I've just recently downloaded the new 3.0 beta for Eclipse. I must say my initial impressions are.....
SWEEEEET!!!
Its got a great new look, easier updating, and easier install procedures for plugins. I'll post more about its useability and power as I get more comfortable using it. Eclipse quickly became my favourite IDE about a year ago and IBM has been impressing me ever since. I think I might even start using it for java even. lol
To use firefox. This just in the office of Homeland Security recommends not useing IE. Apparently IE just makes it too easy for cyberterrorists. As this last problem demonstrated.
You can use open source in any platform. Windows, Linux, OSX it doesn't matter. I talk a lot about Open Source on this blog. So I thought... What about those folks who might want to give open source a try? They don't want to go full blown Linux or FreeBSD they just want to take some apps for a spin. They run Windows most likely. So I came up with a list of applications for an open source desktop. Here is the Open Source Desktop List:
Everyone is getting on the Open source Bandwagon. First Erik Raymond wrote an open letter to Sun asking them to Release Java as Open Source. Now IBM has added their voice to the growing crowd.
The Y window system is in official development now. In light of the recent X-Windows licensing issues and the great need for a stable uniform desktop for Open Source. I look for this to be getting a lot of attention in near future.
This article is a perfect example of how open source is exerting market pressure on Microsoft. Especially in this quote here:
"Ministry of Finance sources told Globes that the decision could be reversed if Microsoft Israel shows willingness to compromise on its pricing policy for tens of thousands of computer stations at government offices."
Programs like OpenOffice are helping to drive Microsofts price down or even supplant microsoft. It is providing people with a bargaining position in negotiations with Microsoft. This is perhaps the greatest strength of OpenSource. It also demonstrates the power of the free market. If any possibility for a competitor to a Monopoly exists then that competitor will come about. Even if it requires a free price tag.
Hat tip to Cemper for alerting me to this. fabForce.net has an outstanding Mysql DB managment application. Not only is it open source but it has all the spit and polish of the commercial competitors. Features I saw in apps like Access or Oracle's offerings are present here. I am going to check out the rest of their site later to see what else they have.
P.S.
I should add that this application is not restricted to Mysql. You can use it with native drivers for Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server and SQLite and of course your standard ODBC Connections to any database that supports them.