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KDE 3.2 Review at ArsTechnica

Along with the development environment, Datschge and Henrique Pinto look at the large number of new KDE apps, the project structure, and even the philosophy behind KDE. If you are thinking about checking out KDE 3.2, are a long-time user, or just want to know what's up, this review has everything you need to know.

Torvalds: Intel Should be Ashamed over x86-64

A post by Torvalds on the linux-kernel mailing list suggests that Intel should be more than a little ashamed of itself when it announced its 64-bit extensions last week. Torvalds was replying to a post which asked whether there was any difference between X86_64 and X86-64. He said the real name for the instruction set should be X86-64, and always has been. Torvalds said he was "a bit disgusted" at Intel for not even mentioning AMD in its documentation or its press releases. Read more at the Inquirer.

Kernel Development: High Memory In The Linux Kernel

As RAM increasingly becomes a commodity, the prices drop and computer users are able to buy more. 32-bit archictectures face certain limitations in regards to accessing these growing amounts of RAM. To better understand the problem and the various solutions, we begin with an overview of Linux memory management. Understanding how basic memory management works, we are better able to define the problem, and finally to review the various solutions. This article was written by examining the Linux 2.6 kernel source code for the x86 architecture types.

Tutorial: “Architecture of Embedded Device Drivers”

This technical tutorial by veteran real-time instructor David Kalinsky examines the high-level design of driver software to operate hardware devices that are interfaced to embedded computers. It begins with a discussion of basic issues such as mutual exclusion of device access, and synchronous vs. asynchronous input/output models. Then it goes through a series of structural models for device driver design with RTOS interaction, going from simple to more complex.

Introducing openMosix

The openMosix software packages turn networked computers running GNU/Linux into a cluster. It automatically balances the load between different nodes of the cluster. Nodes can join or leave the running cluster without disruption. The cluster spreads the workload between nodes according to their connection and CPU speeds. Even more about OpenMosix here.

Java Desktop Development

Java is a great technology for servers, personal computers, and mobile devices. Java is successful on servers and mobile devices because these environments need Java's cross-platform support. The situation is different on personal computers, but this could change sooner than you might think. In this article, Andrei analyzes how Java can improve the desktop world and then present the three major Java GUI toolkits: AWT, Swing, and SWT.

RISC OS 4.39 and 4.02 pricings confirmed

"RISCOS Ltd., developer of RISC OS 4, yesterday announced its pricing scheme for RISC OS 4.39, the next major release of everybody's favourite 26 bit mode operating system. The announcement confirms our initial figures which we revealed early last month. RISCOS Ltd. have also disclosed that the price of RISC OS 4.02 ROM sets are set to increase from March this year." Read the rest at Drobe.

The Day that I Will Buy a New PDA…

I already have a PalmV PDA with PalmOS 3.5. I never use it. I practically have absolutely no need for an organizer. Yet, I wanna buy a new one. That geek gene in me (that my mother unsuccessfully tried to kill over the years) what really wants is a "truly mobile PC" that just isn't a laptop. So, for the last few days I was shopping around the Internet for a new PDA (preferably a PocketPC this time) that would fit the kind of thing I am looking for. I was... horrified to find out that what I need isn't... invented yet.