eWEEK Labs: Jason Brooks’ Top Five Linux & Open-Source Developments of the Year

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 is a solid and polished Linux desktop thats backed by a major IT vendor, Novell, which is prepared to go head-to-head with Microsoft on the desktop.

Ubuntu boasts the best software management tools and the most effective community structure of any Linux operating system weve tested.

Suns making good on its pledge to free its excellent Solaris operating system, evidenced in part by the emergence of some interesting independent OpenSolaris-based projects.

Following through on a promise made by new CEO Jonathan Schwartz, Sun again delivers on its open-source rhetoric by freeing Java under the GPL (General Public License), enriching free software and solidifying Javas continued relevance.

Linux and open source arent subject to the same limitations as proprietary software; rPaths ingenious tools help companies and individuals mold Linux to their will while helping to maintain maintainability.