Linux News reports on IBM’s new xSeries 135 Linux appliance server. According to the company’s product description, this is the first server of its kind that can be configured and deployed right out of the box.

Wired News reports that Internet traffic hit a record high as users rushed online to check on election results. ABCNews.com states they received 27.1 million page views yesterday, beating its previous record for the Starr Report by 17 million.

Reuters is predicting that AT&T will sell off its stakes in other cable companies and Time Warner Entertainment in order to slash $16 billion in debt.

ZDNet’s David Coursey comments on Silicon Valley’s latest trend of seeking out experienced leaders: “During the Internet gold rush, venture capital seemed to accept the 1960’s mantra that nobody older than 30 could be “relevant” to the new economy. Now that the gold rush has ended — or at least headed to the islands for a rest — the target age for Silicon Valley execs has raced past 40. And 50 year old CEOs are starting to look very attractive.”

Microsoft wants to give ISPCon attendees a peek at how it plans to win over Internet and application providers to Windows 2000. Part of the plan involves offering hosts free copies of Windows 2000 Advanced Server, a special resource kit, and steep discounts on training and support. The full story is at InfoWorld.com.

Upside Today profiles Red Hat and its finally concluded search for a CFO, who the company plans to introduce at tomorrow morning’s investor meeting.

How do you tell others that you’ve discovered Linux? Linux Journal’s Gaelyne Gasson shares her thoughts on “how to share your enthusiasm without causing riots or total disinterest.”

Can’t make it to Comdex this year? ZDNet offers its Webcast schedule of events for the annual Las Vegas technology conference. Bill Gates kicks things off on Sunday night, followed by HP CEO Carly Fiorina and Dell chairman Michael Dell on Monday.

InfoWorld reports that Eazel and Linuxcare have announced a partnership to provide support services. Linuxcare will provide e-mail support to users of Eazel’s upcoming Network User Environment. The company will also maintain an online knowledge base at Eazel’s Web site.

Progeny Linux Systems has announced the first public beta of Progeny Debian. The distribution features a new installation program, and new tools for administration, configuration, and package management. The beta is being released as an upgrade to Debian 2.2; the next beta release will be significantly larger in scale.