IBM Archive

IBM increased its lead in a growing server market, nibbling away share from rivals Hewlett-Packard and Sun Microsystems, according to figures to be released Wednesday.

Learn how to build a GNU cross compiler for PowerPC code development by downloading the PowerPC 750GX/FX evaluation kit (free reg. req.). The source code illustrates how to initialize and utilize various features of the processor--memory management unit, interrupts, and debugging features. The board schematics provide an example of how to connect the processor to a system controller (bridge) chip and other components in the system.

IBM's programming and scripting language, REXX, may have achieved a unique range of supported platforms, with success on everything from the Commodore Amiga to OS/2 to IBM mainframes. Over the years, REXX gained object-oriented features, and turned into Object Rexx, with programming interfaces to DB2, C, and C++ applications. A few weeks ago, IBM quietly released Object Rexx to the open source community. RexxLA — the REXX Language Association — targeting the first release of Open Object REXX for early 2005.

VitalFile for Real-Time Workstation Protection provides transparent real-time file-level protection. Any time a "user-created" file is changed; VitalFile makes up to three copies. No administrator is necessary and users can restore files themselves.

Open Firmware is software that is used after powering a machine to bring the operating system online (most visibly on PowerPC and SPARC systems), all modern Macintosh systems use it. This article looks at the Open Firmware spec, traces its history as a standard, examines how it works and some of its components, and discusses the benefits it offers. The best way to learn more about OF is to practice, to get a Mac, hold down command-option-O-F when you turn it on, and just start typing.

IBM has ported/developed their Javacard smart card operating system for Sharp's 1MB smart card.

The new tools and enhancements make it easier for development organizations to build, extend, integrate, modernize, and deploy software and software-based systems. The new set of products include a UML-based visual modeling tool, a design and construction tool, and a comprehensive IDE that enables developers to quickly design, develop, analyze, test, profile, and deploy Web, Web services, Java, J2EE, and portal applications.

IBM has improved the processor of its JS20 blade servers and now sells them with its AIX version of the Unix operating system, the company plans to announce Tuesday. When introduced, the JS20 could only run Linux, but now the blades can also run AIX.

IBM's new semantic technology enables companies to make better use of their information by enabling software to be more intelligent, adaptive, and efficient.

This article reviews tips for porting 32-bit software from Linux IA32 to Linux PowerPC. Linux PowerPC also provides a platform for the development and deployment of 32 bit applications that would benefit from a 64 bit environment. This article shares the best practices for porting Intel applications to 64 bit Linux on power. In both casses, PowerPC derived chips offers industry leading performance and provides a world class hardware platform for the deployment and migration of Intel 32 bit and 64 bit apps to the Linux PowerPC environment.

IBM plans to announce Monday that it will contribute some of its speech-recognition software to two open-source software groups.

This article describes new features introduced in the beta release for Lotus Notes and Domino 7.0, including information on Java 1.4.1 suport, the ability to remotely debug Java code, extended support for JSP tags, enhanced Linux/Mozilla support, poductivity improvements to Domino Designer, and the ability to use DB2 as a data store. Go here to download a free Beta version of Domino 7.0

The Embedded Voice Toolkit allows developers to more easily build embedded speech applications using a graphical user interface (GUI) rather than “command-line” coding. The toolkit provides several key components: A set of Eclipse-based plug-ins generate, manage, and test grammar and custom pronunciations. It also provides extension to IBM's range of tools.

Interoperability Tool for Eclipse and .NET WinForms is a Java tool that allows hosting of third-party WinForm controls in Eclipse, handling of .NET events, accessing of .NET properties, invoking of .NET methods, and instantiating of .NET objects. This tool can aid in moving to the Eclipse platform while making use of investments in .NET WinForms controls.