A c|net editorial posits that Google may be well on its way to developing a complete suite of internet-based services that could act as a computing environment for any thin client that's capable of accessing it. And Microsoft may be planning a similar move.

TiVo, a much-beloved technology with a precarious business position, may have a new lease on life, thanks to a new deal with the US' #1 cable TV operator, Comcast. Under the deal, TiVo technology will power Comcast DVRs. Comcast and other cable firms have heretofore used shoddy TiVo knock-offs for their DVR offerings, so this new partnership should be of great benefit to both TiVo and Comcast customers.

Novell and IBM are launching a program "designed to accelerate the development and certification of ISV applications for SuSE Linux on the IBM eServer and middleware platforms." "As part of this initiative, Novell Inc. will provide those ISVs interested in the program with copies of SuSE Linux Enterprise Server and supporting documentation. The company will also facilitate onsite registration for Novell's Technology Partner Program to help ISVs certify their applications on SuSE Linux for both IBM hardware and middleware. "

For some reason I have a groovy musical surfing intro playing in my head. Linspire 5, known as Five-0 has been released. It has "enhancements in every core application" and "a completely revised and streamlined graphical interface, improved laptop and hardware support, significant Internet optimization."

As most OSNews readers know, I got into a spat with the Gnome developers last week, which culminated in my publishing of an angry editorial, which sparked a firestorm of controversy. On one hand, the controversy was positive, because it introduced a lot of people to the fact that many people believe that Gnome developers have not had an effective channel to receive and interpret feedback from users. But on the other hand, the controversy had the negative effect of inflaming passions, putting everyone's guard up, and perhaps even widening the gulf between those who love Gnome but want a voice in its future, and those who hold its future in their hands. This effect was unintentional, and I would like to apologize for any damage I might have done to the project.

The first beta of IE 7.0 isn't expected for a few more months. But information on Microsoft's security, standards and interface plans are trickling out now.

Sun Microsystems plans to simplify its Java license for commercial software companies.

A decade ago, Bill Gates and other executives at Microsoft decided that traditional packaged software was dead--all software would eventually be delivered via the Internet.

Fedora Core 4 Test 1 is now available, more info here.

Microsoft has revealed at a security panel at CeBIT that it is preparing to dump passwords in favour of two-factor authentication in forthcoming versions of Windows.

My basement is like a mortuary with the remains of computers all lying in state, waiting and hoping for a new lease on life. But what is there to do with the K6s, the Celerons, and Pentiums of the past. It seems nothing short of a miracle would bring these ghosts back to life.

Nicholas Ciarelli is an excellent journalist. Too bad. The poor kid's liable to be bankrupt before he's old enough to buy beer. All because he's very good at what he does; and because he does it on the Net.

Workload management is critically important for an on-demand business. IBM LoadLeveler is a job-management system that allows users to run more jobs in less time by matching the jobs' processing needs with the available resources. Maintaining maximum system uptime of the job management system is increasingly important.

Intel Corporation is introducing an enhanced technology to provide mobile handset users with a better multimedia experience, including clearer graphics, faster video, and improved power efficiency.