Technology Briefs for 8/30

The community of mostly volunteer programmers that has built Linux into a formidable operating system is getting some help from computer industry giants. IBM Inc., Intel Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and NEC Corp. are announcing Wednesday that they will create a laboratory with an investment of several million dollars where programmers can test Linux software on large computer systems. The lab is expected to open by the end of the year near Portland, Ore. Linux is an "open source" operating system.

ADSL: Efficient still top manufacturer

Dallas-based Efficient Networks remained the biggest producer of asynchronous digital subscriber line modems, which help residents and businesses speed up their connections to the Internet, in the second quarter, according to a report by Cahners In-Stat Group. The company had 33.1 percent of the market in the second quarter, followed by Plano-based Alcatel USA, which had 23.6 percent of the market. Sales of ADSL equipment have been growing 50 percent every quarter on average.

Multimedia software: SBC invests $5 million in burst.com

SBC Communications Inc. of San Antonio has invested $5 million in burst.com, a multimedia software company based in San Francisco. SBC Venture Capital has bought 857,633 burst.com shares at $5.83 and received warrants for as many shares at $5.83. SBC will get a seat on burst.com's board. Burst.com shares closed at $7, up 1.82 percent. SBC closed at $42.44, up $1.

Electronics: Microtune shares jump

Shares of Plano-based Microtune, which makes radio frequency tuners for consumer electronics, were up $4.13 to $42 Tuesday, after two investment firms initiated coverage of the company with positive ratings. Chase H&Q opened its coverage of Microtune with a "buy" rating, as SG Cowen Securities Corp. bestowed a "strong buy" rating.

E-Commerce: Shares of i2 Technologies fall

E-commerce developer i2 Technologies didn't profit Tuesday from favorable ratings from two investment firms. Shares of the Farmers Branch-based company were down $1.13 to $157.63, despite Robertson Stephens reiterating its "buy" rating on the stock and USB Piper Jaffray initiating coverage with a "buy" rating as well.

Wireless internet: Travelocity.com, Nextel reach deal

Travelocity.com, a travel Web site based in Fort Worth, said Tuesday that it has an agreement with Nextel Communications, Inc., to provide instant access to travel information and services to Nextel Internet-enabled mobile phone users. Travelocity.com and Nextel provide a forum where subscribers can review existing flight itineraries and check flight status and schedules for all major airlines.

Internet service: CompUSA to offer i-opener

Netpliance Inc. said Tuesday that it is making its i-opener membership program available at 218 CompUSA stores nationwide beginning Friday. The i-opener Internet appliance will sell for $299. The i-opener membership program includes four e-mail accounts per household, Stock Tracker and enhanced address book capabilities.

Stock mover: Rumors send Crossroads up

Shares of Austin-based Crossroads Systems Inc., which manufactures routing devices to connect servers and storage devices, soared almost 32 percent on Tuesday in the midst of takeover rumors, short squeeze speculation and allegations of manipulation. A Crossroads spokeswoman wouldn't comment. Shares of Crossroads Systems closed at $11.88, up $2.88.TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS