The Windows XP Service Pack 1 is now available from the Microsoft servers. This official SP is based on 'build 1106' and it weighs 133 MB. Some users have noticed a snappier interface along with the bug fixes, new drivers and features included. The official announcement is expected on Monday. Update: OSNews reader James, sent us a screenshot with the error message you get when trying to install SP1 on a pirated WindowsXP copy.

Guillaume Maillard of the BlueEyed OS is talking to TotallyBe. He speaks of the differences between their project and OBOS and Cosmoe. He also claims that when programmed for and/or patched the right way, the Linux kernel and XFree can be very fast and perform pretty adequately to BeOS 5 (UI responsiveness - the main advantage of the BeOS experience), while in most of the "other" cases, Linux is much faster than BeOS 5 (eg. server operations, compilation times, SMP scaling, VM etc).

The OpenDarwin cvs has been updated with the latest xnu sources. The Tag for the branch corresponding to OpenDarwin is OD_APPLE_10_2. Information on getting the sources is available here while you can report bugs here.

Two top execs at the high-end computing pioneer explain how the troubled company's turnaround strategy is going. Silicon Graphics (SGI ) was one of Silicon Valley's computing pioneers. It invented much of the visualization and graphics technology used today by the Defense Dept., Hollywood, and the medical industries for manipulating vast amounts of complex data and for working in graphics-rich computer environments.

Sony is dropping some hints about the product's likely lack of shape--it's looking into installing an OS that could run game programs in various home appliances.

A new project by Intel and Philips is using the Linux operating system to boost the market for converged consumer electronics. The Pronto++ reference platform, announced on Tuesday, is based on Intel's XScale line of embedded processors and, initially at least, an embedded Linux distribution.

"Well, I've been reading a little about MicroBSD. So I decided to quickly give it a try. This article talks about installing MicroBSD, what features make it special, troubles and successes I encountered, and the beauty of the BSD license. So I retrieved the MicroBSD 0.5 mini ISO image and burned a CD." Read it at BSDNewsLetter.

Exceptionally good news for the commercial Linux developers. Rational has released PurifyPlus for Linux. For hobby developers, the free Valgrind is better than nothing, but for commercial projects and for projects that require a full featured memory management tool, PurifyPlus has no match. Demo available.

"I want to believe. Those words set up my review of Mac OS X 10.1 almost a year ago. Mac OS X began life as the last, best hope for Apple's decade-spanning quest for a modern operating system. At first, it was enough for it to simply exist as a stable, feasible product strategy. But while developer releases revealed some very interesting technology, they also raised some red flags. The public beta was a warning shot across the bow of an anxious community of early adopters. The initial release reinforced the old Apple saying: "real artists ship." Mac OS X 10.0 had arrived, but there were problems." Read the review at ArsTechnica. Also, 19" iMacs are on the way.

The Blue Bell, Pa., OEM and its key partner will demonstrate the forthcoming 64-bit OS Windows .Net Server 2003, Datacenter Edition and 64-bit SQL Server running on Unisys' 32-way ES7000 SMP server at the Windows conference.

Mention the name "Woz," and most Mac users will know exactly who you're talking about. After all, they've been enjoying the fruits of Steve Wozniak's labors for years. Wozniak spends spends most of his time these days focusing on Wheels of Zeus, a company he helped form to develop wireless consumer electronic products, but he still pays attention to that other company he helped establish with Steve Jobs 26 years ago. "I love OS X from a feeling point of view. But from capability and readiness, I still don't rate it ready for me, I'm sorry to say." Woz says.

Linux on XBox made quite a progress lately, but now, Jeremy Penner of Astra Network has managed to get QNX 6.2 to boot on his Sega Dreamcast. It only took Jeremy a couple days to get it booting 6.2. Read about it at QNXZone.

There's an interesting editorial at Mikhailtech regarding FPS, refresh rates and what the brain really distinguishes. Although he has no scientific background experience he has assembled some interesting facts. You can get more information on how the brain interprets visual data here.

"From the moment Mac OS X was announced, one of its most compelling features for me was its ability to run Mac and Unix software at the same time. It meant I wouldn't have to keep multiple systems around, booting into one or the other as needed. And now, with the release of version 10.2 (aka Jaguar), OS X is a better Unix than ever. Make no mistake: Mac OS X has been a real Unix from the start, albeit one that could actually run desktop apps like Microsoft Office, Photoshop, and BBEdit, and let you play Warcraft III and (soon) Halo. But now, Jaguar's Unix underpinnings have been given a much-needed refresh." Read the editorial at ZDNet.