"Enterprises will see major changes in Microsoft’s competitive strategy as Linux and other open-source software continue to erode Microsoft's traditional sources of income. Don't expect Microsoft's bundling strategies to continue as before, and don't expect it to support Linux before 2006 at least -- if ever." Read the analysis on TechUpdate.

The first stable version of mySQL in the 4.x branch is now available, version 4.0.12.

FreeBSD Release Eng. Team's Murray Stokely announced the availability of FreeBSD 4.8 RC2 for i386 and he says that the alpha build is in progress.

"It has been several months since we began our quest to find the best desktop GNU/Linux distribution of the Fall/Winter 2002 batch. We have considered lots of distributions that attempt to innovated and streamline the Linux experience and now we consider who succeeded to push beyond the rest and win our award." Find out the results here.

The new version of X11 for Mac OS X has been just released, with many fixes for annoying bugs. Update: MacDevCenter has a relevant article: "From Exile to X11: A Journey Through Time".

For the serious techno-geek, Linux Orbit takes a look at installing Debian GNU/Linux on a Netwinder 3100 mini server. Lots of screen shots and configuration files included.

I just came back from the CeBIT, the anual fair in the Messehalle in Hannover Germany. It is one of the biggest computer and communications technology fairs in the world and certainly the biggest in Europe. Here's my mini report (which also includes information about YellowTAB's Zeta).

There's lots of cool stuff over at NewMobileComputing today, as the CeBIT and CITA conferences are resulting in a lot of product and prototype rollouts. Some highlights: Mercedes and BMWs decked out with computers, a new Samsung watch phone close to production, Nextel handsets that speak 802.11, and RIM's licensing deals. We need your help! NMC readers are so far not quite as opinionated as OSNews readers are, so we need some of you to visit and make comments on the articles and forums.

ThinkSecret reports that Apple provided a pre-release seed of Mac OS X v10.2.5 to developers Friday, releasing updates to both the client and server version. Version 10.2.5 contains a variety of fixes, including updates and enhancements to QuickDraw, IPSec, TCP performance, web services, Sound Manager, and Windows 2000 compatibility.

Holger Dyroff of SuSE talks to Roblimo about SuSE, SCO and more.

A 16 page long, illustrated history of Windows, from 1981 untill today, at NeoWin.

"Desktop Linux doesn't seem to keep Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates awake at night. But it should - the same way that Linux on the server gives Microsoft brass nightmares - claims Michael Robertson. Robertson is the CEO of Lindows.com, the company that's selling dirt-cheap Linux PCs in Wal-Marts." Read the interview at MicrosoftWatch.

I am not a seasoned Linux user. I am not command line veteran (unless you count DOS way back in the day). In fact, let's face it, I am a noob (newbie, nooblar, n00b, etc). For awhile I have been looking at the Gentoo distro hungrily. I have wanted to install it, considered installing it, even downloaded the isos, but I always chickened out before doing it. One look at the installation guide and I would always lose my nerve. However, about two weeks ago I finally got myself together and took the plunge. I popped in my Gentoo 1.4_r2 CD and decided to give it a whirl. I thought there was no way I would really ever succeed, but the results were surprising.

"There are dozens of reasons why people have underestimated how quickly Linux has been grabbing Windows' market share. Windows starts out with a false boost and maintains its illusory market share even as it gets replaced by Linux. In 2004, don't be surprised when Linux overtakes Windows to become the main focus for developers." Read the editorial at LinuxWorld.