Slashdot reports on Sanos: "Sanos is a minimalistic 32-bit x86 OS kernel for jbox appliances. A jbox is a JavaOS server appliance running on standard PC hardware. This enables you to run Java server applications without the need to install a traditional host operating system like Windows or Linux."

XPde 0.3.5 has been released, which according to the site is a major upgrade to the XPde desktop environment and window manager. We reported on the (Pascal-written) XPde before (shots). On other X11 news, InterfaceWM 0.2.4 was recently released, XFCE 4 is getting closer to release (screenshots and one more), while the XWin.org team had another conference call last week.

Apple is preparing another free update to Mac OS X 10.2, sources said. The company this week provided developers with the first pre-release seed of Mac OS X 10.2.6, labeled build 6L51. According to the seed's release notes. 10.2.6 will improve graphics and OpenGL, as well as OS X's Address Book application. Additionally, the update will provide greater compatibility with PC cards and USB hubs.

Unfortunately, these days people seem to not be able to keep... any 'secret'. Longhorn 4015 has leaked and Neowin has aquired some tailor-made screenshots showing off a few of the new features taking shape in what is becoming known as Milestone 5. Also, Apple-X.net claims to have the first leaked screenshots of of MacOSX Panther 10.3, clearly showing the "piles". UPDATE: Gsurface writes: "A quick look at what's new in the new 4015 build. To my surprise, it was actually an upgrade rather than the full version. Luckily, I still had my Longhorn 4008 installed on my D:\ drive. Continue to read with tons of screenshots here."

Tom Bittman, lead Windows Server analyst at Gartner, told the E-Commerce Times that for some entities whose server requirements are simple, the improvements Microsoft has included in the new release might be overkill. Although Microsoft's new release can provide good ROI, most businesses cannot justify the upgrade without tying it to a routine hardware refresh. Enterprises typically replace their hardware every three to four years.

Microsoft's .NET strategy and framework have done more to raise the industry's awareness of Web services and XML (extensible markup language) than any product or public relations campaign. They also saved Microsoft's keister just as enterprises were beginning to realize the company's previous Web platforms were not going to work as advertised, and the mood was turning sour. Read the article at NewsFactor.

The leading Linux seller is exploring Intel technology that improves the ability of the chipmaker's Itanium processor to run older software written for Xeon or Pentium chips.

Billboard is the latest to report on Apple's digital music service, today posting an article that further describes the service. According to Billboard, the service is an "a la carte" download store that is built into iTunes. No subscription will be required for the service, and tracks will retail for an average of 99 cents. Once purchased, songs are automatically transferred to your iTunes library and synched to an iPod (if available). The content can also be burned to CD. Read more here, here and here.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 is the latest version of the Windows Server platform. Listed here are the articles about Windows Server 2003 that you'll find on Microsoft's Web site, organized by technology. Additionally, Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 Release Candidate is out to betatesters.

Week 7 of the 'Weekly Questions and Answers' sessions with Amiga's Chief Technology Officer Fleecy Moss is now live at AmigaWorld.net. A few days earlier than originally planned.

"The first thing that most new users shifting from Windows will find confusing is navigating the Linux filesystem. The Linux filesystem does things a lot more differently than the Windows filesystem. This article explains the differences and takes you through the layout of the Linux filesystem." This is a pretty old article, but it's still a good read, especially for newbies.

João Paredes is an almost-21-year-old student of Electrotecnical and Computers Engeneering at Oporto's State University for Engeneering (Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto), in Portugal. He is well known and respected in his community, known to be a visonary and a good leader. Also known to be an excelent programmer, as he's been programming computers for 16 years now (yes, since he was 5).

Miguel De Icaza is the creator of the GNOME desktop environment (among other things). Aleksey Dolya interviews Miguel about the process of creating GNOME and what he's up to these days.

Microsoft will announce the first release candidate for its small business edition of Windows Server 2003 in June, officials said at a meeting here with CRN. Microsoft's Small Business Server 2003, which will incorporate Windows Server 2003, Exchange 2003 and Windows SharePoint Services, is going to be promoted heavily for its ease-of-deployment capabilities and enhanced remote user features, officials said at the Windows Server 2003 launch in San Francisco on Thursday.