About one year ago, I sold my iBook G4 in order to buy the then upcoming MacBook. Due to an unexpected change of plans (I moved to a new house), that MacBook never reached my desk; I still really missed having a Mac around. Now, almost a year later, I am again back on Mac. So, what did I buy? A sleek black MacBook? An all-powerful Intel PowerMac quad-core? No. David, OSNews' owner, sent me his G4 Cube.

Fedora 7 Test 3 has been released featuring both GNOME and KDE based live CDs, a prime spin which combines desktop, workstation and server functionality. The merge of Fedora Core and Fedora Extras repositories and infrastructure is in progress. The major components included in this release are GNOME 2.18, KDE 3.5.6 and a 2.6.21rc5 based Linux kernel.

Dell has confirmed plans to offer Linux pre-installed on systems beyond their existing servers and Precision workstation line. Dell will provide an update in the coming weeks that includes detailed information on which systems they will offer, their testing and certification efforts, and the Linux distribution(s) that will be available.

Linus Torvalds, leader of the Linux kernel project and a major figure in the open-source programming movement, said Wednesday he's 'pretty pleased' with changes in a third draft of the GPLv3 released Wednesday. The Linux kernel and many higher-level software packages are governed by the current GPL 2, and Torvalds has expressed strong displeasure with earlier version 3 drafts. After a preliminary analysis of GPL 3, however, some of those concerns are gone or moderated, he said.

Dragonfly BSD 1.8.1 has been released. "Security updates for BIND, File, libmagic, and TCPDUMP; X.Org added to various paths, including periodic directories for cron and manual paths; the dynamic loader now properly searches objects, solving problems with a number of pkgsrc applications; the fwe network interface is now properly dependant on Firewire; a bug in Vinum was fixed; update the EST module (CPU voltage/frequency reporting); the virtual kernel now properly handles spurious SIGTRAPs; MFC a bug fix for SMBFS which fixes a kernel panic."

The FSF has released the third draft of the revised third version of the GNU General Public License. Some of the changes in the new draft, such as the increased clarification and legal language, or the housekeeping changes that reflect new aspects of the license are likely to be accepted. However, the license also includes a new approach to the controversial issue of lock-down technologies as well as more explicit language about patents, including language designed to prevent a re-occurrence of agreements such as the one that Novell entered into with Microsoft - all of which is apt to kindle heated debate as the revision process enters its final stages after fifteen months of intensive work.

Nokia released a new update for their Linux-based N800 internet tablet, v3.2007.10-7 which includes improvements and fixes in video and Flash performance and quality, Bluetooth connection, browser stability, activating touch screen and keys lock, new camera app, rdesktop and more. Nokia also wrote an good-looking front-end to Real's Rhapsody service that includes a 30 days free trial. You can choose from millions of songs to fetch and playback via WiFi (no permanent downloading). In my test, the N800 managed 4 hours of battery life of fetching+playback using Rhapsody. Screenshot here.

A review of the new Parallels Desktop for Mac. "Parallels Desktop for Mac has come along very nicely in only a short of amount of time. The software runs very smoothly and is priced reasonably at USD 79.99. Parallels has stated that in their next version, they will finally include 3D acceleration. Although the lack of 3D acceleration did not bother me, I did wish that they would have included more features for alternative operating systems like Linux."

Apple's new Apple TV runs a modified version of the Mac OS X operating system that hackers have already managed to extract and boot on an Intel-based MacBook and an external USB drive. AppleTVHacks.net, a website documenting the various Apple TV hacks, has posted photos and a video of the Apple TV system software running on a 13-inch Apple MacBook. Ars reviewed the Apple TV.

Sun Microsystems has launched a new business unit to sell its Sparc processors, a return to an idea it had dropped years ago. David Yen, currently executive vice president of storage but previously in charge of Sun's Sparc work, will lead the new group and retain his executive VP status, the company said Thursday.

Just when you finally thought your Windows XP settings were just right, here comes Windows Vista. Fear not: PC Magazine has teamed up with Wiley Books to bring you Windows Vista Solutions to guide you through the ins and outs of your new OS. This week's excerpt helps you navigate the control panel to make your computer fit you. Personalize your computer with new themes, wallpaper, sounds, menu options and more. Here's how.

Magnussoft has explained their side of the story concering the recent split between them and Bernd Korz and the Zeta development team. "The archived sales figures of Zeta were far below Magnussoft's expectations. Continuation of financing the project is economically no longer viable. For the time being, Magnussoft discontinued funding of the Zeta development team on March, 16th 2007. The exclusive distribution agreement will remain unaffected. The existing contract is valid until the end of 2007."

"Microsoft's claim of 20 million Vista licenses sold simply doesn't add up when trying to assess who realistically bought them in the time frame - 'in the opening month' - stated in today's press release. Further, the press release claims that 'Windows Vista made a splash in its debut'. What kind of Kool-Aid are they drinking up there in Redmond? Who spiked the Windows Vista-logo soda cans?"

Today at CTIA, Symbian is announcing version 9.5 of its operating system. The new version delivers improved performance including lower memory and processor requirements, more multimedia features including support for advanced camera features, better PC connectivity, support for DVB-H and ISDB-T Mobile TV standards and improved network and connection management features. Symbian 9.5 is fully backwardly compatible with all member of the Symbian 9.x family. Read here for more.