IPython; Eclipse Plugins; Observer Pattern in .NET

The standard Python interpreter is unquestionably a highly valued item in the toolbox of many Python programmers. However, the IPython developers have taken the fundamental ideas found in the standard interpreter and improved upon them so considerably that they have created a tool of amazing utility. Elsewhere, this new monthly column is about writing plugins in Eclipse. Also, read here how to use the Observer Pattern in .NET.

Mac OS X 10.3.8 Released

Apple released Mac OS X 10.3.8. Key enhancements include: Improved OpenGL technology and updated ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers; Enhanced file sharing and directory services for mixed Mac and PC networks; Improved compatibility for third party applications and devices.

Introducing Indigo: An Early Look

Provides an architectural overview of "Indigo," Microsoft's unified programming model for building service-oriented applications. The paper covers Indigo's relationship to existing distributed application technologies in the .NET Framework, the basics of creating and consuming Indigo services, and an overview of Indigo's capabilities, including security, reliable messaging, and transaction support.

Microsoft releases “critical” patches; Tablet OS glitch

Microsoft has released the single largest number of patches since it has started doing monthly updates. The dozen updates include patches for Office XP, IE 6, and Media Player and MSN Messenger. Also, a glitch in the latest version of Microsoft's Tablet PC software is causing significant performance problems for those running the new operating system, the company has confirmed.

Heterogeneous Parallel Virtual Machine

The price of "legacy" systems is dropping at a fast rate. Quad PIII servers can be purchased on Ebay for less than $800. Stacks of old SGI systems (Indy and Indigo) systems are being sold for rock bottom prices. But until one single unified API is created to unite all these systems into one single cluster for use by the common computer user, they will remain useless to most people. This is where HPVM comes in. HPVM exists to bring the cluster concept out of the Universities and research facilities and make them useful for everything from video editing, to database servers.

Regarding that 99 USD Laptop

Slashdot posted yesterday a news item about some people which try to create a laptop that would sell for less than one hundred bucks. To me, an x86 such laptop this seems like a dream that can't come true with today's OEM prices. However, there might be a way to achieve this, if the "laptop" in question will not really be a laptop, but a handtop, a hybrid between a laptop and a PDA.

FreeBSD logo design competition

Unfortunately, the cute FreeBSD daemon is sometimes treated with misunderstanding in the religious and cultural context. That's why The FreeBSD Project is announcing a public competition for the new logo design. You can find the rules of the competition in this document. Update: There is now a petition to keep Beastie, however FreeBSD's own Robert Watson emailed us to inform us that they are "seeking a new logo, but not a new mascot", so that petition is really reduntant. Update 2: Rob Watson writes: