Monthly Archive:: August 2005

Sin: Continuous Integration Rethought

"Due to being dissatisfied with the inability of existing open source Continuous Integration solutions to prevent developers from abusing the codebase, I've been prototyping a new proactive approach to Continuous Integration. Sin, a framework for Continuous Integration, is the result of this work. I discuss the problems with existing solutions and the advantages of Sin here."

The State of Linux Graphics

"I've written a lengthy article covering what I learned during the last two years building the Xegl display server. Topics include the current X server, framebuffer, Xgl, graphics drivers, multiuser support, using the GPU, and a new display server design. Hopefully it will help you fill in the pieces and build an overall picture of the graphics landscape."

Latest Windows Vista, Server, WinFS, Timelines Revealed

According to Paul Thurrot, Microsft is planning on releasing Vista to manufacturing on August 9th, 2006, with broad market availbility on November 15th of that year. Beta 2, RC0 and RC1 will be released, respectivily, December 7th (2005), April 19th (2006) and June 28th (2006). All this also applies to Vista Server, with the exception that Server's RTM is scheduled for Januray 10th, 2007. WinFS is supposed to be released in Q3 2007. All these release dates are ahead of schedule.

Hollywood, Microsoft Align on New Windows

For the first time, the Windows operating system will wall off some audio and video processes almost completely from users and outside programmers, in hopes of making them harder for hackers to reach. The company is establishing digital security checks that could even shut off a computer's connections to some monitors or televisions if antipiracy procedures that stop high-quality video copying aren't in place.

Vim’s Newest Features

Vim, or vi improved, is an open source text editor for multiple platforms. This article gives an overview of vim's latest improvements over vi. New features include multiple windows, syntax highlighting, multiple levels of undo, and color themes. All of these improvements are made possible by the use of vim plugins.

Microsoft Makes WinFS Beta 1 Bits Available

The WinFS rumors were true: Microsoft has posted for download by its Microsoft Developer Network subscribers a first beta of its next-generation WinFS file system. While many developers were not expecting Microsoft to release a Beta 1 build of the technology until late 2006, Microsoft officials said on Monday that getting early bits to testers before Windows Vista shipped was actually the plan of record since last year. Update: Channel9 has a video of WinFS (WMV).

GridShell Extends the TCSH and BASH Syntaxes

GridShell is designed to incorporate grid concepts into command shell environments. In this article, the author describes the motivation for GridShell and provides a high-level description of the extensions to the language interface the tool provides. GridShell extends the TCSH and BASH syntaxes. Users familiar with both will be able to write scripts that include these grid shell language extensions, and orchestrate and coordinate the execution of programs across the grid.

Apple Updates Safari

Apple updates Safari to 2.01, the site says improved website support. You can download this update via Software Update. My Take: I downloaded the update. Due to server load haven't been able to test the image of doom, will be a shame if that problem is still there.

Hacking the Linux 2.6 Kernel

IBM's Developerworks website has published an outstanding free tutorial (free reg. req.) introducing hackers to the Linux source. "This tutorial is written for Linux or UNIX programmers whose skills and experience are at a beginning to intermediate level. You should have a general familiarity with using a UNIX command-line shell and a working knowledge of the C language."