Kompose' is an Expose'-like (OS X) full screen task manager for KDE that has just gone to release 0.4.1 in two months. You really have to see it to understand, but imagine that tiny little box in your taskbar that indicates all our running windows blown up and on the entire desktop. Then add a tiny screenshot for each app. For those without an OS X box around we have provided these screenshots of Kompose' in action.

IBMs new Method Scheduler for Java (MS4J) is a scheduler component that allows developers to execute methods on Java objects asynchronously and/or repeatedly. MS4J can increase Web application page response times by performing certain input/output (I/O) operations (such as database updates) asynchronously, in parallel with or after page delivery to the client.

Tim O'Reilly has spoken often over the last year about how to apply the ideals of open source with the slow and eventual shift from dependence on software to dependence on information. The new software is 'infoware'. In Applying Distributed XML toward The Open Source Paradigm Shift to Infoware, I propose that we can preserve the freedoms to innovate with data and to fork infoware by working with locally hosted xml files like we do with RSS.

A Forbes article notes that competition from Linux has spurred Microsoft on to improve its product, lower prices, and spend more attention looking at its sales process. All that effort has resulted in healthy sales for Microsoft's products. It seems that, without a rival, Microsoft gets lazy.

Longhorn's woes may open a door for Linux—a very tiny door—but Linux just isn't a good choice for desktops. Instead, desktop Linux proponents should wake up and switch to the Mac OS.

If you "attend" Sun Microsystems' "Web Event" you will receive a Solaris Express Software DVD and other info. We're no sure what constitutes attendance, but it's free, and you can sign up now for an email reminder.

Wireless PCs and wireless laptops are being increasingly used in both business and the home. . . Unfortunately, in the enthusiasm with which people have adopted wireless, the question of security has been seriously overlooked.

Well, until beunited tells me to shut up (probably won’t be long) I’m going to attempt to set the record straight and describe the current status of Java on BeOS. I’ve seen a ton of inaccurate information disseminating about the community and feel something should be said by someone who actually does know what’s going on. That seems to be the general state of Haiku / beunited at this point. Too many people don’t know anything and think they do, or like to speculate, and the people who really know things are too busy working on them to keep people overly informed.

Ask some end users what Linux Standard Base (LSB) is and most likely they either won't know anything about it, or know a little bit but not enough to qualify as understanding what all the buzz around LSB is about. Ask three ISVs and only one will likely understand the implications of LSB for their business. And only a very, very few will say that they have started the process of making some of their applications LSB-compliant. Read More.

There's what appears to be a well-presented but probably pretty early phase implementation of a Database File System for Linux. Check it out.

With Microsoft's release of Virtual PC 7.0 to manufacturing this week, several sources close to the Redmond-based software giant were able to obtain finalized copies of the product. A collection of screenshots from the soon-to-be released emulation software package are included in an exclusive AppleInsider photo gallery.

This month's column at LinuxMagazine provides an overview of some updates and new features in 2.6, including filesystem support, threading library changes, and the new kernel-level profiler. This article assumes you already have access to a machine running 2.6.

Linux began as a labor of love by hippies and hackers. Now the suits are cutting checks and running the show. This pay-for-play arrangement may be standard operating procedure among high-tech companies and academic labs, but it represents a big change for Linux, which first gained favor among hippie-esque programmers who disdained revenue and profit, advocating a "peace, love and software" vision of Linux as a free operating system developed without regard for corporate interests.

Continuing with the fast development cycle, Mandrakesoft has released the first release candidate of Mandrakelinux 10.1. More info here. Update: LinuxBeta.com has prepared a 142 page slideshow of Mandrakelinux 10.1 RC1.