OSnews - Exploring the Future of Computing

FreeBSD 5.3-BETA7 Released

Submitted by Joel Dahl 2004-10-04 FreeBSD 60 Comments

Fixes and enhancements made since BETA6 on FreeBSD 5.3: fix timekeeping on sparc64 and alpha that would result in the day of the week being stored incorrectly in NVRAM; add support to the fxp driver for the ICH6 chipset; fix the panic on detach problem with USB hubs; import BIND 9.3.0, this completely replaces the old BIND 8.x nameserver in the base system; fix panic when allocating swap on a busy system; fix loader crash when using the 'lsdev' command".

Microsoft Eyes Lighter Versions of Longhorn

Submitted by Asa 2004-10-04 Windows 34 Comments

Microsoft is developing versions of its Windows operating system with only a subset of the Windows code base, designed for specific server tasks, in a move that could reduce maintenance costs for customers and create products that are less vulnerable to attack. Elsewhere, Ballmer gave an interview about the new digital style of life.

Trove Java collection classes, a performance dream or Nightmare?

Eugenia Loli 2004-10-04 Java 7 Comments

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.

Building a Small Game Using Windows Graphics Programming

Eugenia Loli 2004-10-04 Games 10 Comments

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.

Linux Page Table Management

Eugenia Loli 2004-10-04 Linux 7 Comments

Linux handles the machine independent/dependent layer in a unique way, making page table management a bit tricky. Mel Gorman gives you the skinny on the process in this sample chapter.

Microsoft Previews Windows XP Embedded With Service Pack 2

Eugenia Loli 2004-10-04 Windows 12 Comments

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.

Gentoo Linux/MacOS Interview

Submitted by Theo L 2004-10-04 Gentoo 22 Comments

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

NetBSD 2.0 RC2 tagged

Submitted by Jan Schaumann 2004-10-04 NetBSD 17 Comments

The much anticipated release of NetBSD 2.0 is getting closer and closer.

Ballmer calls security a never-ending battle

Eugenia Loli 2004-10-04 Privacy, Security 38 Comments

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-beta1 Released

Eugenia Loli 2004-10-03 Xfce 42 Comments

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).

Why you should switch to Firefox

Submitted by Tudy 2004-10-03 Mozilla, Gecko 75 Comments

This story lists a number of problems with IE and suggests to switch to Firefox. Elsewhere, Neowin interviews a member of the Firefox team.

Review of Solaris Systems Programming

Submitted by benr 2004-10-02 Solaris 16 Comments

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.

Debian-Installer pre-rc2 technology preview

Submitted by Chris 2004-10-02 Debian 54 Comments

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

Gates: In Ten Years, it’s a Windows and Linux Game

Eugenia Loli 2004-10-02 Microsoft 146 Comments

Just came back from a conference with guest speaker Bill Gates. Gates touched a number of subjects and we quickly report and comment on them below.

System utilities receive facelift in recent Tiger builds

Eugenia Loli 2004-10-02 macOS 44 Comments

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 sends letter to muzzle Sun’s Schwartz

Submitted by tic_tac 2004-10-02 Unix 63 Comments

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.

Novell’s Linux desktop available soon

Submitted by spank_da_monkey 2004-10-01 Novell and Ximian 101 Comments

Novell plans to launch its first Linux desktop offering, which incorporates technology it acquired from German Linux vendor SuSE last year, within the next month. The vendor says it is combining its own proprietary technology with open source software in an “enterprise-ready” desktop operating system that will be a low-cost alternative for most organisations.

September Syllable Newsletter; Flash Demo

Submitted by Michael Saunders 2004-10-01 Syllable, AtheOS 27 Comments

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.

Hurd: K7 Debian CDs Available

Submitted by Rob Butler 2004-10-01 Debian 29 Comments

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).

SimplyMepis 2004.01 Review

Submitted by Darrel Kennedy 2004-10-01 Linux 19 Comments

Mepis is making the transition to a full-fledged easy-to-use desktop and general-purpose Linux distribution. The following is both an overview and review of this excellent new Linux distribution.