Development
Matplotlib - Data Plotting in Python
Matplotlib is an easy to use plotting library with the capability of generating a wide variety of data plots.
matplotlib is a python 2D plotting library which produces publication quality figures using in a variety of hardcopy formats and interactive GUI environments across platforms. matplotlib can be used in python scripts, interactively from the python shell (ala matlab or mathematica), in web application servers generating dynamic charts, or embedded in GUI applications.
![[Matplotlib]](https://static.lwn.net/images/ns/matplotlib.jpg){kind=small}
Matplotlib supports a wide variety of plotting commands; the
pylab interface can be used for those who already know
Matlab, a popular
commercial mathematical application.
A comprehensive tutorial is available for educational purposes and the screenshots page has numerous examples of matplotlib in action, including example code for each plot. The FAQ document contains additional usage information. Matplotlib lives up to its claim of being easy to use, just a few lines of code are all that is required to produce professional looking output.
Installation of matplotlib is fairly straightforward, your editor had no problem making it work on an older Red Hat 9 system, the Fedora Core 3 installation is still proving to be somewhat tricky due to dependency issues. Matplotlib requires Numerical Python (now called Numarray), which in turn requires several additional libraries.
Version 0.71 of Matplotlib was announced this week. The changes include:
- The numerix module has been reorganized to improve namespace issues.
- Contours now use the default colormap.
- The colorbar system now works with arbitrary axes.
- New accents are available in the mathtext command.
- Numerous bugs have been fixed.
- Other minor enhancements are included.
If you are looking for a fairly straightforward way to generate automated or manually created data plots, Matplotlib is worth investigating. The source code is available for download here.
System Applications
Audio Projects
Planet CCRMA Changes
The latest changes from the Planet CCRMA audio utility packaging project include new versions of apt, Muse, Fweelin, Liblo, Qjackctl, Seq24, and Alsa.
Database Software
AMD64 Builds of Firebird 1.5.2 are recalled
The Firebird Database project has announced a recall of Firebird 1.5.2 for the AMD64 platform. "Because some potential corruption problems have shown up with pre-existing databases on the AMD64 Linux installations of Firebird 1.5.2, the kits have been recalled to the pre-release area for further testing."
FlameRobin version 0.2.0 released (GnomeDesktop)
GnomeDesktop.org covers the release of FlameRobin 0.2.0 ALPHA, a Firebird database administration tool. "It now comes with property sheets and editors for most database objects, brand new background backup & restore features and a MacOS X port. Not to mention the new program logo, new home on sf.net."
Mammoth PostgreSQL Replicator 1.4 Released (Updated)
Version 1.4 of Mammoth PostgreSQL Replicator is available. Changes include support for live promotion, non-blocking full dump, and bug fixes.PostgreSQL General Bits
Issue #94 of PostgreSQL General Bits is online after a long sabbatical. "General Bits is a column loosely based on the PostgreSQL mailing list pgsql-general." Take a look to read about PostgreSQL 8.0.0 and other topics.
Filesystem Utilities
EVMS 2.5.1 Released (SourceForge)
Version 2.5.1 of the Enterprise Volume Management System has been announced. "This is the first maintenance release in the EVMS 2.5.x series, and is primarily intended to fix some recent bug-reports, as well as to update to the most recent kernel and Device-Mapper releases."
Interoperability
Samba 3.0.11pre2 Available for Download
Version 3.0.11pre2 of Samba is available. Changes include new net rpc command options, assignable rights for specific SIDs, and bug fixes.
Mail Software
Bogofilter 0.93.5 Released
Version 0.93.5 of Bogofilter, a Bayesian spam filter, has been released. "The big change since the stable release (version 0.92.8) is that Berkeley DB support now the Transaction API to allow multiple readers and writers for wordlists. Be sure to read file README.DB and the RELEASE.NOTES file if upgrading from 0.92.8 (or any older version)."
Networking Tools
Build a push proxy gateway on Linux (IBM developerWorks)
Manas Ranjan Behera explains how to build a push proxy gateway in an IBM developerWorks article. "Learn how to set up a PPG on your own, configure the settings to your own taste, develop push content, and test it with a mobile handset simulator over a TCP/IP network on a LAN."
Printing
GPL Ghostscript 8.15 Integration In Progress
The CUPS printing project has posted a status update concerning the GPL version of Ghostscript. "We are in the process of integrating ESP Ghostscript with the GPL Ghostscript 8.15 baseline."
Web Site Development
Midgard 1.6.2 released
Version 1.6.2 of the Midgard Open Source Content Management Framework has been announced. "This release doesn't provide any new features, it is bugfix release which makes midgard much more easier to install and much more stable for running production environments."
mnoGoSearch 3.2.30 released
Version 3.2.30 of mnoGoSearch, a web site search engine, is out. See the change history for details. Also, new versions of mnoGoSearch-php and mnoGoSearch-php-extension are available.MoinMoin 1.3.2 Released
Version 1.3.2 of MoinMoin, a Python-based wiki package, is out with a fix for an ACL problem.Tiki 1.8.5 - Polaris- released (SourceForge)
Version 1.8.5 of Tiki, a CMS/Groupware application, has been announced. "Tiki admins are strongly urged to upgrade to this version due to vulnerabilities in versions prior to 1.8.5 that can lead to unauthorized remote control."
Desktop Applications
Audio Applications
Ardour 0.9beta24 released
The 0.9beta24 release of Ardour, a multi-track audio recording application, is out with this explanation: "Well, originally, 0.99 was due to be the next release, but Ron Parker and his trusty intern Spencer uncovered some significant usability issues with xfades and region layering. Fixing this required substantive codes changes, and I want to make a 0.9beta24 release to help flush out any issues."
Snd-ls V0.9.2.0 released
Version 0.9.2.0 of Snd-ls, a distribution of the sound editor Snd, is available. Here is the change log entry: "Updated SND to v7.10 from 20.1.2005. Many important changes".
Desktop Environments
GNOME Software Announcements
The following new GNOME software has been announced in the last week:- F-Spot 0.0.6 (bug fixes)
- Browser Bookmarks Menu 0.4 (improvements and bug fixes)
- Metacity 2.9.5 (unstable release for Gnome 2.10.0 Beta 1)
- Metacity 2.9.8 (bug fixes)
- Garnome 2.9.4.1 (bug fixes)
- Evince 0.1.1 (new features and bug fixes)
- Gnome Nettool 1.1.0 (minor changes and translation work)
- gcalctool 5.5.29 stable (bug fixes)
- gnome-games 2.9.5 (bug fixes)
- GNOME Applets 2.9.5 (new features, bug fixes, and translation work)
- Gnome Spell 1.0.6 (bug fixes and translation work)
- gnome-utils 2.9.90 (new features and bug fixes)
- Java-GNOME 2.9.90 (bug fixes and build improvements)
- GtkSourceView 1.1.91 (bug fixes and build improvements)
- gnome-panel 2.9.90 (bug fixes and other improvements)
- gedit 2.9.5 (bug fixes and translation work)
- libgnomecanvas 2.9.1 (bug fixes and translation work)
- libsigc++ 2.0.7 (build improvements)
- GnomePythonExtras 2.9.3 (unstable testing release)
- GNOME System Tools 1.1.90 (bug fixes and other improvements)
- Beagle 0.0.5 (multiple enhancements)
KDE CVS-Digest for January 21, 2005 (KDE.News)
The January 21, 2005 edition of the KDE CVS-Digest is online with the following content summary: "Ruby Kdebindings now support .kcfg files. KDevelop adds source navigation history. KChart adds print support. KWin adds translucency support. A new HighContrast style added for partially sighted users."
KDE 3.4 Beta 1 Screenshots (KDE.News)
KDE.News mentions the posting of some screenshots for KDE 3.4 Beta 1. "KDE 3.4 Beta 1, christened Krokodile, was released not too long ago. For those of you who have not yet taken the plunge, Eudpytula Minor has announced some Krokodile screenshots for your viewing pleasure."
Games
Cyphesis 0.3.8 Released
Version 0.3.8 of Cyphesis, a server for WorldForge games, has been released. "This version includes the demo game Mason which is currently in development. This release is intended for server administrators wishing to run a Mason server or anyone wishing to work on serverside game development. The major new feature in this release is the ability to run cyphesis completely stand alone without need for a database backend, or any of its library dependencies given a suitably configured binary."
GUI Packages
Qt 3.3.4 Release and Qt 4 Schedule Adjustment (KDE.News)
KDE.News mentions the latest release schedules for Qt 3.3.4 and 4.0. "Trolltech has announced the release of Qt 3.3.4 which is a maintenance release including many bug fixes and optimizations. The final Qt 4.0 release is now anticipated for late second quarter of 2005 with two interim beta versions to be released in March and May."
Learn how to program cool GNOME and Gtk+ apps using PyGTK (GnomeDesktop)
GnomeDesktop.org mentions the latest release of the PyGTK tutorial. "The PyGTK tutorial makes even easier and funnier learning how to program graphical applications using Python and Gtk+ that work seamlessly on GNU/Linux, *BSD or MS-Windows. These updates include new information about features and widgets added to Gtk+ 2.4."
Imaging Applications
GIMP 2.2.3 Released (GnomeDesktop)
Version 2.2.3 of the GIMP has been announced. "With the release of version 2.2.3 of the GNU Image Manipulation Program, the GIMP developers hope to have eliminated most, if not all, of the regression bugs that kept people from upgrading from GIMP 2.0. GIMP 2.2 is now at the point where everyone should be using it. Of course the 2.2 tree will be maintained further, but GIMP developers will now be able to focus on the development branch again."
Instant Messaging
Gaim 1.1.2 is out
Version 1.1.2 of Gaim, an instant messaging client, has been released. "It contains some minor bug fixes, and a working HTTP connection method for MSN. This should help out people behind strict firewalls. We also have SecurID login support for AOL accounts that require it, thanks to an anonymous user for help getting that working."
Mail Clients
Mozilla Thunderbird Gains Phishing Detection (MozillaZine)
As reported in MozillaZine, the latest Thunderbird builds now include some simple heuristics designed to detect (and warn about) phishing scams.
Music Applications
orDrumbox v0.5 rpm version released (SourceForge)
Version 0.5 of orDrumbox, a cross-platform drum machine, is available. "orDrumbox is a Software Drum Machine and Audio Sequencer in Java. Create songs, use Drum Kits and have creative automatic composition features."
Office Applications
Gnumeric 1.4.2 Released (GnomeDesktop)
Version 1.4.2 of the Gnumeric spreadsheet has been announced. Changes include Win32 improvements, rotated text support, and bug fixes. See the release notes for details.
Web Browsers
Mozilla Links Newsletter
The January 24, 2005 edition of the Mozilla Links Newsletter is online with the latest Mozilla browser news and reviews.Minutes of the mozilla.org Staff Meeting (MozillaZine)
The minutes from the January 10, 2005 mozilla.org staff meeting are online, here's the content summary: "Issues discussed include Mozilla 1.8 Alpha 6, Mozilla Thunderbird, Mozilla Firefox, the Roadmap and accessibility."
mozilla.org Staff Meeting Minutes (MozillaZine)
The minutes from the January 18, 2005 mozilla.org staff meeting have been announced. "Issues discussed include update.mozilla.org, feedback on Mozilla 1.8 Alpha 6, Mozilla Firefox 1.1, Mozilla Thunderbird 1.1, CDs, infrastructure, @mozilla.org email changes, press articles and conferences."
Languages and Tools
C
Use reentrant functions for safer signal handling (IBM developerWorks)
Dipak K. Jha discusses reentrant C functions on IBM developerWorks. "If you deal with concurrent access of functions, either by threads or processes, you can face problems caused by non-reentrancy of the functions. In this article, learn through code samples how anomalies can result if reentrancy is not ensured, especially with regard to signals. Five recommended programming practices are included, along with a discussion of a proposed compiler model in which the compiler front end deals with reentrancy."
Caml
Caml Weekly News
The January 18-25, 2005 edition of the Caml Weekly News is out, take a look for a number of new Caml language articles.
Java
Software Infrastructure Bottlenecks in J2EE (O'Reilly)
Deepak Goel shows how to analyze J2EE bottlenecks on O'Reilly. "Scalability is one of the most important non-functional requirements of a system. But there could be several bottlenecks within a system, which might prevent it from being scalable. In this article, we try to analyze the case in which the software infrastructure becomes a bottleneck, long before any of the hardware resources (such as CPU, memory, disk space, and network speed) are fully consumed."
Java theory and practice: Generics gotchas (IBM developerWorks)
Brian Goetz discusses Java Generic types on IBM developerWorks. "Generic types, added in JDK 5.0, are a significant enhancement to type safety in the Java language. However, some aspects of generics may seem confusing, or even downright bizarre, to first-time users. In this month's Java theory and practice, Brian Goetz examines the common pitfalls that ensnare first-time users of generics."
Lisp
GCL 2.6.6 released
Version 2.6.6 of GCL (GNU Common Lisp) is out. "This version, the latest in the `stable' series, changes the format of executable files and fixes a batch of bugs."
LTK 0.8.7 released
Version 0.8.7 of LTK, the Lisp Toolkit, is available. "This version adds several new methods and arguments to MAKE-INSTANCE."
Perl
The Phalanx Project (O'Reilly)
Andy Lester talks about The Phalanx Project on O'Reilly. "The primary goal of Phalanx is to increase the quality of a given module's test suite, mostly by increasing the amount of the module's code that the tests cover. However, there are secondary goals because we're working with the code anyway. The first sub-goal is to find hidden bugs. As we add tests to modules, we hope to uncover broken functionality."
This Week in Perl 6 (O'Reilly)
The January 20, 2005 edition of This Week in Perl 6 is available with a new round of Perl 6 language topics.
PHP
PHP Weekly Summary for December 26, 2004
The PHP Weekly Summary for December 26, 2004 is out. Topics include: Why we don't promote Apache 2, endian detection, allow_url_include, PHP 4.3.11/5.0.4 pending, PHP 5.1 in the manual, ReflectionClass::hasMethod, CVS karma, PZVAL_UNLOCK, CVS closed for Christmas, Oracle Instant Client support, openssl non-blocking negotiation, and a little black magic, and php.ini stuff.PHP Weekly Summary for January 3, 2005
The PHP Weekly Summary for January 3, 2005 is out. Topics include: Of chickens, eggs, and Apache 2 (again) realpath_cache revisited, Startup order, PHP 4.3.11 and 5.0.4, Shared libraries, Shutdown order and dl, php_hostconnect, extract issues, win32 build issues, Geeks and superheroes, and Internet family.PHP Weekly Summary for January 10, 2005
The PHP Weekly Summary for January 10, 2005 is out. Topics include: Bit of an odd bug, php_sprintf, constant names, $host_alias check, EXTENSIONS file, FD_CLOEXEC, and A noisy week.PHP Weekly Summary for January 17, 2005
The PHP Weekly Summary for January 17, 2005 is out. Topics include: html_entity_decode, Type hinting, buildconf vs autoconf, static method invoked by ...?, To BC or not to BC?, PIC/non_PIC, sqlite_key, External internals, mbstring, and Commercial interests.
Python
Dr. Dobb's Python-URL!
The January 23, 2005 edition of Dr. Dobb's Python-URL! is online with the latest Python language discussions.python-dev Summary
The December 1-15, 2004 Python-dev Summary is online with a summary of the python-dev mailing list traffic for that timeframe.Python Spread Module 1.5 final released
Version 1.5 of the Python Spread Module, a Python wrapper module for the Spread messaging service toolkit, is out. "The primary visible changes since release 1.4 are Mark McClain's new code to give Mailbox objects a multigroup_multicast() method, and that the Windows build now works with Spread 3.17.3."
A Byte of Python version 1.20
Version 1.20 of the online book A Byte of Python is available. "This new version is a rewrite of the book and I've improved the explanations of most of the examples and added some new examples as well."
Pyrex extends and speeds Python apps (IBM developerWorks)
David Mertz examines Pyrex on IBM developerWorks. "The author takes a stab at speeding up his pure-Python version of hashcash using Pyrex, a language for writing Python extension modules that lets you avoid having to use C for the job. He contrasts writing code in Pyrex -- generally for use with larger Python applications -- with speeding up Python applications using the Psyco compiler, which he has written about previously on developerWorks."
Tcl/Tk
Dr. Dobb's Tcl-URL!
The January 23, 2005 edition of Dr. Dobb's Tcl-URL! is online with the latest Tcl/Tk news.
XML
An early look at sXBL (IBM developerWorks)
Elliotte Rusty Harold introduces sXBL on IBM developerWorks. "SVG's XML Binding Language -- sXBL -- is an XML vocabulary being developed at the W3C as a means of mapping XML elements in arbitrary vocabularies to Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) pictures that represent those elements. For example, an XML Metadata Interchange (XMI) document can be turned into SVG code that shows the actual Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagram encoded in the XMI document. But sXBL takes the separation of presentation from content one step further: It is a generic language for rendering documents as arbitrarily complex two-dimensional pictures."
IDEs
The anjuta story (GnomeDesktop)
GnomeDesktop presents a history of the Anjuta IDE. "It was back in 1999 when Naba Kumar released the first buggy alpha version of Anjuta, an IDE for GNOME which should pack together all the great command line development tools in linux and make software development easy on GNOME desktop."
Ultimate++ 0.98.3 released (SourceForge)
Version 0.98.3 of Ultimate++ has been announced. "Ultimate++ is the new generation C++ Windows/Linux open-source development platform. By utilizing a couple of new principles Ultimate++ achieves significant reduction of code complexity and this way it saves the developments costs. Ultimate++ based application sources tend to be significantly shorter (~50%) than equivalent applications using any other C++ platforms."
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