Python 3.0 released.
Python 3.0 (a.k.a. 'Python 3000' or 'Py3k') represents a major milestone in Python's history, and was nearly three years in the making. This is a new version of the language that is incompatible with the 2.x line of releases, while remaining true to BDFL Guido van Rossum's vision. more... and Let's talk about Python 3.0.

IBM's new Ubuntu-based desktop offering.
IBM has announced the availability of a new desktop offering based on Ubuntu Linux. "This solution runs open standards-based email, word processing, spreadsheets, unified communication, social networking and other software to any laptop, browser, or mobile device from a virtual desktop login on a Linux-based server configuration." more... and IBM, Virtual Bridges and Canonical Offer Ubuntu-based Virtual Desktop and IBM pushes "Microsoft alternative" desktop and Ubuntu + IBM = Choice corporate Linux desktop?

PDF editing on Linux.
PDF editing in linux is still somehow tricky nowadays. This post aims at putting together the currently available resources for manipulating PDF documents. We are all looking forward at GNUpdf project completing its major tasks in order to release a full featured GNU Juggler which will be a full-fledged PDF viewer and editor making use of the GNU PDF Library. more...

7 Best Free/Open-source Image Viewers for Linux.
An image viewer (also known as image browser) is a desktop application that can quickly display or handle stored graphical images in different graphics file formats. It can render images according to properties of the display such as display resolution, color depth, and color profile. Other image viewers have advanced features like editing and web publishing. more...

Firefox add-on displays Word 2007 documents.
Developed in co-operation with Microsoft and released as open source, the OpenXML Document Viewer extension for Firefox translates Word 2007 documents saved in the Open XML format into HTML for direct display in the web browser. more...

OpenOffice's UI will be getting a refurb.
In a long-term project, the OpenOffice team wants to thoroughly rework the free office software's user interface. This was already widely expected to happen with version 3.0, which no longer looks contemporary in many users' eyes. In addition, the office suite's menus have become so cluttered and badly structured that users find it impossible to locate certain functions. more...

First look: can Songbird 1.0 replace iTunes, WMP?
Last month, we curled up with a pair of headphones and a 1.0 release candidate of Songbird, an open-source media player based on Mozilla technology. As a cross-platform music player built with Mozilla's trademark extensibility in mind, Songbird soared with its integration of services like concert ticket notifiers, lyric downloading, and artist bios. more... and 10 of the Best Songbird Add-ons.

Five open source content management systems you should know about.
We decided to make a list of five open source content management systems you should know about across the spectrum of content management platforms from ECM, to WCM, to blogging, and Digital Asset Management. more... and The Pros and Cons of Using Joomla!

Misc.
Tux Christmas Wallpaper.
Shiki-Colors mixes the elegance of a dark theme with the usability of a light theme, resulting in a hybrid theme.
MintMenu on openSUSE.
gcompris: educational suite for children.

How To Tips.

How To Kdenlive: install instructions.
How To Installing ubuntu-system-panel (USP) On Ubuntu 8.10.
How To Install Mplayer and Multimedia Codecs (libdvdcss2,w32codecs,w64codecs) in Ubuntu 8.10.
How To Producing an EBook Cover With POVRay and Inkscape.
How To Set a Static IP address in Ubuntu 8.10.

See you next Thursday 7 P.M. at Dooley's Pub, 442 Water Street, Eau Claire, WI.

EC_LUG