The popular X11 desktop environment XFCE, which originally created to offer a free CDE-like DE for Unix/Linux, is closer on releasing the next big version, 4.0. XFce 4 has a radically different architecture from XFce 3. It embodies the traditional UNIX philosophy of modularity and re-usability. All of XFce 4's core components have been written from scratch in order to fit into the new architecture. Another priority of XFce 4 is adhereance to standards, specifically those defined at freedesktop.org (new screenshots, the first one in that list is the newest and most relevant one, showing the components of the DE). You can visit the CVS, or you can download a daily CVS snapshot and compile it. XFce 4 is under active development and should be considered alpha quality.

The first beta version of Vector Linux SOHO 3.0 is now available for download. Some quick features: vlautosetup tool has been integrated to the install routine so all hardware can be configured, namely the mouse, the network card, XFree86 4.2.1, cdroms, and sound are automatically setup and ready to be used upon first boot. KDE 3.1, IceWM, and XFCE are the available window managers/Desktops and OpenOffice.org 1.0.2 Koffice 1.2.1 are included. Screenshots here.

Apple's Chief Financial Officer Fred Anderson said the company's aim is to expand its share of the computer market. Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Technology Symposium, Anderson said a "good intermediate" goal would be to reach 5% marketshare from 3% today (some statistic companies actually put Apple between 2,2% and 2,6%).

Counting viruses is simplistic, but there is evidence that Windows is becoming more resistent, and Linux is becoming more of a target. The report also points out that Apple is becoming vulnerable, "now that it is fielding an operating system with embedded Internet protocols and Unix utilities.". Read the article at ZDNet UK by John McCormick.

"Linux, Windows, Mac. All have their place, and before long that place will be in history books. The seeds of a new style of computing device have been sown, and as they grow they will inevitably lead to a world where the computer operating system as we know it today is as dead as the planetary transmission that drove the Model T Ford." Read the editorial at NewsForge, by Roblimo.

Microsoft, hoping to drive greater adoption of its Windows XP operating system, will unveil a new central Web site with revamped tools to help IT administrators make the switch.

SkyOS 3.9.6a has been released. This version includes new drivers, faster ATA/ATAPI drivers, a new OpenGL implementation, a new TCP/IP stack and many other new features and bug fixes. You can download the new version from the SkyOS website.

QNX released the much anticipated 6.2.1 version of their QNX Momentics Development Suite (Standard and Professional Editions) at Embedded World in Nuernberg. The non-commercial (NC) version is expected to be released by month end. Press release here.

"Since Java is no longer the "next big thing," and hype-heavy headlines about it have largely disappeared from tech and mainstream publications, one might harbor the impression that the language and platform are falling by the wayside. In fact, Java has finally achieved one of the highest honors the tech industry can bestow: It is taken for granted as part of the infrastructure on which many companies depend." Read the article at Yahoo!News by Joe "Zonker" Brockmeier.

The MacOSX 10.2.4 Server Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for the following applications, services and technologies: AFP, SMB and NFS file services, DHCP, NetBoot, Open Directory, QuickTime Streaming Server, Sendmail and Workgroup Manager.

"When someone mentions "Microsoft Windows", most experienced computer users have an idea of what the operating system does. Whether it's Windows 95/98, ME, 2000 or XP, Microsoft has managed to maintain an identity for their OS that has translated into a monopoly-sized chunk of the desktop business and home market. Maintaining the look and feel of their desktop OS over several revisions and upgrades, Microsoft has established a standard for most desktop computer users." Read the editorial at LinuxOrbit.

The days of defending Linux momentum in the enterprise may rapidly be coming to a close. Red Hat executive Mark de Visser gets to the heart of the matter with SearchEnterpriseLinux.com, pointing out that moving from a proprietary Unix system to Linux on Intel results in "10x price-performance improvements" in many cases. De Visser covers more in this question-and-answer interview, specifically the inhibitors to Linux adoption in the enterprise, Red Hat's focus on certain vertical markets, customer demands and the maturation of the open-source platform.

Rational's open, industry-standard tools for developers can improve the speed, quality, and predictability of application development on J2EE, .NET, Linux, and other platforms. Rational Software is a founding member of Eclipse and has taken a leadership role in the growth of Eclipse as the Open Source standard. Take a look at the new resource center for Rational software, and what they are creating for the Open Source community.

Intel's recent announcement that it will start shipping motherboards with built-in 802.11b sparked an interesting question in a ZD Net article: is this a sign that Intel has realized that most people don't need faster processors? If demand for 3 and 4 GHz processors is going to be mild, then the logical step for Intel is to move into other areas, like building more stuff onto the motherboard.