Microsoft Corp. recently held a secret Webcast with some of its closest partners to discuss ways in which the company might improve its Internet Explorer browser and customer confidence in the platform.

Read the Gentoo Linux review at Linuxtimes.net.

Xandros announced the version 3 release of the Open Circulation Edition of its Linux desktop operating system (OS). The new release provides a new Internet experience with Firefox web browsing, Skype Internet calling, and Thunderbird e-mailing. The Xandros Open Circulation Edition is available for download at no charge. Update: A review.

This chapter provides the ins and outs of delegation, the process by which a server impersonating a client attempts to use that client's credentials to access remote resources in Kerberos. Also, Paul Kimmel provides a no-frills demonstration of raising and handling remote server events using Microsoft's .NET Remoting, while guiding you through potential traps and errors.

IBM releases XL C/C++ ( a high-performance optimizing compiler ) to Linux developers. XL C/C++ provides high compile and execution performance, parallel programming APIs, memory management debug routines, and runtime dynamic linking.

drobe.co.uk editor Chris Williams has been out in the field to investigate the continuing role of RISC OS machines in education. Once upon a time, Acorn, with their BBCs and later RISC OS machines were very significant in British education. Today, that role is much reduced, but they hang on in certain niches. Read about Chris' findings in his article.

A recent post in Jonathan Schwartz blog says there were 151,039 SPARC and 269,856 x64/x86 downloads for Solaris 10 so far. "An early look suggests we're not going to have a problem with demand" Schwartz said.

The author of the successful "Mono : A Developer's Notebook" book, Edd Dumbill, has given an interview regarding Mono here.

Apple has to fight off three of the biggest PC companies, sick of the security bugs that plague Windows, wanting to license the Mac operating system. My take: Embrace it my child, don't fight it off.

iFolder is a file sharing application for Linux, Windows, and Mac. Using iFolder workgroup features, you can easily: Share files across multiple computers and share files with other users. Used with an iFolder Enterprise server, you can maintain a backup of your files on an iFolder Enterprise server, share files with other users and computers and restore deleted files from Backup. The new web site for iFolder is up and some interesting Flash demos are available for your viewing pleasure.

Internet browser speed tests: Opera seems to be the fastest browser for Windows. Firefox is not faster than IE, except for scripting, but for standards support, security and features, it is a better choice.

"For almost three years I have used Mandrakelinux and compared it with several other desktop distros. For ease of use, excellent support, and up-to-date packaging, Mandrake is the best desktop going." Read the rest at NewsForge.

This article discusses detailed similarities and differences between booting Linux on an x86-based platform (typically a PC-compatible SBC) and a custom embedded platform based around PowerPC, ARM, and others. It discusses suggested hardware and software designs and highlights the tradeoffs of each. It also describes important design pitfalls and best practices.

The kitchen has long been considered a breeding ground for germs, but you probably don't expect your toaster to infect your cell phone.