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DevelopmentGRASS GIS Version 6.0.0Version 6.0.0 of GRASS GIS, the Geographic Resources Analysis Support System Geographic Information System, was recently announced. The project is summarized on the freegis.org site:
GRASS GIS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) is a Free Software Geographical Information System (GIS) with raster, topological vector, image processing, volume voxel management/visualization, 2D/3D vector engine with vector network analysis and graphics production functionality that operates on various platforms through a graphical user interface and shell in X-Window.
![[GRASS GIS]](/images/ns/grassgis.png)
GRASS GIS is written in the C language, it runs on a wide variety of operating system platforms, and it has been licensed under the GNU GPL. GRASS GIS is suitable for use in a wide variety of applications, it is used in the scientific domains of Geography, Landscape ecology, Urban planning, Biology, Geophysics, Hydrology, and Geostatistics. Version 6.0.0 of GRASS GIS adds many new features, with a focus on Vector geometry features:
GRASS GIS is well documented, the GRASS Documentation Project has links to manual pages, books, tutorials, and more. New documentation for this version includes a GRASS 6.0 Vector Tutorial, GRASS GIS 6.1.cvs Reference Manual, and a version 6.0.0 Programmer's Manual. A set of online screenshots show various uses of the software. The software is available for download in both packaged and source code formats here.
System Applications Audio Projects Planet CCRMA ChangesThe latest changes from the Planet CCRMA audio utility packaging project include a new version 2.6.11 Linux kernel, changes to the ALSA packages, and more.
Clusters and Grids Simple Grid Protocol 1.0Version 1.0 of the Simple Grid Protocol is out. "Brendan Kosowski has released Simple Grid Protocol 1.0, the first public release of a grid computing package. The system, which runs on the GNU CLISP Common Lisp implementation under Linux/BSD, "Allows computer programs to utilize the unused CPU resources of other computers on a network or the Internet"."
Database Software Firebird 2.0 Alpha-01 ReleaseThe Alpha 01 release of the Firebird version 2.0 database is out. "This release contains a large number of new features, including derived tables, support for Execute Block, increased table sizes, new improved index code (the 252-byte index length limit is no longer applicable), expression indices, numerous optimiser improvements, enhanced security features, support for on-line incremental backups along with numerous other improvements and bug fixes."
knoda 0.7.3 releasedVersion 0.7.3 of Knoda, a database frontend, is out with bug fixes and lots of new features.
PostgreSQL Weekly NewsThe March 19, 2005 edition of the PostgreSQL Weekly News is out with the latest news and resources for the PostgreSQL database.
Modifying Slony Clusters (O'ReillyNet)A. Elein Mustain works with Slony in an O'Reilly article. "Slony is the intended replication project for the PostgreSQL database. As you might expect, it supports changing your cluster's configuration. A. Elein Mustain demonstrates how to add nodes, switch masters, fail gracefully, and change schemas with Slony."
Filesystem Utilities Monitoring RAID with NetSaint (O'Reilly)Dan Langille monitors a RAID array on a NetBSD system with NetSaint (renamed Nagios). "In my previous article, I talked about my RAID-5 installation. It has been up and running for a few days now. I'm pleased with the result. However, RAID can fail. When it does, you need to take action before the next failure. Two failures close together, no matter how rare that may be, will involve a complete reinstall"
Interoperability Samba 3.0.12 Available for DownloadStable version 3.0.12 of Samba has been released with bug fixes and new features. "Samba 3.0.12pre1 introduces a specific mechanism for dealing with file services that frequently contain a large number of files per directory. Historically Samba's performance has suffered in such environments due to the translation from case insensitive lookups by Windows client to the case sensitive storage mechanisms used by UNIX filesystems."
Mail Software Bogofilter 0.94.1 ReleasedVersion 0.94.1 of Bogofilter, a bayesian email spam filter, is out. "The big change since the stable release (version 0.92.8) is that Berkeley DB support now includes the Transaction API to allow multiple readers and writers for wordlists and to provide insurance against program or system crashes. "
Printing Tea4CUPS 2.00 announcedVersion 2.00 of Tea4CUPS, a command that allows files to be submitted to multiple printers in the manner of the tee command, is out with many improvements.
Web Site Development Online Grades 3.1.0 Released (SourceForge)Version 3.1.0 of Online Grades, a web based grade posting system, is out. "I am proud to announce that Online Grades has released its newest version 3.1.0. The latest version contains numerous bug fixes, including many related to PHP E_ALL setting. We have also improved the update checker in this release; in the past it was checking on every page load, now it will only check on the main page."
Introducing Hamlets (IBM developerWorks)Rene Pawlitzek introduces Hamlets on IBM developerWorks. "Servlets are a key component of server-side Java development, but despite a number of attractive traits, servlets do not support or enforce the separation of content and presentation. To master that functionality, René Pawlitzek proposes Hamlets -- servlet extensions that provide this functionality within a lightweight framework implemented with less than 500 lines of Java source code."
Desktop Applications CAD PythonCAD release 23Release 23 of PythonCAD, an open-source CAD application, is out. "The twenty-third release contains a several bug fixes, the largest of which is the correct restoration of dimension string text properties when the deletion of a dimension is undone. Another fix included in this release is the removal of some deprecated constants flagged by the 2.6 PyGTK release when they are encountered. This release also features the beginnings of the scripting enhancements planned for PythonCAD."
Data Visualization matplotlib 0.73.1 is availableVersion 0.73.1 of matplotlib, a Python-based data plotting package, is out. Changes include a new contour functionality, native font support for PostScript, a figure method for the colorbar, and more. See the what's new document for details.
Desktop Environments GNOME Software AnnouncementsGNOME Software Announcements The following new GNOME software has been announced this week:
KDE Software AnnouncementsThe following new KDE software has been announced this week:
KDE CVS-Digest (KDE.News)The March 18, 2005 edition of the KDE CVS-Digest has been published, here's the content summary: "KDevelop adds a security problem detector plugin. Digikam adds a white balance plugin. khtml implements Javascript window.atob/btoa. Cervisia implements folding/unfolding selected folder. Request for comments on the new KDE multimedia Framework."
Xfce 4.2.1.1 releasedVersion 4.2.1.1 of Xfce is available. "Xfce 4.2.1.1 has been released quickly after 4.2.1. It includes a fix for a bad bug where panel loses its configuration when saving the session in 4.2.1."
Financial Applications SQL-Ledger 2.4.11 releasedVersion 2.4.11 of SQL-Ledger, a web-based accounting system, is out. It features better error checking, bug fixes, and translation work.
GUI Packages FLTK NewsThe latest news from the FLTK project include the release of Glito 1.1, an IFS fractal generator, and a new publication of the FLTK Human Interface Guidelines.
Mail Clients Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.2 Released (MozillaZine)Version 1.0.2 of Mozilla Thunderbird, an email client, has been announced. "Consisting of security and stability fixes, this version is an essential upgrade for all Thunderbird 1.0 users."
Music Applications njl-plugins 0.2 releasedVersion 0.2 of njl-plugins, an suite of LADSPA plugins that implements the continuous Risset scale, is available.
Office Applications DataVision 0.9.2 released (SourceForge)Version 0.9.2 of DataVision has been announced, it includes new features and bug fixes. "DataVision (http://datavision.sf.net) is an Open Source reporting tool similar to Crystal Reports. Reports can be designed using a drag-and-drop GUI. They may be run, viewed, and printed from the application or exported as HTML, XML, PDF, LaTeX2e, DocBook, or tab- or comma-delimited text files. The output files produced by LaTeX2e and DocBook can in turn be used to produce PDF, text, HTML, PostScript, and more."
Science J-Bird version 0.4.4 (alpha) (SourceForge)Version 0.4.4 alpha of J-Bird, a listing application for bird watchers, is out. "New to this release: The interface has been converted from a hybrid AWT/Swing interface to purely Swing. Desktop shortcuts have been improved on MS Windows and Linux by upgrading the installer to the latest version."
Web Browsers Firefox 1.0.2 releasedFirefox 1.0.2 is out with fixes for three new security problems. See the 1.0.2 release page for information and downloads.
Mozilla 1.7.6 Released (MozillaZine)Version 1.7.6 of the Mozilla browser has been announced. "Mozilla 1.7.6 includes several security updates and fixes for a number of other bugs, including some crashers."
Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird 1.0.2 Release Candidates (MozillaZine)Release candidate builds 1.0.2 of Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Thunderbird have been announced. "Asa Dotzler has announced the availability of Mozilla Firefox 1.0.2 and Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.2 release candidate builds. Testers have been asked to focus on a few areas in particular, including drag and drop, iframes in XUL windows, the state of the lock icon when navigating to named anchors on secure pages and bookmarked pages in the sidebar. If no significant problems are found, Firefox 1.0.2, Thunderbird 1.0.2 and Mozilla 1.7.6 will likely be released next week."
Independent Status Reports (MozillaZine)The March 20th, 2005 Mozilla Independent Status Reports have been announced. "The latest set of independent status reports includes updates from chatnsearch, YellowMapBar, galician, SpurlBar, PasswordMaker, Proxybutton, Flashblock, telugutoolbar, biobar, TrustBar, WebmailCompose, easyGestures, modifyheaders, XHTMLMP, Browse Images, Maple, Padma, MAF, cucbcflag and InFormEnter."
Minutes of the mozilla.org Staff Meeting (MozillaZine)The minutes from the March 14, 2005 mozilla.org staff meeting have been announced. "Issues discussed include Mozilla 1.8 beta 2, Security Updates, Firefox/Thunderbird 1.1, Seamonkey Transition and Mozilla China."
Miscellaneous Alexandria 0.5.0 (GnomeDesktop)Version 0.50 of Alexandria, a book collection manager for GNOME, has been announced. "This release introduces amongst other things the possibility to generate XHTML Web pages (themable with CSS) from your libraries, book information retrieval from the Spanish Ministry of Culture, loaning support and a lot of bug fixes and usability/performances improvements!"
iPodder version 2.0 is released (SourceForge)Version 2.0 of iPodder, a cross-platform interface to portable MP3 players, has been released, although the Linux version is not yet available. Changes include a redefined GUI, a streamlined subscription process, improved cleanup capabilities, proxy support, threaded scans and downloads, and more.
Languages and Tools Caml Caml Weekly NewsThe March 15-22, 2005 edition of the Caml Weekly News is online with the week's Caml language articles.
Java GNU Classpath 0.14 releaseRelease 0.14 of GNU Classpath is out. "GNU Classpath, essential libraries for java, is a project to create free core class libraries for use with runtimes, compilers and tools for the java programming language. The GNU Classpath developer snapshot releases are not directly aimed at the end user but are meant to be integrated into larger development platforms. This 0.14 release snapshot can be seen as the feature complete base library that will be used in the upcoming GCC 4.0 (gcj) and Kaffe 1.1.5 runtimes, compilers and tools collections."
Buoy makes simple Java UI programming a snap (IBM developerWorks)Peter Seebach introduces Buoy on IBM developerWorks. "Buoy, a free user-interface (UI) tool kit built on top of Swing, offers convenience and simplicity to UI developers. In this article, developer and writer Peter Seebach takes a look at what Buoy does and why it works, using a simple fractal UI program."
Screen-scraping with XQuery (IBM developerWorks)Brian Goetz scrapes screens with XQuery on IBM developerWorks. "XQuery is a W3C standard for extracting information from XML documents, currently spanning 14 working drafts. While the majority of interest in XQuery is centered around querying large bases of semi-structured document data, XQuery can be surprisingly effective for some much more mundane uses as well. In this month's Java theory and practice, columnist Brian Goetz shows you how XQuery can be used effectively as an HTML screen-scraping engine."
Lisp ParenScript 0.1.0 announcedInitial release 0.1.0 of ParenScript, a Lisp to JavaScript translator, is out. "According to the author, "ParenScript is a simple language that looks a lot like Lisp, but actually is JavaScript in disguise. Actually, it is JavaScript embedded in a host Lisp. This way, JavaScript programs can be seamlessly integrated in a Lisp web application." ParenScript is written in Common Lisp."
Overview of the CLOS MOP - parts 1 and 2A two part series on MOP, the Meta-Object Protocol of CLOS, the Common Lisp Object System, has been announced. "In the first posting, we saw how to create custom slot definition objects, and how to add new slots to a class definition. In this posting we will see how we can use these custom slot objects to control slot access to our indexed objects."
Perl Symbol Table Manipulation (O'Reilly)Phil Crow works with symbol tables under Perl on O'Reilly. "My purpose here is not really to introduce you to this beautiful module. Instead, I'll explain how to build façades like this. To do so, I'll work through another, simpler CPAN module called Class::Colon. It turns colon-delimited files into classes and their lines into objects. Here's an example from a checkbook application. This program computes the balance of an account on a user-supplied date or the end of time if the user doesn't supply one."
Python Python 2.4.1, release candidate 2Release candidate 2 of Python 2.4.1 is available. "Python 2.4.1 is a bug-fix release."
Dr. Dobb's Python-URL!The March 18, 2005 edition of Dr. Dobb's Python-URL! is out with the latest collection of Python language articles.
python-dev SummaryThe March 1-15, 2005 edition of the python-dev Summary has been published. Take a look to see a summary of the python-dev mailing list activity.
Ruby Ruby Weekly NewsThe March 20th, 2005 edition of the Ruby Weekly News has been posted. It summarizes the latest news and discussion from the ruby-talk mailing list.
UML Unified Modeling Language version 2.0 (IBM developerWorks)Bran Selic discusses UML 2.0 on IBM developerWorks. "So-called "model-driven" development (MDD) methods, which are based on higher levels of abstraction and greater use of automation compared to traditional methods, have already demonstrated their potential for radical improvements in the quality of software and the productivity of development. Since the role of modeling languages is crucial to the success of MDD, a major revision of the industry-standard Unified Modeling Language (UML) was recently completed. While several important new modeling capabilities were added -- such as the ability to more accurately capture software architectures -- the dominant characteristic of this revision is the heightened precision of the language definition that enables greater levels of automation. This article explains how this was achieved and also describes other highlights of UML 2.0."
XML Tracking Packages with RSS (O'Reilly)Yakov Shafranovich uses RSS to track package shipments on O'Reilly. "With the increasing popularity of RSS and Atom, syndication is beginning to be used for many more innovative purposes than simply distributing website updates. In this article I want to show how to simplify such mundane tasks as tracking packages by converting tracking data into an RSS 2.0 feed."
Writing and Reading XML with XIST (O'Reilly)Uche Ogbuji works with XIST on O'Reilly. "XIST is a very interesting project I've been meaning to dig into for some time. If you've been following the news section at the end of each of these columns, you'll have noticed the steady work that Walter Dörwald, the project leader, has put into this toolkit. It started out as a framework for generating HTML and incidentally XML, but the XML facilities have steadily grown and matured, until it is now a sophisticated system for not only generating, but also processing, XML."
Profilers OProfile 0.8.2 has been releasedVersion 0.8.2 of OProfile, a system-wide profiler for Linux, is available. Changes include support for PPC64 and MIPS performance counters, removal of unused features, and bug fixes.
Version Control An open source BitKeeper clientBitMover has announced the availability of an open source BitKeeper client. The functionality is minimal - it can pull down the current copy of a public BitKeeper tree, and not much else. It will be useful, however, for those wanting to get at BitKeeper-hosted code without using proprietary software. It's available under the "no whining" license which, while not being OSI-certified, is likely to be free enough.
Page editor: Forrest Cook |
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