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OpenLogic, a provider of open source packages, kicked off the data-gathering second phase of a global project aiming to collect and share quantitative data on the use of open source software. The company on Wednesday announced an initial list of 10 survey sponsors and launched a census designed to survey the land of open source. Companies and individuals are now able to anonymously submit data on their use of open source though The Open Source Census Web site. Participants in The Open Source Census will also gain access to reports that benchmark their open source usage.

Red Hat announced at the Red Hat Summit this week its new operating system for the enterprise. Red Hat Global Desktop is a client product for the Linux operating system that delivers an enterprise-class suite of productivity applications. The Global Desktop is part of Red Hat's strategy of building innovative solutions that change the traditional notion of desktop computing for specific audiences, according to the company. The goal is to create experiences that are more useful, more powerful and more accessible, said Red Hat officials.

Technology isn't cheap. Research and development of computer software takes money, and that's something few starry-eyed startups have when they begin thinking about the ones, zeros and dollar signs of the future. Open source programs -- basic computer software that can be changed and manipulated by the user -- help many technology companies get their products and services out of the basement and into office computers around the country. In Central Pennsylvania, up-and-coming tech companies are using open source programs such as Linux, PHP, Gentoo and MySQL to build future business applications.