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Normally when one decides to contribute to an open source project, the first step is to download the sources and study them. This can be a tedious job, especially if the project is large. It would be more useful if the project leaders would provide a graphical representation of the project, which would enable current contributors to keep an overview of the developing software, and would help potential contributors to see how each part of the software is interconnected with other parts. Most commercial software developers provide such graphical representation, and do so in a standard manner, with the Unified Modeling Language (UML). However, only a minuscule number of projects in SourceForge.net (which boasts of being the largest open source projects repository) describe their software in UML. Part of the reason may be that OSS UML editors are not up to the job.

The Mozilla open-source army is asking for the users’ help to test their next versions of Firefox and Thunderbird, well not the entire versions, just the software update mechanism that will eliminate the need to download large files to replace outdated versions of the browser and e-mail client.

Following yesterday's rousing KDE e.V. meeting, aKademy 2005 officially kicked off today with dual presentation tracks filled with content designed for users and system administrators. At the same time the hacking rooms were full of busy developers from morning until evening at which point everyone went to a party sponsored by Novell.

"Linux use doesn't go beyond file servers or print servers because the applications aren't there," said Jupiter Research analyst Joe Wilcox. Although the number of Linux-compatible applications is growing, Windows still boasts more software offerings.

The term Linux also is applied to the popular GNU operating system (OS) built on top of the Linux kernel, often simply called the Linux OS. Then on top of that are the Linux-based distributions that usually and simply are called Linux distributions, such as Mandriva Linux, Red Hat Linux, or SUSE Linux.

Prentice Hall has announced the publication of Peter van der Linden's Guide to Linux, which includes a Linspire LiveCD and is aimed at Windows users who are considering a move to Linux. The book outlines the pros and cons of making the switch, according to its publisher.

Google endorses open source XMPP with Google Talk

If you haven't had a chance to see the Warner Brothers film "March of the Penguins" yet, and you are at all curious about life as an emperor penguin, I highly recommend it.

Today, server automation and virtualization software firm SWsoft announced the availability of Plesk Reloaded 7.5.4 for Linux/UNIX. The latest Plesk control panel upgrade includes more than ten new enhancements and dozens of user-suggested improvements and bug fixes to one of the most popular and requested control panels for hosting service providers.

Freespire, a claimed "free" (and apparently unsanctioned) variant of Linspire Linux with proprietary components and trademarks removed, is reportedly available for download. The initial release, dubbed 5.0, is currently offered in liveCD format only, and is supported by a free repository of some 1,500 Debian Linux packages, DistroWatch reports.

Music on a corporate PDA? Bad idea? Not when you stop and think that offering various audio products, sales pitches, and info casts to customers and employees via their WiFi PDA might be a good thing. Why plop down a couple of Franklins for one of those dedicated music players that make you download via USB?

Sun has set up an Open Source Office (under Simon Phipps, the company's existing Open Source Office) to bring together all of Sun's open source initiatives and serve as a single point of contact for the open source community.

A major reorganization is in the works for China's open-source software industry, with discussions under way over how local Linux vendors and industry organizations can cooperate more closely—including the possibility of a merger between several of the country's top Linux companies.

I recently invited readers to share their thoughts and experiences regarding the management of Linux, and today's column will feature the feedback that we've received.

Massachusetts-based network software maker Novell Inc. will soon launch versions of its popular SUSE Linux operating system in five Indian languages, a company official said Friday.

The freedom to run and modify software is more important than what you call it, according to the GNU founder

When users buy operating systems, they have more in mind than security and cost, according to Web hosting company Rackspace.

In a move to apply its global strategic growth plan, Novell has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 50 percent stake held by its Indian partner Onward Novell.

Kerala, a tiny coastal state in south India, is a site of significant popularity of free software and GNU/Linux. What lessons can Kerala teach other areas about using free and open source software?

The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) invites members of the wider Linux community to assist in the updating of their exams.