Trove, an open source Java collection package, provides an efficient alternative to the core Java collection classes, especially for implementing collections whose keys or values are primitive types.

Learn the basics of Windows graphics programming as you build a lightweight game. Between the use of software patterns and the graphics techniques, you'll polish your fundamental programming skills while having a bit of fun.

A free technology preview for Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 2 (SP2) is available for download and testing. Enhancements coming in Service Pack 2 include stronger default security settings, advanced remote device management, and additional networking and multimedia features that enable further device innovation. Microsoft also announced today Windows Embedded for Point of Service, a new standardized software platform for POS terminals, which will be based on Windows XP Embedded with SP2.

There's an interesting interview with the project leader for Gentoo Linux PPC and Gentoo Mac OS, a Portage port to PPC.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says the task of trying to stay one step ahead of virus writers and hackers will be a never-ending battle.

Xfce 4.2 includes many new features and several new applications, as you can see here. You can download the test it here and rate the desktop environment here. Xfce Window Manager also includes an embedded compositing manager for the newer X.org 6.8.x (screenshot).

Solaris Systems Programming is the latest release by Sun Press. This is an essential guide to systems programming on any UNIX platform that finally has taken Stevens' Advanced Programming in the UNIX Enviroment off my desk. Read a full review of the book. Both SA's and developers will be very interested in check this book out.

The pre-rc2 release is a preview of new features for the new Debian installer. Have a look at these screenshots and read more.

As Apple strives to complete the development of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger for a potential launch in early 2005, several system utilities are being revamped and rejuvenated.

HP has sent a letter to Sun that complains about the inflammatory nature of Jonathan Schwartz's Weblog entries, according to this report. Apparently it is in response to Schwartz saying that HP's Unix operating system is dying.

September was the busiest month in the Syllable project's history, and developments are summarized in the latest newsletter. Highlights include the 0.5.4 release, driver updates, and software enhancements. Also, a Flash demo of Syllable in action is now available, illustrating some of the new desktop features.

Philip Charles has announced the availability of the K7 series of Debian GNU/Hurd CDs. He says: "The main feature of the K7 set is its quality. I would say it is the best set to date. IMHO, this set could be used to promote GNU". This version features XFree86-4.3 for the first time, resulting in greatly improved X11 support. It is also the first version featuring the hurd package itself built against a recent glibc (current Debian unstable).

There are several ways to package a Java/SWT application on Mac OS X. However, if you want your application to look and feel like a native Mac OS X application, you will want to opt for creating an application bundle. Read more to learn how to bundle your Java/SWT application.

Maintaining and deploying useful FAQs can be a very tedious process. Luckily there are a number of open source FAQ generation and management tools out there that exist to try and make it a bit easier. In The FAQs on FAQs we take a look at some tools and what FAQs demand of administrators.