Pictures from LinuxWorld 2002
A few days ago, we published our special report from LinuxWorld. Now, it is time to check out some of the pictures we took from the expo!
SharpDevelop 0.89 Released
So, you downloaded the free .NET SDK and compiler but you don't have a good and free IDE for your C# programming? The open source SharpDevelop 0.89 was just released and is available for download: "This release completes a major restructuring of the infrastructure and source code tree. Projects support backend bindings that are not targeting compilers, the object browser has much more functionality than before, folding was re-integrated and a new XML formatting strategy added (for details, see the Changes section). Our feature preview this time: a Windows Forms Designer. Take a look at the tech note and source code - if you have time to spare, help us make it a great open source implementation of a forms designer!"
Power PC Assembly Primer
Here is an overview of assembly language from a PowerPC perspective that contrasts examples for three architectures: ia32, ppc, and ppc64. This article assumes a basic understanding of computer design and of operating systems (system calls, exceptions, process stacks). It contains information that will be useful to PowerPC programmers unfamiliar with assembly as well as programmers who already know IA32 assembly and want to broaden their knowledge.
Reviews of MacOSX 10.2 Jaguar
The MacOSX beta was a preview for hardcore fanatics. OSX 10.0 was not for the faint of heart. And OSX 10.1 was the first version of Apple's new OS that was ready for everyday use. So what should we make of OSX 10.2 -- also known as Jaguar -- now that it has arrived? Read a review at MacWorld, and another one at RagingApathy. Expect the OSNews review for MacOSX 10.2 Jaguar on the 26th of this month.
DirectX 9.0 API Specification Document
From NeoWin: "We have released the latest version of the DirectX D3D API to compliment the Beta 2 documentation. We recommend you review both the SDK documentation and this specification to assist development using Beta 2 DirectX D3D. The document includes: D3D-9 specs, D3D-9 shader specs, API changes explained, miscellaneous changes explained, sample code."
Mastering Linux Debugging Techniques
The article explains Linux debugging tools and techniques in various scenarios. It reviews debugging problems, including segmentation faults, memory overruns and leaks, and hangs. This article also appears in the August 2002 issue of the IBM developerWorks journal.
XBOX Linux 0.1 Released
"Today the Xbox Linux project announced that it had succeeded in fully booting Linux on the Microsoft Xbox Gaming System. The free operating system Linux is able to be booted either from flash memory, or (more easily) from a CD inserted into the machine. (The Xbox still needs to have a modchip fitted to allow it to run unsigned code; however these are widely available and start from $30)." Read the press release, see the screenshots and download it.
MacOSX Port of gobeProductive a Strong Possibility
The exclusive news we broke last Monday, regarding gobeProductive going GPL in the very near future, have been going around the biggest sites on the web. We hear that the C++ source code of GP3 is of exceptional quality, and its creators are hoping into a broad participation of developers after its release. Because of its very clean codebase, GP3 is many times smaller and easier to handle, programming-wise, compared to, let's say, OpenOffice.org. We asked Bruce Hammond, now CEO of FreeRadicalSoftware, regarding the general portability of the software and the possibility of an OSX port. Bruce replied: "A port to OS-X is possible and very likely in the near future (8 month timeframe). We are starting a project to clean up the cross-platform engine and make moving GP to new platforms simpler."
News Soup From Around the Web
So, ReactOS 0.20 was released very recently, the guys seem to make strides. NewOS had a new version too. Syllable is set for a new release, 0.4.1, in two weeks time, with lots of changes on the desktop part of the OS. Kurt Skauen, the AtheOS creator, is now presumed alive, he was just flying around! The MenuetOS web site has lots of new screenshots, they now have implemented skinning. SkyOS now has a sound API, based on OSS. FreeType 2.1.2 was released, and it is presumably much faster than before. A new IDE for Linux, named Anjuta, seems very interesting too, while mySQL, Lua and GnuCash had new versions too. On the downsides, we had Maarten Hekkelman quitting the Pepper business, while the guy who released ReBorn 1.0 just a week ago - a ReBirth clone, we were the first to report on it -, was instructed from Propellerhead Software to remove ReBorn from his site. Sad.
Athene 2.0 Released
Athene 2.0 has been released today for the Windows platform. New features include audio and music support, faster graphics, more effects and higher stability. The Linux version is also updated, but released as v1.4 (same features but no audio support). Download here.
Microsoft: SSL Flaw is in Operating System, not in Web Browser
"Microsoft Corp. said yesterday that the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) flaw recently uncovered by an independent researcher is in multiple versions of the Windows operating system, not its Internet Explorer Web browser. Company officials added that the flaw isn't in Microsoft's CryptoAPI application program interface (CAPI) either, which would have left a number of applications and Windows services vulnerable, not just Internet Explorer." Read the report at ComputerWorld.
Interview with Bill Kendrick of NewBreedSoftware
A few days back we hosted an interview with one of the two big names of the hobby Linux gaming houses. Today, it is time to interview the other big name, Bill Kendrick of NewBreedSoftware.
New Sidekick Wireless Computer Is A Breakthrough
Danger has released pricing information on the new SideKick device (previously codenamed HipTop) for the consumer market, as reported and reviewed by the Hartford Courant. This consumer grade wireless phone/PDA/internet connected device will list for $199. Mossberg did a review, ZDNet has one too. On other PDA news, Palm is looking to fund a company split. The handheld maker is in talks to raise money as it seeks to separate its operating system unit (PalmSource) from the part of the company that builds and sells handheld computers. PalmSource CEO David Nagel talks about competition with Microsoft in the handheld market and his company's planned split with Palm.
Mandrake 9.0 Beta 3 Released
DistroWatch reports that the Mandrake beta announcements seem to come on Mondays only, but the beta 3 ISO images are already up for grabs: MandrakeLinux-9.0beta3-CD1.i586.iso (702MB), MandrakeLinux-9.0beta3-CD2.i586.iso (699MB) and MandrakeLinux-9.0beta3-CD3.i586.iso (412MB). Update: Announcement has arrived in our mailboxes and it is also live on the Mandrake site.
FreeBSD/i386 4.6.2-RELEASE Available
New Dual Macs Slower than Their Predecessors
BareFeats has a benchmark, testing the SDRAM-based dual G4 at 1Ghz with the new DDR PC2100 ones. The new PowerMacs are the same or slower than their previous models, the test reveals. The Mac community got a bit dissapointed (judging from the forums). The author says that the slowdown is because the two processors share a 1GB/s pipe to Apple's custom AGP/Memory controller. While the shared bandwidth is a factor, it is not the reason that makes the new Macs slower. Having a better look at the specs, show that the author have forgot a very important detail:
GNOME 2.0.1 Desktop and Developer Platform Released
The GNOME 2.0.x Desktop and Developer Platform releases are devoted to bugfixes, translations, user interface consistency, and general polish of our major 2.0 release. In GNOME 2.0.1, you'll see the results of our user interface review and continued performance and stability fixes.
GCC 3.2 Released
This GCC release is based on the GCC 3.1 sourcebase, and thus has all the changes in the GCC 3.1 series. In addition, GCC 3.2 has a number of C++ ABI fixes which make its C++ compiler generate binary code which is incompatible with the C++ compilers found in earlier GCC releases, including GCC 3.1 and GCC 3.1.1.
Follow-up on Removed Microsoft Web Fonts
Mark Hachman at Extreme Tech saw our report on Microsoft removing the commonly-used free web fonts from its download site and called Microsoft for comment. Microsoft denies that the move was aimed at any particular Free Software users, despite the fact that it happened on Linux World's opening day. They claim that the free fonts were being "abused." Poor, poor fonts. They just couldn't protect themselves. See more at Extreme Tech