Microsoft has released an early version of Indigo, a new communications system intended to let Windows programs more easily connect to other software. Update: Videos showing Indigo.
Large enterprises should not use Linux because it is not secure enough, has scalability problems and could fork into many different flavours, according to the Agility Alliance, which includes IT heavyweights EDS, Fuji Xerox, Cisco, Microsoft, Sun, Dell and EMC.
XMK - eXtreme Minimal Kernel - is a preemptive multitasking real-time operating system for embedded microcontrollers. What makes XMK different from other RTOSes is that XMK is designed to be small first, then scaled up to larger platforms. The BSD-licensed XMK is designed to be highly configurable and comes with a choice TCP/IP stacks: the tiny uIP stack or the more powerful but larger lwIP stack. XMK is available for a number of embedded platforms.
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.
The AP and BBC have short roundups of cool finds from CeBit: APBBC. A silly diamond-studded mp3 player (who wants diamonds encrusted on their junk drawer obsolete tech?), GPS for motorcycles, a "palm vein" ID checker, a Bluetooth robotic camera, ultra-compact memory from IBM, an almost exact iPod Shuffle knock-off, a pen-sized text scanner, an eye-directed camera, and a cell phone with a HD inside.
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."
Updated Announcement: We kind of jumped the gun this morning, but it looks like KDE 3.4 will be made available today. Keep an eye on kde.org. Updated Update: It's official.
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.
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.
QNX Software Systems Co. unveiled a new source-code product that will shorten the development cycle and increase design flexibility for developers using the QNX Neutrino RTOS.
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.
The PostgreSQL database project has recently released Version 8.0, which was received with quite some fanfare, mostly due to its first-ever Windows port. Mad Penguin talked with Josh Berkus, one of the core team members, to find out how 8.0 has fared since its official release on January 17, 2005.
