The Inquirer reports that SuSE is ready to release its full X86-64 version of Linux, version 8.2, quite a time before the official launch, for the AMD Opteron architecture. Additionally, MandrakeSoft released their Mandrake Linux 9.0 version for Opteron recently. However, Microsoft has yet to set a date for Opteron 64-bit support, while it will roll out specifically for Itanium two high-end versions of its Windows Server 2003 operating system, its first major server OS update in three years.

"As Microsoft and Sun Microsystems prep new Web services development platforms for debut this spring, Linux developers can expect the Mono Project to be completed not long after--by early fall. At Web Services Edge East here, Ximian CTO and Mono Project leader Miguel de Icaza told attendees that the version 1.0 server-side components of the software will be delivered in September." Read the report at InternetWeek.

In Las Vegas for Microsoft Management Summit 2003, Microsoft Senior Vice President Brian Valentine revealed that plans for the next two Windows releases--code-named Longhorn and Blackcomb--are very much in flux. Microsoft officials also say they are again considering shipping a server version of the Longhorn operating system after announcing late last year that it would be released for the desktop only. Read the reports at WinInformant and NWFusion.

The OpenQNX website reports that the QNX 6.2.1 Non-Commercial is released quietly.

Kde 3.1.1 has been released today. Here is the announcement and the Changelog.

Tux Reports has posted a series of screenshots from Mandrake Linux 9.1 final release.

From Slashdot: "Keith Packard wants to fork the XFree86 effort. The XFree86 team is trying to become more open, to combat the fork. Keith is a capable developer, having worked on FontConfig, Xft, the X render extension etc. Meanwhile, All is not good in how XFree86 drivers are being developed."

Qt is a a cross platform graphical user interface toolkit. Kuro5hin features an introductory article to Qt. On other toolkit news, GNUstep-base 1.6 was recently released.

This week marks the tenth anniversary of the beginning of development of the NetBSD Operating System. Erik Reid has been working on getting DRI support for NetBSD to work. Under NetBSD/i386 1.6P, a Matrox G450 has been reported to work, Radeon and Riva128 should be functional as well.

Macminute reports: Terra Soft Solutions today announced Yellow Dog Linux 3.0, a new version of its Red Hat and RPM-based operating system for PowerPC computers. Version 3.0 offers a completely rebuilt Installer, 1300 packages on 6 CDs (3 Install, 3 Source), a unified KDE and GNOME desktop environment featuring shared menus, applications, and user interface.

Five years after its debut, the original iMac, which many credit for restoring Apple Computer to fiscal health and profitability, is being pulled from the shelves. Also, following in the footsteps of larger competitors that sell Intel-based products, Apple Computer has begun offering a version of its server that can be linked in groups, or clusters, capable of tackling mammoth computing tasks.

"Webcams, tracking devices, and interlinked databases are leading to the elimination of unmonitored public space. Are we prepared for the consequences of the intelligence-gathering network we’re unintentionally building?" Read the interesting article at MIT Technology Review.

"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.