The latest edition of Dr. Dobb’s weekly list of news and announcements for the Python community is now available at LWN.net.

Last week, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced that there will be some sort of .Net component for Linux. Will Linux users embrace such technology? Not likely, say analysts, noting that the bulk of .Net enhancements will probably support Microsoft’s own operating systems. Full story at Computerworld.

Napster is playing by the rules these days — exactly by the rules. By following the preliminary injunction to the letter, the file trading company hopes to maintain an appearance of cooperation to the court without shedding any more of its users. Full story at ZDNet Interactive Week.

ZDNET.co.uk: “UK Web sites could be expected to hand over the identity of
anonymous notice board posters following a landmark ruling in the UK
involving ISP Totalise and the Motley Fool trading site.

In the court ruling, Motley Fool was denied the privilege granted to
print publications to protect sources and asked to disclose the identity
of a message board user accused of posting defamatory remarks
concerning Totalise.”

ZDNET.co.uk: “The tool — called “Stick” — essentially disarms intrusion detection
systems, a crucial line of defence in the largest military and corporate
computer systems. Intrusion detection software sits “on top” of any
computer connection to the Internet, watching packets come in and
out.”

Anonymous Reader writes “I met a fellow commuter on the train while testing the Nike MP3 player. His wife had picked one up for the gym and much to her chagrin, he was using it more than she was. It’s easy to see why.

Even though other MP3 portables target the gym set in their marketing plans, Nike is the first and only player to be specifically designed and built for the exercise minded. In the process they developed a unit that is not only far more convenient when one is bouncing up and down on a treadmill, it further illustrates the power of the digital music format to transcend limitations on the size and shape of the device that plays it. 1’s and 0’s don’t possess a physical shape like CD’s and cassettes and this greater freedom of form is one of digital music’s biggest competitive advantage. The Nike is a perfect example of this.

http://www.mp3newswire.net/stories/2001/nike.html“

Sandra Cann writes “Jcorporate announced a major new release of the Open Source Expresso Framework, version 3.0, its latest contribution to the Java development community. Release 3.0 provides many new features and enhancements, resulting in a more powerful and flexible foundation for rapid development of robust and feature-rich web applications. Expresso has more than 30,000 downloads and has a large active listserv of over 2800 members strong.”

Wired: “Despite the downturn in the tech economy, airlines are continuing to add daily flights — known as “nerd birds” — that connect Silicon Valley to other technology hubs.”

Wired: “WAP — Web access from a phone — has gotten bad press for its slow speed, lack of content and plain uselessness. Vendors at this week’s CTIA tradeshow in Las Vegas are out in force trying to prove that WAP has a future.”

Maddog writes “When you start out using the GIMP you’ll probably find your available font selection somewhat limited. However, don’t despair! There are several easy ways to increase your versatility by adding to your font arsenal.
More at pinehead.“