto is an Open Source (GPL) web server scanner which performs comprehensive tests against web servers for multiple items, including over 6400 potentially dangerous files/CGIs, checks for outdated versions of over 1200 servers, and version specific problems on over 270 servers. It also checks for server configuration items such as the presence of multiple index files, HTTP server options, and will attempt to identify installed web servers and software.

Economic impact of open source on small business

Economic impact of open source on small business

Here are a few of the findings we derived from Bluehost data (an EIG company) and follow-on research:

  • 60% of web hosting usage is by SMBs, 71% if you include non-profits. Only 22% of hosted sites are for personal use.
  • WordPress is a far more important open source product than most people give it credit for. In the SMB hosting market, it is as widely used as MySQL and PHP, far ahead of Joomla and Drupal, the other leading content management systems.
  • Languages commonly used by high-tech startups, such as Ruby and Python, have little usage in the SMB hosting market, which is dominated by PHP for server-side scripting and JavaScript for client-side scripting.
  • Open source hosting alternatives have at least a 2:1 cost advantage relative to proprietary solutions.

Given that SMBs are widely thought to generate as much as 50% of GDP, the productivity gains to the economy as a whole that can be attributed to open source software are significant. The most important open source programs contributing to this expansion of opportunity for small businesses include Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP, JavaScript, and WordPress. The developers of these open source projects and the communities that support them are truly unsung heroes of the economy!

Via Matt Mullenweg.

Valve launches the Linux blog

Valve, a well-known game development company, has launched the Linux blog.  Apparently, there are quite a few efforts taken to port games to Linux.

The Valve Linux Team

Our mission is to strengthen the gaming scene on Linux, both for players and developers. This includes Linux ports of Steam and Valve games, as well as partner games. We are also investigating open source initiatives that could benefit the community and game developers.

Initially formed in 2011, the Valve Linux team is currently 11 people and growing. Our mission is to investigate open source development with a specific focus on supporting Steam and other Valve products on the Linux platform. The Linux background of our team varies from those who have a deep knowledge of Linux development to those who have just scratched the surface. However, one thing we all share is a great passion for supporting all things Valve on Linux.

While I’m happy to see more Linux activity and interest in Open Source, I have to say that I am a bit puzzled with the timing here.  The two trends that I see are:

  1. The move from desktop gaming to the console gaming.
  2. The move from desktop computing (desktops, laptops) to mobile computing (netbooks, tablets, smartphones).

Valve probably sees these differently.  Maybe Linux advanced far enough on the desktop to stir this interest.  Or maybe they are betting on the rise of Liux-based gaming consoles.  I don’t know.

Regardless, I hope they will continue their work in this area, and I really hope that it will result in  improvements to Open Source software.  After all, we could use some expertise from people who clearly know what they are doing.