As expected, (Sun set to bring Linux to UltraSparc) Sun yesterday announced that it would work with the "Linux community" to complete a port of Linux to UltraSparc. But as part of the announcement Sun also tacitly conceded that it might have lost out to Linux - at least as far as applications are concerned. Linux for UltraSparc to some extent covers Sun's rear against cheaper rivals. Sun's good at high end servers, but vulnerable to cheap Wintel boxes, and now also perhaps vulnerable to Linux. But aside from that, Linux's highly active developer community would seem to be generating more software than the Sun "community" can. Otherwise, why the Sun plan to "add Linux compatibility to the Solaris operating environment." The way Sun seems to be planning this, it probably won't be difficult. The company intends the added Linux compatibility to allow its customers to "take advantage of the breadth of new Linux applications within the highly reliable Solaris environment." That is, they can still buy Sun gear and Sun operating software, but they can run Linux apps on top of it. So is this a generous move or a calculated hi-jack? Hmm... ®