Sun on tuesday released its first Java platform that offers real-time capabilities. The platform, Java Real-Time System 1.0, implements the Real-time Specification for Java (RTSJ), a blueprint for how Java can be extended to support real-time application programming.

Even as Microsoft's low-cost version of Windows reaches more corners of the globe, some analysts are wondering whether it is hitting the mark. Especially the fact that this version can only open three windows at a time, amazes analysts. Elsewhere, MS has quietly released its Desktop Search APIs.

Lismore Software Systems announced today the release and immediate availability of an updated version of Guest PC 1.5. Guest PC is an x86 emulator for the Mac.

If you've heard about Linux and feel like giving it a go or if you want to try Linux but you're too afraid it'll shew up your computer, this article is for you. Read it, feel free to take what you need and ignore the rest. This is not a tutorial, it's a README-FIRST-like article. It should help you to take that first dive.

There are increasing rumors that Alpha might be brought back to life. The Inq sets the big 'if' aside and explores the possiblities: "What if there really is a will to get Alpha back into the changed market? What sort of chip would it have to be to have that good chance of success, if any?"

For Linux users, HLA is a strong programming tool that allows them to create powerful programs on a variety of different levels. As HLA becomes more feature-rich, additional applications will be written using HLA under Linux. With HLA and Linux, programmers can develop new and exciting applications anyone can use. Read more.

Looking forward to getting your hands on a Cell workstation? We were too -- until we talked to Linux for Cell kernel maintainer Arnd Bergmann. Learn about programming for Cell in general and for Linux for Cell in particular, and why the "workstation" that has been described in the press is more of a prototype Blade board, and a bit of a misunderstanding, in this Q & A session.

PySWT is a Python Binding to the IBM Eclipse SWT library, to provide Python with a cross platform native looking GUI.

The general view of open source software is that it is free; however, as with many things in business, information technology is never that easy. Switching to open source needs to involve careful planning and consideration of the business benefits and potential downsides to such a migration. read more

This article provides details on how OS X handles multithreading to help port your Win32 application.

Fans of just about anything alternative all seem to suffer from a similar affliction: a naïve underestimation of the pains of switching. This goes for U.S. fans of the metric system, alternative fuel proponents, vegetarians, and yes, OS fanatics. Now, personally I'm all for a lot of those things I just mentioned, but as a lapsed vegetarian, I know full well how, despite the advantages of the alternative, sometimes it's hard to switch and easy to go back.

MenuetOS 64's first release is available for download, to AMD64 and Intel EMT64 users. It was released on the 23rd of June, but appears to have only been known to viewers of the MenuetOS Forum.MenuetOS 64 is free to use provided you agree to the license.

Novell Inc. announced Tuesday open beta availability of the latest version of its groupware program, Novell GroupWise 7. The new edition of GroupWise comes with an integrated e-mail and instant messaging interface, enhanced Outlook XP and 2003 support, and a bundled copy of SLES 9 (SuSE Linux Enterprise Server) to run it on.

It's the tenth anniversary of DirectX. In honor of this occasion we spoke with Chris Donahue, the group manager for Windows gaming and graphics. Chris discusses the evolution of DirectX, the impact of the next Windows (Longhorn) and 64-bit gaming, how XNA will help developers on Windows and Xbox, where Windows gaming is headed and much more.