BeOS MaxEdition 3-beta1 is released (260 MB). This distribution of BeOS, based on BeOS 5 PE, has support for more hardware than the normal BeOS 5.0.3, including support for P4s and new AthlonXPs. Burning the booting image is a bit more involved than usual, as it is not a plain ISO image, so please read the readme file before burning the file. Elsewhere, there is a new donation project to help get OpenOffice ported over to the BeOS.

"Judging from the holy war being waged by proponents of Linux PCs, it's clear that Linux is becoming the OS/2 of its time." Read the article at Forbes. The article weighs the (mostly negative) reasons why a LinuxPC might not be what some people won't need.

Genesi has a promotion on Pegasos slashing prices down to 300 euro. A fair price to run MorphOS.

In light of our world's first preview of YellowTAB's Zeta OS many readers have completely misunderstood a few of the key points presented in the article. Instead of weigh the advantages and disadvantages of Zeta, they only kept in their minds the (so far) negative points. Zeta is still in beta and there is quite some work to be done to clean up before release. I compiled for you two sets of Top-10 reasons why all ex-BeOS users and all other OS enthusiasts should take a good look at Zeta and another set of 10 reasons of why Zeta might not be what you are looking for.

Here is a must-read article in the SCO-Linux-IBM situation. SCO says that Linux uses inappropriate code on IBM's JFS, NUMA, RCU and SMP. Additionally, they are looking into firing against FreeBSD (related info here) while they might even hold Microsoft responsible for some things: "Microsoft merely licensed an applications interface layer." So it is SCO against everyone. Huh, wait. Except Sun: "Sun is clean" SCO's CTO says. SCO also explains the GPL "deal". Update: How appropriate: Looking to capitalize on IBM legal dispute, Sun is readying a new AIX-to-Solaris migration program. Update2: SCO suit now seeks $3 billion from IBM.

"There have been so many glowing stories on the use of Linux that one might come away with the impression that Linux is an elixir that solves myriad business problems, and that it is always cheaper than alternatives. But like a lot of technologies before it, Linux has, to some degree, been overhyped." Read the story at Forbes.

Ximian Desktop 2 came out of few days ago and I gave it a go. This is not a usability experts review, and probably more of a first impressions thing than a review. I consider myself an intermediate user, (probably advanced intermediate). I installed Ximian Desktop on the following computer:

A few years ago, Caldera Systems was bobbing along as one of the last software companies to claim a piece of the Linux land rush, scoring a successful IPO that raised $70 million. McBride spoke with CNET News.com about the origins of the IBM dispute, the side effects and what comes next.
UPDATE: It's official: SCO announces immediate termination of IBM's right to use and distribute AIX and files for permanent injunction. UPDATE 2: IBM says SCO has no right to revoke AIX license.

Today we host an interview with Kristian "Vanders" Van Der Vliet, project leader of the open source OS Syllable. Syllable was born from the ashes of AtheOS just about a year ago and today has evolved to version 0.4.4, released just a few days ago. Read more for the interview and 5 screenshots of the latest version of the promising OS.

This article shows you how Linux is used to emulate a wide variety of operating systems. More than mere academic exercises, these "hosted OSes" are practical investments for many server rooms. One of the best things to do with a Linux box is to run programs for other operating systems on it. It can simplify your life considerably. On other Linux news, the SourceMage 0.6 distribution is released.

"We all know what its like to imerse one's self in the age old computer market-share debate. The problem is that when most people use the word "market-share", what they really mean is "installed-base." Because consumers choose a platform based on its popularity, misconceptions about market-share only confuse the issue even further." Read the editorial at OSCast.

"These innovators sail against the prevailing winds, discovering whole new worlds in biotech and software" Fortune says regarding QNX Software Systems. You can try out QNX Momentics 6.2.1 on your PC today (~260 MB ISO image, requires a primary partition), the desktop edition (developer platform) of their embedded QNX RTOS. Here is our preview article of v6.2.0 with screenshots.

Another major hardware maker is likely to be added to SCO's legal battle against IBM and others over what it claims is illegally appropriated source code in Linux. In the meantime, Novell backs off copyright claims against SCO.

Not one, but three LindowsOS-based PCs (in the value range of $199 USD) were reviewed online by WashingtonPost. A TigerDirect PC, the traditional WalMart/MicrotelPC and one from Nova Computech.