Development
GnuPG: The GNU Privacy Guard
The Gnu Privacy Guard (GnuPG) is an open-source encryption, key management, and decryption application that is available under the GNU General Public License (GPL). GnuPG is intended to be used for securing digital communications and data storage.
GnuPG is a complete and free replacement for PGP. Because it does not use the patented IDEA algorithm, it can be used without any restrictions. GnuPG is a RFC2440 (OpenPGP) compliant application.
![[GnuPG]](https://static.lwn.net/images/ns/gnupg.png)
The main GnuPG
features
include:
- Is a full replacement for PGP.
- No (known) patented algorithms are used.
- Functions in a command-line mode and as a UNIX filter.
- Fully implements the OpenPGP specification.
- Is compatible with PGP versions 5-7.
- Supports the following encryption methods: ElGamal, DSA, RSA, AES, 3DES, Blowfish, Twofish, CAST5, MD5, SHA-1, RIPE-MD-160 and TIGER.
- Allows expiration dates for keys and signatures.
- Has translation support for many languages.
- Has an online help system.
- Can use keys stored on removable smart-cards.
- Supports the HKP keyservers.
- And more..
A wide variety of front-end applicaions are available for GnuPG, they include GUI interfaces, mail and chat program interfaces, and scripting interfaces.
Building GnuPG from source was a simple matter of downloading and verifying the code, unpacking, then running the usual configure, make, and make install steps. Using the code was easy, a quick pass through the GnuPG Mini-Howto document showed how to create a key, and perform simple encryption and decryption of a file.
A wealth of documentation is available online including numerous Howtos, Guides, FAQs, and online manual pages.
Stable version 1.4.2 of GnuPG was released this week. It features a number of changes to the ID card software, new command completion capabilities, improvements to the key cleaning function, and more. If you should need any encryption capabilities, from simple secure file trading to complicated security systems, GnuPG is there to help.
System Applications
Database Software
Firebird 2 Alpha 3 released to testers
The Alpha 3 release of the Firebird 2 database is available for testing. "Read the general notes on page 2 of the Alpha 3 release notes carefully FIRST! Particularly, try out the new international language support that has been introduced in this alpha."
PostgreSQL Weekly News
The July 24, 2005 edition of the PostgreSQL Weekly News is online with the latest PostgreSQL database news.An Introduction to Test::MockDBI (O'Reilly)
Mark Leighton Fisher introduces Perl's Test::MockDBI on O'Reilly. "Test::MockDBI mocks up the entire DBI API by using Test::MockObject::Extends to substitute a Test::MockObject::Extends object in place of the DBI. A feature of this approach is that if the DBI API changes (and you use that change), you will notice during testing if you haven't upgraded Test::MockDBI, as your program will complain about missing DBI API method(s)"
LDAP Software
LAT 0.6.1 Released
Version 0.6 of LAT, the LDAP Administration Tool, is out with new features and bug fixes.
Libraries
libgdither 0.6 released
Version 0.6 of libgdither, a library for applying dithering to PCM audio sources as a noise reduction technique, is out with bug fixes.
Web Site Development
aroundme 0.5.2 (alpha) released
Version 0.5.2 alpha of aroundme is available for testing. "'aroundme' is social networking and team interaction software. It has three central components: a social network, groupware, and activities and task management. It works with standard Web server configurations, and uses only about 3Mb of disk space. The amount of space each user has for image storage is configurable at installation. Features include membership and group wiki, blog, events, tasks, and polls; user multiple profiles, customisable social networking; simple publishing tools; a membership and group access control system; and an RSS feed."
Midgard 1.7.0 released
Version 1.7.0 of Midgard, a web content management system, is out. "Midgard's 1.7 release is a major overhaul of the whole Content Management System. Besides the stable and mature Content Management features of first generation Midgard, it also ships a preview version of second generation Midgard capabilities, allowing developers to have a glimpse at the new day of Midgard2."
phpBB 2.0.17 released
Version 2.0.17 of phpBB, a web-based bulletin board system, is out. "This release addresses several bugfixes and some low security issues as well as the recently seemingly wide-spread XSS issue (only affecting Internet Explorer)."
Tapestry 4.0 beta released
Version 4.0 beta of Tapestry, an Apache Jakarta object-oriented web application framework, is out. "Tapestry is unlike most other frameworks in that it doesn't use code generation; instead it uses a true component object model based on JavaBeans properties and strong specifications. Tapestry applications require far less Java coding and are far more robust than equivalent applications developed with other popular frameworks." The Tapestry Support Network has also been launched.
XOOPS 2.2 RC2 released (SourceForge)
Version 2.2 RC 2 of XOOPS, an Object Oriented PHP-based dynamic web content management system, has been announced. "This Release Candidate is meant for testing purposes only, and contains a number of new features that make management of XOOPS powered websites easier and more flexible. Among the major changes are the dynamic userprofile, which is now a module for easier upgrading and enhancement, an extended Private Message system (also as a module), themable administration interface, and many many smaller enhancements, fixes and features."
Desktop Applications
Business Applications
Four 'enterprise' applications from Tiny.be
A company called Tiny has announced the availability of four "enterprise" applications, all released under the GPL. They are: Tiny Project, a project management tool; Tiny Accounting, a double-entry bookkeeping system; Tiny Marketing, a marketing campaign manager, and Tiny CRM, a customer relationship management tool. The tools are written in Python, and there are Debian packages available.
Desktop Environments
Fisterra 2 stable release published (GnomeDesktop)
A stable release of Fisterra 2, a development framework for GNOME, has been announced. "Fisterra 2 at the moment contains: "fisterra-base": a stable and mature GNOME framework to develop sectorial applications. "fisterra-distribution": a beta implementation yet, with POS (point of sale) functionality."
GNOME Software Announcements
The following new GNOME software has been announced this week:- Cowbell Music Organizer 0.2 (bug fixes)
- Eye of GNOME 2.11.90 (new features, bug fixes, and translation work)
- GARNOME 2.11.5.1 (new features and bug fixes)
- gcalctool 5.6.25 (bug fixes and translation work)
- GENIUS 0.7.4 (new features and bug fixes)
- GGV 2.11.1 (translation work)
- GLib 2.7.4 (unstable testing release)
- Glom 0.8.37 (new features)
- gnome-games 2.11.3 (UI freeze, bug fixes)
- GnomePythonExtras 2.11.3 (unstable testing release)
- Gnome-utils 2.11.90 (new features, bug fixes, and translation work)
- gob2 2.0.12 (new features and bug fixes)
- GTK+ 2.7.4 (unstable testing release)
- libwnck 2.10.3 (bug fixes)
- Liferea 0.9.4 (new features, bug fixes, and translation work)
- Metacity 2.10.3 (bug fixes and translation work)
- Metacity 2.11.1 (bug fixes and translation work)
- Pango 1.8.2 (new features and bug fixes)
- Pango 1.9.1 (unstable testing release)
- PyGTK 2.7.1 (unstable testing release)
- Zenity 2.11.90 (documentation and translation work)
KDE Software Announcements
The following new KDE software has been announced this week:- KMLDonkey 0.10.1 (GUI improvements and bug fixes)
- KOffice 1.4.1 (new features, bug fixes, and translation work)
KDE Commit Digest
The July 22, 2005 issue of the KDE Commit-Digest is available. Here is the content summary: "Umbrello adds a Ruby code generator. Kalzium now has a chemical equations solver. New recurrence code for libkcal. Kopete adds support for receiving AIM buddy icons. Kopete supports Richtext formatting in Yahoo! Messages."
Desktop Publishing
Inkscape 0.42 released
Version 0.42 of the Inkscape SVG drawing tool is out. 0.42 is said to be "the most feature-filled release to date"; it includes flowed text (with any shape), proper text selection, a reworked gradient tool, a new set of effects, and more. Click below for the details and download information.
Electronics
Kicad 2005-07-25 released
Release 2005-07-25 of Kicad, a printed circuit CAD application, is available. Changes include cosmetic enhancements, a new mouse function, translation and documentation improvements.XCircuit 3.3.29 released
Version 3.3.29 of XCircuit, an electronic schematic drawing package, is out. The device auto-numbering system is being reworked.
Games
Phil's pyGame Utilities 1.1 released
Version 1.1 of Phil's pyGame Utilities, a tile and level editor, has been announced. The Changes include: "command line interface improved considerably - use .ini files for init". Also, version 1.0 of Phil's pyGame Library is available.
Interoperability
CYGWIN/X needs a new maintainer
Alexander Gottwald is stepping down from the position of maintainer of CYGWIN/X, a new voluneer is needed.Wine-20050725 released
Release 20050725 of Wine has been announced. Changes include early theme support in common controls, MSHTML improvements, Direct3D improvements, early LDAP support, bug fixes and more.
Mail Clients
Sylpheed-Claws 1.9.13 unleashed (SourceForge)
Version 1.9.13 of Sylpheed-Claws is available. "Sylpheed-Claws is an extended version of Sylpheed, a GTK+ based, lightweight, and fast e-mail client. This is the GTK 2 version of Sylpheed-Claws. This release includes improved GPGME, IMAP, and printing support."
Music Applications
E-Radium V0.61c announced
Version 0.61c of E-Radium, a midi music editor that runs under the E-Uae Amiga emulator, is out with bug fixes and performance improvements.Hydrogen 0.9.2 released
Version 0.9.2 of Hydrogen, a musical drum machine, is out with bug fixes and lots of new capabilities.kluppe 0.5.1 released
Version 0.5.1 of kluppe, a jackified loop-player for Linux, is out with the beginnings of MIDI support and bug fixes.mma beta 0.15 released
The initial beta release of mma, Musical MIDI Accompaniment is out. "MMA is a accompaniment generator -- it creates midi tracks for a soloist to perform with. User supplied files contain pattern selections, chords, and MMA directives. MMA is very versatile and generates excellent tracks. It comes with an extensive user-extendable library with a variety of patterns for various popular rhythms, an extensive user manual, and many demo songs."
Office Suites
KOffice 1.4.1 with Improved OASIS Support (KDE.News)
KDE.News covers the release of KOffice 1.4.1. "Among various bugfixes and language improvements, the KOffice 1.4.1 release further improves support for the OASIS OpenDocument file format."
KDE Plugin in the Official OpenOffice.org Packages (KDE.News)
KDE.News looks at the KDE plugin for OpenOffice.org. "A year and a half after launching the KDE.OpenOffice.org Integration Project, the KDE plugin with the Native Widget Framework as become part of the official OpenOffice.org development packages."
OO.o build 1.9.118 announced
Build 1.9.118 of OpenOffice.org is available. It features bug fixes, build improvements and some new capabilities.
Science
GeoTools 2.1.0 released (SourceForge)
Version 2.1.0 of GeoTools, an open-source Java GIS toolkit, is available. "This release features improved performance of LiteRenderer, Shapefile (now indexable), and PostGIS."
Web Browsers
Epiphany: The Web through the eyes of GNOME (GnomeDesktop)
GnomeDesktop looks at the development of Epiphany, the default GNOME web browser. "Since the GNOME 2.12 feature freeze is in effect, its time to reflect on where Epiphany, GNOMEs default web browser, stands and where its going."
A followup article addresses some of the concerns raised in the first article.
Mozilla 1.7.10 Released (MozillaZine)
MozillaZine reports that Mozilla 1.7.10 has been released, with a security update to the Mozilla Application Suite. "There was no Mozilla 1.7.9 release: it was cancelled after it was discovered that changes in the equivalent 1.0.5 releases of Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Thunderbird caused some problems."
Mozilla 1.7.11 Release Candidates Available (MozillaZine)
Release Candidates of Mozilla 1.7.11 are available. "The test builds made available today contain a fix for the folder switching issue (bug 300749) but do not feature code to correct the problem that makes cursor keys non-functional in the message composition window (bug 301917)."
Mozilla Firefox 1.1 Delayed, Renamed to 1.5 (MozillaZine)
MozillaZine covers the release plans for Firefox 1.5. "ZDNet UK is reporting that the next major release of Mozilla Firefox has been delayed and will now be known as Firefox 1.5 rather than 1.1. The upgrade is now set for a September release."
Minutes of the mozilla.org Staff Meeting (MozillaZine)
MozillaZine has announced the publication of the minutes from the July 18, 2005 mozilla.org staff meeting. "Issues discussed include new hires, Mozilla Firefox 1.0.5 release feedback, release management in general, the Firefox 1.0.6 API fix release, Firefox 1.1 Beta 1, Mozilla Thunderbird 1.1 Alpha 2, Spread Firefox and quality assurance."
Word Processors
AbiWord Development snapshot 2.3.4 released (GnomeDesktop)
Development snapshot 2.3.4 of The AbiWord word processor has been announced. "The changes from 2.3.2 to 2.3.4 (2.3.3 was never any good) include a lot of bugfixes, as we are working on stablizing the 2.3 development series towards our first stable 2.4 release. No record of the exact list of changes is available for this release."
Miscellaneous
KnowledgeTree 2.0.7 released (SourceForge)
Version 2.0.7 of KnowledgeTree is available. "KnowledgeTree is a powerful Open Source document management system. Capabilities include advanced document version control, full text search, multiple search types, extensible metadata for documents, customizable dashboard and authoring workflow. Version 2.0.7 of KnowledgeTree continues the incremental bug fixes and behind-the-scenes improvements to the Document Management System."
Languages and Tools
Caml
Caml Weekly News
The July 26, 2005 edition of the Caml Weekly News is online with the latest Caml language articles.
Java
JasperReports 1.0.0 released (SourceForge)
Version 1.0.0 of JasperReports has been released. "JasperReports, our July 2005 Project of the Month, is a free Java reporting library. XML report templates are used to generate ready to print documents using data from customizable data sources, including JDBC. The output can be delivered to the screen, printer, or stored in PDF, HTML, XLS, CSV and XML format".
Lisp
GNU CLISP 2.34 feature release (SourceForge)
Version 2.34 of GNU CLISP has been announced. "GNU CLISP [2.33.2] is now available for download. CLISP is a portable ANSI Common Lisp implementation, a compiled, object-oriented, dynamic, functional, interactive programming environment. New features: MOP, weak structures, case sensitive symbols, global error handlers. New modules: matlab, rawsock, zlib, i18n, pari."
Perl
This Week in Perl 6 (O'Reilly)
The July 13-19, 2005 edition of O'Reilly's This Week in Perl 6 is available with the latest Perl 6 news.Ten Essential Development Practices (O'Reilly)
Damian Conway presents ten Perl tips on O'Reilly. "The following ten tips come from Perl Best Practices, a new book of Perl coding and development guidelines by Damian Conway."
PHP
PHP Weekly Summary for July 25, 2005
The PHP Weekly Summary for July 25, 2005 is out. Topics include: Inheriting apxs compiler flags; ext/mail?; SQLite row size; internal static properties; fread() bug; ext/standard dependencies; regression change in HEAD; preparing for 5.1.0.
Tcl/Tk
Dr. Dobb's Tcl-URL!
The July 21, 2005 edition of Dr. Dobb's Tcl-URL! is online with the latest Tcl/Tk news and resources.Dr. Dobb's Tcl-URL!
The July 26, 2005 edition of Dr. Dobb's Tcl-URL! is online with the latest Tcl/Tk articles.
IDEs
Stani's Python Editor 0.7.4.a
Version 0.7.4.a of Stani's Python Editor, a Python language IDE, is available. "This is a major bugfix release for wxPython 2.6 and Mac OS X. The new features are configurable shortcuts and a realtime updating sidebar."
Profilers
OProfile 0.9.1 has been released
Version 0.9.1 of the OProfile profiler is out. Changes include support for MIPS 24K performance counters and bug fixes.
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