A few days ago we read about the Deli Linux, which aims to fill-in the gap of Linux distros in the 486/586 machine range by running lightweight/older applications. The disto comes with Dillo and Links as its browsers, but I bet there aren't many people who know that there is yet another very lightweight browser for GTK+ 1.2.x and it is more powerful and more memory-optimized than Dillo: Access' NetFront. Check for info and screenshots inside.

On the XML and Java technology frontier, where numerous technologies jostle for space, XMLBeans is making a mark for itself in a very short time. This article introduces the technology with a simple example, takes you through the step-by-step process of compilation and binding, and discusses advanced features like XML cursors, tokens, and XQuery expressions. It also discusses how XMLBeans is more powerful than other XML-Java technology data binding techniques.

CentOS 3.3, based on Redhat Enterprise Linux Update 3, has been released for i386 and AMD64.

On MenuetOS 0.78-pre3 there is a new screen layout, with a new panel application, graphics designed by Andrew Youll. The menus, applications and icons are completely under user control now - just edit MPANEL.DAT to make changes. You do not need to re-boot for changes to take effect.

Subversion is a version control system that is a compelling replacement for CVS in the open source community. This is a minor bugfix release.

OneFinger is a general-purpose GUI for composing CLI commands with the mouse. Although entirely graphical, it does not attempt to hide the underlying CLI language. Requires Python for Qt3.

SCO has been seeking more time for its Unix intellectual property case against IBM, while IBM strives to end the case quickly. The SCO Group Inc. and IBM are locked in a blizzard of claim and counterclaim paperwork in the U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City. Matters reached a climax Wednesday as the court heard arguments on four motions.

Bryan Clark is discussing what a good "Find" dialog would be to be used with applications.

The software maker has launched a pilot program in which some visitors to the main Windows download page are being asked to let the software maker check to see whether their copy of the operating system is licensed.

Microsoft's web browser, Internet Explorer, is continuing its slow but steady slide in market share. According to fresh numbers from web metrics firm Websidestory, IE's share has slipped 1.8 per cent in the last three months.

Here is an easy to read step-by-step guide utilizing a script based method for Debian GNU/Linux installations. It's designed to be a starting point for Linux user groups or interested individuals to assist with all manner of Debian installations. It requires the new Debian installer and the included script results in a Gnome desktop. Customizing this simple script method allows for an endless diversity of packages and various system designs while maintaining 100% compatability with Debian repositories.

Diskless FreeBSD workstations work beautifully for many users. With recent changes in FreeBSD 5.x, the old methods of building a netbooting lab have changed. Read more at OnLamp.com.

This article looks at how to create a structure for building and distributing applications, including heavily customized versions, and a simple way of disseminating the applications among a number of machines, manually or automatically, as easily as possible.

Yesterday, a co-worker of mine and I had a lengthy discussion about this article posted on OSNews awhile back. My past writing about Linux has centered on general usability and sensible defaults, but his contention was that Linux is the Linux kernel and that anything beyond that is the responsibility of the distribution. The conversation took an interesting turn. Read on for more.