Microsoft has killed off Windows NT 4, but it should now release its source code to the open-source community in order to fight off the challenge from Linux, Munir Kotadia claims. My Take: Sorry, but the suggestion doesn't hold business-wise. Read more for my short commentary on the subject.

"Few languages have been as popular over the years as BASIC. Until about a decade ago, almost every programmer cut his teeth learning BASIC. Indeed, the name itself came from Beginner's All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. If you've had BASIC training, can you find a familiar flavor that runs under Linux? Because it is not enough to find a good BASIC language implementation for Linux; one must find a BASIC language variant that approximates the style of BASIC to which you are accustomed." Read the article at DevChannel by Russell Pavlicek.

Good Debian desktop survival guide that covers all the major applications a user would need.

Rocklyte Systems announced the latest version of its free multi-platform operating system environment, Athene 3.1. Available for Linux and Windows, Athene supports the rare ability of being able to function on competing operating systems, while also maintaining its own independent OS infrastructure (the Athenyx 2003 CDROM series). The 3.1 release of Athene continues to make significant strides in the advancement of its desktop interface.

Although Linus Torvalds didn't meet a goal to release the upcoming 2.6 version of the Linux kernel in June, the Linux leader said a test version could come as soon as next week. A day after Linux founder Linus Torvalds joined the Open-Source Development Lab, the group has hired another top programmer, Andrew Morton, the developer who will assume responsibility for the upcoming 2.6 version of Linux.

Apple readies Panther Server, a forthcoming update to Mac OS X Server. Version 10.3 will feature improved management capabilities and support for Windows networks, add a variety of services including a new edition of the QuickTime Streaming Server. Read the rest at ExtremeTech.

To address patch management issues, Microsoft is creating a new, centralized patch management architecture that it will use for all of its products. Then, it will build new versions of WU, MBSA, SUS, and the SUS Feature Pack for SMS that work off of this infrastructure. The company plans to provide these tools to customers in early 2004.

"Apple's future doesn't ride on the speed of its Macs. In fact, Apple's future doesn't ride with Macs at all anymore. No, I haven't been off in the desert downing peyote. What I saw from my sideline perch is that the Mac's day has come and gone." Read the interesting editorial at BusinessWeek. Elsewhere, Maccentral has a round-up article: "Developers, Analysts weigh in on the G5, Panther".

No matter if you choose a wired or wireless network, planning and flexibility are the keys in getting a sucessful installtion that you will be happy with. Read the tutorial at TomsHardware.

Motherboard audio has sounded awful for a long time. But over the last few years, it has improved steadily. It's still not ready to replace the best PCI sound cards, but based on ExtremeTech's extensive testing, it might just work for you.

X-bit labs published a story regarding ATI being profitable and managing to raise its gross-margins and revenues substantially. The Radeon 9600 sold so well that the company can't even fulfil the demand.

François Bancilhon, MandrakeSoft CEO, would like to update its customers on their current situation and his beliefs for the future. UPDATE: HP to sell PCs with Mandrake 9.1.

I was quite distressed when I read the article in the July 2003 Consumer Reports about the Wal-Mart $300 Computer. I've been a big fan of Consumer Reports for years. But this time I didn't feel that they really did a fair comparison of the Wal-Mart Linux PC's. So I decided to do one of my own.

This is the first installment of Think Secret's "Inside Panther" series, covering Mac OS X Version 10.3. Check back to their site frequently for additional Panther coverage. Today, they begin by taking a look at updates to the Finder and System.