Sun Microsystems is experimenting (as we have reported in the past) with a three-dimensional desktop interface that could alter the way users see their screens--without the dorky glasses. First demonstrated at LinuxWorld in January, the "Project Looking Glass" initiative is a 3D Java-based, open source desktop that runs on Linux.

Business 2.0 has compiled a list of shameful shenanigans from last year that should give you a chuckle. Test your tech savvy. Do you remember: the iLoo, the Segway hype, the swastika font, Shift key "hacking" (and a weak attempt at using the DMCA to prevent Shift key use)?

The Robotic Operating System, or ROS (download), is intended to operate at the center of behavior-based robotics systems. ROS is an operating system within an operating system, running as a normal program on UNIX-like systems and acting as an operating system for a set of other normal UNIX programs and scripts. ROS is used only to start, stop, and provide other services to behaviors, but without behaviors would perform no function. While a behavior might, technically, run without ROS, it would not fit into a system of behaviors and so would not be useful.

Lindows.com offered LindowsOS Developer Edition free for one day, GoogleDay (Whatever that is, I don't know, google's birthday perhaps?) so I decided to test it. My favorite distribution this far has been (and still is) Slackware Linux, which has always, well, just worked. I've been using Linux for some years now, I use Solaris at work (I work as software designer). Trying out Lindows after Slackware was totally different world, and here's some of my toughts after trying out Lindows.

Mandrake has applied to come out of the French equivalent of bankruptcy protection: 'declaration de cessation des paiements'. Some of the new features of Mandrake 10 that MandrakeSoft will be pinning their hopes on to make succeeding quarters more profitable. "There will be many new features in Mandrake 10.0, but it's a bit early to say more. There will be new improvements on the ergonomy side, the integration of a groupware solution, and of course the inclusion of Linux 2.6.x kernel as default which provides better performance."

The purpose of this document can be informally stated as follows: if you were to use virtualization in a an endeavor (research or otherwise), here are some things to look at.

This official Trolltech guide to Qt 3.2 programming covers all you need to build industrial-strength applications with Qt 3.2.x and C++. The free CD offers an exclusive version of QT 3 compatible for Windows users worth more than $2000 (more info on this). Download a sample chapter in PDF format: "Layout Management".

Open Source Development Labs, one of the main groups promoting the business use of open-source software, released its standards for using Linux in enterprise applications. Read the article at C|Net.

DistroWatch reports that a new development set of Gentoo Linux live CDs and stage tarballs has been released to mirrors for testing.

Web surfers battling "spyware" face a new problem: So-called spyware-killing programs that install the same kind of unwanted advertising software they promise to erase. Though the companies that fail to disclose this practice are facing an outcry from consumers and watchdogs, there is little people can do to defend their systems, security firms say.

Java 2 SDK v1.5 Beta 1 has been released. Release notes here.

I know this has been a long time coming but I've had coursework/exams/an interview to deal with and the actual writing got put on the back burner. However, I have been using Xandros a fair bit and it must be said that I really like it. If you're not a Slackware junkie (like me) I would reccomend Xandros as the best distro to use - it's good for experienced users and completed newbies alike.

Take a look at Sun Microsystems' recently relaunched Java developer Web site, and you'll see something new: a picture of James Gosling.

On Monday, OSNews had the pleasure of talking face to face with Trolltech's CEO and founder, Haavard Nord. Mr Nord discussed with us the new features found in Qt 3.3 (download, changes, announcement), Qtopia and the arising market of Linux in mobile phones as well as in the business computer market. Update: ITManagersJournal hosts a Trolltech article as well.