BeleniX 0.7

BeleniX 0.7 has been released just a few seconds ago.

http://www.belenix.org/

This is the most kick-ass version of BeleniX ever. Among the most important features is the ability to install it to the hard disk and use it as a regular desktop OS. Release Notes details the other changes:

http://www.genunix.org/distributions/belenix_site/?q=ReleaseNotes_0.7

I am just waiting for one more feature – An IPS repository of BeleniX packages and then I will make BeleniX my primary Desktop Operating System

Filed under: General, Open Source, Operating Systems, Solaris , BeleniX

Exploring Python Bytecode

For the past month or so, I’ve been trying to understand what appears to be a black art mostly because of lacking documentation – Python bytecode generation and peephole optimization. Some notes from the study for the benefit of IRC-mate ‘jstatm’ and anyone else living on similar planes of insanity.

Filed under: Open Source, Programming, Python

Visual Call Graph using DTrace

Here is an example of how incredibly powerful DTrace can be. I had to solve a problem where a nice high-level overview of the code flow in a single threaded userland application would save me some pain the backside. Lo and Behold, Dtrace – The Universal Hammer for every nail.

Here is a simple visual call graph generator using 5 lines of DTrace combined with the outstanding Graphviz graphics library.

Filed under: Open Source, Operating Systems, Programming, Solaris

Java != Slow

I am not the biggest Java fan inside or outside of my company. But I detest being on the receiving end of a conversation that involves Sun (I am madly passionate about Sun). So when I met up with a few friends of my friends and heard the standard “Java is dog slow” complaint, I had to invent a (truthful) counterexample.

Filed under: Open Source, Sun

BIS says no to OOXML

The Bureau of Indian Standards has given the finger to OOXML. Despite the BRIC votes being regarded as influential, I doubt if the voting process makes any difference because ESR has expressed concerns that Microsoft has resorted to corruption and bribery inside the ISO.

M$, where do you want to go today ? Judge Thomas Jackson’s Courtroom ? Man, I get vague memories of Enron for some reason ….

Further Reading:

• Why is OOXML defective by design ?
• Say No to OOXML

Update: The WashingtonPost reports on Microsoft’s dirty tactics.

Filed under: Open Source