This is a status update for the Debian GNU/Hurd port. While the port was limping along for a couple of years, it has picked up speed again. The current state is still far from being on par with Debian's established Linux ports, but it is mostly up to date and reasonably usable.

In this excerpted chapter from his upcoming book, Programming Indigo, David Pallmann describes the Indigo programming model for building service-oriented applications.

Japan's electronics makers have been working on methanol-based fuel cells for years, noting that the latest small electronic gizmos' thirst for power is outstripping the Lithium Ion battery's abilities, and also appreciating the benefit of near instant "recharge" by inserting new fuel. Prototype cells and chargers have been on display at recent trade shows, and manufacturers estimate that commercial versions will be available within a couple of years.

There was a lot of buzz when Sharp released its first Zaurus Linux-based PDA a few years ago. Today the new Zaurus models only sell through selected channels in the US, but apparently you can get the most successful Linux-Zaurus model, the SL-5500, for real cheap (Geeks.com sell it for just $140). So how does the SL-5500 compares to other similarly priced PDAs today? Find out at TuxTops.

Overall, Xandros Desktop OS Version 3 Business Edition has proven itself to be a fine operating system. As a long time Windows user, who is forced to use XP on a daily basis, I really appreciated Xandros' approach to Linux-Windows integration and just how easy they made the transition from one operating system to the other.

Earlier this week, Ars Technica's Jon "Hannibal" Stokes published an article which claimed to show the *real* reason why Apple went Intel. In his article, 'Hannibal' says that part of the reason for IBM and Apple's failed business relationship was that Apple tried to pull 'stunts' to get more out of IBM than they were entitled. David K. Every begs to differ.