Ladislav Bodnar writes "Mandrake Linux 9.1, a GNU/Linux distribution in the making, is currently under intensive development. This review is an attempt to compare its first beta to Mandrake Linux 9.0, which I have been using for several months. What are the main improvements? The major difference as I can see between the two releases is that MandrakeSoft has updated practically all the packages in 9.0. In the process they have solved a number of small but annoying bugs that plagued 9.0, while keeping the qualities that users have come to appreciate in their various releases: ease of installation, speed and usability." Read the review at DistroWatch

Jonathan writes "I'm proud to present SkyKruzer, the first WebBrowser for SkyOS. Finally, I reached the first milestone I set for myself more then 2 years ago. It should be possible to develop new applications with an IDE, browse through the internet and listen to some MP3's or play games. I reached this point with the brand new implementation of SkyKruzer (the default WebBrowser for SkyOS)." More can be read at skyos.org.

Jasper Huijsmans has been working on a possible replacement for xfbd and xfdeskmenu, both parts of the XFCE desktop environment. Screenshot here. In the meantime, the Enlightenment project posted an update a few days ago. And here are some shots of the Evolution email client running on GTK+ 2.x.

Rick Caudill uploaded two screenshots (one, two) and he is seeking feedback on the new Syllable UI that is presented in them. Here is a glimpse of the older UI.

Read the latest in earnings reports and financial news from some Sun and other technology's leading players. This page over at News.com is updated as new reports are filed. Keep checking back for the latest. In other financial news, Microsoft sets its first-ever annual stock dividend and says it will split its stock as earnings surpass expectations.

Mojavelinux writes: 'Like most linux advocates, I too have that "interested" friend who wants to finally ditch windows (windows xp) and take the Linux "plunge" (as seen by that individual). After debating with myself over which installation to start him out with, I decided to go with RedHat 8.0 simply because it has been classified as one of the most "newbie" oriented distros thanks to the "integrated" look and the superb documentation, and because it has a free download. Was my choice the right one and how did he react to it? Read on to learn exactly how a person who has never seen linux reacts when a long time user attempts to show that person "the ropes."'

DesktopLinux.com, the driving force behind the upcoming Desktop Linux Summit, scheduled for February, is withdrawing its support, after changes Lindows.com did without asking the Advisory Board which was formed a few months ago.

"I'm a switcher. My main personal computer system is now an Apple Macintosh. It began innocently enough. Over a period of several months after Apple's new OS X Jaguar operating system was released last year, I tested a variety of iBooks, iMacs and G4s. I was playing with fire." Read the confession of a Detroit Free Press columnist who switches to the Mac.

eCS 1.1-RC1 was released as an ISO to all who have pre-ordered version 1.1 of OS/2 eComStation. The company behind eCS, Serenity Systems, are now focusing on pushing it to GA status.

"Linux's dreams for the desktop died today with Mandrake's bankruptcy filling. Yes, it was a worthy cause, and we fought hard, but now it is time to admit it -- it is over. No more. Finished. Done. Kaput. GNU/Linux's true place is on the server, and its time for everyone to recognize that. Is everyone with me? Yeah, right. Just to be clear, I don't agree with a single word I just said..." Read the full commentary at OfB.

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered Microsoft to begin shipping Sun Microsystems' Java with the Windows operating system within 120 days, after the companies fought over implementing a ruling he made last month.

Microsoft "Media2Go" is a platform for portable media players that will begin shipping from OEMs such as Viewsonic in late 2003. The Media2Go software platform is based on the next version of Windows CE .NET, code-named Macallan. Read the story at WinSuperSite.

"I love my Mac and I love my PC, but what I don't love is having two monitors, two keyboards, and two mouses. Switching back and forth has become a royal pain. And since Jobs and Gates probably won't be releasing a Mac/PC combo box any time soon, I decided to take matters into my own hands." Read the story at TechTV.

I was reading this morning an editorial at BusinessWeek regarding Apple being "too cool" but not delivering new PowerMacs. I have heard that the G4 CPUs are already close to their limit regarding the speeds they can deliver. In the past I wrote an editorial regarding Apple creating "Macs based on x86/Opteron" but seeing Apple staying faithful to the Motorola CPUs, could the development of multi-CPU Macs could be a (temporary) answer to the G4 speed limit (especially when the G5 is nowhere to be seen)?