The beta build 45 of Lycoris was released just a few days ago, and this is a good opportunity to learn more about the product, the company and its plans. So today, we are happy to host a mini-interview with Lycoris' CTO and founder, Joseph Cheek.

Handheld PCs and their computing cousins plan to take the stage in New York City. Microsoft and Fujitsu will be making the case for tablet PCs, while PC makers will spin visions of a wireless paradise. Read the report at C|Net News.com. In the meantime, all major mobile operators in Europe and the US will launch cell phones and other wireless devices in the coming year that use Microsoft software, sources say. Read this story at News.com.

The Linux distributor begins an unusual flat-rate licensing plan which could mean cheaper PCs. But it has also quietly toned down its claims to Windows compatibility. Read the report at ZDNews.

If there was a single application making someone use MacOSX full time, that application would be Watson. This application is possibly the most awarded in the MacOSX world, and it is the best idea for an application that I saw the last few years. Despite the idea being dead simple, and even seem redundant at first, Watson is an excellent, original and handy tool. I would like to initiate an open source project for a multi-platform clone of Watson (Karelia say that they have no plans for any ports - with only a remote possibility for a Windows port). I will start by putting $100 USD on the table while readers are most welcome to co-sponsor the project as well. What we really need though, is willing and capable C++ developers.

Operating systems are all the hype in the PC world and lots of companies want to get a good market share within the wireless space, especially in the new smartphone category. Microsoft is pushing their Smart Phone operating system, Danger has developed a new OS for their Hiptop, Palm is throwing theirs into the playing field and of course there is Symbian. Developers have a lot to choose from.

CEO of Amiga Inc, Bill McEwen today unleashed his monthly executive update upon the Amiga Community. Many things were talked about but by far the most outstanding and obvious was Amiga Incs stride to know how many people will be ordering the AmigaOne/AmigaOS4 bundle.

"Red Hat is warming to the use of the Linux operating system on desktop computers, a difficult market where customers are picky and Microsoft is the leader." Read the article at ZDNews.

Slashdot hosts an interesting Q&A with Caldera's Ransom Love regarding the UnitedLinux issues.

"Could Red Hat become the next Microsoft -- that is, could it become the dominant (not necessarily domineering) operating systems provider? What a ridiculous proposition, you might say. How could a little company that provides Linux open source software hope to topple Microsoft?" The editorial is at ZDNews. In another Red Hat related article, LinuxDevices wondering "What's up with Red Hat's embedded strategy?"

From ActiveWin: "Microsoft UK is offering the loyal subjects of her majesty the opportunity to test drive the latest Beta 3 of Windows .NET Server family by ordering it, for free, over the web." The offer is available to .NET Passport holders.

Windows Powered mobile devices, which include Pocket PC, Pocket PC Phone Edition, Smartphone, and Handheld PC, empower consumers and mobile professionals to communicate with people and access information. This section contains the core documentation, software development kits, and other resources for developing on Pocket PC, Smartphone, and Handheld PC platforms.

The following is the outline for the KDE 3.1 release schedule. KDE 3.1 is the first feature release in the KDE 3.x series. The list of planned features can be found in a separate document. All dates given there are subject to revision.

Today is the scheduled release date for the long-awaited GNOME2 desktop. But instead of a final GNOME2, a second release candidate will be issued. This falls in line with a one-week delay in RC 1, though when its delay was announced it was said that final release would not be delayed. The report is at LinuxAndMain. Our Take: Gnome2 is more than one year old late, while KDE is on track on most of its releases, and it seems to have captivated the userbase, as according to latest stats and polls, KDE has more than 55% of the Linux desktop, as opposed to Gnome's 25% (which continues to decline). UPDATE: Yama from PCLinuxOnline writes: "I have written an article that aims to clear up many misconceptions that many people seem to hold about GNOME. Hopefully it will lead to a greater understanding of The GNOME Project and what it's about."

"OpenGL 2.0 timing: Worth fighting over? 3DLabs thinks so. And is Nvidia's Cg an open standard or a proprietary grab for control of graphics development?" Read the story at ExtremeTech. "Justified pride or proud parent syndrome? Marketing VP Dan Wood tells Dave Salvator how and why Parhelia will move 3D gaming to a whole new level." Read the story at ExtremeTech.