We have all heard the horror stories of how GNU/Linux is difficult, if not almost impossible, as far as general desktop usability is concerned. In particular, there seems to be a continuous stream of gripes printed across the Internet, from Microsoft Windows users who wish, or have tried, to migrate to GNU/Linux, yet gave up in frustration. But what happens when complete computer newbies are introduced to GNU/Linux? By computer newbies, I am referring to those who have no computer experience whatsoever, in either a Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix or other environment.

A few weeks ago Apple said that they will unveil their "multimedia strategy" in the NAB conference. Indeed, new press releases describe Shake 3, DVD Studio Pro 2, Final Cut Pro 4 and there is also the recent Logic 6. This strong line up seems to aim on bringing Mac OS X closer to the same position SGI with IRIX were a few years ago: the high-end creative/media market. Additionally, Alias|Wavefront today announced Maya 5, the latest version of its Oscar award-winning 3D software. Update: New, 900 Mhz G3 iBooks soon!

This is my reaction to Tsu Dho Nimh's "Migrating to Linux not easy for Windows users" featured on Linuxworld.com recently. It's not a response, I'm not challenging his opinions, which I feel are not only valid, but mostly right, it's just a reaction.

In this column, Pierre Igot would like to review some of these benefits, in order to get a better idea of how much things have improved in the area of Mac OS stability ? but also of what 'still remains to be improved in the never-ending quest for the perfect computing experience for inexperienced and advanced users alike'. On another Apple-related story, Steve Jobs' appearance at an Intel internal sales conference reignites rumors of collaboration between the two companies.

"I assumed I could boot the well-known Linux distributions from a CD-ROM drive, make some on-screen selections, let the distribution know what hardware to use, twiddle my thumbs for a while as it loaded software and configured itself, and then have a working system. Was I ever wrong." Read the long and interesting article at LinuxWorld.

Joe Brockmeier looks at EJB Solutions' Out-of-the-Box 1.0, a collection of open source Java software. Out-of-the-Box has everything you need to develop Java applications using open source tools on Linux or Windows?if you don't mind a few rough edges.

The sixth part of the interesting series of articles that discusses IRIX binary compatibility under NetBSD, is published at OnLamp.

Forget the $1 per year Steve Jobs got during his first year of return at Apple. According to Forbes, Steve Jobs is today the most well paid CEO in US with $116+ million for the previous year.

"The plethora of Free Software applications available today, none working perfectly, is a problem which stands in the way of major adoption of Linux on the desktop. In order to conquer the desktop, we have to stand united." Read the controversial editorial at Freshmeat, by Marius Andreiana.

The pending launch of Windows Server 2003 will be a milestone not only for Microsoft, but for the other half of Wintel, too. It's been eight years since Intel got into the server market and two years since it shipped a 64-bit processor, the Itanium. On April 24, a 64-bit version of Windows that takes advantage of Intel's 64-bit design will become generally available.

FreeBSD's Murray Stokely announces the availability of FreeBSD 4.8, the latest FreeBSD-stable release, which has dealt with known security issues, and added initial support for Firewire, HyperThreading, and other new hardware technologies.

"Long-awaited OS a strong performer with good scalability" InfoWorld states in their 3-page review.

Nicolas writes: "This is an article I wrote with Fabien Vallon about GNUstep, published previously in Linux-mag in France, along with an interview of three core developpers of the GNUstep's project."

SuSE Linux AG now plans to ship its SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop operating system in June, a delay from original plans to ship it during the just-ended first quarter of 2003. SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop, which is in beta testing phase now, will cost $129 per desktop, although discounts would apply to high-volume purchases, InfoWorld reports. OSNews recently posted a review of SuSE's other latest product, SuSE Linux 8.2.