GNOME 2.0 was released less than two days ago and while I was using its betas on and off, for some time now, I was anticipating this final release with impatience. The project was supposed to see this release almost a year ago, but GTK+ 2.0 was not ready in time, dragging Gnome's development down as well. But now it is here, so let's see what this new release brings to the Unix desktop.

Six Degrees is a remarkable new piece of software for Mac OS X and Windows. This article describes my experiences with the application and discusses some of its implications for the future of all software.

"Linux seller Caldera International has replaced longtime Chief Executive Ransom Love and agreed to buy back shares held by two major investors." Read the report at News.com.

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ExtremeTech features a series of articles regarding Microsoft's new security chip, codenamed Palladium. It seems that Intel, AMD and even National are part of this plan, while it is not clear if alternative operating systems will be given specs for this technology. Even if these OSes will choose to not use the chip, Microsoft is quite likely to advertise the "feature" as a Good Thing (TM) for the users (which may or may not be true), making the other OSes to sound unsecure.

"Since the dawn of the PC era, various companies have undertaken various initiatives to move computing away from keyboard and mouse-based input and towards the more natural interfaces of pen and voice. And while voice computing has seen some limited success, pen computing is set to explode with the introduction of Microsoft's Tablet PC platform, driven by a new Windows XP version logically named Windows XP Tablet PC Edition." The review and screenshots can be found on WindowsSuperSite. In related news, Microsoft today announced that "Mira," the code name for new software technologies that will power a wide range of smart displays, will officially be named Microsoft Windows CE for Smart Displays.

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.