This bug-fixing version of GTK+ 2.4.11 fixes a number of bugs mostly in the file selector area. GLib 2.4.7 was also released.

Having prepared the FreeBSD 5.2 Netboot server, we can begin to configure our diskless workstations. Let's prepare the kernel and add it to the two-part filesystem (accessible for reading only and accessible for reading and writing) and finally create rc-scripts.

The 90 day evaluation JDS for Solaris 9 x86 can be downloaded (registration required).

When experienced Java developers hear about Groovy, their first reaction is often, "Oh, no, not another scripting language for Java." Ian Darwin had the same reaction, until he took a good look at Groovy. Elsewhere, metaprogramming with and without J2SE 5.0.

This CD will allow you to try out Ubuntu before installing it, without repartitioning or overwriting any existing software or data.

SkyOS Beta 8 was released last week to beta testers, along with a small patch released a day later to fix some issues (updatable by the SkyOS update system). Beta 8 of course includes re-enabled networking, along with a few networking applications (Gaim and Links, with more to follow). Beta 8 also includes an updated ISS with integrated video (allowing for features such as video preview in viewer window), updated GCC to 3.4.0, Blender 3D CGI application and many bugfixes. Up next: USB.

Two important pieces of RISC OS news have broken this week: firstly, RISC OS Ltd announced that they have been developing a 32-bit version of RISC OS. Secondly, Advantage Six have announced that they have built a series of machines for embedded / industrial use.

The developers of Vector Linux have announced that work has started on a next release, version 5.0.

One of the things I've enjoyed with the introduction of broadband in many households is the ability to host web services from your own home. While this isn't a new topic, by any means, not one I hear talked about too often. I've written a tutorial for OS X users who would like to set up a web (http) server running in their home, and many of the principles can be extended to other operating systems and services (mail, database, etc.)

In the second of a three-part series, David and Brad build on their first article on R, a rich statistical environment, released as free software. R is both a strongly functional programming language and a general environment for statistical exploration of data sets. Now that our data is shipshape, we will delve into the functionality of the language.

IBM has improved the processor of its JS20 blade servers and now sells them with its AIX version of the Unix operating system, the company plans to announce Tuesday. When introduced, the JS20 could only run Linux, but now the blades can also run AIX.

Winter has ended in Melbourne but I'm not the sort to venture out without at least a sweater. However, the cold doesn't seem to bother Theo de Raadt as Sam Varghese sit in the lobby of the city's Duxton Hotel, a day after the end of the annual summit of the Australian Unix and Open Source User Group.

Slipstreaming a Service Pack, is the process to integrate the Service Pack into the installation so that with every new installation the Operating System and Service Pack are installed at the same time.

Sam Hiser is taking a look at Sun's Java Desktop System, from the Enterprise and Java point of view.