CRUX Linux (simply CRUX for now on) is a source-based Linux distribution created by Per Liden, targeting advanced and intermediate users. As reported on CRUX Website, the main philosophy behind the distribution is to "keep it simple". Update: Screenshots added.

The entire GUI of SkyOS has been redesigned and re-implemented (although the result is not yet close to the much more refined mockup). To read more about some background information on SkyOS 5.0/SkyGI and take a look at new screenshots showing the new boot process and the new themeing concept, you may visit the SkyOS 5.0 preview preview page. Additionally, a new SDK is available.

This article shows how to develop a plug-in that embeds the HSQLDB pure-Java relational database server into the Eclipse Workbench. Although not as powerful as DB2 and not as popular as MySQL, HSQLDB can satisfy the needs of a wide range of Java applications, because of its extensibility and low memory/processor requirements. NewsForge also has an article about Eclipse.

From where he sits, John Sculley (ex-Apple CEO) enjoys a panoramic view of the IT landscape. Read his interview at C|Net News.com.

Ladislav Bodnar examines the package management tools in five major binary Linux distributions (Debian, Mandrake, Red Hat, Slackware, SuSE) and provide examples of 1) installing a package not officially supplied by the distribution itself and 2) upgrading the entire distribution to a newer version.

"Sun Microsystems crossed the line from "troubled" to "doomed" yesterday. This is sad news for the open-source community, and we need to think about how we're going to deal with it. The most pressing questions are, "What becomes of Java?" and, "What becomes of OpenOffice.org?" These are questions that matter." Read the editorial at NewsForge by Eric S. Raymond.

The world's largest embedded software company, today launched its first official support for embedded Linux. For its initial foray into the embedded Linux market, Wind River has decided to target its $4,000 visionProbe II hardware bring-up tool at embedded Linux system-level software development. Company officials say they plan a step-by-step approach toward embedded Linux, suggesting more Linux-related announcements lie ahead for the embedded software giant.

OSNews was the first news magazine to break the story on Gnome's Seth Nickell effort to replace the Init system. Soon, it became confusing to many readers as to if Seth is planning to completely replace the Init system or simply "bridge" it. We had a chat with Seth and discussed about his plans on the project (which is a personal project so far) and for Storage, an exciting project which aims to replace the traditional filesystem with a new database-based document store.

Conceding that its strategy of patching Windows holes as they emerge has not worked, Microsoft plans next week to outline a new security effort focused on what the company calls "securing the perimeter," a company executive told CNET News.com.

Steve Ballmer is aiming at emerging markets like China, India and Brazil to keep Microsoft on the high-growth track. He also plans on inspiring existing PCs owners to buy another one.

Do you have a favorite OS or distribution with an upcoming release? We'd like you to do a review and publish it on OSNews. We can usually contact the company and get you an official copy of the release to use for your review (usually ahead of its official release, and mostly true for Linux distros). Aren't comfortable with your writing skills? As long as you're comfortable doing the review, an OSNews editor can assist you in making your observations readable. If you're interested, read more.

Amiga.org has done an extensive interview with ex-Commodore Amiga system designer Dave Haynie, who designed many critical parts of the classic Amiga 2000, 3000 and 4000 desktop computers. Also Amiga Inc has released a new CAM article written by Oliver Roberts regarding AmigaOS4 datatypes.

Silicon Graphics Inc says that it has received notice from SCO Group Inc that the Unix vendor intends to terminate its Unix System V license on the basis that SGI has breached the terms of the license. UPDATE: SGI's letter to the Open Source Community.

OpenOffice.org 1.1 is released and it brings a lot of new features.